Classical Conditioning Process Quiz

Classical conditioning is the learning process through which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with the initially meaningful stimulus and acquires the ability to elicit a similar response. An example of forward conditioning is when the conditioned stimulus (CS) is presented before the unconditioned stimulus (US) and stays until the US is presented, for example, the bell begins to ring and continues to ring until the food is presented.

Trace conditioning involves the onset and end of the CS preceding the onset of the US with some time gap between the two. The shorter the interval between the CS and US, the better the results. An example is when the bell might briefly ring several seconds before the food is presented.

Simultaneous conditioning involves the US and CS being presented together, beginning, continuing, and ending at the same time. An example is the ringing of the bell and the food being present together.

Backward conditioning occurs when the US precedes the onset of the CS.

Operant conditioning, also known as instrumental conditioning, is a type of learning where behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on their consequences. It involves the conditioning of deliberate (voluntary) behavior. It differs from classical conditioning in that it focuses on the modification of voluntary behaviors based on their consequences, rather than the association between stimuli.