Psychology Chapter on Contiguity and Contingency

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Questions and Answers

What mechanism underlies the chaining of two S-S associations in second-order conditioning?

Chaining of two S-S associations (correct)

Direct response to the first stimulus

Conditioning of two unconditioned stimuli

Association of two R-S elements

In second-order conditioning, when the second-order stimulus is presented, what does the organism associate with it?

The unconditioned response

The first-order conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus (correct)

Only the second-order stimulus

Only the unconditioned stimulus

Which best describes a single S-R association in second-order conditioning?

Complex analysis of stimulus interactions

Immediate association of the second-order stimulus with the US (correct)

Thought-based response regarding both stimuli

Reflexive response to the first-order stimulus only

Which statement correctly explains why S-R conditioning cannot account for all forms of learning?

Responding diminishes when the US is devalued Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the first-order conditioned stimulus in second-order conditioning?

To establish a direct link to the unconditioned stimulus Signup and view all the answers

In the context of second-order conditioning, which scenario depicts a single S-S association?

Dog salivating at the black square without connection to the bell Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the status of the unconditioned stimulus changes?

Conditioned responses to CS are impacted Signup and view all the answers

What does the organism likely do in a reflexive response to the second-order stimulus in S-R conditioning?

Directly connects the second-order stimulus to the US Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during second-order conditioning?

A previously conditioned stimulus elicits a response. Signup and view all the answers

Which sequence correctly represents the phases of second-order conditioning?

CS paired with US, followed by another stimulus paired with the CS. Signup and view all the answers

What does the CS-US interval affect in conditioning?

The activation of behavioral systems. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about higher-order conditioning is true?

It occurs without any direct association between CS and US. Signup and view all the answers

What type of response characterizes reflexive learning in classical conditioning?

Reflexive responses that occur without external stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the black square in second-order conditioning?

It is a conditioned stimulus paired with the original CS. Signup and view all the answers

In second-order conditioning, what is the original unconditioned stimulus typically known for?

Providing the basis for the reflexive learning process. Signup and view all the answers

Which example illustrates the effectiveness of interval timing in conditioning?

A rat starts sniffing the cage when a tone precedes food by two minutes. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a second-order conditioned stimulus after many trials if it is presented without the unconditioned stimulus?

It becomes a conditioned inhibitor. Signup and view all the answers

How does sensory preconditioning differ from second-order conditioning?

Sensory preconditioning involves S-S associations, while second-order conditioning involves S-R associations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely outcome if both the conditioned stimulus is extinguished and the unconditioned stimulus is devalued?

The response is driven by a single S-R system. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes a positive occasion setter?

It reinforces the association only when present. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a modulator in conditional relations?

To determine the validity of an association. Signup and view all the answers

In phase 1 of sensory preconditioning, what is paired with the metronome?

Another neutral stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What does it indicate if a change in responding occurs after the devaluation of the unconditioned stimulus?

The association is a single S-S relation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a modulator?

It possesses direct excitatory associations with the CS. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Contiguity

Stimuli that are closer together in time or space are more easily associated than those further apart.
Examples include lightning followed by thunder, and diagrams placed next to related text in textbooks.
Contiguous stimuli result in easier association formation during conditioning.
This is relevant to trace conditioning, where a time gap between the CS and US makes association harder the shorter the time gap, the easier it is.

Contingency

Contingency refers to the dependency of one stimulus on another.
A perfect contingency (where one stimulus reliably predicts another, and they always co-occur) strengthens the association.
Breaking the contingency (where stimuli do not always occur together) reduces conditioned responding.
Contingency is disrupted by pre-exposure of a stimulus before conditioning, weakening the association.

Pre-exposure effects (Contingency)

CS pre-exposure: Exposing a conditioned stimulus (CS) before pairing it with an unconditioned stimulus (US) reduces responding to the CS.
US pre-exposure: Habituation to a US before pairing it with a CS weakens the association between the two stimuli.

Salience

Salient stimuli are noticeable and grab attention more easily.
Intensity, and biological relevance affect salience, for example, thirst triggers greater attention to food sources.
Overshadowing occurs when a more salient stimulus overshadows a less salient stimulus during conditioning, making the weaker stimulus less associated with the US.

Blocking

Blocking occurs when a conditioned stimulus (CS) already associated with a US reduces the ability for other conditioned stimuli to become associated.

Latent Inhibition

It occurs when pre-exposure to a conditioned stimulus (CS) before conditioning reduces responding to that CS during later conditioning. This is similar to CS Pre-exposure and occurs separately.

US Devaluation

A procedure that reduces the effectiveness or value of the unconditioned stimulus (US) can help analyze whether the conditioned response is driven solely by a single S-S link or from an S-R link, involving a direct association between the conditioned stimulus and the response itself.

CS Identity

Conditioned stimuli have their own unique role and meaning and are not only representatives of an unconditioned stimulus.

CS-US Interval

Conditioning is affected by the time interval between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus.
A short interval strengthens the association.

Second-order conditioning

This occurs when a new stimulus (second-order stimulus) is paired with a conditioned stimulus (CS) to elicit a conditioned response (CR). The second-order stimulus has not been directly paired with the US.

Stimulus-Response (S-R)

Stimulus-response is a theory of classical conditioning.
It proposes that the conditioned stimulus directly elicits the response; without an intermediary step involving representations of the US.

Stimulus-Stimulus (S-S)

Stimulus-stimulus (S-S) is a different theory of classical conditioning.
It proposes that the conditioned stimulus (CS) activates a mental representation of the unconditioned stimulus; leading to the same conditioned response (CR) as the US.

Sensory preconditioning

Sensory preconditioning occurs when an association is established between two stimuli that have not been paired with a US.
This association can affect the ability of one stimulus to elicit a response to the other through classical conditioning.

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Description

Explore the concepts of contiguity and contingency in this quiz focused on behavioral psychology. Test your understanding of how stimuli association is influenced by temporal and spatial proximity, as well as the significance of contingency in conditioning. Delve into pre-exposure effects and their impact on learning.