Learning and Conditioning Review - Chapters 1-6

This is the gradual process of forming a link between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus.
It cannot happen instantaneously; the brain or subject being trained requires sufficient information to process the association.
Learning can be quick, yet the process of forming the association is gradual.

If a previously conditioned stimulus consistently ceases to be associated with the unconditioned stimulus (e.g., a bell no longer means food), the conditioned response will begin to diminish.
Example: Animals learning about an electric fence. If an animal learns that an electric fence means electrocution (e.g., $9,000$ volts), initially it will avoid it. However, if the animal does not consistently get electrocuted when near the fence, the fear response will undergo extinction.
Real-world application: This is seen when rebranding a company. Consumers associate a brand with a certain logo. If the logo changes, the memory of the original logo (and its associated meanings) undergoes extinction because a new association is formed.
Behavioral Habits: Similarly, behaviors like eating sugar, drinking soda, or smoking can become extinct if the trigger for the behavior is consistently unlinked from its previous consequence or reward. Over time, cravings or desires for these behaviors can disappear entirely.

Even after a behavior has undergone extinction, there can be a spontaneous, temporary reappearance of the conditioned response.
Example: A dog might hesitate before going under an electric fence (after previous extinction). If the dog then goes under the fence one more time and gets electrocuted, the memory (