Psychology Chapter 6: Classical Conditioning

Questions and Answers

What is classical conditioning?

Classical conditioning is a form of learning where two or more stimuli are linked through repeated associations so that involuntary, reflexive responses are produced by new stimuli which did not previously produce a response.

When is learning evident in classical conditioning?

When the new stimulus (CS) will consistently produce a response that it would not normally produce.

In classical conditioning, is the learner active or passive?

Passive (correct)

Active

Explain the relationship between the USC, UCR, and the NS in classical conditioning.

It is a learning situation in which a certain USC that naturally evokes an automatic unconditioned response (UCR) is paired over a series of trials with a neutral stimulus that does not normally produce this response. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of unconditioned behaviors?

Seeing food --> salivation; Smoke --> coughing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the UCS?

Unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the UCR?

Unconditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the NS?

Neutral stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the CS?

Conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the CR?

Conditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three phases of classical conditioning?

After conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the first phase of classical conditioning?

The first phase involves a response to a stimulus that has not yet been conditioned; it is natural or automatic. An UCS results in a UCR, and there is also a NS that causes no response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the second phase of classical conditioning?

Acquisition; it involves the development of an association between the NS and the UCS due to repeated pairings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the third phase of classical conditioning?

The CS now produces a CR as a result of its association with the UCS. The CS produces the CR without needing the UCS to be present. Signup and view all the answers

What is a stimulus in classical conditioning?

Any event, internal or external, that produces a response in an organism. Signup and view all the answers

What is the neutral stimulus (NS)?

A stimulus that prior to conditioning will not evoke a response. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

A stimulus that consistently produces an automatic response or reflex. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?

A response that is automatic and involuntary when the unconditioned stimulus is presented. Signup and view all the answers

What is the conditioned stimulus (CS)?

The stimulus that is neutral at the start of conditioning and would not normally produce the unconditioned response, but does so eventually because of its association with the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the conditioned response (CR)?

The response that is usually the same as the unconditioned response but is caused by the conditioned stimulus after conditioning is complete. Signup and view all the answers

What was stage 1 of Pavlov's research?

The meat powder (UCS) on the dog's tongue caused salivation; ringing a bell (NS) did not produce salivation. Signup and view all the answers

What was stage 2 of Pavlov's research?

The ringing bell (NS) and meat powder (UCS) were paired together; eventually, the dog associated the NS with the delivery of meat powder (UCS). Signup and view all the answers

What was stage 3 of Pavlov's research?

The bell alone caused salivation (CS); the salivation response had been conditioned to occur to a new stimulus - the bell (CR). Signup and view all the answers

What were the UCS, NS, UCR, CR, and CS in Pavlov's research?

UCS --> meat powder; UCR --> salivation in response to meat powder; NS --> ringing bell; CS --> the bell; CR --> salivation in response to the bell. Signup and view all the answers

What is a contiguous approach in classical conditioning?

Means that the NS and the UCS must occur close together in time and space for them to become linked. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning Overview

A learning process where stimuli are linked to produce involuntary responses.
Involves the pairing of neutral and unconditioned stimuli to create conditioned responses.

Key Components

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that automatically elicits a response (e.g., food).
Unconditioned Response (UCR): The automatic response to the UCS (e.g., salivation).
Neutral Stimulus (NS): A stimulus that initially elicits no response (e.g., a bell).
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): The NS after it has been paired with the UCS; it elicits a response.
Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to the CS, similar to the UCR.

Phases of Classical Conditioning

First Phase (Before Conditioning): The UCS produces the UCR, and the NS does not produce a response.
Second Phase (Acquisition): The NS is repeatedly paired with the UCS, creating an association.
Third Phase (After Conditioning): The CS alone elicits the CR without the UCS (e.g., salivation at the sound of the bell).

Learning Characteristics

Learning is evident when a CS consistently produces a response.
The learner is considered passive in this process.

Examples of Unconditioned Responses

Seeing food leads to salivation.
Smoke induces coughing.

Pavlov's Research Stages

Stage 1: UCS (meat powder) results in UCR (salivation). NS (bell) does not produce a response.
Stage 2: NS (bell) paired with UCS (meat powder) leads to an association.
Stage 3: CS (bell) independently elicits CR (salivation).

Key Facts from Pavlov's Experiment

UCS: Meat powder
UCR: Salivation in response to meat powder
NS: Ringing bell
CS: The bell after conditioning
CR: Salivation in response to the bell

Stimulus Definition

A stimulus can be any event, internal or external, that results in a response.

Contiguity in Classical Conditioning

NS and UCS must occur close together in time and space for effective association.

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Explore the key concepts of classical conditioning through flashcards, including the 'Little Albert' experiment. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of how involuntary responses are learned through associations. Perfect for psychology students looking to deepen their knowledge of this fundamental learning theory.