Psych 105 - Classical Conditioning

Learning

• Definition: Change in behavior due to experience.

Reflex

• Components:
  • Stimulus: An external factor that triggers a response.
  • Response: The behavior that occurs after the stimulus.

Classical Conditioning

• Definition: A learning process where a neutral stimulus (NS) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (US) to elicit an unconditioned response (UR). This is also known as Pavlovian conditioning.

• Key Terms:

  • Unconditioned Response (UR): The natural behavior elicited by the unconditioned stimulus.
  • Unconditioned Stimulus (US): A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning.
  • Neutral Stimulus (NS): A stimulus that initially elicits no response until it becomes associated with the US.

• Process:

  1. Acquisition:
  • The initial learning phase where the connection between the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus is established through repeated pairings.
  1. Generalization:
  • Performing a reinforced behavior in response to stimuli that are similar but not identical to the original conditioned stimulus.
  1. Discrimination:
  • The ability to differentiate between stimuli that signal the presence or absence of reinforcement.
  1. Extinction:
  • A decrease in the frequency of the conditioned response when the behavior is no longer reinforced.
  1. Spontaneous Recovery:
  • The reappearance of a conditioned response after a time delay, without further conditioning.

Taste Aversion

• Characteristics:
  1. Associations: Formed over long delays between a particular taste and illness.
  2. One-Trial Conditioning: Learning can occur after just one pairing of the taste with an unpleasant experience (like nausea).
  3. Specificity of Association: The association is specific to the experience and the type of taste involved, demonstrating that the mind can learn to avoid certain foods after a bad experience with them.

Additional Notes

• Ensure to understand these foundational concepts as they form the basis for more advanced studies in behavioral psychology and learning theories.