**Experiment: Scent and Mood Association**
**Objective:** To demonstrate classical conditioning by associating a neutral olfactory stimulus with changes in mood.
**Materials:**
- Two different scents: one pleasant (e.g., lavender) and one neutral (e.g., unscented oil)
- A mood assessment tool (e.g., self-reported mood scale)
- Participants (classmates or volunteers)
**Procedure:**
1. **Preparation:** Ensure participants are in a relaxed state and are not experiencing extreme mood fluctuations.
2. **Baseline Measurement:** Have participants rate their current mood using the mood assessment tool.
3. **Conditioning Phase:**
- Present the pleasant scent (CS) to participants for a few minutes.
- While the pleasant scent is present, engage participants in a mood-lifting activity (e.g., watching a funny video, listening to uplifting music).
- Repeat this pairing several times over multiple sessions.
4. **Testing Phase:** On separate occasions, present both the pleasant scent (CS) and the neutral scent (CS) to participants without engaging in mood-lifting activities.
5. **Measurement:** Have participants rate their mood after exposure to each scent using the mood assessment tool.
6. **Data Collection:** Record participants' mood ratings and any observations during both phases.
**Results:**
- During the baseline measurement, participants' mood ratings may vary but should generally reflect their initial mood state.
- After conditioning, participants may exhibit more positive mood ratings in response to the pleasant scent (CS) compared to the neutral scent (CS).
**Explanation:**
- **Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS):** Mood-lifting activities naturally induce positive changes in participants' mood.
- **Unconditioned Response (UCR):** Positive mood changes (e.g., happiness, relaxation) are the natural reflex responses to engaging in mood-lifting activities.
- **Conditioned Stimulus (CS):** The pleasant scent, initially a neutral stimulus, becomes associated with positive mood changes through repeated pairings with mood-lifting activities (UCS).
- **Conditioned Response (CR):** Positive mood changes elicited by the pleasant scent (CS), which has been conditioned through association with mood-lifting activities (UCS).
**Report:**
The experiment demonstrated classical conditioning in participants, as indicated by the association between the pleasant scent (CS) and positive mood changes. This suggests that neutral olfactory stimuli can acquire significance and influence mood through repeated pairings with mood-lifting activities.
**Presentation to the Class:**
During the presentation, provide an overview of classical conditioning principles, the experiment's setup, phases, results, and implications. Utilize mood assessment data, participant testimonials, and anecdotal evidence to convey the conditioning process and its outcomes. Encourage class discussion on the experiment's implications for mood regulation and the potential applications of scent-based interventions in various contexts.