Chapter 2 - Classical Conditioning

What is an unconditioned stimulus (US)?

A stimulus that unconditionally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning.

What is an unconditioned response?

An automatic response that occurs naturally in reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

What is a conditioned response?

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

What did Pavlov observe in his experiments?

Dogs would salivate in response to a stimulus (like a metronome) that was associated with food, even before food was presented.

What is the significance of a contingent relationship in classical conditioning?

It refers to the reliable association between two stimuli, where the presence of one stimulus predicts the occurrence of another.

How does classical conditioning relate to survival in animals?

Animals learn to associate cues with threats or food, enhancing their chances of survival.

What is instrumental conditioning?

A learning process that associates actions with consequences, different from classical conditioning.

What is extinction in classical conditioning?

The process by which a conditioned response diminishes when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of extinction.

What is the difference between classical and instrumental conditioning?

Classical conditioning involves associating two stimuli, while instrumental conditioning involves associating behavior with its consequences.

What is a neutral stimulus in classical conditioning?

A stimulus that initially does not elicit any intrinsic response until it becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

What is the process of learning through classical conditioning called?

Associative learning, where connections are formed between stimuli and responses.

What is the term for the learned association between a stimulus and a response?

Conditioning.

What is an unconditioned response (UR)?

The natural reaction that occurs in response to an unconditioned stimulus.

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?

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

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

The learned response to a conditioned stimulus after it has been associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

What is the process of acquisition in classical conditioning?

The process by which a conditioned stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

How does the acquisition curve typically behave according to Pavlov?

It shows that most learning occurs during the early trials, with a plateau in subsequent trials.

What is taste aversion learning?

A survival mechanism where an organism learns to avoid a food that has caused illness, often after just one trial.

What happens during the extinction process in classical conditioning?

The conditioned response fades when the conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus.

What is the significance of the early trials in the acquisition curve?

Most learning occurs in the early trials, with diminishing returns in later trials.

What happens to the conditioned response during extinction?

The conditioned response becomes weaker and eventually fades as the CS no longer predicts the US.

What is spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning?

Spontaneous recovery is the re-emergence of a conditioned response after a rest period following extinction, suggesting the original association is not fully unlearned.

What is stimulus generalization?

Stimulus generalization is the process where stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus elicit a conditioned response, even if they were not directly paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

What is a generalization gradient?

A generalization gradient is a normal distribution curve that shows the strength of the conditioned response elicited by a range of stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimulus.

What is the role of the conditioned stimulus in classical conditioning?

The conditioned stimulus (CS) is a previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US), elicits a conditioned response (CR).

What is the difference between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus?

The conditioned stimulus (CS) is learned and elicits a response after conditioning, while the unconditioned stimulus (US) naturally elicits a response without prior learning.

What does the term 'conditioned response' refer to?

The conditioned response (CR) is the learned reaction to the conditioned stimulus (CS) after conditioning has occurred.

What is the relationship between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus?

The conditioned stimulus (CS) is paired with the unconditioned stimulus (US) during training to elicit a conditioned response (CR).

What does the term 'unconditioned response' mean?

The unconditioned response (UR) is the natural reaction to an unconditioned stimulus (US) without prior conditioning.

What is stimulus discrimination?

It restricts the range of conditioned stimuli that can elicit a response, allowing for more specific reactions.

What is a CS + in classical conditioning?

A conditioned stimulus that reliably predicts the presence of an unconditioned stimulus.

What is a CS - in classical conditioning?

A conditioned stimulus that reliably predicts the absence of an unconditioned stimulus.

What happens when both a CS plus and a CS minus are presented simultaneously?

The participant shows an intermediate fear response between the two stimuli.

What is a phobia?

An exaggerated, intense, and persistent fear of certain situations, activities, things, or people.

What is implosive therapy?

A treatment method where individuals confront their phobia using their imagination, presenting the CS in the absence of the US.

What is systematic desensitization?

A gradual exposure therapy where a person is slowly introduced to feared stimuli while learning relaxation techniques.

What is the role of classical conditioning in physiological regulation?

It helps the body anticipate important biological events, such as preparing for food delivery.

How does classical conditioning enhance homeostasis?

It makes physiological processes like regulating core temperature and glucose levels more efficient.

What is the relationship between stimulus generalization and discrimination?

They are opposite processes; generalization allows for flexibility while discrimination refines learning.

What is the goal of discrimination training in classical conditioning?

To reduce fear responses to certain stimuli while maintaining them for others.

What is a compensatory response?

A process that counteracts a challenge to homeostasis.

What is the role of repeated exposures in learning associations?

Repeated exposures can strengthen learned relationships between stimuli and responses.

What does the term 'contingency' refer to in classical conditioning?

The learned relationship between a conditioned stimulus and an unconditioned response.

what is learning

mechanisms of behaviour that undergo relatively enduring change based on experience

- can be subdivided into three concepts: mechanisms of behaviour, an enduring change, and being based on experience

orienting response

an automatic shift of attention toward a stimulus

habituation

a decrease in response to a stimulus when it is repeatedly presented without consequence

dishabituation

an increase in responding that follows a change in a previously habituated stimulus

sensitization

an increase in response to a stimulus as it is repeatedly presented

- often adaptive, because it prompts you to engage in behaviours appropriate to escaping a potentially harmful stimulus

what are 3 types of non-associative learning

1. stimulus sensitization

2. dishabituation

3. habituation

conditioning trials (also called training trials)

trials in which the CS and US are presented together: these trials create an association between the two stimuli

reacquisition

the reintroduction of conditioning trials after extinction has occurred

- reacquisition is faster than acquisition, indicating that some of the original learning is retained following extinction

spontaneous recovery

the re-emergence of a previously extinguished CS after a temporal delay

inhibitory vs. excitatory conditioning

inhibitory conditioning: the presence of the CS predicts the absence of the US

excitatory conditioning: when the presence of the CS predicts the presence of the US