Psychology Conditioning Overview

Questions and Answers

Why is it important to study conditioning?

Because it is a fundamental learning process which is adaptive and has important survival value.

What can excessive reward or fear conditioning lead to?

Addiction or anxiety disorders.

What is fear conditioning?

Fear conditioning is a form of associative learning that involves classical conditioning.

What is the difference in definition between classical and operant conditioning?

Classical conditioning associates an involuntary behavior with a stimulus, while operant conditioning associates a voluntary behavior with a consequence. Signup and view all the answers

How does anxiety interact with or result from operant and classical conditioning?

Classical conditioning can lead to generalized fear responses, while operant conditioning can reinforce anxious avoidance and compulsive behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is fear extinction?

Fear extinction involves the gradual reduction of the fear response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the aversive outcome. Signup and view all the answers

How does fear extinction work?

Fear extinction produces a new memory trace that inhibits the original fear association. Signup and view all the answers

What are the ways in which conditioned fear responses can return?

Spontaneous recovery, renewal in a new context, and reinstatement upon re-exposure to the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

How are fear responses typically assessed/induced in animals?

By pairing a light or tone with a foot-shock and observing the subsequent behavior in both conditioning and extinction phases. Signup and view all the answers

What are common measures of fear response in animals?

Freezing behavior, avoidance responses, or startle responses. Signup and view all the answers

How is the CS-CR association formed in the brain?

Sensory inputs about the neutral stimulus become paired with pain signals, triggering activation in the amygdala. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a high road and a low road fear response?

Low road is an automatic, rapid reflexive response, while high road involves a slower cortical response that can inhibit fear. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fear extinction network shown by studies of rats?

It involves the ventromedial PFC, hippocampus, and amygdala for extinction learning and retrieval. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Conditioning

Fundamental learning process with significant survival value.
Understanding conditioning can inform treatment for behavioral issues.

Consequences of Excessive Conditioning

Excessive reward can lead to addiction.
Excessive fear conditioning can result in anxiety disorders.

Fear Conditioning

A type of associative learning; classical conditioning links aversive stimuli (UCS) like shocks with neutral stimuli (CS) like tones.
With repeated pairings, the neutral stimulus elicits a conditioned fear response (CR).

Classical vs. Operant Conditioning

Classical conditioning: Involuntary behaviors linked to stimuli; focuses on reflexive responses (e.g., Pavlov).
Operant conditioning: Voluntary behaviors associated with consequences; strengthens or weakens behaviors through reinforcement or punishment.

Interaction of Anxiety with Conditioning

Classical: Conditioned responses may generalize to non-conditioned stimuli (e.g., fear of all fluffy animals).
Operant: Anxious avoidance is reinforced if a person escapes a situation and feels relief; this can lead to maladaptive behavior patterns.

Fear Extinction

Involves diminishing the fear response by repeatedly presenting the CS without the aversive outcome.
Extinction learning is context-dependent and requires extensive training; it contrasts rapid fear conditioning.

Mechanism of Fear Extinction

Creates a new memory that inhibits the original fear response but does not erase it; fear can resurface.

Return of Conditioned Fear Responses

Fear can return via:
- Spontaneous recovery (passage of time).
- Renewal (exposure in a different context).
- Reinstatement (re-exposure to the aversive stimulus).

Assessment of Fear Responses in Animals

Fear is induced by pairing a light or tone with a shock.
Assessment includes a conditioning acquisition phase, an extinction phase in a different context, followed by testing for retention of extinction.

Measures of Fear Response

Common measures include:
- Freezing behavior.
- Avoidance responses.
- Startle responses.

Brain Mechanism of CS-CR Association

Neutral stimuli information from sensory cortices paired with painful signals in the basolateral amygdala.
This triggers activation in the central amygdala, affecting autonomic control centers.

High Road vs. Low Road Fear Responses

Low road: Quick, reflexive response mediated through thalamus to amygdala.
High road: Slower, involves sensory cortex and hippocampus; can inhibit amygdala activation through prefrontal cortex.

Fear Extinction Network

Involves several brain regions:
- Ventromedial PFC: key for consolidation and retrieval of fear extinction learning.
- Hippocampus: contextual control and amygdala inhibition.
- Amygdala: critical for acquisition of fear.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of conditioning, including classical and operant conditioning. It delves into the implications of excessive conditioning and its consequences on behavior, particularly in the context of anxiety disorders. Understanding these processes can enhance treatment approaches for behavioral issues.