Learning 1 - Classical Conditioning

Question 1

What are instincts and reflexes?

Answer 1

• behaviours that are not learnt and help organisms adapt
  instincts: complex behaviours triggered by range of events
  reflexes: relatively simple motor/neural responses

Question 2

What are some different types of learning?

Answer 2

• associative: making connections between stimuli or events that occur together in environment
• operant conditioning
• observational learning

Question 3

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 3

neutral stimulus produces response after being paired with stimulus that naturally produces this response

Question 4

What are the different kinds of stimulus and responses in classical conditioning:

Answer 4

unconditioned stimulus: naturally causes a response
unconditioned response: natural response
neutral stimulus: does not naturally cause a response
conditioned stimulus: once the neutral stimulus causes a response
conditioned response: response to conditioned stimulus (UR)

Question 5

What is acquisition?

Answer 5

• learning to associate neutral stimulus with unconditioned stimulus
• neutral stem begins to create response

Question 6

What is extinction?

Answer 6

• decrease in conditioned response when unconditioned stimulus is no longer presented with conditioned stimulus
• spontaneous recovery can be a brief resurgence

Question 7

What is generalization?

Answer 7

• when conditioned response is evoked by a stimulus that is similar to conditioned stimulus
• can lead to discrimination

Question 8

What is discrimination in terms of classical conditioning?

Answer 8

• weakened conditioned response… or no response evoked by a stimulus that is similar/different to conditioned stimulus

Question 9

How can Freud’s ideas regard anxiety be proven wrong?

Answer 9

• Freud said anxiety/phobias came from inner conflicts
• Watson was able to use classical conditioning to give Little Albert a phobia
• associated the rat with loud noises