Classical Conditioning Flashcards
Extinction
DescriptionIf a conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus then the conditioned response will disappear
Stimulus generalisation
DescriptionThis is the extension of the conditioned response from the original conditioned stimulus to other similar stimuli
Higher order conditioning
DescriptionThis occurs when a new stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus when it is paired with an established conditioned stimulus
Spontaneous recovery
DescriptionIf the conditioned stimulus is not presented at all for sometime after extinction and is then presented again the conditioned response will return to some degree
Forward conditioning
DescriptionIn forward conditioning the conditioned stimulus precedes to unconditioned stimulus. There are two main types:
In delay conditioning the conditioned stimulus proceeds the unconditioned stimulus by a delay. The conditioned stimulus is still active when the unconditioned stimulus begins.
In contrast, trace conditioning involves the presentation of the unconditioned stimulus once the conditioned stimulus has finished
Simultaneous conditioning
DescriptionIn this form of conditioning, the conditioned and unconditioned stimulus are presented at the same time
Backward conditioning
Here, the conditioned stimulus follows the unconditioned stimulus
Temporal conditioning
DescriptionHere the unconditioned stimulus is paired to time. The unconditioned stimulus is presented at regular intervals (for example, every 20 minutes). Eventually the unconditioned response will occur shortly prior to the unconditioned stimulus
Aversive conditioning
DescriptionA technique where an unpleasant stimulus is paired with an unwanted behaviour (such as nail-biting, smoking) in order to create an aversion to it
Counter conditioning
DescriptionTeaching a different task or behaviour than the one that was previously occurring in a situation. For example, a dog lunges at the window when the postman walks by. The new task will be sitting quietly
Incubation
DescriptionThis occurs in fear responses. When a person is exposed to a stimulus which causes fear (for example being bitten by a dog), the fear response can increase over time due to brief exposures to the conditioned stimulus (for example to sight of dogs). This explains how fears can grow
Stimulus preparedness
Some stimuli are more prone to conditioning than others. This is referred to as stimulus preparedness. This is probably an evolutionary issue. We are more likely to develop fear responses to things such as insects and snakes rather than cars.
Reciprocal inhibition
Reciprocal inhibition is a theory suggested by Wolpe that holds that certain responses are incompatible. As you cannot feel relaxed and anxious at the same time relation techniques can be used to lessen anxiety.
A nurse teaches a patient how to use an inhaler by breaking the procedure down into separate steps. For example A therapist suggests to a patient that each time they begin to feel anxious they should breathe deeply and imagine a relaxing place.,
Chaining
Chaining involves breaking complex procedures down into simpler parts, teaching them individually then putting them all together (in a chain).
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