Classic Conditioning (4) Flashcards
Define classical conditioning
Learned by association. It occurs when a neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus. The neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response as the unconditional stimulus.
Define unconditional stimulus (UCS)
A stimulus that produces a response without any learning taking place
Define Unconditional response (UCR)
An unlearned response to an unconditioned stimulus.
Define neutral stimulus (NS)
A stimulus that does not produce the target response. It becomes a conditioned stimulus after being paired with an unconditional stimulus.
Define Conditioned stimulus (CS)
A stimulus that only produces the target response once paired with the unconditional stimulus.
Define Conditioned response (CR)
The response elicited by the conditioned stimulus which then causes the desired response.
Define Extinction
When the CS and the UCS have not been paired for a while the CS stops producing the same effect as the UCS.
Define Spontaneous recovery
An extinct response activates again so that the CS once again elites the CR
Define Stimulus generalisation
When an individual who has acquired a conditioned response to one stimulus begins to respond to another similar stimulus.
Which experiment is paired with classical conditioning?
Pavlov’s dogs
What is the research evidence of classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning is supported by many studies such as Pavlov causing dogs to salivate. John Watson and Rosaline Rayner demonstrated fear in a human baby and Mirte Brom (2014) linked sexual behaviour and classical conditioning.
Competing arguments of classical conditioning:
Pavlov’s details of classical conditioning are open to question. He believed to pair stimulus they must be done close together in time but others such as Robert Roscorla (1968) found that to be a less important factor.
Classical conditioning weaknesses?
Classical conditioning can only explain simple things such as anxiety or salivating but not something like a fear of dogs over time. Therefore it lacks a full explanation
Application to aversion therapy
Systematic desensitisation and flooding are methods of exposing a person to their fears until the point their anxiety and adrenaline lowers so they can learn the thing they fear is not dangerous.
