Classical conditioning Flashcards
What is classical conditioning?
Learning 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 unconditioned stimulus
What is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
A stimulus that produces a response without any learning taking place
What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?
An unlearned response to an unconditioned stimulus
What is the neutral stimulus?
A stimulus that does not produce the target response. It becomes a conditioned stimulus after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus
What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?
A stimulus that only produces the target response after it has been paired with the UCS?
What is a conditioned response (CR)?
The response elicted by the CS
What is extinction?
When the CS and UCS have not been paired for a while and the CS ceases to elict the CR
What is spontaneous recovery?
An extinct response activates again so that the CS once again elicts the CR
What is simulus generalisation?
When an individual who has acquired a conditioned response to one stimulus begins to respond to similar stimuli in the same way
What applications does classical conditioning have?
- Aversion therapy
- Flooding/ systematic desensitisation
What is aversion therapy?
Used to treat people who have an unwanted behaviour
