Module 20: Basic Learning Concepts and Classical Conditioning

Question 1

What is learning?

Answer 1

Process of acquiring through experience new information or behaviors

Question 2

Who demonstrated/discovered associative learning (classical conditioning) through salivary conditioning?

Answer 2

Pavlov

Question 3

classical conditioning

Answer 3

type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events

Question 4

neutral stimulus (NS)

Answer 4

a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning

Question 5

conditioned response (CR)

Answer 5

a learned response to a previously neutral but now conditioned stimulus (CS)

Question 6

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 6

an originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response (CR)

Question 7

unconditioned response (UR)

Answer 7

an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salivation) to an unconditioned stimulus (US) (such as food in the mouth)

Question 8

unconditioned stimulus (US)

Answer 8

a stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers an unconditioned response (UR)

Question 9

acquisition

Answer 9

when one links a neutral stimulus and an
unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response

Question 10

higher-order conditioning

Answer 10

a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus

Question 11

extinction

Answer 11

diminishing of a conditioned response (occurs when US does not follow a CS)

Question 12

spontaneous recovery

Answer 12

reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response.

Question 13

generalization

Answer 13

tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the CS to elicit similar responses

Question 14

discrimination

Answer 14

learned ability to distinguish a conditioned stimulus (which predicts the US) and other irrelevant stimuli

Question 15

Who created the “Little Albert” experiment and what happened?

Answer 15

Watson and Rayner applied classical
conditioning principles in the studies of “Little Albert” to demonstrate how specific fears might be conditioned.
▪ A white rat and a frightening noise were paired.
▪ After the pairing was repeated seven times, the 11-month-old child cried at the sight of the rat alone.
▪ Five days later, the child’s startled fear reaction was generalized to the sight of a rabbit, a dog, and a sealskin coat.

Question 16

applications of classical conditioning

Answer 16

Pavlov’s principles are used to influence human health and well-being (addicts/drugs)

Question 17

behaviorism

Answer 17

psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes.