Classical Conditioning Vocabulary

Flashcards defining key vocabulary terms related to classical conditioning based on the lecture notes.

Classical Conditioning

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

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that unconditionally - naturally and automatically - triggers an unconditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral but now Conditioned Stimulus (CS).

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

An originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned Stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

An unlearned naturally occuring response (such as salvation) to an unconditioned Stimulus (US) (such as food in the mouth).

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that unconditionally - naturally, and automatically - triggers an unconditioned response.

Acquisition

Initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response.

Extinction

Diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in Classical Conditioning when an Unconditioned Stimulus (US) does not follow a Conditioned Stimulus (CS).

Spontaneous Recovery

Reappearance, after a pause of an extinguished conditioned response.

Generalization

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

Discrimination

Learned ability to distinguish btwn. a conditioned Stimulus (which predicts the unconditioned stimulus) and other irrelevant Stimuli.