Classical Conditioning Overview

Questions and Answers

What does NS stand for in classical conditioning?

Neutral Stimulus (correct)

Noxious Stimulus

Necessary Stimulus

None of the above

What is the CR in the context of Pavlov's experiment?

Conditioned Response (correct)

Contrived Response

Common Response

None of the above

In the Little Albert experiment, what animal was used as a NS?

rat

In the context of classical conditioning, the UCS is the reaction caused by a stimulus.

False Signup and view all the answers

Match the following classical conditioning terms with their definitions:

NS = Stimulus that does not elicit a response before conditioning UCS = Stimulus that unconditionally triggers a response UCR = Unlearned, natural response to the UCS CS = Previously neutral stimulus that, after conditioning, comes to trigger a conditioned response Signup and view all the answers

What is the CR for someone who has experienced nausea after eating oysters?

nausea Signup and view all the answers

The ______ causes discomfort to Suzy whenever she hears the sound of squealing brakes.

pain Signup and view all the answers

What happens to someone who consumes too much alcohol and then smells vodka the next day?

They feel nauseated and may vomit. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning Overview

Classical conditioning involves associating an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) with a neutral stimulus (NS) to elicit a conditioned response (CR).
The unconditioned response (UCR) is a natural reaction to the unconditioned stimulus.

Example 1: Garage Door & Dogs

NS: Sound of garage door; UCS: People arriving home; UCR: Dog excitement.
The repeated pairing leads to dogs feeling excited upon hearing just the garage door sound.

Example 2: Oysters & Nausea

NS: Oysters; UCS: Stomach flu; UCR: Nausea.
A negative experience with oysters (stomach flu) results in nausea from just smelling or thinking about them.

Example 3: School & Anxiety

NS: School building; UCS: Bullying; UCR: Anxiety.
Continuous bullying creates a conditioned response where seeing the school building induces anxiety.

Example 4: Scallops & Food Poisoning

NS: Scallops; UCS: Food poisoning; UCR: Nausea.
Bad experience with contaminated scallops leads to nausea at the sight or smell of scallops.

Example 5: Eye Doctor & Blinking

NS: Beeping noise; UCS: Puff of air in the eye; UCR: Blinking.
Association forms where the beeping noise triggers blinking in anticipation of the puff of air.

Example 6: Car Accident & Pain

NS: Sound of squealing brakes; UCS: Car wreck; UCR: Pain.
Distressing past experience with a car wreck creates a pain response triggered solely by the sound of squealing brakes.

Example 7: Pavlov's Dogs

NS: Bell; UCS: Food; UCR: Salivation.
Pavlov's classic experiment demonstrates conditioning where dogs salivate upon hearing a bell associated with food.

Example 8: Little Albert Experiment

NS: Rat; UCS: Loud noise; UCR: Fear.
The experiment showed fear can be conditioned in a child (Little Albert) towards previously neutral stimuli like a rat.

Example 9: Alcohol & Nausea

UCS: Excessive vodka; UCR: Vomiting; NS: Smell of orange juice & vodka.
Overindulgence in alcohol creates an aversion, where the smell of vodka and orange juice instinctively triggers nausea and vomiting.

Description

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of classical conditioning, including the roles of unconditioned and neutral stimuli. Through various examples, you'll learn how associations can influence behaviors and emotions in both positive and negative contexts.