Cognition: Classical Conditioning

Question 1

Classical Conditioning (simple definition)

Answer 1

Learning through association between two stimuli.

Question 2

Classical Conditioning (detailed definition)

Answer 2

A learning situation in which an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that naturally evokes a specific automatic unconditioned response (UCR), is paired over a series of trials with a neutral stimulus (NS) that does not usually produce this response

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

• Before conditioning
• Acquisition Stage: contiguous approach
• After conditioning

Question 4

Before Conditioning

Answer 4

The UCS causes UCR, but the NS causes no response

Question 5

Acquisition Stage

Answer 5

Repeated pairings form an association between an unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus. A contiguous approach must be used.

Question 6

Contiguous Approach

Answer 6

UCS and NS must occur close to each other in time and space to become associated

Question 7

After Conditioning

Answer 7

The NS is now a conditioned stimulus (CS) and when presented alone will elicit conditioned response (CR)

Question 8

Steps of Acquisition

Answer 8

1. UCS —> UCR
2. NS —> no response
3. UCS + NS —> UCR
4. CS —> CR

Question 9

Pavlov’s Experiment

Answer 9

1. UCS (food) —> UCR (salivation)
2. NS (bell) —> no response
3. NS (bell) + UCS (food) —> UCR (salivation)
4. CS (bell) —> UCR (salivation)

Question 10

Factors Influencing whether conditioning can occur

Answer 10

• UCR must be an involuntary response over which individual cannot control
• UCS should be stimulus that evokes response with no requisite learning
• Contiguous approach to pairing of UCS and NS
• Pairing needs to be repeated

Question 11

Elements of Classical Conditioning

Answer 11

• Stimulus discrimination
• Stimulus generalisation
• Extinction
• Spontaneous recovery

Question 12

Stimulus discrimination

Answer 12

The ability to perceive the difference between stimuli

Question 13

Stimulus Generalisation

Answer 13

Stimuli similar in nature will elicit the same response (e.g. Little Albert)

Question 14

Extinction

Answer 14

Termination of CR if it is not enforced and the UCS is removed, causing the association to be broken. The CS eventually fails to elicit CR.

Question 15

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 15

Reappearance of CR after extinction when presented with CS

Question 16

Watson’s Experiment

Answer 16

1. UCS (hammer hits metal bar) —> UCR (crying)
2. NS (rat) —> no response
3. NS (rat) + UCS (hammer) —> UCR (crying)
4. CS (rat) —> CR (crying)

Question 17

Little Albert’s Generalisation

Answer 17

• It was found that Little Albert developed phobias of objects that shared characteristics with the rat
• He was shown a white dog, a Father Christmas mask and a woollen coat

Question 18

Ethical Issues with Watson

Answer 18

• psychological or physiological harm
• parental consent (coerced)
• withdrawal rights
• No debriefing of parent
• No desensitisation occurred
• Published results without permission or anonymity

Question 19

Strengths of Classical Conditioning

Answer 19

• use of experimental method
• provides strong counter argument for nurture in nature/nurture debate
• Many practical applications

Question 20

Limitations of Classical Conditioning

Answer 20

• belief that behaviourists ignore innate bias in learning
• animals used in experiments cannot be generalised to humans
• behaviourism ignored important mental processes in learning

Question 21

Everyday Application: Car Commercial

Answer 21

• Cialdini (2008)
• Men who viewed a car commercial with an attractive model later rated the car better than those who saw the same commercial without the model