Classical Conditioning

Behaviorism

The theory that focuses on observable behavior and the idea that learning processes should be applied equally to different behaviors.

Stimulus-Response Relationship

A central concept in behaviorism that learning can be studied objectively as it focuses on the relationship between stimuli and responses.

Tabula Rasa

The belief that organisms are born in a blank state and acquire behaviors through interaction with their environment.

Ivan Pavlov

A psychologist known for his experiments with dogs that demonstrated classical conditioning.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

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

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The natural response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, eventually triggers a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

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

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response.

Extinction

The process in which a conditioned stimulus no longer elicits a conditioned response due to the absence of the unconditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of extinction followed by a rest.

Generalization

The tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to evoke similar responses.

Stimulus Discrimination

The ability to differentiate between the conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Counterconditioning

A technique used to replace an undesirable response to a stimulus with a more desirable response.

Systematic Desensitization

A therapeutic method used to gradually expose a person to a feared stimulus while teaching them relaxation techniques.

Associative Bias

The extent to which a neutral stimulus's characteristics can influence its potential to become a conditioned stimulus.

Importance of Contingency

The principle that a neutral stimulus is more likely to become a conditioned stimulus if it is presented before the unconditioned stimulus rather than simultaneously or after.

Case of Albert

An experiment demonstrating classical conditioning by conditioning a fear response to a white rat in a young boy named Albert.