Classical Conditioning Stages Overview

Study Notes

Before Conditioning (Stage One)
- Unconditioned stimulus (UCS): Triggers an unconditioned response (UCR) without prior learning (e.g., food causes salivation).
- Unconditioned response (UCR): Automatic reaction to the unconditioned stimulus (e.g., salivation when food is presented).
- Neutral stimulus (NS): A stimulus that initially elicits no response (e.g., a bell) prior to conditioning.
- The neutral stimulus does not provoke a reaction until paired with an unconditioned stimulus.
During Conditioning (Stage Two)
- Conditioning occurs when the neutral stimulus is paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
- The combination of the neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus leads to the formation of a conditioned stimulus (CS).
- Repeated pairings of the NS and UCS strengthen the association in the learner's mind.
After Conditioning (Stage Three)
- The conditioned stimulus, when presented alone, triggers a conditioned response (CR).
- The conditioned response is learned behavior in response to the conditioned stimulus (e.g., salivation upon hearing the bell).
- The relationship established leads to the neutral stimulus becoming a conditioned stimulus capable of evoking a response similar to the unconditioned response.