Classical Conditioning: Key Concepts, Types, and Neural Mechanisms

Classical Conditioning

Learning through associations between stimuli.

US (Unconditioned Stimulus)

Stimulus that naturally produces a response without prior learning.

UR (Unconditioned Response)

Natural/unlearned response to the US.

CS (Conditioned Stimulus)

Previously neutral stimulus that becomes associated with the US.

CR (Conditioned Response)

Learned response to the CS.

Basic Sequence of Classical Conditioning

US → UR, CS + US → UR, CS → CR.

Appetitive Conditioning

Conditioning involving a desirable/rewarding outcome.

Aversive Conditioning

Conditioning involving an undesirable or unpleasant outcome.

Fear Conditioning

A neutral stimulus becomes associated with an aversive event.

Conditioned Taste Aversion

A taste or food becomes associated with an unpleasant outcome.

Contextual Conditioning

The environment or context becomes associated with an important event.

Stimulus Generalization

A conditioned response occurs to stimuli that are similar to the original CS.

Stimulus Discrimination

Learning to respond differently to different stimuli.

Compound Conditioning

Two or more stimuli are presented together as CSs and paired with a US.

Overshadowing

When two CSs are presented together, the more salient stimulus develops a stronger association.

Blocking

Prior learning about one CS can reduce or prevent learning about a new CS.

Delay Conditioning

The CS begins before the US and remains present until the US occurs.

Trace Conditioning

The CS ends before the US begins, creating a gap.

Interstimulus Interval (ISI)

Time between the onset of the CS and onset of the US.

Intertrial Interval (ITI)

Time between conditioning trials.

Extinction

Occurs when the CS is repeatedly presented without the US.

Spontaneous Recovery

The CR can return when the CS is presented again after extinction.

Rescorla-Wagner Model

Learning depends on how surprising the outcome is.

Prediction Error

Difference between the actual outcome and the expected outcome.

Reward Prediction Error

Difference between the reward that actually occurs and the reward that was expected.

Dopamine

Dopamine activity is related to reward prediction error.

What is the Neural Mechanisms of Conditioning

Involves the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex.

Eyeblink Conditioning

A classical conditioning procedure used to study learning and its neural mechanisms.

Trace Eyeblink Conditioning

The tone ends before the air puff occurs, requiring retention of information about the CS.

Generalization vs. Discrimination

Generalization: Respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the CS; Discrimination: Learn to respond differently.

Overshadowing vs. Blocking

Overshadowing: More salient CS becomes the stronger predictor; Blocking: Learning about new CS is reduced.

Extinction vs. Spontaneous Recovery

Extinction: CR decreases when CS is presented without US; Spontaneous recovery: CR returns after a period.

Delay vs. Trace Conditioning

Delay: CS overlaps with US; Trace: CS ends before US begins.