Chapter 4: Classical Conditioning basic phonomena & complexities

Question 1

Acquisition

Answer 1

The process of developing and strengthening a conditioned response through repeated pairings of an NS (or CS) with a US.

Question 2

Asymptote of conditioning

Answer 2

The maximum amount of conditioning that can take place in a particular situation.

Question 3

Extinction

Answer 3

a conditioned response is weakened or eliminated when the conditioned stimulus (CS) is repeatedly presented in the absence of the US

Question 4

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 4

The reappearance of a conditioned response to a CS following a rest period after extinction has occurred

Question 5

Disinhibition

Answer 5

The sudden recovery of a conditioned response during an extinction procedure when a novel stimulus is introduced

Question 6

Stimulus Generalization

Answer 6

The tendency for a CR to occur in the presence of a stimulus that is similar to the CS

Question 7

Experimental neurosis

Answer 7

An experimentally produced disorder in which animals exposed to unpredictable events develop neurotic-like symptoms

Question 8

High-Order conditioning

Answer 8

The process whereby a stimulus that is associated with a CS can also become a CS

Question 9

Sensory preconditioning

Answer 9

When one stimulus is conditioned as a CS, another stimulus with which it was previously paired can also become a CS (If you previously associated the toolshed with wasps and then acquired a fear of wasps as a result of being stung, you might also feel anxious when walking near the toolshed)

Question 10

CS Revaluation

Answer 10

A process that involves the postconditioning presentation of the US at a different level of intensity, thereby subsequently altering the strength of response to the previously conditioned CS

Question 11

Name 4 examples of specificity in classical conditioning

Answer 11

Overshadowing, blocking, occasion setting, latent inhibition

Question 12

Overshadowing

Answer 12

the more salient member of a compound stimulus is more readily conditioned as a CS and thereby interferes with conditioning of the less salient member (ex. taste aversion)

Question 13

Blocking

Answer 13

the presence of an established CS during conditioning interferes with the conditioning of a new CS

Question 14

Occasion setting

Answer 14

A procedure in which a stimulus (known as an occasion setter) signals whether a stimulus is likely to be followed by a US and thereby determines whether that stimulus will act as a CS that elicits a CR (ex. Pavlov’s dogs only salivate to metronome when he’s around)

Question 15

latent inhibition

Answer 15

The phenomenon whereby a familiar stimulus is more difficult to condition as a CS than is an unfamiliar (novel) stimulus.