Topic 5: Classical Conditioning

Question 1

Pavlov and his dogs

Answer 1

Physiologist. Dogs salivate BEFORE meat powder is presented. Stimuli = noises from feeding device, presence of handler, bell. Response = salivate.

Question 2

Pavlov’s idea

Answer 2

Any stimuli that consistently predicts food results in salivation.

Question 3

Classical conditioning

Answer 3

Previous NS elicits response. S determines response.

Question 4

Classical conditioning is…

Answer 4

1. Involuntary
2. Learning through association
3. Learning the patterns and associations that are consistent in the environment
4. CS predicts US
5. Works on the frequency principle
6. Temporal nature of association

Question 5

Classical conditioning pairings

Answer 5

1. US –> UR
2. NS –> NR
3. US + NS –> CR
4. US + NS = CS (Frequency principle)
5. CS –> CR

Question 6

Frequency

Answer 6

How often something happens

Question 7

Frequency principle

Answer 7

The more often two stimulus appear together, the more likely they will come to be associated (eg. US + NS = CS)

Question 8

Acquisition

Answer 8

Learning of a skill, habit or quality. Creating a CS –> CR relationship.

Question 9

Learning curve

Answer 9

Y axis = Strength of association, X axis = # of trials. Trial 1 = US not present, trail 2 = US + CS presented once…

Question 10

Goal of learning curve

Answer 10

After n trials, provide CS alone, and observed how often the response is produced.

Question 11

The steeper the learning curve…

Answer 11

The faster it takes to acquire CS-CR association

Question 12

Extinction

Answer 12

Breaking the CS-CR relationship

Question 13

How does extinction arise?

Answer 13

Repeated trials of providing CS without US… slowly, CR dissapears