Questions and Answers
What does classical conditioning refer to?
The unconditioned stimulus (US) is something (such as food) that triggers a ___ occurring response.
naturally
The ___ stimulus is a neutral stimulus that, after being presented repeatedly, evokes a response similar to the response to the unconditioned stimulus.
conditioned
Match the terms with their corresponding descriptions:
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Why is conditioning considered evolutionarily beneficial?
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In the classic Pavlov experiment, the unconditioned stimulus is the ___ and the conditioned stimulus is the ___.
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What is established through repeated pairing of the CS and US?
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___ is the reduction in responding that occurs when the CS is presented repeatedly without the US.
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Spontaneous recovery refers to the reappearance of an extinct response.
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In classical conditioning, when does conditioning occur?
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___ refers to the tendency to respond to stimuli that resemble the original conditioned stimulus.
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What is the significance of generalization in classical conditioning?
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___ is the tendency to respond differently to stimuli that are similar but not identical.
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An existing conditioned stimulus can serve as an unconditioned stimulus for a pairing with a new conditioned stimulus—a process known as ___ conditioning.
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In one of Pavlov's studies, dogs salivated at the sight of a black square that was conditioned.
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A baby learns that footsteps precede door opening, signaling her parents entering the room is an example of second-order conditioning.
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A new waitress expects a tip from a non-friendly customer based on previous experiences, demonstrating second-order conditioning.
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What is spontaneous recovery?
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Study Notes
Classical Conditioning Overview
- Classical conditioning involves the association of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus, leading to a learned behavior.
- The neutral stimulus (e.g., tone) becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) when paired with the unconditioned stimulus (US, e.g., food).
Key Definitions
- Unconditioned Stimulus (US): Naturally triggers a response (e.g., food).
- Unconditioned Response (UR): Natural reaction to the US (e.g., salivation).
- Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Originally neutral stimulus that acquires the ability to elicit a similar response after conditioning.
- Conditioned Response (CR): Learned reaction to the CS, similar to the UR.
Important Concepts
- Conditioning promotes evolutionary benefits by enabling organisms to anticipate and adapt to future events.
- In Pavlov's experiment:
- US = food
- CS = tone
- UR = salivation
- CR = salivation
Processes in Conditioning
- Association: Established through repeated pairing of CS and US, facilitating learned responses.
- Extinction: Occurs when the CS is presented without the US, leading to a decrease in the CR.
- Spontaneous Recovery: Reappearance of an extinct response after a pause without the US.
Acquisition and Generalization
- Acquisition Phase: Learning takes place as responses become established.
- Generalization: Tendency to respond to stimuli resembling the CS, impactful for evolutionary adaptation.
- Discrimination: Differentiating between similar stimuli, indicating learned specificity.
Second-Order Conditioning
- Involves using an established CS as a US for a new CS (e.g., pairing a black square with a tone to elicit salivation).
- Secondary Conditioners: Stimuli that indirectly elicit responses through associations (e.g., feeling good about Friday due to paycheck associations).
Real-World Applications
- Everyday examples illustrate classical conditioning in action, such as learning to associate footsteps with parental presence.
- Different scenarios validate the application of second-order conditioning based on prior associations (e.g., nervousness linked to a bulging briefcase indicating a pop quiz).
True or False Insights
- Extinction is never complete; some conditioned responses may remain dormant.
- The understanding of classical conditioning serves as a foundational concept in psychology, with significant implications in both experimental and real-world contexts.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of classical conditioning, including key concepts such as unconditioned and conditioned stimuli and responses. Learn how this learning process helps organisms adapt to their environment through association. Dive into Pavlov's experiment to see these principles in action.