4.1 Behavioral Processes - Classical Pavlovian Conditioning

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts from the notes on classical Pavlovian conditioning.

Classical Pavlovian conditioning

A form of learning in which an organism learns to predict future events in its environment by associating cues with those events (e.g., a cue signaling an ice cream truck or a rainstorm).

Cue

A signal or stimulus (such as a distant jingle) that predicts the arrival of a future event.

Predictive ability

The capacity to foresee or anticipate future events; this ability increases through classical conditioning.

Anticipatory action

A behavior performed in advance to benefit from a predicted event (e.g., asking for money so you can be ready at the curb).

Desirable event

A future event that the learner aims to benefit from (e.g., the arrival of an ice cream truck).

Unpleasant event

A future event that may require preparation or protective action (e.g., a rainstorm).

Independence of event from prediction

The occurrence of the event (ice cream truck or rainstorm) is not dependent on whether the prediction is accurate; learning enhances prediction rather than controlling timing.