Examples of Specificity in Classical Conditioning

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Questions and Answers

According to the Rescorla-Wagner theory, what effect occurs when 2 fully conditioned stimuli are combined into a compound stimulus and then subjected to further pairings with the UCS?

Reduction effect (correct)

Compound conditioning effect

Overexpectation effect

Increase effect

In a compound stimulus with an associative value of 25, if one CS has acquired 15 units of associative value, how many units of associative value must the other CS have acquired according to the Rescorla-Wagner theory?

5 (correct)

If a tone and a light are each conditioned with food to a maximum associative value of 8 units, what will happen to the associative value of each stimulus when they are combined into a compound stimulus for further conditioning trials?

Decrease (correct)

Increase

Remain unchanged

Overexpectation

When Uncle Bob and Aunt Shirley resolved their difficulties and gave Little Lucas one great present from the two of them, the Rescorla-Wagner theory predicts that Little Lucas’s positive feelings for each will become:

Weaker Signup and view all the answers

In a compound stimulus consisting of a buzzer and a light flash, if the buzzer has acquired 14 units of associative value following pairings with a sweet drink, what does this indicate about the light flash?

It has acquired 1 unit of associative value; overshadowing Signup and view all the answers

According to the text, what is the main idea of specificity in classical conditioning?

Conditioning occurs only to specific stimuli associated with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). Signup and view all the answers

What is overshadowing in classical conditioning?

It is when a more salient stimulus around diminishes the response to a less salient stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which example best illustrates the concept of overshadowing from the text?

The fact that a more salient stimulus diminishes the response to a less salient stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key idea behind latent inhibition in classical conditioning?

Stimuli that are already familiar or have been experienced before are harder to condition. Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what does specificity refer to?

Conditioning occurs only to specific stimuli associated with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario best exemplifies latent inhibition in classical conditioning?

A person experiencing difficulty in developing a conditioned response to a familiar stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon is similar to the 'Antonio effect' in classical conditioning?

Overshadowing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between blocking and overshadowing in classical conditioning?

Presence of an established CS in blocking Signup and view all the answers

In which phenomenon is a familiar stimulus harder to condition as a CS than a new, unfamiliar stimulus in classical conditioning?

Latent inhibition Signup and view all the answers

According to the Rescorla-Wagner theory, what happens when a more salient CS is presented in classical conditioning?

It absorbs most of the available associative value Signup and view all the answers

What does the Rescorla-Wagner theory propose about the conditioning of a given unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and various conditioned stimuli (CSs)?

The conditioning must be evenly distributed among all CSs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary similarity between blocking and overshadowing in classical conditioning?

Presence of a more salient stimulus inhibiting other conditioning Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Three examples of specificity in classical conditioning were discussed.
The first example is the "Antonio effect" where a more noticeable player overshadows a less noticeable one, similar to how a more salient stimulus can overshadow a less salient one in classical conditioning.
Blocking is a form of specificity where the presence of an established conditioned stimulus (CS) inhibits the conditioning of a new CS when they are presented together.
Blocking is similar to overshadowing but involves a neutral stimulus (NS) instead of two neutral stimuli.
In taste aversion, a familiar stimulus (food) is harder to condition as a CS than a new, unfamiliar stimulus (nausea) due to a phenomenon called latent inhibition.
Latent inhibition helps prevent the development of conditioned associations to redundant stimuli and promotes adaptation to novel stimuli.
The Rescorla-Wagner theory proposes that a given unconditioned stimulus (UCS) can only support a certain amount of conditioning, and this conditioning must be distributed among the various conditioned stimuli available.
Overshadowing occurs because the more salient CS absorbs most of the available associative value, leaving less for other CSs.
In blocking, the CS that has already acquired maximum associative value prevents the other CS from acquiring any associative value.
The Rescorla-Wagner theory suggests that a more salient CS picks up more of the available associative value in a given setting.

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Description

This quiz covers examples of specificity in classical conditioning, including overshadowing, blocking, and latent inhibition. It explores the concept that conditioning occurs to specific stimuli only, despite close pairing of other stimuli with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS).