Psychology Classical Conditioning

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Questions and Answers

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?

A response that occurs due to an unconditioned stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that elicits a conditioned response after pairing (correct)

A stimulus that is always harmful to the organism

A stimulus that naturally elicits a response

What does acquisition refer to in classical conditioning?

The fading of a conditioned response

The initial learning connection between the CS and US (correct)

The random pairing of stimuli

The process of differentiating between stimuli

Which of the following best describes generalization in classical conditioning?

Responding only to the original conditioned stimulus

The tendency to respond similarly to new stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus (correct)

Learning to ignore new stimuli

The process of unlearning a conditioned response

What is meant by extinction in classical conditioning?

The weakening of the conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is absent Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of contiguity in classical conditioning?

Ensuring that the CS and US are presented very close together in time Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when spontaneous recovery occurs?

The re-emergence of the conditioned response after a period of no exposure Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding discrimination in classical conditioning?

It involves learning to respond to certain stimuli while ignoring others Signup and view all the answers

What represents the unconditioned stimulus (US) in Pavlov's experiment?

The food presented to the dog Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of learning as described in the content?

A systematic, relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience. Signup and view all the answers

Which learning theory focuses solely on observable behaviors?

Behaviorism Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what role does the unconditioned stimulus (US) play?

It produces a response without prior learning. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of associating two events in learning called?

Associative learning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies operant conditioning?

A student studies hard to receive high grades on tests. Signup and view all the answers

What is observational learning?

Learning that occurs by observing and imitating others. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pairs is correctly matched with the type of conditioning?

Classical Conditioning - A dog's salivation response to a bell during training. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'unconditioned response' (UR) refer to?

An automatic reaction elicited by the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a placebo in a treatment context?

It serves as a control to identify the actual effects of a treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is immunosuppression as discussed in the context of classical conditioning?

A decrease in the body's ability to respond to infections. Signup and view all the answers

What does taste aversion illustrate in classical conditioning?

The learning association between a taste and nausea. Signup and view all the answers

What is drug habituation in the context of classical conditioning?

The need to take more of the drug to achieve the same effect. Signup and view all the answers

Why might drug overdoses occur in a new environment?

Due to a lack of conditioned responses built up in that environment. Signup and view all the answers

What does classical conditioning primarily explain?

The association of neutral stimuli with involuntary responses. Signup and view all the answers

How does operant conditioning differ from classical conditioning?

Operant conditioning explains voluntary behaviors through consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What is one outcome of repeated presentations of a stimulus in habituation?

Reduced reaction to the stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary feature of operant conditioning?

The relationship between behavior and its consequences Signup and view all the answers

According to Thorndike's Law of Effect, what happens to behaviors followed by positive outcomes?

They are strengthened Signup and view all the answers

In the context of operant conditioning, what does the term 'contingency' refer to?

The dependency of consequences on specific behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods was utilized by B.F. Skinner in his experiments?

Skinner box to study rats Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of Skinner's pigeon-guided missile project?

To enhance aerial accuracy using animal behavior Signup and view all the answers

What outcome describes the learning curve observed in Thorndike's experiments with cats?

Improved escape times after several trials Signup and view all the answers

What did Thorndike use to demonstrate the Law of Effect?

Cats in puzzle boxes Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of behavior does operant conditioning focus on changing?

Future behavior based on consequences Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of positive punishment?

Adding a stimulus to decrease behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of negative punishment?

Taking away a video game for poor grades Signup and view all the answers

How does positive reinforcement affect behavior?

It increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring. Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the concept of delay of gratification?

Postponing immediate rewards for greater future rewards Signup and view all the answers

What effect does negative reinforcement have on behavior?

It increases a behavior by removing an aversive stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario illustrates positive punishment?

A student is scolded for failing to turn in homework. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding reinforcement and punishment?

Both positive punishment and negative punishment aim to decrease behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario best exemplifies the concept of immediate reinforcement?

Getting a compliment right after helping a friend Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning

Learning is a change in behavior rooted in experience.
Behaviorism: A theory focusing solely on observable behaviors.
Associative learning: Linking two events.
Observational learning: Learning through observing and imitating.

Classical Conditioning

A neutral stimulus becomes associated with an innately meaningful stimulus, eliciting a similar response.
Pavlov’s dogs salivated in response to stimuli associated with food.

Pavlov’s Studies

Unconditioned stimulus (US): Creates a response without prior learning.
Unconditioned response (UR): An instinctive reaction to the US.
Conditioned stimulus (CS): A previously neutral stimulus elicits a conditioned response after pairing with the US.
Conditioned response (CR): The learned reaction to the CS.

Classical Conditioning: Acquisition

Acquisition: Learning the initial connection between the US and CS.
Contiguity: CS and US are presented closely in time.
Contingency: CS reliably indicates the upcoming US.

Classical Conditioning: Generalization and Discrimination

Generalization: Responding to similar stimuli as the original CS.
Discrimination: Learning to respond only to specific stimuli.

Classical Conditioning: Extinction and Spontaneous Recovery

Extinction: Weakening of the CR when the US is absent.
Spontaneous recovery: Reappearing of the CR after a delay, without further conditioning.

Classical Conditioning in Humans

Placebo effect: A substance or procedure simulating a treatment to identify its effects.
Classical conditioning plays a role in immunosuppression, taste aversion, and drug habituation.
Habituation: Reduced responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Operant Conditioning

Explaining involuntary responses through consequences.
Voluntary behaviors are best explained through operant conditioning.
Also known as instrumental conditioning.
Contingency is crucial: Consequence is dependent on the behavior (e.g., pushing a lever for food).

Thorndike’s Law Of Effect

Behaviors followed by positive outcomes are strengthened, while those followed by negative outcomes are weakened.

Skinner’s Approach to Operant Conditioning

Studied animals to understand learning components.
Trained pigeons to pilot missiles.
Developed the Skinner box to study learning in rats.

Reinforcement: Punishment

Decreasing the likelihood of a behavior.
Positive punishment: Introducing a stimulus to decrease behavior frequency.
Negative punishment: Removing a stimulus to decrease behavior frequency.

Reinforcement: Timing and the Consequences of Behavior

Humans respond to immediate and delayed reinforcement and punishment.
Delay of gratification: Postponing immediate pleasure for a greater future reward.
Timing influences human reactions to punishing consequences.

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Description

This quiz explores the principles of classical conditioning, focusing on Pavlov's studies and the components involved in associative learning. Understand how neutral stimuli can become conditioned through association, and differentiate between unconditioned and conditioned responses. Test your knowledge on the key concepts of behaviorism and learning theories.