Classical Conditioning and Contiguity

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning Overview

A neutral stimulus can become a conditioned stimulus through repeated pairing with an unconditioned stimulus that elicits an emotional or physiological response.
After sufficient associations, the neutral stimulus alone can trigger the conditioned response, demonstrating the conditioning process.

Examples of Classical Conditioning

Salivating upon smelling favorite foods.
Feeling tension when hearing a dentist's drill.
Experiencing nervousness when stepping onto a stage.

Key Concepts in Learning

Contiguity: Refers to the association formed between two events due to their repeated pairing.
Stimulus: An event that activates a behavior or response.
Response: An observable reaction triggered by a stimulus.

Classical Conditioning Definition

It involves the association of automatic responses to new stimuli, linking involuntary reactions to conditioned stimuli.

Types of Stimuli and Responses

Neutral Stimulus: A stimulus that does not evoke a response prior to conditioning.
Unconditioned Stimulus (US): A stimulus that naturally produces an emotional or physiological response without prior learning.
Unconditioned Response (UR): A naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A previously neutral stimulus that, after conditioning, evokes an emotional or physiological response.
Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to the conditioned stimulus that was previously neutral.

Description

This quiz covers the concepts of classical conditioning and the process of how a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus. It delves into the principles of pairing stimuli to elicit conditioned responses, essential for understanding behavioral psychology.