Exam 4

Question 1

Classical conditioning

Answer 1

Transfer of reflexive behavior to a new stimulus. Also known as ‘associative learning.’ Dealing mostly with the behavior of organs.

Question 2

Reflex

Answer 2

Review

Question 3

The process of classical conditioning

Answer 3

1. Start with a basic reflex (light as US, pupil dilation as UR).
2. Precede reflex with a neutral stimulus (NS) that does not naturally cause a UR.
   
   • Many pairings
   • NS must precede US
3. NS starts to elicit a conditioned response without the presentation of the US. Once this happens, the NS becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS). The response to the CS becomes the conditioned response (CR).

Question 4

US

Answer 4

Any stimulus that innately causes a response.

Question 5

UR

Answer 5

Any innate, reflexive response to a US.

Question 6

Are the CR and UR the same?

Answer 6

Almost. The CR is physically similar but not functionally.

Question 7

What is a plausible learning history for someone with a foot fetish?

Answer 7

Classical conditioning

Question 8

Taste aversions

Answer 8

Nausea or disgust (GI malaise) to a taste, flavor or smell that is abnormal to loathe.

Question 9

Why is taste aversion a special type of conditioning.

Answer 9

1. Can require only one trial. This might be because it’s more important for our survival.
2. There can be a delay between the CSs and US.

Question 10

Nocturnal enuresis and its treatment

Answer 10

Bedwetting during sleep. Bell-and-pad method. Any water in bed, a bell is activated which should trigger a bathroom trip.

Question 11

Counter-conditioning

Answer 11

Pair the CS with an incompatible US. E.g., pair alcohol with sickness, a fetish with a shock, etc.

Question 12

Appetitive counter-conditioning

Answer 12

?

Question 13

What does the timing of the CS and US need to be?

Answer 13

The NS needs to precede or predict the US.

Question 14

Delayed conditioning

Answer 14

CS precedes the US by seconds.

Question 15

Trace conditioning

Answer 15

Gap between CS and US is much larger than with delayed conditioning. Only a “trace” amount of conditioning occurs.

Question 16

Simultaneous conditioning

Answer 16

CS and US occur at the same time. Very little conditioning occurs.

Question 17

Backward conditioning

Answer 17

US precedes CS. Little, if any, conditioning.

Question 18

Generalization

Answer 18

Once CS is established, a CR my occur to other physically similar stimuli.

Question 19

Discrimination

Answer 19

When a CR occurs towards on stimulus but not another.

Question 20

CS+

Answer 20

A “positive trial” where a CS is paired with the US.

Question 21

CS-

Answer 21

A “negative trial” where a different CS similar to a positively paired CS but without the US.

Question 22

Discrimination process

Answer 22

CS+ and CS- trials.

Question 23

Second-order conditioning

Answer 23

A CS is paired with another CS and is able to trigger the CR. Ex: Backyard associated with fireworks (US). Dog becomes associated with a backyard.

Question 24

Superstitious behavior (in the context of classical conditioning)

Answer 24

Worrying leads to nothing bad happening. Worrying is partially automatic. But where is the CS?

Question 25

What two processes are involved in a reflex?

Answer 25

Activation and deactivation (due to homeostasis)

Question 26

Opponent process theory

Answer 26

Deactivation can be viewed as an inhibitory process. It gets stronger after time.

Question 27

Coolidge Effect

Answer 27

It is a conditioned compensatory response

• Initially the mere sight of the other arouses (‘a’ process)
• ‘b’ process brings you back down
• After time, the ‘b’ process gets stronger and eventually causes one to have a negative response.

Question 28

Contexted induced drug tolerance

Answer 28

1. A drug user begins to associate a context with getting high. The context itself can trigger the high (?)
2. But after many times, the context becomes neutral.

Question 29

Can the ‘b’ process be conditioned?

Answer 29

Yes, think something that triggers suppression (in anticipation of arousal).

Question 30

What does multiple part CS depend on to work?

Answer 30

1. The manner in which the parts are presented w.r.t. eachother
2. The manner in which the parts are presented w.r.t. the US.

Question 31

Overshadowing

Answer 31

If a compound stimulus has a particularly salient aspect, that aspect will be most closely tied to the US.

Question 32

Blocking

Answer 32

A second order CS will be seen as redundant and will be ignored.