Learning, CBT, and Memory Flashcards
Founder of classical conditioning
Ivan Pavlov
Process of classical conditioning
A naturally occurring stimulus (US) produces a natural response (UR)
Pair a neutral stimulus with the US, and the neutral stimulus will then produce a response (CR)
Effects of temporal relationships in conditioning
The CS must precede and overlap with the US (ideally by 0.5 seconds) for the best effect - called delay conditioning
Second best is trace conditioning, when you present and terminate the CS before showing the US.
Even less effective is simultaneous conditioning, when you show the neutral stimulus and the US at the same time
Worst is backward conditioning - US, then CS - produces no conditioning
Impact of the number of conditioning trials in classical conditioning
The greater the number of conditioning trials, the stronger the CR
However, the strength of the CR will likely always be a bit weaker than the UR
Impacts of pre-exposure on classical conditioning
Repeated exposure to the US or CS before they are paired slows down the acquisition of the CR
Classical extinction
The gradual disappearance of the CR with the CS
To avoid: add in occasional refresher trials with the CS and US pairing
Following extinction, fewer trials are needed to get the CS-CR response back
Spontaneous Recovery
In the days following an extinction, the CS can still elicit a weak CR
Demonstrates that learning is never lost (per Pavlov), it is just inhibited
(The CR is suppressed, rather than eliminated)
Stimulus generalization
When stimuli similar to the CS also produce a CR
In some instances, this can also occur across senses
Stimulus discrimination
The ability to discriminate between the CS and stimuli similar to the CS
Stimulus discrimination is established through discrimination training, where you selectively reinforce the CS, and don’t reinforce the similar stimuli
Experimental neurosis
Occurs during discrimination training when the animal/subject can no longer distinguish between the CS and the similar objects (when the two stimuli are too similar)
Dogs in Pavlov’s studies would exhibit agitation, aggressiveness, restlessness
Higher-order conditioning
Pair a CS with a neutral stimulus, which then becomes the higher-order conditioned stimulus
Explains how CRs are acquired in the absence of a US
Blocking
When you present a CS, US, and neutral stimulus at the same time
The presence of the CS will block the pairing of the US and neutral stimulus
Overshadowing
If you pair two neutral stimuli with a US to elicit a CR…
If you break up the two neutral stimuli, only one will come to elicit the CR and the other will not
Little Albert
John Watson
Classical conditioning with a baby
White rats, stimulus generalization
Interventions based on counterconditioning are based on the underlying technique of reciprocal inhibition…
What is reciprocal inhibition?
Pairing a stimulus that invokes anxiety (CS) with a stimulus that invokes relation (CS)
Pair the anxiety-provoking stimuli with something naturally relaxing (US)
Two types of interventions based on counterconditioning
Systematic desensitization
Behavioral sex therapy
Four stages to systematic desensitization
Relaxation training (PMR, imagery)
Construction of the hierarchy (10-15 events, SUDS 1-100)
Desensitization in imagination (start from bottom of hierarchy; relax, then imagine, then bring back to relaxation)
In vivo desensitization (do after 75-85% imagination, do with things already desensitized via imagination)
Evaluation research on systematic desensitization
Extinction is responsible for systematic desensitization (as opposed to the combination of anxiety and counter-relaxation states)
Behavioral Sex Therapy is best indicated for…
Disorders related to (or exacerbated by) performance anxiety
Premature ejaculation (squeeze technique is prominent)
Vaginismus (relaxation with dilators is prominent)
How behavioral sex therapy works
Through use of senate focus
Pairing a situation that avoids anxiety with pleasurable sensations and relaxation
Ex. Abstaining from sex and focusing only on non-genital touching or massage for pleasure, then progressing to non-demand genital touching
Two interventions based on aversive counterconditioning
In vivo aversion therapy
Covert sensitization
In vivo aversion therapy
Form of aversive counterconditioning
Pair a maladaptive behavior (CS) with a US that naturally elicits a noxious response (shock, odor, emetic drug)
Types of conditions that may benefit from aversive counterconditioning
Substance use disorders
Paraphilias
Self-injurious behavior
Research on aversive counterconditioning
Most effective with cigarette smoking, moderately effective sometimes in the short term for everything else
High relapse rates, limited generalizability
Most effective when the adverse method is similar to the maladaptive method (eg. alcoholism with taking a drug), AND when supplemented with other treatment modalities