Author	Thread: Cats, Pavlov and Unlearning
Admin	Cats, Pavlov and Unlearning Posted : 30 Apr, 2011 11:14 PM I love cats. This is why when friends go on trips I often become a pet sitter. These pets are much different than pets I have had in the past, because generally they do not like me. When a cat likes you, you can tell. If you�re sick, generally it will sit on your lap and try to encourage you by reason of being so fluffy. Cats are the most adorable pets in the world, especially my previous one. He was generally a very organized cat, he�d eat when I ate, sleep when I slept, and even enjoyed watching a good movie with me. Not only that, but when sitting on the sofa, he�d sit with his back propped up against a pillow, trying to copy my posture. Of course, he did have some cat-like qualities, such as stalking toes and ankles, but, besides that I had a very human and reasonable friend. Not this cat! �the present one� every time the master goes on a journey and I inherit the fluffy bundle of happiness, the bundle becomes alot less happy. Worse yet, I notice lots of mal-functional behaviors in the cat, and try to go about changing them. And within the short time-frames I am given, my task is nearly impossible. This is where Pavlov and unlearning come into the picture. This cat has all sorts of irrational beliefs. The first one being that if he makes a loud enough meow and throws himself on the floor, I will come over and pay attention to him. Being that I love cats, I often do, but find that when I pet him, he will stand up, walk three steps away, then throw himself back on the floor again. I try to help kitty learn rational thinking: namely, if one wants to be petted, one must not walk away. This disturbs me greatly, as I wonder �What process is this kitty using to make sense of the world?� Epictetus said, �Men are not moved by things, but by the views which they take of things.� So, I'm no Albert Ellis (Cognitive therapist), but I do know about Pavlov (Behavioral theory) and I think it�s so important to unlearn unhealthy functioning. Indeed, Pavlov concluded that �instincts and reflexes are the inevitable response to external and internal stimuli�. This is called Classical Conditioning. Circumstances (such as being spoiled), when repeated, condition us into thinking a certain way. I think the cat acts the way he does because his reflexes are conditioned that way. Master spoils him, so he starts to think he is God. In a way, the cat�s personality is quite cute. I guess, as long as there is Fancy Feast we�ll be able to put up with each other. I�m actually very grateful to the cat. Because his behavior is showing me that there are all kinds of things in (probably) everyone�s life which we need to work on unlearning. We often create our own realities...these realities exist between our two ears. On top of that, everyone's got individualized coping mechanisms, which work, but may not be the best for the individual. We�ve really got to analyze our lives, our choices, our way of being, and unlearn some things. What say you? Something that is good to remember when dealing with personal irrational functioning is, �It�s the first day of the rest of your life�. And if you slip up again, you can always have the �second day of the rest of your life� as you work to change some things. (Note: the musings of a bored person. lol) Post Reply
View Profile History	Cats, Pavlov and Unlearning Posted : 1 May, 2011 07:41 AM I can't stand cats. Sorry. Post Reply
View Profile History	Cats, Pavlov and Unlearning Posted : 1 May, 2011 10:42 AM I've actually found myself being more aware of and re-examining what I think/feel and basically be like "I know it FEELS like that, but it is not true" and prove it to myself with logic and reasoning. Basically I now deliberatly think through what I was previously conditioned to think/feel without question and separate thought from feeling. Hopefully that makes sense. Awesome post :) Post Reply
View Profile History	Cats, Pavlov and Unlearning Posted : 1 May, 2011 10:19 PM Yeah, there will always be a horse and a rider�there will always be realities that supersede each other. The law of lift will supersede the law of gravity enabling flight. The law of gravity is still there, but it has become the horse, while lift has become the rider, in a matter of speaking. So it is good to separate thought from feeling, like you said! Post Reply
OutOfStep View Profile History	Cats, Pavlov and Unlearning Posted : 17 May, 2011 09:12 AM I have a friend who does just this when he's upset. Maybe your cat is part lemming. Maybe he's overly dramatic. Animals have weird behaviors, you can't always break them of freaky quirks. Good luck tho, n tell your kitty I said hi! Post Reply
View Profile History	Cats, Pavlov and Unlearning Posted : 29 May, 2011 09:05 AM Lol, oh thank you. Post Reply