Classical Conditioning Concepts and Terminology

Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (US), such as salivation when food is in the mouth.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

a stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers a response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS).

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response (CR).

Acquisition

the initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response.

Extinction

The diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus; occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response.

Generalization

The tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses.

Discrimination

the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

One-Trial Conditioning

Learning that occurs after just one pairing of a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus.