Classical Conditioning Flashcards
Define learning
the set of biological, cognitive & social processes through which organisms make meaning from their experiences, producing long-lasting changes in their behavior, abilities, & knowledge
Benefit of learning
- helps us predict the future from the past
- using these predictions to guide adaptive behaviors
- approaching new situations with knowledge of similar situations
What are the 2 main forms of non-associative learning shared by all species?
- sensitisation
- habituation
Define sensitisation
the temporary state of heightened attention & responsivity that accompanies sudden & surprising events
Define habituation
the gradual diminishing of attention & responsivity that occurs when a stimulus persists
- no longer considered a threat
Consequence of sensitisation
the learner remains alert to potentially threatening stimuli in the env. & has an increased response to subsequent stimuli
Importance of aplysia in habituation & sensitisation
- learned to associate stimuli in its env. with small electric shocks to its tail
- learned through classical conditioning to withdraw its gill pre-emptively (before the shock was administered)
- has large neurons (good models)
Why is conditioning called associate learning?
learning associations between stimuli &/or between stimuli & behavioural responses
What does classical conditioning involve?
learning a predictive relationship b/w an originally neutral environmental event & a biologically significant event that naturally causes a reflex response, so that the NEUTRAL EVENT becomes able to produce the reflex response on its own
What is a classically conditioned response?
it is a LEARNED REFLEX RESPONSE to a stimulus that would not usually cause it
Give an example of a classically conditioned response
salivation to the sound of a bell (through its association w/ food)
Official definition of classical conditioning
the process of learning an involuntary association b/w a neutral stimulus (NS) & an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) so that the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus that can cause a conditioned reflex response in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus
What are the 3 phases of classical conditioning??
- The conditions that exist before conditioning (before learning) –> normal reflex responses that occur to stimuli that are naturally rewarding or punishing
- During conditioning (learning associations) –> experiencing a predictive relationship
- After conditioning –> previously neutral stimulus able to produce learned reflex response in expectancy of biologically relevant stimulus
What was the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in Pavlov’s experiments?
Food
it is a biologically significant stimulus that naturally causes a reflex response
What was the unconditioned response (UCR) in Pavlov’s experiments?
salivation response
(reflex response)
