Psychology - Classical Conditioning Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is a stimulus?

A thing or event that evokes a specific functional reaction (correct)

A condition that improves skills

A type of behavioral learning

An involuntary behavior

What is learning?

Learning is the relatively permanent change in behavior as a result of association between two stimuli.

What does gradual desensitization refer to?

Diminished emotional response to a negative stimulus after repeated exposure.

What is behaviorism?

A theory stating that individual learning can only be determined through observable and measurable actions. Signup and view all the answers

Define maturation.

A developmental process leading to maturity based on an orderly sequence of changes in the nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What is a reflex?

An involuntary behavior that occurs naturally and consistently. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fixed action pattern?

A complex series of responses produced by all members of a species to a specific environmental stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What does the law of contiguity state?

When two psychologically perceived events occur in close association, they are likely to be associated again. Signup and view all the answers

What is conditioning?

The process of learning associations between a stimulus and a behavioral response. Signup and view all the answers

Define response in terms of psychology.

A reaction by an organism to a stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes classical conditioning?

A form of behavioral learning where an unconditioned stimulus paired with a neutral stimulus elicits a conditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned stimulus?

Any stimulus that consistently produces a particular automatic response. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned response?

A response that occurs automatically when the unconditioned stimulus is presented. Signup and view all the answers

Define conditioned stimulus.

A neutral stimulus that triggers a conditioned response after association with an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned response?

A learned response produced by the conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is acquisition?

The process of learning to associate the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What does extinction mean in classical conditioning?

The gradual decrease in strength of the conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer presented. Signup and view all the answers

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period following extinction. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus generalization?

The tendency for a similar stimulus to elicit a response similar to the original conditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

Define stimulus discrimination.

When an organism responds only to the conditioned stimulus and not to similar stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is bio-preparedness?

The inherent inclination to form associations between certain stimuli and responses. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Classical Conditioning

Stimulus: An entity or event that triggers a specific reaction in an organ or tissue.
Learning: A relatively permanent change in behavior resulting from experiences and the pairing of stimuli over time, continuing throughout a lifespan.
Gradual Desensitisation: Reduced emotional response to a negative stimulus due to repeated exposure.
Behaviourism: Emphasizes observable and measurable learning as the definitive evidence of behavior change.
Maturation: Developmental process leading to maturity, characterized by predictable responses unless disrupted by environmental factors.

Reflexes and Patterns

Reflex: An involuntary behavior that occurs automatically and consistently without prior experience.
Fixed Action Pattern: A complex set of behaviors performed identically by all members of a species in response to specific stimuli, differing from simple reflexes.

Principles of Association

Law of Contiguity: Once two events have occurred close together in time, they are likely to be associated again, leading to one event eliciting the other.
Conditioning: The learning process of forming associations between environmental stimuli and behavioral responses.

Classical Conditioning Elements

Classical Conditioning: Behavioral learning where an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) paired with a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) that elicits a conditioned response (CR) even in the absence of the UCS.
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that automatically elicits a natural response without prior learning.
Unconditioned Response (UCR): The automatic response triggered by the UCS, typically involuntary.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Initially neutral, this stimulus triggers a similar response to the UCR after repeated pairings with the UCS.
Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to the CS, similar to the UCR but elicited by the CS alone.

Conditioning Processes

Acquisition: The process of learning the association between the CS and UCS, characterized by their close temporal presentation.
Extinction: The gradual decrease of the CR when the UCS is no longer presented with the CS, leading to the CR's cessation.

Recovery and Generalization

Spontaneous Recovery: The reappearance of the CR following a rest period after it has been extinguished.
Stimulus Generalisation: The likelihood of a similar stimulus evoking a response akin to the CR, with greater similarity leading to increased probability.
Stimulus Discrimination: The ability to differentiate between the CS and similar stimuli, responding only to the CS.

Biological Factors

Bio-preparedness: The intrinsic tendency for people and animals to naturally form associations between specific stimuli and responses.

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Description

This quiz focuses on key concepts related to classical conditioning in psychology. It includes definitions of terms such as stimulus and learning, crucial for understanding how associations are formed between stimuli. Perfect for students seeking to reinforce their knowledge.