Classical Conditioning Review

These flashcards cover key concepts and components of classical conditioning as discussed in the lecture notes.

What is classical conditioning?

A type of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response.

What are the components of classical conditioning?

Unconditioned stimulus (US), unconditioned response (UR), neutral stimulus (NS), conditioned stimulus (CS), and conditioned response (CR).

What happens in the brain during classical conditioning?

The brain forms associations between the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus, leading to learning.

What is an unconditioned stimulus (US)?

A stimulus that prompts a natural, unlearned response.

What is an unconditioned response (UR)?

A reflex response prompted naturally by the unconditioned stimulus.

What is a neutral stimulus (NS)?

A stimulus in the environment that does not lead to any natural response before conditioning.

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?

A stimulus that was previously neutral but became associated with a response due to pairing with the unconditioned stimulus.

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

A response that is learned by pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.

Define extinction in classical conditioning.

Extinction occurs when the conditioned response decreases and eventually stops after the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

Describe Garcia's 1955 experiment.

In the experiment, rats avoided sweet saccharin after drinking it during radiation exposure, demonstrating learned aversion after just one pairing.

What are the ethical concerns regarding aversion therapy?

Aversion therapy has been misused in attempts to alter sexual orientation and gender identity, leading to harmful and psychologically damaging practices.