Classical conditioning

What is classical conditioning?

A learning process where a neutral stimulus elicits a response after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning. Example: food causing salivation.

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Conditioned response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus. Example: salivation in response to a bell.

True or false: The CR is the same as the US.

False, because the CR is learned, while the US is innate.

Difference between US and CS

US naturally triggers a response, while CS only triggers a response after conditioning.

Fill in the blank: In Pavlov's experiment, the bell was the _____.

Conditioned stimulus (CS).

What is extinction in classical conditioning?

The process where the conditioned response decreases after repeated presentations of the CS without the US.

How is generalization related to classical conditioning?

It's when a conditioned response is triggered by stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

True or false: Discrimination enhances classical conditioning.

True, because it allows the organism to respond only to the specific conditioned stimulus.

Question: What did Pavlov study?

The behavior of dogs in response to food and associated stimuli like bells.

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of extinction without further conditioning.