Chapter 4: Classical Conditioning basic phonomena & complexities Flashcards
Acquisition
The process of developing and strengthening a conditioned response through repeated pairings of an NS (or CS) with a US.
Asymptote of conditioning
The maximum amount of conditioning that can take place in a particular situation.
Extinction
a conditioned response is weakened or eliminated when the conditioned stimulus (CS) is repeatedly presented in the absence of the US
Spontaneous Recovery
The reappearance of a conditioned response to a CS following a rest period after extinction has occurred
Disinhibition
The sudden recovery of a conditioned response during an extinction procedure when a novel stimulus is introduced
Stimulus Generalization
The tendency for a CR to occur in the presence of a stimulus that is similar to the CS
Experimental neurosis
An experimentally produced disorder in which animals exposed to unpredictable events develop neurotic-like symptoms
High-Order conditioning
The process whereby a stimulus that is associated with a CS can also become a CS
Sensory preconditioning
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)
CS Revaluation
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
Name 4 examples of specificity in classical conditioning
Overshadowing, blocking, occasion setting, latent inhibition
Overshadowing
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)
Blocking
the presence of an established CS during conditioning interferes with the conditioning of a new CS
Occasion setting
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)
latent inhibition
The phenomenon whereby a familiar stimulus is more difficult to condition as a CS than is an unfamiliar (novel) stimulus.
