Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning where an organism learns to associate two stimuli and anticipate events.

Ivan Pavlov

A psychologist known for discovering classical conditioning through experiments with dogs.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning (e.g., food causing salivation).

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The automatic, natural reaction to the unconditioned stimulus (e.g., salivation to food).

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that initially produces no specific response (e.g., a bell before conditioning).

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with the UCS, triggers a conditioned response (e.g., the bell after conditioning).

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to the conditioned stimulus (e.g., salivation to the bell).

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning when the NS is paired with the UCS to produce the CR.

Extinction

The diminishing of a conditioned response when the UCS is no longer paired with the CS.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a pause.

Generalization

The tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between the conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli.

Higher-Order Conditioning

A process where a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (weaker) conditioned stimulus.

Cognitive Processes of Classical Conditioning

The understanding that mental processes, like awareness and predictability, can influence conditioning.

Biological Predispositions of Classical Conditioning

The idea that some associations are easier to learn due to evolutionary adaptations.