learning ch.3

Classical Conditioning Overview

• Classical conditioning is a learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that elicits a response.

• The most basic example involves pairing a metronome (neutral stimulus) with food (unconditioned stimulus) to elicit salivation (unconditioned response).

Phases of Classical Conditioning

1. Before Conditioning

• Unconditioned Stimulus (US): Food, which naturally causes salivation.

• Unconditioned Response (UR): Salivation, which occurs automatically upon food presentation.

• Neutral Stimulus (NS): Metronome, which does not elicit salivation initially.

2. During Conditioning

• The metronome (NS) is presented just before or simultaneously with the food (US).

• The notation system:

  • Metronome : Food means the metronome is first (tick-tick-tick) leading to food which causes salivation (US).

• Multiple pairings typically enhance learning.

3. After Conditioning

• Conditioned Stimulus (CS): The metronome, after association, now elicits the response by itself.

• Conditioned Response (CR): Salivation, which is now triggered by the metronome (CS).

• The difference is that the salivation is now a conditioned response rather than an unconditioned response.

Characteristics of Response

• The response remains the same (salivation) but is termed conditioned after learning.

• It is important to note that while the response may vary in intensity, the behavior remains fundamentally the same.

Different Types of Classical Conditioning

1. Types Based on Unconditioned Stimulus

• Appetitive Conditioning:

  • Involves pleasant unconditioned stimuli that organisms seek (e.g., food).

  • Example: Pavlov’s use of food as an unconditioned stimulus.

• Aversive Conditioning:

  • Involves unpleasant stimuli that organisms tend to avoid (e.g., bites).

  • Example: A dog bite resulting in fear of dogs.

  • Usually requires fewer pairings to establish conditioning.

2. Presence or Absence of Unconditioned Stimulus

• Excitatory Conditioning:

  • Involves the presentation of an unconditioned stimulus.

  • Examples include the metronome followed by food or a dog followed by a bite.

  • Labeled as CS+: condition to signify association with a positive response.

• Inhibitory Conditioning:

  • Involves the removal of an unconditioned stimulus, leading to decreased likelihood of a response.

  • Labeled as CS-: signal that inhibits a response.

Temporal Arrangements of Conditioning

1. Delayed Conditioning

• The neutral stimulus starts before the unconditioned stimulus and overlaps.

• This method is considered most effective for learning.

• Short intervals between the presentations lead to better conditioning outcomes.

2. Trace Conditioning

• The onset and offset of the NS occurs before the US.

• The two stimuli do not overlap, requiring memory for the association.

• More cognitively challenging than delayed conditioning due to the absence of simultaneous stimuli.

3. Simultaneous Conditioning

• Neutral and unconditioned stimulus are presented at the same time.

• Generally less effective for conditioning than delayed conditioning.

Practical Applications

• Classical conditioning principles can explain various behaviors, including the formation of fears and phobias.

• Treatment options, like exposure therapy, utilize classical conditioning concepts to address conditioned fears.

• Understanding these concepts helps pinpoint methods for managing and treating conditioned responses in therapy.