DP 1.1 Classical Conditioning Flashcards
AOS 2 (15 cards)
What is learning?
A relatively permanent change in behaviour as the result of experience
Learning may be long-term but can also be affected by factors like Alzheimer’s or brain injuries.
Define classical conditioning.
A three-phase process resulting in involuntary association between a neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response
It is a fundamental behaviourist approach to learning.
What is an Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)?
A stimulus that consistently produces a naturally occurring response
Example: food in Pavlov’s experiments.
What is a Conditioned Response (CR)?
A taught reaction that occurs upon presentation of a Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
In Pavlov’s experiments, salivation in response to the bell is the CR.
Fill in the blank: A _______ is a stimulus that initially elicits no relevant response.
Neutral Stimulus (NS)
What occurs in the Before Conditioning phase of classical conditioning?
The Neutral Stimulus (NS) elicits no response
In Pavlov’s experiments, the NS was the bell.
What is the Unconditioned Response (UCR)?
The response that occurs automatically when the unconditioned stimulus is presented
Example: salivation to food.
What happens during the ) Conditioning phase?
Repeated association of NS and UCS occurs
This leads to the NS becoming a Conditioned Stimulus (CS).
What is the significance of Ivan Pavlov’s work?
Laid the foundation for behaviourism and demonstrated the power of associative learning
His research has influenced psychology, education, and marketing.
True or False: The learner in classical conditioning is active and controls the response.
False
The learner is passive; the response occurs automatically.
List the three key elements of Classical Conditioning.
Role of the learner: Passive (they have no control)
Nature of the response: Reflexive/involuntary/natural (automatic)
Timing of the response and stimulus: Stimulus must occur before there can be a response
What is the role of the Conditioned Stimulus (CS)?
A stimulus that elicits a learned response after being paired with the UCS
In Pavlov’s experiments, the CS was the bell.
Identify the NS, UCS, CS, UCR, and CR: You get stung by a bee and now you sweat when you hear a buzzing noise.
NS: buzzing noise, UCS: bee sting, UCR: sweating, CS: buzzing noise, CR: sweating
What does repeated association in classical conditioning lead to?
The neutral stimulus becoming a conditioned stimulus that elicits a conditioned response
This is a core principle of classical conditioning.
Simplified three phase process of classical conditioning
Before Conditioning:
NS elicits no response, UCS and UCR triggers natural responses
During Conditioning:
NS is repeatedly paired with UCS, NS begins to elicit same response as the UCS
**After Conditioning: **
NS becomes a CS, CS now produces a CR on its own.
