Classical Conditoning

Question 1

What is Classical Conditioning?

Answer 1

Classical conditioning: a simple form of learning, which occurs through repeated association of two different stimuli to produce a naturally occurring response. It is involuntary; the learning occurs passively

Question 2

Extinction?

Answer 2

Extinction- Occurs when the UCS is repeatedly no longer presented with the CS, a conditioned response no longer occurs following the presentation of a CS.

Question 3

Spontaneous Recovery?

Answer 3

Spontaneous Recovery- In spontaneous recovery, a seemingly extinct conditioned response reappears if the conditioned stimulus is presented again.
CAN ONLY HAPPEN IF EXTINCTION HAS OCCURRED

Question 4

Stimulus Generalization ?

Answer 4

Stimulus Generalisation- This is the process by which the CS that are similar, but not identical, to the original CS still elicits a response.

Question 5

Stimulus Discrimination ?

Answer 5

Stimulus Discrimination- Only the CS will elicit a CR

Question 6

What was the little albert experiment?

Answer 6

Before conditioning the rat (neutral stimulus) elicits no response from Little Albert
Also, a loud bang (UCS) will cause Little Albert to cry (UCR)

During Conditioning the rat (NS) is paired repeatedly with a loud bang (UCS) which causes little albert to start crying (UCR)

After conditioning, the neutral stimulus has now become conditioned so that the rat (CS) causes a conditioned response of crying (CR), even in the absence of the loud noise (UCS)

Question 7

Ethical considerations with little albert?

Answer 7

Ethical considerations

Debriefing: In this experiment, debriefing should have included the experimenters extinguishing Little Albert’s conditioned fear response. However, because his mother moved away with him before the conclusion of the experiment, this never occurred.

Informed consent: Although his mother did consent for his participation in the experiment, it is unclear whether this was informed. It is likely that she did not know the full details of the experiment and as such was not able to make an informed decision when consenting.

Question 8

Did little albert show stimulus discrimination?

Answer 8

Stimulus generalisation: This is the process by which the CS that are similar, but not identical, to the original CS still elicits a response. Stimulus generalisation was present with Little Albert as he produced quite fearful reactions to a white rabbit, a dog, a sealskin coat and to a lesser extent, a Santa mask, which are similar but not identical to the white rat (CS).