CH 18, PART 1

Classical Conditioning: Learning by Association

Differentiate conditioning from cognitive learning (e.g., memorizing).
Understand classical conditioning mechanisms and terminology.
Recognize the importance of timing in classical conditioning.
Distinguish between generalization and discrimination in classical conditioning.

Learning: A process where behavior or knowledge changes due to experience.
- Cognitive Learning vs. Associative Learning.

Ivan Pavlov: Nobel Prize-winning physiologist known for research on digestion and salivation response.
Conditional Reflex: Mistranslation of Pavlov's term "psychological reflex"; refers to reflexes conditioned by association.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US): A stimulus that naturally elicits a reflexive response without prior learning.
Unconditioned Response (UR): An unlearned reflexive reaction to an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., salivation).
Neutral Stimulus (NS): A stimulus that does not elicit a reflexive response before conditioning.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A neutral stimulus that becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus and elicits a response.
Conditioned Response (CR): A response learned through conditioning, occurring in reaction to the conditioned stimulus.

Weak synapses strengthen when they fire simultaneously with stronger synapses, enhancing connections.

Acquisition: Initial learning phase where a conditioned response is established.
- Faster acquisition if CS consistently predicts US.
Extinction: Weakening of a conditioned response when CS and US no longer occur together.
Spontaneous Recovery: Reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after time without exposure to CS.

Stimulus Generalization: Responding to stimuli similar to the original stimulus.
Stimulus Discrimination: Learning to respond to the original stimulus only, and not to similar stimuli that are not paired with a US.