Classical conditioning

Question 1

Define classical conditioning.

Answer 1

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired: a response which is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.

Question 2

In classical conditioning, what is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

Answer 2

A stimulus which triggers an unconditioned (automatic) response without prior learning.

Question 3

In classical conditioning, what is the neutral stimulus (NS)?

Answer 3

A stimulus that initially produces no specific response. However, when paired with the uncontrolled stimulus, an association can be formed. The neutral stimulus transforms into the conditioned stimulus.

Question 4

In classical conditioning, what is the conditioned stimulus (CS)?

Answer 4

A formerly neutral stimulus that, after being repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, eventually elicits a conditioned response.

Question 5

In classical conditioning, what is the unconditioned response (UR)?

Answer 5

A natural, unlearned reaction that occurs in response to the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 6

In classical conditioning, what is the conditioned response (CR)?

Answer 6

A learned behaviour or reaction to a previously neutral stimulus that has become the conditioned stimulus.

Question 7

In classical conditioning, what is the acquisition phase?

Answer 7

The overall process during which the organism learns to associate two events, namely the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and the neutral stimulus (NS). This occurs through repeated pairings of the UCS and NS until an association is formed.

Question 8

In classical conditioning, what is the performance phase?

Answer 8

When the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is no longer required for the conditioned response (CR) to occur. The neutral stimulus (NS) has now become the conditioned stimulus (CS).

Question 9

In classical conditioning, what is contiguity?

Answer 9

The time between the NS and UCS for the conditioning to occur during the acquisition phase. They need to be presented extremely close to each other, specifcally within 0.5 seconds.

Question 10

In classical conditioning, what is contingency?

Answer 10

The relationship between the stimulus, and expectation that one comes with the other; it is the expectation that the conditioned stimulus (CS) will follow. This happens after the conditioning has occured during the performance phase.

Question 11

Define stimulus discrimination.

Answer 11

The ability to distinguish between the CS and similar stimuli, and to respond differently to them.

Question 12

In classical conditioning, define extinction.

Answer 12

The process where a conditioned response (CR) gradually weakens and disappears due to the conditioned stimulus (CS) being repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that originally paired with it. The decline is gradual and relative to the magnitude of the conditioned response (CR).

Question 13

What is the difference between forgetting and extinction?

Answer 13

Forgetting takes time, whereas extinction can occur rapidly in a short period of time.

Question 14

In classical conditioning, define spontaneous recovery.

Answer 14

The reappearance of a conditioned response, following either operant conditioning or classical conditioning after is has been experimentally extinguished.

Question 15

Define stimulus generalisation.

Answer 15

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus. Thus, if the elicited response is similar to the presence of the original stimulus, generalisation has therefore occurred.

Question 16

In classical conditioning, define biological preparedness.

Answer 16

The concept that organisms have an innate evolutionary predisposition to learn certain associations more readily than others since these associations aid survival.

Question 17

Define systematic desensitisation.

Answer 17

A form of behaviour therapy in which counterconditioning is used to modify behaviours associated with a particular stimulus (phobias). This approach is based on conditioning relaxation with the feared object or object of anxiety, and is part of classical conditioning.

Question 18

Describe the process of systematic desnsitisation.

Answer 18

• The client is trained in deep-muscle relaxation.
• Various anxiety-provoking situations related to the particular problem are listed in order from weakest to strongest in the form of a hierarchy.
• Each of these situations are presented in imagination or reality, beginning with the weakest whilst the client practices muscle relaxation.
• They continue systematically up the hierarchy until the fear has become desensitised.