Classical conditioning

Define ‘unconditioned stimulus’ (UCS)

A stimulus that produces a natural response without any learning taking place (eg- salivating when seeing food)

Define ‘unconditioned response’ (UCR)

A response that occurs naturally without any form of learning (a reflex action)

Define ‘neutral stimulus’ (NS)

An environmental stimulus that does not of itself (without association) produce a response

Define ‘conditioned stimulus’ (CS)

A stimulus that has been associated with an unconditioned stimulus so it now produces the same response

Define ‘conditioned response’ (CR)

A behaviour that is shown in response to a learned stimulus

What study is used to explain classical conditioning?

Pavlov’s dogs (1972)

What are the three stages of classical conditioning?

1. Before conditioning

2. During conditioning

3. After conditioning

Explain stage 1- before conditioning

• There is a natural, automatic reaction to a stimulus - the unconditioned stimulus

• At this point, a neutral stimulus doesn’t trigger any particular response

Explain stage 2- during conditioning

• The neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with the unconditioned stimulus

• Through repetition, an individual begins to associate the neutral stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus

Explain stage 3- after conditioning

• Eventually, the neutral stimulus alone triggers a response. Therefore, the neutral stimulus has now become a conditioned stimulus

• The response to this conditioned stimulus is called the conditioned response - a learned behaviour

Summarise the process of classical conditioning?

Classical conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an u conditioned stimulus, and through repeated pairings, the neutral stimulus elicits a response on its own.

What is extinction?

When a conditioned stimulus is experienced without the unconditioned stimulus over a period of time, so the conditioned response is extinguished (the CS ceases to elicit the CR, effectively making it extinct).

What does extinction tell us about our learning?

It tells us that our learning is flexible - we can, for example, stop fearing something that has been conditioned as a fear stimulus that actually poses little danger.

What is spontaneous recovery?

When an extinct response activates again, so the conditioned stimulus move again elicits the conditioned response. Generally, such responses are weaker than. the original ones.

What is stimulus generalisation?

Sometimes we become conditioned to respond to one stimulus but find ourselves exhibiting the same response to other similar stimuli.

Strength of the theory?

Supported by research from Pavlov (1972) who demonstrated classical conditioning in dogs by associating a bell with food to elicit the response of salivation. Furthermore, Watson and Rayner (1920) demonstrated it in a human baby by associating a rat with a loud bang to elicit a fear response. Overall, these are good, controlled studies which demonstrate that both animals and humans can learn behaviours through classical conditioning.

Weakness of the theory?

Classical conditioning can only explain a small range of behaviours that can be acquired. Essentially, it can explain dog behaviour but is unable to explain complex chains of human behaviour. For example, it can explain why a human learns to fear a dog but cannot explain why someone learns and maintains behaviours they need to avoid dogs. Therefore, classical conditioning can only be a partial explanation of learning in humans.