Classical Conditioning Flashcards
How do people learn through classical conditioning?
Through association.
Define ‘unconditioned stimulus’ (UCS).
Any stimulus that produces a natural, unlearnt response which is intended to be associated with a certain response.
Define ‘unconditioned response’ (UCR).
Any response that occurs naturally without learning that is intended to be associated with a certain stimulus.
Define ‘neutral stimulus’ (NS).
A thing which produces no response.
Define ‘conditioned stimulus’ (CS).
A neutral stimulus that when paired with an unconditioned stimulus elicits the same response.
Define ‘conditioned response’ (CR).
A response that is learned by pairing the originally neutral stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus.
Describe the scientific formula with the example of a bell and food using the 3 stages: before conditioning, during conditioning, and after conditioning.
1) Before Bell (NS) --> No response Food (UCS) --> Salivation (UCR) 2) During Bell (NS) + Food (UCS) --> Salivation (UCR) 3) After Bell (CS) --> Salivation (CR)
List the 5 principles of classical conditioning.
1) Generalisation
2) Discrimination
3) Extinction
4) Spontaneous Recovery
5) One Trial Learning
Define ‘generalisation’ in terms of classical conditioning.
Extension of the conditioned response from the original stimulus to similar stimuli.
Give an example of generalisation.
Having a fear of loud bangs due to having a bad experience with fireworks.
Define ‘discrimination’ in terms of classical conditioning.
The conditioned response is produced only by presentation of the original stimulus, it does not extend to similar stimuli.
Give an example of discrimination.
Seeing a specific type of car and feeling fear due to being in a car crash in that type of car.
Define ‘extinction’ in terms of classical conditioning.
If the conditioned stimulus is continually presented without the unconditioned stimulus then the conditioned response gradually dies out.
Give an example of extinction.
Associating a feeling of happiness with a school bell that signifies the end of the day going away after not attending school for a long period of time.
Define ‘spontaneous recovery’ in terms of classical conditioning.
When a previously extinguished conditioned response may reappear after a period of rest.
