Module 16: Classical Conditioning Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the difference between extinction and spontaneous recovery?

Extinction refers to the elimination of a behavior when it is no longer reinforced. Spontaneous recovery refers to the re-emergence of a previously extinct behavior.

What is Classical Conditioning?

A type of learning in which a stimulus gains the power to cause a response.

What is a stimulus?

Anything in the environment that one can respond to.

What is a response?

Any behavior or action. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Unconditioned Stimulus (US)?

A stimulus that triggers an automatic (reflexive) response. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Unconditioned Response (UR)?

An automatic response to the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Conditioned Stimulus (CS)?

A previously neutral stimulus that, through learning, causes a response. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Conditioned Response (CR)?

The response to the conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is acquisition in classical conditioning?

The process of developing a learned response. Signup and view all the answers

What is extinction?

The diminishing of a learned response after repeated presentation of the conditioned stimulus alone. Signup and view all the answers

What are KEY POINTS OF CLASSICAL CONDITIONING? (Select all that apply)

A wide variety of events can serve as conditional stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ivan Pavlov?

A Russian physiologist famous for the discovery of classical conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What is generalization in classical conditioning?

Producing the same response to two similar stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is discrimination in classical conditioning?

The ability to distinguish between two stimuli and produce different responses. Signup and view all the answers

Who is John Watson?

The founder of Behaviorism. Signup and view all the answers

What is Behaviorism?

The theory that psychology should restrict its efforts to studying observable behaviors, not mental processes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Baby Albert' study?

A study showing that emotions can be conditioned. Signup and view all the answers

What are applications of classical conditioning?

Using conditioned emotional states in advertising, relationships, and countering negative emotions. Signup and view all the answers

What is cognition in the context of classical conditioning?

All mental processes associated with thinking, knowing, and remembering. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Robert Rescorla?

He developed a theory that emphasized the importance of cognition in classical conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What are taste aversions?

Conditioned to avoid specific tastes associated with nausea. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning Overview

Classical Conditioning is a learning process where a stimulus gains the ability to provoke a response through association.
It involves making an old response to a previously neutral stimulus, creating a learned response.

Key Concepts in Classical Conditioning

Unconditioned Stimulus (US): A stimulus that automatically triggers a reflexive response.
Unconditioned Response (UR): The automatic reaction to the unconditioned stimulus without prior learning.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A previously neutral stimulus that becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a response.
Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to the conditioned stimulus, typically mirroring the unconditioned response.

Learning Processes

Acquisition: The process of developing a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.
Extinction: The diminishing of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus.
Spontaneous Recovery: The re-emergence of a previously extinguished behavior after a period of rest.

Conditioning Principles

Conditioned stimuli should be paired with unconditioned stimuli for effective conditioning, preferably just before the unconditioned stimulus occurs.
The strength of the conditioned response increases with repeated pairings.

Generalization and Discrimination

Generalization: Responding similarly to two similar stimuli due to shared characteristics (e.g., fear of all dogs after being barked at by one).
Discrimination: The ability to differentiate between two stimuli and respond differently, recognizing that one predicts a response while the other does not.

Key Figures in Classical Conditioning

Ivan Pavlov: Russian physiologist who discovered classical conditioning through experiments with dogs, food, and saliva.
John Watson: Founder of Behaviorism, conducted the "Baby Albert" study demonstrating emotional conditioning.
Robert Rescorla: Developed a theory highlighting the role of cognition in classical conditioning and the importance of reliable predictor cues.
John Garcia: Known for creating the concept of taste aversions, where specific tastes are avoided due to being associated with negative experiences.

Applications of Classical Conditioning

Emotional conditioning is utilized in advertising to evoke particular feelings tied to products.
Conditioned emotional states can enhance social relationships through shared experiences tied to specific stimuli like music or locations.
Negative emotions can also be conditioned, impacting responses to environments like healthcare spaces or educational institutions.

Behaviorism

A psychological theory advocating for the study of observable behaviors rather than inner mental processes, emphasizing visual learning.

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Description

Test your understanding of classical conditioning concepts in this Module 16 flashcard quiz. Explore key terms like extinction and spontaneous recovery, and learn about Pavlov's groundbreaking work in associative learning. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their knowledge of behavioral theories.