CLASSICAL CONDITIONING DP3

Question 1

Classical conditioning

Answer 1

Refers to a type of learning that occurs through the repeated association of two or more stimuli to produce a naturally occurring response.

Question 2

​​Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Answer 2

Any stimulus that consistently produces a naturally occurring automatic response (no learning required) Eg. air in eyes

Question 3

Unconditioned response (UCR)

Answer 3

A response that occurs automatically when a UCS is presented Eg. blinking due to the air in eyes

Question 4

Neutral stimulus (NS)

Answer 4

Produces no naturally occurring response

Question 5

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 5

The stimulus that is neutral at the start of the conditioning process but eventually elicits a similar response to the UCS. Something that is presented, when repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, produces a conditioned response

Question 6

Conditioned response (CR)

Answer 6

The learned response produced by the CS. Occurs after the NS has been associated with the UCS and has become a CS

Question 7

Factors Involved in Classical Conditioning

Answer 7

Stimulus generalisation, stimulus discrimination, acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery

Question 8

Stimulus generalisation

Answer 8

Tendency for another stimulus similar to the original CS to produce a response that is similar, but not necessarily identical to the CR
The greater the similarity between the stimuli, the greater the possibility the generalisation will occur.
Eg. if someone burns their finger on a match, they are likely to have a fear of matches - also likely to develop a fear of flames from other sources

Question 9

Stimulus discrimination

Answer 9

Occurs when an individual only elicits the CR to the original CS but not to any other stimulus that is similar to the CS
Occurs because the person has learnt to discriminate between the two stimuli
Eg. someone who has a fear of a particular dog but not to other breeds of dogs

Question 10

Acquisition

Answer 10

The development of a conditioned response through the repeated association between the UCS and CS

Question 11

Extinction

Answer 11

Gradual decrease in the strength of a CR that occurs when the UCS is no longer presented

Question 12

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 12

Following extinction and a rest period the CR appears at the presentation of the CS

• Not as strong as original CR
• Can reappear multiple times, but decrease in strength
• Extinguishes faster each time

Question 13

Watson’s Experiment

Answer 13

• John Watson intentionally conditioned an emotional response in little Albert
• Designed to test the belief that fears can be acquired through classical conditioning
• Albert was chosen because he was a placid child and described as being relatively unemotional
• After the experiment there became an enormous amount of stimulus generalisation → Albert began crying at stuffed toys, cotton wool, tissues, white blankets

Question 14

Conditioned Emotional Response

Answer 14

• An emotional reaction such as fear or anger in response to a specific stimulus is learned through classical conditioning
• Observed when the autonomic nervous system produces a reaction to a stimulus that did not previously trigger that reaction

Question 15

Ethical considerations

Answer 15

• Confidentiality → not upheld/upheld (all over the internet/we don’t fully know his name)
• Voluntary participation → not upheld (mum couldn’t say yes or no)
• Withdrawal rights → not upheld (LA couldn’t escape and no one advocating for himself)
• Deception → n/a
• Informed consent → not upheld
• Professional conduct / protection from harm → not upheld (Little Albert formed a phobia)
• Debriefing → not upheld (there was an obligation to extinguish response and return to normal but mum took LA away, did not try to find him)