Classical Conditioning

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior OR knowledge

Classical Conditioning

• learning that occurs when:

  • two stimuli are paired together

  • neutral stimulus

  • unconditioned stimulus

• NS + US = to achieve classical conditioning

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

produces an involuntary reaction/response

Unconditioned stimulus (US) Pavlov example

Food

Unconditioned response (UR) Pavlov example

Salivation

Unconditioned response (UR)

Involuntary reaction that is produced by a US

Neutral stimulus Pavlov example

Metronome

The acquisition phase

Pair US with neutral stimulus & repeat the pairing several times

¡Repeated trials are important!!*

¡Metronome becomes conditioned stimulus (CS) = previously NS

Produces involuntary response after being paired with a US

§Salivation becomes conditioned response (CR)

§UR that is produced by a conditioned stimulus (CS)

Acquisition

¡NS and US repeatedly paired together

¡Learning occurs rapidly, then levels off

¡Result of acquisition phase = CS alone elicits CR

Extinction

¡Reduction in response when CS repeatedly presented ALONE

¡Pavlov kept playing the metronome (CS), but removed the food (US)

Spontaneous recovery

¡Pause after extinction

¡Increase in involuntary responding to CS

Generalization

¡the CR is observed in response to a stimulus similar to the CS

¡Dog owner switches from manual to electric can opener

¡Pavlov – higher/lower pitch of sounds/tones; less similar = less salivation

Discrimination

capacity to distinguish between similar but distinct stimuli

¡Dog owner switches from manual to electric can opener

¡Weaker or decreased CR in response to similar stimulus

¡Pavlov – multiple different tones