Comments on: Does Pavlov Live on in DJ Casper? Convince Me I’m Wrong.

By: Seth

Seth — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:16:38 +0000

I have noticed that many work places now have bells on the doors where customers enter. At my work place, any time the bell goes off, everyone working automatically says “Welcome to ____, can I help you?” I’ve seen this at various other places as well.

By: dr howard

dr howard — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:20:40 +0000

Technically you are talking about B.F. Skinner not Pavlov. Pavlov worked with involuntary responses like salivating called (Classical Conditioning). Behavior modification over voluntary movements like hand clapping is called (Operant Conditioning). Your increased heart rate at hearing an alarm would be Pavlov. When you lock the seatbelt without thinking that would Skinner.

My best example was when we moved across town. On more than one occasion I would drive all the way to the old neighborhood before I realized I engaged in my old behavior.

By: Tdave

Tdave — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:07:44 +0000

My town has a fire station with a phone number that starts with “9″ and the rest of the digits are the same as a popular theaters number. People call the theater from home but when they pick up their phone they automatically dial like they do at work, they dial 9 to get an outside line and end up calling the fire station.

Years ago when I roller-skated the DJ would play “Endless Love” for couples skates(couple’s only skating), the song would end and he would announce “All skate.” One day, long after I had quit skating, I turned the car radio on and “Endless Love” was on. Just as it ended, I felt an urge to say “All Skate” so I did(as a joke), just a half second before the DJ did a joke by also saying “All skate” and saying it was “force of habit.”

By: chris

chris — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:31:37 +0000

About 4 years ago when I lived with my parents they would order Dominos pizza every friday night. This happened every week for months on end with no change. I have been living on my own for 2 years now, but every friday on my way home from work I get an almost irressitable craving for Dominos pizza

By: Witty Nickname

Witty Nickname — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:32:23 +0000

Ever been to Texas? Go to a busy street and yell, “The Stars at night are big and bright…”

Everyone will stop, clap 4 times and sing, “DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS!”

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:09:35 +0000

A few years ago, my co-workers and I “followed” a local band. Whenever the band played “Mony Mony”, it seems that everyone in the club yelled the phrase “get F%#*ed” in place of the actual chorus. Embarassing when the song played on the radio in the office.

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:31:22 +0000

I’m surprised no one else mentioned this one, but the “O” in the national anthem at the orioles games was always a big one for me as a kid. Any time during the national anthem, regardless of the situation (ballpark or, more likely, elsewhere) I would immediately throw my arms over my head forming the obligatory “O” in “Oh say does that starspangled banner yet wave….”

Much to my surprise, this trend isn’t just at Orioles games, where the O makes sense. I also found the same thing at college basketball games at Duke…. I’m just not sure what the O is for there, but rest assured, i contributed.

By: --Mike

--Mike — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:44:18 +0000

The “CSI Miami” theme song: “Won’t Get Fooled Again” by The Who. Every time it comes on, I can’t resist playing air guitar to the last five chords — including windmill!

By: TGecko

TGecko — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:28:06 +0000

While watching “Heroes,” my husband started whispering “Sliders” whenever the eclipse intro showed up. Sometime during a day of watching the season straight through, I realized I was saying it with him… O_o

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:05:41 +0000

“Achoo!”
“Bless you”

Also, as a lifeguard, anytime I hear coughing I look for the person, even if I know my coworker has a cough and is standing next to me. Even more annoying is the face that I have to say “Slow down” to anyone at any pool when then are walking quickly or running on deck (I’ve been a guard for 5 years).