Classical Conditioning Notes

Unit 3: Development & Learning.
Classical Conditioning: A type of learning where an initially neutral stimulus, when paired with a stimulus that elicits a reflex response, results in a learned, or conditioned, response when the now conditioned stimulus is presented.
Associative Learning: Classical conditioning is a form of associative learning.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that elicits an automatic or involuntary response.
Unconditioned Response (UCR): Any original response that occurs naturally and in the absence of conditioning.
Neutral Stimulus (NS): A stimulus that initially does not elicit the reflex or automatic response being studied.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A neutral stimulus that is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus until it acquires the ability to elicit a response that it previously did not.
Conditioned Response (CR): The learned or acquired response to a conditioned stimulus.

Acquisition: The first stages of learning when a conditioned response is established.
Extinction: The decrease or disappearance of a conditioned response.
Spontaneous Recovery: The reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period or a period of lessened response.
Stimulus Generalization: The elicitation of a conditioned response by stimulation similar but not identical to the original stimulus.
Stimulus Discrimination: The ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond differently to each.
Higher-Order Conditioning: Conditioning + CS = CR.

Ivan Pavlov: Pioneer in classical conditioning.
John B. Watson: Known for classically conditioned emotions. Quote: "I DON'T ALWAYS SCARE BABIES BUT WHEN I DO IT'S FOR PSYCHOLOGY."

Counterconditioning: Changing the association of a stimuli to elicit a different response.

One-Trial Conditioning: Taste aversion can be learned in a single trial.
Biological Preparedness: Organisms are biologically predisposed to learn certain associations more easily than others.