behaviourist approaches- classical conditioning

Question 1

what are the 6 AO1 points you must know for classical conditioning?

Answer 1

-Definition of Classical Conditioning
-Pavlov’s Dog Experiment
-Key Processes – Acquisition, Extinction, Spontaneous Recovery
-Stimulus Generalization and Discrimination
-Biological Preparedness
-Application to Human Behavior

Question 2

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 2

Classical conditioning is a form of learning by association, where a neutral stimulus (NS), through repeated pairing with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that naturally elicits an unconditioned response (UCR), becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) that evokes a conditioned response (CR) even in the absence of the UCS.

Question 3

Describe Pavlov’s dog experiment and its significance.

Answer 3

Pavlov rang a bell (NS) just before presenting food (UCS) to dogs, causing salivation (UCR). After several pairings, the bell alone became a CS, eliciting salivation as a CR. This demonstrated that behaviour can be learned through stimulus association.

Question 4

What are acquisition, extinction, and spontaneous recovery?

Answer 4

Acquisition: The initial learning phase when the NS and UCS are paired, forming the CS–CR link.

Extinction: When the CS is repeatedly presented without the UCS, the CR gradually diminishes.

Spontaneous Recovery: After a rest period following extinction, the CR can reappear upon presentation of the CS, indicating the association was suppressed, not erased.

Question 5

What is stimulus generalization and stimulus discrimination?

Answer 5

Generalization: Occurs when stimuli similar to the original CS also elicit the CR (e.g., a dog salivates to bells of different tones).

Discrimination: The learned ability to distinguish the CS from other similar stimuli, so only the original CS elicits the CR

Question 6

How does biological preparedness modify classical conditioning?

Answer 6

Organisms are innately predisposed to form associations between certain stimuli and responses that are evolutionarily significant (e.g., taste aversion)—demonstrating that not all associations are learned equally easily.

Question 7

How is classical conditioning applied to phobia formation and treatment?

Answer 7

Formation: Phobias can develop when a neutral stimulus (e.g., a dog) is paired with a traumatic event (UCS, e.g., bite), so the dog becomes a CS eliciting fear (CR).

Treatment: Techniques like systematic desensitisation use repeated exposure to the CS without the UCS to extinguish the conditioned fear response.