Introduction to Classical Conditioning and its Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts in classical and operant conditioning, including definitions of various terms related to learning and behavioral responses.

Conditioning

The process of learning associations between stimuli and responses.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any prior learning.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

The originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

The unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become a conditioned stimulus.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that initially has no effect on the desired response.

Generalization

The tendency to respond in the same way to different but similar stimuli.

Discrimination

The ability to differentiate between the conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that are not associated with the unconditioned stimulus.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior.

Positive Punishment

Adding an aversive stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Extinction

The diminishing of a conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus no longer follows the conditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a pause.