One of the most prominent researchers in psychology, Michael Domjan, visited Bogotá to share his academic work and learn how studies in this area are advancing in the country. Domjan, a professor at the University of Texas, with more than 40 years dedicated to the world of academia, received the Doctor Honoris Causa distinction from the Konrad Lorenz University Foundation for his important contributions to psychological science, which have reframed theories associated with sexual conditioning and Pavlovian conditioning.
But what is the Pavlovian conditioning on which he has based much of his academic work? The study of the Pavlovian condition arises from the experiments of Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, who sought to demonstrate how the salivation process of dogs would be a response to the stimulus of ringing a bell. “It seems stupid to invest your time in a dog’s salivation,” Domjan commented jokingly. Even so, “One of the things I’m trying to do is show that Pavlovian conditioning occurs every day of our lives, in every moment.””, is not something that is only related to salivation and dogs.
With the award of this distinction, the Konrad Lorenz University Foundation sought to reaffirm the scientific foundation of the Doctorate in Psychology program that they offer to professionals in the area, which has a line of emphasis in the area of learning and neuroscience, in that formative and formal research is carried out.
At 78 years old, Domjan, who was born in Hungary, but immigrated to the United States as a child in the context of the Hungarian revolution, felt honored to have been considered to receive the title of Doctor Honoris causa in Colombia“something I never expected,” he said.
During his visit, the fourth he has made to our country, he was surprised by the advances he saw in the academic world and, specifically, in the laboratories dedicated to psychological research. One of the things that surprised him was to see that in In the Konrad Lorenz laboratories, psychological research is being carried out not only with rats but also with gerbils.
In addition to touring the campus, Domjan led the academic forum “Discussions on the Study of Behavior” where, together with other national experts, he recapitulated the fundamental premises of his academic work and shared the recent advances that have been generated in Colombia and the world. .
Domjan shared several examples of how everything he has studied and that is now input for those preparing in the area of psychology, can also be understood in a simple way and applied to everyday life. For the expert, this conditioning is like “learning to predict what will happen next, something that is essential for daily life.” And he explained it simply. For example, when we press an elevator button, we know that the door will open, that we will enter, and that we will be taken to the desired floor. “We know that so well that we don’t even think about the process,” he said. “All these predictions have to be learned,” explained the professor.
His books have reached the hands of thousands of students and those interested in matters of comparative psychology. For example, The principles of learning and behaviorwhich includes an extensive reference in this type of studies, or The essentials of conditioning and learningwhich has been translated into Turkish and Persian.
Although Domjan is not clear how this type of research and the interest in it on the part of future generations will evolve, he remains committed to leaving a legacy through his work so that more people can become familiar with the topics he analyzes through his books.
With this renewed bond that was generated after his recent visit and the honorary diploma that was awarded to him, It is quite likely that Colombia will receive a visit from this renowned researcher again. and that doors of dialogue and exchange of knowledge continue to open in the field of psychology.
