Module 21 (Classical Conditioning)

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

a relatively enduring change in behavior, resulting from experience

Question 2

Associative learning

Answer 2

learning the relationship between two stimuli or events, develops through conditioning (both classical and operant)

Question 3

Conditioning

Answer 3

a process in which environmental stimuli and behavioral responses become connected

Question 4

Nonassociative learning

Answer 4

learning to adjust responses to a repeated stimuli

Question 5

Social learning

Answer 5

learning by instruction or observing how others behave

Question 6

Classical conditioning

Answer 6

a form of learning where some event (a stimulus) which produces a behavior (a reflexive response) becomes associated with a new (previous neutral) stimulus
(when we learn that a stimulus predicts another stimulus)

Question 7

Example of classical conditioning

Answer 7

tone and dog food
Before conditioning, dog food (UCS) would automatically elicit dog to drool (UCR), and a sharp tone (CS) would cause no response in dog
During conditioning: sharp tone (CS) would be followed by dog food (UCS) being presented to dog, eliciting salivation (UCR)
After conditioning: a sharp tone elicits dog’s salivation (CR)
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS), Unconditioned response (UCR), Conditioned stimulus (CS), Conditioned response (CR)

Question 8

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Answer 8

a stimulus that automatically triggers a response without any prior learning

Question 9

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 9

a neutral stimulus that is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US) to elicit a conditioned response (CR)

Question 10

Conditioned response (CR)

Answer 10

a response that becomes associated with a previously unrelated stimulus as a result of pairing the stimulus with another stimulus normally yielding the response

Question 11

Unconditioned response (UCR)

Answer 11

an automatic, involuntary, and natural reaction to a stimulus that occurs without prior learning

Question 12

Extinction

Answer 12

the weakening of a conditional response (CR) in the absence of the unconditional stimulus (UCS)

Question 13

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 13

the reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a time delay

Question 14

Generalization

Answer 14

a tendency to produce a conditioned response (CR) to a stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus (CS)
ex.) shaking a box of cereal or crackers (rather than cat/dog food)

Question 15

Discrimination

Answer 15

involves learning to distinguish between stimuli that are similar to, but not the same as, the conditioned stimulus (CS)
ex.) training dog to respond to “sit” only when spoken in specific tone