Untitled Flashcards Set

Classical Conditioning

Type of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a naturally occurring stimulus, leading to associations between the stimuli.

Association

A mental connection or link formed between different concepts, events, or mental states, allowing one thing to trigger a thought of the other.

Neutral Stimulus

Stimulus with no associations, such as the ringing of the bell before conditioning.

Unconditioned Stimulus

Stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any prior learning necessary; the food in classical conditioning.

Unconditioned Response

Natural, automatic response to a stimulus that occurs without any prior learning; for example, salivation at the presentation of food.

Conditioned Stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with a specific response through repeated pairing with an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response

A learned reaction that occurs in response to a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired with a naturally occurring stimulus.

Higher-Order Conditioning

Classical conditioning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a conditioned stimulus, creating a second-level conditioned response.

Counterconditioning

Behavioral therapy technique where a previously negative conditioned response to a stimulus is replaced with a positive one by pairing that stimulus with a pleasant experience.

Aversive Conditioning

Type of classical conditioning where an unwanted behavior is paired with a negative stimulus to create an aversion to that behavior.

Taste Aversion

A learned avoidance of a specific food or taste due to a previous negative experience.

One-Trial Conditioning

Type of learning where an organism acquires a conditioned response after a single pairing of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning when a conditioned response is first established.

Extinction

The gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a learned behavior when reinforcement for that behavior is no longer provided.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a previously extinct conditioned response after a period of time without exposure to the conditioned stimulus.

Biological Preparedness

The concept that organisms are naturally inclined to quickly learn associations between certain stimuli and responses, especially those related to survival.

Habituation

A decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure to it.