PSYCH1X03 - Classical Conditioning

Unit/Week 2

Classical Conditioning (CC)

Learning of contingent relationship between two stimuli, paired at the same time/space

CC

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Natural, triggers response without needing learning

(i.e. eating a lemon triggers response)

CC

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Natural, response triggered by US (i.e. salivating after eating lemon)

CC

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Learned, previously neutral stimulus associated with US (i.e. seeing lemon)

CC

Conditioned Response (CR)

Learned, occurs once contingency between US & CS is learned (i.e. salivating after seeing lemon)

CC

Contingency

Stimulus reliably predicts another stimulus

CC

Acquisition

Learning of contingency

CC/Acquisition

Acquisition Rate (multiple)

Learning occurs at a positive & decreasing rate; negatively accelerated increasing graph of learning

CC/Acquisition

Acquisition Rate (singular)

One trial is sometimes sufficient to acquire contingency (i.e. rats’ neophobia/fear of new food, taste aversion to avoid poison)

CC

Stimulus Contiguity

Contingency forms when neutral stimulus is presented at the same space & time as response causing stimuli

CC

Short-delay conditioning

Presentation of CS before US in a short delay (ineffective if CS & US are presented too closely or far)

CC

Extinction

Gradual decrease and elimination of CS after CS no longer accurately predicts US

CC/Extinction
Unlearned CS Theory

CS would return to naivety prior to learning; expect reacquisition to take same time as original training

(false)

CC/Extinction

Inhibitory Contingency Hypothesis

New inhibitory response is formed, competes against original CS; original CS still exists, expect reacquisition to be very quick
(true)

CC/Extinction

Spontaneous Recovery

Sudden recovery of CR being caused by CS after rest period

CC/Extinction

Rest Period

Period of time without extinct CS presentation

CC/Extinction

Renewal

Appearance of an extinct CR in new environment, shows that inhibition relies on environment

CC/Extinction

Reacquisition

Rapid acquisition of contingency after extinction

CC

Stimulus Generalization

Stimuli similar to CS will also elicit CR; magnitude of similarity with CS will effect intensity of CR. Offers efficiency and flexibility

CC/Stimulus Generalization

How is it tested?

Tested through contingency of 500Hz with electric shocks. Different Hz will cause difference in fear levels, depending on closeness to 500Hz

CC/Stimulus Generalization

Generalization Gradient

A normal distribution graph that describes strength of CR elicitation depending on similarity to CS

CC/Stimulus Generalization

Effect of Extinction

Flattens generalization gradient

CC

Stimulus Discrimination

Constriction of CS range that can elicit CR. Refines learning

CC/Stimulus Discrimination

Conditioned Stimulus+ (CS+)

Accurate predictor of US presence

CC/Stimulus Discrimination

Conditioned Stimulus (CS-)

Accurate predictor of US absence

CC/Stimulus Discrimination

How is it tested?

Tested through contingency of 500Hz predicts electric shock (CS+) and contingency of 600Hz predicts no electric shock (CS-). CS+ presentation elicits fear, CS- presentation elicits no fear.

CC/Stimulus Discrimination

CS+ & CS- Together

Causes intermediate response

CC

Higher-order conditioning

Association of new CS2 with original CS1 to produce weaker CR

CC

Phobias

Persistent and exaggerated fear of CS

CC/Phobias

Therapy

Treatment to cause extinction of CS

CC/Phobias/Therapy

Implosive Therapy

Confrontation of phobia using imagination; presentation of CS in absence of US. Can be traumatic.

CC/Phobias/Therapy

Systematic Desensitization

Gradual exposure to CS through generalization gradient. More accessible

CC

Homeostasis

Body’s tendency to maintain a stable physiological environment

CC/Homeostasis

Compensatory Response

Body’s preparatory actions to maintain homeostasis based on environmental cues (CS’s)

CC/Homeostasis

Example: Drug Administration

US: Drug administration

UR: Compensatory response

CS: Environmental cues

CR: Compensatory response in preparation

CC/Homeostasis/Drug Adm.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US) is…

Drug administration, drug enters body

CC/Homeostasis/Drug Adm.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS) is…

Environmental cues, any stimulus associated with drug administration

CC/Homeostasis/Drug Adm.

Unconditioned/Conditioned Response (UR/CS) is…

Compensatory response, body activates learned counter-measures to maintain homeostasis

CC/Homeostasis/Drug Adm.

Addiction/Withdrawal

CS elicits CR, causes craving for US (drugs)

CC/Homeostasis/Drug Adm.

Example: Vietnam Veterans

Many Vietnam Veterans were addicted to heroin. After de-tox, only 5% of veterans relapsed in comparison to 20% relapse rate of the general population. Due to lack of environment (war) that causes US.

CC/Homeostasis/Drug Adm.

Enigmatic Drug Overdose

Continued usage of drug builds tolerance. Overdoses sometimes occur even when taking regular dosages because body doesn’t have learned environmental cues for compensatory response.

CC/Homeostasis/Drug Adm.

Example: Siegel Morphine Tolerance Study

Morphine administered to rats in familiar & unfamiliar environments. Rats in unfamiliar environments had stronger physiological responses.

CC/Neurology

Healthy Brain Activity

More activity in orbital frontal cortex; judgement, decision marking, impulse inhibition

CC/Neurology

Unhealthy Brain Activity

More activity in anterior cingulate cortex; reward anticipation

CC/Neurology

Long-term Potentization (LTP)

Strengthening of synaptic connections between neurons. Neurons become better at completing the pathway → become better at doing the action

CC/Textbook

Learning

Behaviour mechanisms undergo relatively permanent change, based on experience

CC/Textbook/Learning

Performance

Demonstration of learning, but learning cannot be defined by performance, as performance can be altered for a variety of reasons

CC/Textbook/Learning

Maturation

Change in mechanisms of behaviour based on aging and not experience; contrasted with learning

CC/Textbook/Learning

Latent Learning

Learning of new information/skill that does not immediately change behaviour

CC/Textbook/Learning/Latent

Example: Tolman’s Mouse Experiment

Group of mice allowed to explore a maze with no food; no performance change; performance changed when food was placed at the exit; only once reward was presented was performance representative of learning

CC/Textbook/Learning

Associative Learning

Learning of connection between two different stimuli with reinforcement (CC & IC)

CC/Textbook/Learning

Non-associative Learning

Modification of response to singular stimulus, without reinforcement

CC/Textbook/Non-associative

Habituation

Decreased response to a repeated stimulus that lead to no consequences (i.e. tuning out white noise)

CC/Textbook/Non-associative

Reflexive Orienting Response

Involuntary and immediate reaction to something new in the environment

CC/Textbook/Non-associative

Dishabituation

After habituation to a stimulus, attention to a new stimulus source will cause original reflexive response to original stimuli (i.e. after habituation to white noise, car honk will cause return of noticing white noise)

CC/Textbook/Non-associative

Sensitization

Increased response to a repeated stimulus that have relevance (i.e. increased attention while watching horror movie)