Classical Conditioning: Key Concepts and Examples in Psychology

Classical Conditioning

Learning procedure in which associations are made between a natural stimulus and a learned, neutral stimulus.

Natural Stimulus

One that causes an automatic response.

Neutral Stimulus

Doesn't cause the automatic response.

Acquisition

The process of developing a learned response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A natural stimulus that triggers a response automatically and reflexively.

Example of UCS

Meat.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The automatic response to the unconditioned stimulus.

Example of UCR

Salivation.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, through learning, has gained the power to cause a conditioned response.

Example of CS

Bell.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The response to the conditioned stimulus.

Example of CR

Salivation.

Extinction

The gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of the conditioned response.

Spontaneous Recovery

Occurs when a previously extinguished conditioned response suddenly reappears after a period of no training.

Generalization

A conditioned response occurs to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

Occurs when stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus do not produce a conditioned response.

Higher-Order Conditioning

The conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus creating a 2nd conditioned stimulus.

One-trial Conditioning

If the consequences are extreme enough, something can be learned even if the individual has only been exposed to the condition once.

One-trial Learning

Learning is a process that occurs in a single trial.

Counter Conditioning

Replacing a negative response with a positive response.