Psychology Classical Conditioning Concepts

Questions and Answers

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

A response that disappears after extinction.

A stimulus with no effect on a response.

A naturally occurring stimulus that leads to an involuntary reflex response. (correct)

A learned stimulus that produces a reflex response.

What does a conditioned stimulus (CS) do?

Produces a learned reflex response when paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

The ______ holds no effect on the desired response.

neutral stimulus (NS)

What is an unconditioned response?

An involuntary reflex response to an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

A conditioned response is a reflex response to an unconditioned stimulus.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is acquisition in classical conditioning?

The repeated pairing of a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Define extinction in classical conditioning.

The disappearance of a learned response when the unconditioned stimulus is absent. Signup and view all the answers

What does spontaneous recovery mean?

The reappearance of a learned response after extinction. Signup and view all the answers

Stimulus discrimination involves making generalized responses to stimuli.

False Signup and view all the answers

Stimulus generalization is the tendency to respond to a stimulus that is only similar to the original conditioned stimulus with the ______.

conditioned response Signup and view all the answers

What is higher order conditioning?

When a strong conditioned stimulus is paired with a neutral stimulus causing the neutral stimulus to become a second conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What does a conditioned emotional response (CER) refer to?

Emotional responses that become classically conditioned to stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Define vicarious conditioning.

Conditioning of a reflex response by observing another person's reaction. Signup and view all the answers

Taste aversion is the development of ______ to a particular taste that has been followed by a nausea reaction.

nausea or aversive response Signup and view all the answers

What does biological preparedness refer to?

The tendency of animals to learn certain associations quickly due to survival value. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus substitution?

The theory that classical conditioning occurs because a conditioned stimulus becomes a substitute for the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning Concepts

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS): A naturally occurring stimulus triggering an involuntary reflex response, such as food leading to salivation.
Conditioned stimulus (CS): A stimulus that, through association with the UCS, gains the ability to produce a learned reflex, like a bell resulting in salivation when paired with food.
Neutral stimulus (NS): A stimulus that initially has no effect on the desired response, exemplified by the bell before it is associated with food.

Responses in Classical Conditioning

Unconditioned response: An involuntary reflex elicited by an unconditioned stimulus, such as salivation in response to food.
Conditioned response: A learned reflex response to a conditioned stimulus, illustrated by salivation occurring when the bell is heard, associated with food.

Learning Processes

Acquisition: The process of learning through the repeated pairing of NS and UCS, like consistently pairing the bell with food.
Extinction: The reduction of a learned response when the UCS is no longer presented, such as salivation decreasing when the bell is rung without food.
Spontaneous recovery: The reappearance of a previously extinguished learned response after some time has passed.

Stimulus Relation Dynamics

Stimulus discrimination: The ability to differentiate between similar stimuli, allowing a dog to recognize the difference between a real and fake bell.
Stimulus generalization: The tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus; a dog might salivate to different types of bells.

Advanced Conditioning Concepts

Higher order conditioning: Involves pairing a strong conditioned stimulus with a neutral stimulus, making the neutral stimulus a second conditioned stimulus—like snapping fingers before ringing the bell to elicit a response.
Conditioned Emotional Response (CER): Emotional reactions that become conditioned toward specific stimuli, such as fear developed toward dogs or attraction to a certain person.

Additional Conditioning Types

Vicarious conditioning: Classical conditioning learned by observing others' reactions; for instance, children may cry upon seeing others cry when anticipating a shot.
Taste aversion: Development of a negative reaction to a specific taste after just one pairing with illness, showcasing a powerful association.
Biological preparedness: Animals' tendency to form certain associations quickly, such as connecting taste with nausea, which is thought to have survival advantages.
Stimulus substitution: An early theory by Pavlov suggesting that classical conditioning occurs when the conditioned stimulus becomes a substitute for the unconditioned stimulus due to their close association.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in classical conditioning, including the unconditioned stimulus, conditioned stimulus, and the responses associated with them. Test your understanding of how neutral stimuli can evolve into conditioned stimuli and the processes involved in acquisition. Perfect for psychology students looking to reinforce their knowledge of learning theories.