01_Principles of Classical Conditioning

Question 1

3 Factors that Influence the Effectiveness of Classical Conditioning

Answer 1

Temporal Relationship between the CS and US

Number of Conditioning Trials

Pre-exposure to the CS or US

Question 2

Delay conditioning

Answer 2

Forward conditioning

CS is presented before and overlaps with US

Optimal interval time = 0.5 sec

Question 3

Trace Condition

Answer 3

Forward conditioning

CS is presented and terminated prior to US

*weaker CR than delay conditioning

Question 4

Simultaneous Conditioning

Answer 4

CS and UCS are presented and withdrawn at the same time

[Less effective than trace or delay conditioning]

Question 5

Backward Conditioning

Answer 5

UCS is presented prior to CS

*Does not produce a conditioned response

Question 6

S-R Conditioning Effectiveness:

Number of Conditioning Trials

Answer 6

Greater number of trials = stronger CR

*however, UCR will always be stronger

Question 7

S-R Conditioning Effectiveness:

Pre-exposure to the CS or US

Answer 7

Acquisition of CR is slowed when there is repeated exposure to either the US or the intended CS before they are paired

Question 8

Classical Extinction

Answer 8

Gradual disappearance of the CR

Due to repeated presentation of the CS alone

Question 9

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 9

Reemergence of a weak CR to CS following extinction

*Implies that learning is never lost, only inhibited

Question 10

True or false?

Following extinction, fewer trials are needed to reestablish a CS-CR relationship than initially needed.

Answer 10

True.

Question 11

Stimulus Generalization

Answer 11

Classical conditioning: CR responding to stimuli similar to the CS

Operant conditioning: target behavior occurs in response stimuli similar to to the discriminative stimulus

Question 12

Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 12

Opposite of generalization

Ability to discriminate between CS similar stimuli

Respond only to the CS with a CR

Question 13

Discrimination Training

Answer 13

Use of selective reinforcement and extinction to establish stimulus discrimination

Question 14

Experimental Neurosis

Answer 14

Term used to describe confusion, dysphoria that results from very difficult discriminations

Potentially due to conflict between cortical excitation and inhibition

Question 15

Higher-Order Conditioning

Answer 15

Acquisition of CR in the absence of UCS

Initial CS is treated as UCS

e.g. CS of tone produces salivation, then tone without food is paired with light: CR to light is established without UCS

Question 16

Blocking

Answer 16

CS blocks association between second novel stimulus and the UCS when presented together prior to the UCS

Question 17

Overshadowing

Answer 17

1. Two neutral stimuli are associated with UCS
2. When presented alone, only one produces CR
   * Stimulus that is more salient will become CS

Question 18

John Watson:

Overview

Answer 18

Father of American Behaviorism

Rejected introspection

All learning is a result of classical conditioning

Little Albert’s fear generalization