Pavlov's Experiments

What is classical conditioning?

Learning to associate two events that happen together.

What is a Neutral Stimulus (NS) in classical conditioning?

A sight or sound that normally triggers no reaction (e.g., a tone, a light, or onion breath).

What is an Unconditioned Stimulus (US)?

Something that automatically and naturally triggers a response without training (e.g., food or a kiss).

What is an Unconditioned Response (UR)?

The natural, automatic reaction to an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., drooling when eating, sexual arousal).

What is a Conditioned Stimulus (CS)?

A previously neutral stimulus that now triggers a response after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., a tone signaling food).

What is a Conditioned Response (CR)?

The learned reaction to the conditioned stimulus (e.g., drooling just from hearing the tone).

What is the quick memory trick for distinguishing "Unconditioned" and "Conditioned"?

• Unconditioned = Unlearned / Automatic

• Conditioned = Learned / Trained

Who discovered classical conditioning, and what were they studying?

Ivan Pavlov discovered it while studying dogs' digestion.

What is Acquisition in classical conditioning?

The initial learning phase when a link is formed between the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus.

Why does timing matter during Acquisition?

The neutral stimulus must come shortly before the unconditioned stimulus (usually within half a second) for the brain to connect them.

What is the purpose of Acquisition?

It helps animals survive and reproduce by reacting to cues about food, danger, and mates.

What is Extinction in classical conditioning?

The gradual weakening of the learned response (CR) when the conditioned stimulus keeps happening without the unconditioned stimulus.

What is Spontaneous Recovery?

The sudden return of a weakened learned response (CR) after a rest period, showing that extinction suppresses rather than erases the learned link.

What is Generalization in classical conditioning?

Responding to new stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus (CS).

What is Discrimination in classical conditioning?

The learned ability to distinguish between the target conditioned stimulus (CS) and other irrelevant stimuli.