Chapter 5 Study Guide: Classical Conditioning

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, stimuli, responses, and principles of Pavlovian classical conditioning from Chapter 5.

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior based on experience.

Classical Conditioning

A form of learning in which reflex responses are associated with new stimuli that did not previously cause the desired response, occurring when the neutral stimulus is repeatedly presented just before the unconditioned stimulus.

Reflex

The magic word for classical conditioning; an automatic response without thinking.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that on its own does not cause the desired response, such as the bell in Pavlov's dog experiment.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that automatically causes, or elicits, a response; it is natural and needs no training (e.g., food in Pavlov's dog experiment).

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The response that is evoked by the unconditioned stimulus; it is a reflexive or automatic response.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that now causes a response due to repeated pairings with the unconditioned stimulus; the neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The response that is caused by the conditioned stimulus.

Extinction

Occurs when a previously conditioned response decreases in frequency and eventually disappears.

Spontaneous recovery

The reemergence of an extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest and with no further conditioning.

Stimulus generalization

Occurs when a conditioned response follows a stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus; the more similar the two stimuli are, the more likely generalization is to occur.

Stimulus discrimination

Occurs if two stimuli are sufficiently distinct from one another that one evokes a conditioned response but the other does not; provides the ability to differentiate between stimuli.