Technological Conditioning

Just now I was reading a large paper brochure and decided to prop it up on my laptop (covering the laptop screen). While I was reading, I got to the end of the page and needed to turn the page. However, I instinctively reached for the touchpad on my laptop and tried to scroll down to go to the next page!

Interestingly, this morning I was reading about classical conditioning (made famous by Ivan Pavlov). In light of this morning's reading, here is my take on the situation: A few years ago when I reached the end of a real page (unconditioned stimulus) I had to physically turn the page (unconditioned response). Nowadays when I reach the end of an electronic page (conditioned stimulus), I need to drag my finger along the touch pad (conditioned response). The unconditioned response (turning a real page) is becoming "extinct" because it does not happen as much (especially when my computer is sitting in front of me).