Classical Conditioning

Question 1

Classical Conditioning

Answer 1

the unconscious learning of a contingency between a particular signal and a later even that are paired in time and/or space.

Question 2

Pavlov

Answer 2

Founded classical conditioning. Was interested in the stages of digestion in dogs (salvation before food reached their mouth). Used the metronome to illicit salvation.

Question 3

Contingency

Answer 3

the presentation of one stimulus reliably leads to the presentation of another. Occurs when an organism learns an association between a signal and an event, and can eventually respond the signal before the event even occurs.
Can promote survival.

Question 4

Unconditional Stimulus (US)

Answer 4

a stimulus that occurs unconditionally and automatically triggers a response in the absence of any learning. Occurs naturally.

Question 5

Unconditional Response (UR)

Answer 5

specific response triggered by an unconditional stimulus which occurs naturally, prior to any learning. Usually a biologically programmed reflex.

Question 6

Conditional Stimulus (CS)

Answer 6

previously neutral stimulus that becomes associated with an unconditional stimulus to produce a learned contingency and eventually trigger a response on its own.

Question 7

Conditioned Response (CR)

Answer 7

when the conditional stimulus is paired with an unconditional stimulus and a contingency has been learned, it elicits a conditional response (same as unconditional response)

Question 8

Acquisition

Answer 8

the process by which the contingency between a CS and US is learned. Typically requires many trials, but sometimes can occur quickly in certain situations.

Question 9

Extinction

Answer 9

loss of CR when CS no longer predicts US.

Question 10

New Inhibitory Response

Answer 10

a new learned response that competes with the original learned contingency and occurs during extinction, when the CS becomes an unreliable prediction of the US. Suggests that CS is not completely unlearned.

Question 11

Extinction Procedure

Answer 11

CS is repeatedly presented in absence of the US

Question 12

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 12

Suggests that extinction involves a new inhibitory learned response.

Question 13

Generalization

Answer 13

classical conditioning learned responses to a variety of stimuli. Stimuli similar to CS will elicit a similar response

Question 14

Generalization Gradient

Answer 14

a normal distribution of stimuli that elicit a CR that varies in degree, depending on how similar or different a stimulus is to the original CS. Flattens when extinction occurs.

Question 15

Discrimination

Answer 15

restricts the range of conditional stimuli that can elicit a response. Narrows generalization gradient.

Question 16

Generalization vs. Discrimination

Answer 16

generalization adds flexibility and efficiency to classical conditioning. Discrimination refines the learning process.

Question 17

CS+

Answer 17

predicts the presence of an unconditional stimulus

Question 18

CS-

Answer 18

predicts the absence of an unconditional stimulus.

Question 19

Phobia

Answer 19

exaggerated, intense and persistent fear of certain situations, activities, things or people.

Question 20

Implosive Therapy

Answer 20

an individual with a particular phobia is encouraged to confront the CS that invokes their anxiety. The CS is presented in the absence of US. Can be traumatic

Question 21

Systematic Desensitization

Answer 21

uses a more gradual exposure to the feared CS. Starting at end of generalization gradient and working toward the middle.

Question 22

Compensatory Responses

Answer 22

a process which counteracts a challenge to homeostasis

Question 23

Homeostasis

Answer 23

a conditional stimulus acts as a preparatory signal to help an organism anticipate an important biological event.

Question 24

Withdrawal Symptoms

Answer 24

Can be explained through classical conditioning and homeostasis. It is a conditioned compensatory response that is triggered by an environmental cue (CS).

Question 25

Reacquisition

Answer 25

after extinction, the CR is paired with US again occurring faster than initially, therefore, it is not a case of forgetting

Question 26

Latent Learning

Answer 26

acquiring associations that are not immediately expressed, or used only in certain situations