3. Pavlovian Learning Part 1

Who discovered Classical Conditioning?

Ivan Pavlov

What was the primary focus of Pavlov's initial research?

Digestion and the substances responsible for breaking down food.

What phenomenon did Pavlov observe in dogs that led to his discovery?

Dogs salivated before food was presented, indicating a 'Psychic Reflex'.

What is an Unconditional Stimulus (US)?

A stimulus that elicits a response before conditioning occurs (e.g., food).

What is an Unconditional Response (UR)?

The response elicited by the unconditional stimulus before conditioning (e.g., salivation to food).

What is a Conditional Stimulus (CS)?

A previously neutral stimulus that elicits a response after conditioning (e.g., sound of a tuning fork).

What is a Conditional Response (CR)?

The response that resembles the UR observed after conditioning (e.g., salivation to the tuning fork).

What is Higher-Order Conditioning?

Pairing a second neutral stimulus with a well-established CS to elicit a CR.

What factors affect Higher-Order Conditioning?

Distance of the CS from the US and the aversiveness of the reflex involved.

What is Response Latency in Pavlovian Learning?

The time it takes for the CR to occur after the CS is presented.

What does Intensity or Strength of the CR refer to?

The amount of response produced, such as the volume of saliva in response to the CS.

What is a Probe Trial?

Presenting the CS without the US to determine if learning has occurred.

What is Pseudoconditioning?

The tendency for a neutral stimulus to elicit a CR due to prior exposure to a US.

What is Trace Conditioning?

A conditioning method where the CS is presented, followed by a time interval, then the US.

What is Delay Conditioning?

A conditioning method where the CS is presented before and overlaps with the US.

What is Simultaneous Conditioning?

A method where the CS and US are presented at the same time.

What is Backward Conditioning?

A method where the US is presented before the CS, serving as a signal that the US has ended.

What is CS-US Contingency?

The frequency with which the CS precedes the US, affecting the effectiveness of conditioning.

What is CS-US Contiguity?

The closeness of the CS to the US in time or space, influencing the degree of learning.

What is a Compound Stimulus?

The presentation of two or more conditional stimuli simultaneously.

What is Blocking in Compound Stimuli?

Failure of a stimulus to become a CS when part of a compound with an already effective CS.

What is Overshadowing in Compound Stimuli?

Failure of a stimulus to become a CS because it is overshadowed by a more effective CS.

What is Sensory Preconditioning?

Pairing two neutral stimuli, where one can elicit a CR after being paired with a US.

What are some variables affecting Pavlovian Conditioning?

Number of CS-US pairings, how they are paired, CS-US contingency and contiguity, and prior experience.