Biological Perspective and Classical Conditioning - Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to the biological perspective and classical conditioning discussed in the notes.

Biological Perspective

An approach in psychology focusing on the nervous system, brain structures, neurochemicals, hormones, and genetic factors as determinants of behavior, emotion, and sensation.

Behaviorism

A movement in psychology that emphasizes observable behavior and learning from the environment, often neglecting internal mental states.

Associative Learning

Learning that involves forming connections between events or stimuli that occur together.

Classical Conditioning

A form of associative learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Pavlov

Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist who studied digestion and discovered classical conditioning by pairing a bell with food, causing dogs to salivate to the bell.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The natural, unlearned response to the unconditioned stimulus.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that initially does not elicit any particular response.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with the UCS, comes to evoke a response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to the conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus

Anything that stimulates or encourages a reaction to occur.

Response

A reaction to a stimulus.

Little Albert

A controversial Watson study in which a baby was conditioned to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise.

Watson

John B. Watson, founder of American behaviorism, known for the Little Albert experiment.

Exposure Therapy

A therapeutic approach that gradually exposes a person to feared stimuli to reduce phobic responses (desensitization).