Module 19: Basic Learning Concepts

Questions and Answers

What is learning?

Process of acquiring through experience new and relatively enduring information or behaviors

One way we _____ is by association.

learn

What is associative learning?

Learning that certain events occur together.

________ work also provided a basis for Watson's ideas.

Pavlov's Signup and view all the answers

_______ applied classical conditioning principles to demonstrate how specific fears might be conditioned.

Watson Signup and view all the answers

_____ boasted that he could take any healthy infant and train for any career specialization.

Watson Signup and view all the answers

What have been some applications of Pavlov's work to human health and well-being?

Principles are used in various fields like psychology and therapy. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Pavlov's work remain so important?

Classical conditioning is a basic form of learning applicable to all species. Signup and view all the answers

What did Pavlov demonstrate about generalization?

Similar stimuli can elicit similar conditioned responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is generalization in classical conditioning?

Tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is discrimination in classical conditioning?

Learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is acquisition in classical conditioning?

Initial stage of linking a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is extinction in classical conditioning?

Diminishing of a conditioned response when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is spontaneous recovery?

Reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a pause. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned response?

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned stimulus?

An originally irrelevant stimulus that triggers a conditioned response after association. Signup and view all the answers

For three decades, _________ research demonstrated associative learning.

Pavlov's Signup and view all the answers

What is a neutral stimulus?

A stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned response?

An unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Basic Learning Concepts

Learning involves acquiring new, enduring information or behaviors through experience.
Associative learning connects events, often involving stimuli and responses.

Classical Conditioning

Pavlov's work laid the foundation for understanding how human emotions and behaviors arise from conditioned responses.
Watson utilized classical conditioning principles in his "Little Albert" experiment to illustrate how specific fears can be learned.

Application of Pavlov's Principles

Pavlov's principles are applied in fields such as motivation, therapy, and health psychology.
Techniques for addiction treatment include counseling patients to avoid triggers linked to cravings.
Pairing tastes with immunological responses can condition the immune system to react to specific tastes alone.

Importance of Pavlov’s Work

Classical conditioning is recognized as a fundamental learning process applicable across species.
Pavlov demonstrated that learning processes can be studied objectively, enhancing our understanding of behavior.

Generalization and Discrimination

Generalization refers to the tendency for similar stimuli to elicit the same conditioned responses.
Discrimination is the ability to differentiate between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli.

Conditioning Processes

Acquisition is the initial phase where a neutral stimulus begins triggering a conditioned response through association with an unconditioned stimulus.
Extinction involves the reduction of a conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus no longer follows the conditioned stimulus.
Spontaneous recovery occurs when an extinguished conditioned response reappears after a pause.

Key Terms

Conditioned Response (CR): Learned response to a conditioned stimulus.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Initially neutral stimulus that triggers a conditioned response after association.
Neutral Stimulus: A stimulus that does not elicit a response prior to conditioning.
Unconditioned Response (UR): An unlearned response that occurs naturally to an unconditioned stimulus.

Pavlov’s Research and Findings

Over 30 years, Pavlov explored conditioning processes: acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization, and discrimination through various experiments.

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Explore basic learning concepts and classical conditioning with this set of flashcards. Test your understanding of terms like associative learning and the process of acquiring new information through experience. Ideal for psychology students seeking to reinforce their knowledge.