Classical Conditioning Concepts

Questions and Answers

What is learning?

A relatively permanent change in knowledge or behavior resulting from experience.

What is classical conditioning?

A form of learning in which a neutral stimulus comes to elicit a response after being associated with a stimulus that already elicits that response.

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that automatically elicits a particular unconditioned response.

What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?

An unlearned, automatic response to a particular unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?

A neutral stimulus that comes to elicit a particular conditioned response after being paired with a particular unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

The learned response given to a particular conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is higher-order conditioning?

The establishment of a conditioned response to a neutral stimulus that has been paired with an existing conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus generalization?

Giving a conditioned response to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus discrimination?

Giving a conditioned response to the conditioned stimulus but not to stimuli similar to it. Signup and view all the answers

What is extinction in classical conditioning?

The gradual disappearance of the conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without being paired with the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance after a period of time of a conditioned response that has been subjected to extinction. Signup and view all the answers

What is conditioned taste aversion?

A taste inversion induced by pairing a taste with gastrointestinal distress. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning in Classical Conditioning

Learning is defined as a relatively permanent change in knowledge or behavior due to experience.

Key Concepts of Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning is a learning process where a neutral stimulus gains the ability to elicit a response after being associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned Stimulus and Response

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS): Automatically elicits a specific unconditioned response without prior learning.
Unconditioned response (UCR): An automatic, unlearned response triggered by the unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus and Response

Conditioned stimulus (CS): Initially neutral stimulus that elicits a learned response after being paired with the UCS.
Conditioned response (CR): The learned reaction to the conditioned stimulus.

Advanced Conditioning Concepts

Higher-order conditioning involves a neutral stimulus becoming a conditioned stimulus by being paired with an already established conditioned stimulus.
Stimulus generalization occurs when a conditioned response is elicited by stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.
Stimulus discrimination enables an organism to distinguish between the conditioned stimulus and similar stimuli, responding only to the conditioned stimulus.

Extinction and Recovery

Extinction refers to the process where the conditioned response diminishes when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus.
Spontaneous recovery is the unexpected reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of absence.

Conditioned Taste Aversion

Conditioned taste aversion occurs when an association is made between a specific taste and subsequent gastrointestinal distress, leading to an aversion to that taste.

Description

This quiz explores key terms and definitions related to classical conditioning, a fundamental psychological concept. Learn about essential vocabulary such as learning, unconditioned stimulus, and more. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of this learning theory.