Definition: Classical conditioning is a learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, leading to a conditioned response.
Phobias: Strong negative associations can be formed, such as developing a fear of dogs after being bitten, leading to generalization of fear towards similar-looking dogs.
Definition: A therapeutic technique where a particular stimulus is repeatedly paired with an aversive stimulus.
Example: Individuals with alcohol use disorders may use Anabuse which causes nausea when alcohol is consumed, thus forming a negative association with alcohol.
Taste Aversion: A strong association can be formed between a specific food and nausea, making one less likely to consume that food again.
Role of Classical Conditioning: Positive experiences (e.g., compliments, laughter) can create positive associations with individuals, increasing attraction.
Negative Experiences: Continuous criticism leads to negative emotions associated with that person, diminishing attraction even when they are behaving neutrally.
First Dates: Pleasant news can enhance feelings towards a partner based on classical conditioning principles, leading to increased attraction.
Objective: Advertisers seek to associate their products with positive emotions to influence consumer behavior.
Examples: Coca-Cola commercials often feature joyful families or cute animals to cultivate positive feelings associated with their product.
Case Study: An experiment with toothpaste showed that linking it with positive imagery resulted in a greater liking for the toothpaste compared to mundane imagery.
Tasting Perception: Many individuals claim a preference for Coke over Pepsi, despite being unable to distinguish between the two in blind taste tests.
Brand Influence: Coca-Cola's marketing effectively creates positive associations, influencing preference over taste.
Associative Learning in Politics: Politicians aim to create positive associations for themselves while vilifying opponents through emotional triggers (e.g., negative ads linking opponents to fear-inducing concepts).
Definition: A type of associative learning where behavior is influenced by consequences (rewards or punishments).
Goal Directed Behaviors: Actions are typically aimed at achieving a specific outcome, such as studying for an exam or exercising for health benefits.
Edward Thorndike: Conducted studies with cats in puzzle boxes, showing that behaviors followed by desirable outcomes (like getting food) increase in frequency.
Law of Effect: Behaviors followed by pleasant outcomes are likely to be repeated, while those followed by unpleasant outcomes are less likely to occur.
Reinforcement: Increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring in the future.
Positive Reinforcement: Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase behavior (e.g., teacher praises a student).
Negative Reinforcement: Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior (e.g., reducing a student’s workload after timely assignments).
Punishment: Decreases the likelihood of a behavior occurring in the future.
Positive Punishment: Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease behavior (e.g., extra homework for misbehavior).
Negative Punishment: Removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease behavior (e.g., taking a phone away for misbehavior).
Primary Reinforcers: Naturally reinforcing (e.g., food, water).
Secondary Reinforcers: Become reinforcing through association with primary reinforcers (e.g., money).
Continuous Reinforcement: Every instance of behavior is reinforced.
Partial Reinforcement: Only some instances of behavior are reinforced, which is more effective for maintenance of behavior.
Ratio Schedules: Based on the number of responses (fixed or variable).
Interval Schedules: Based on the amount of time elapsed (fixed or variable).
Generalization: Performing a learned behavior in different situations.
Discrimination: Learning to distinguish between different stimuli and understand which will or will not lead to reinforcement.
Extinction: The decrease of a learned behavior when reinforcement stops.
Spontaneous Recovery: The reappearance of a previously extinguished behavior after time has passed.
Positive Reinforcement: Child receives praise for cleaning their room.
Negative Reinforcement: Student completes homework to avoid nagging from a teacher.
Positive Punishment: Child misbehaves and receives a time out.
Negative Punishment: Taking away a teenager's video game for poor grades.