learning 1

Question 1

define unconditioned stimulus (US)

Answer 1

• biologically significant stimulus that elicits reflexive (unlearned response)

e.g.: food, shock

Question 2

define unconditioned response (UR)

Answer 2

• reflexive (unlearned) response elicited by a stimulus

Question 3

define conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 3

• previously neutral stimulus
• after being paired with unconditioned stimuli
• elicits conditioned response

Question 4

define conditioned response

Answer 4

• response elicited by the conditioned stimulus

Question 5

what is Hebb’s rule?

Answer 5

repeated transmission of impulses

between two neurones

this strengthens link between neurones

Question 6

define cell assemblies

Answer 6

neurones from patterns where they reactivate each other

Question 7

define phase sequences

Answer 7

where cell assemblies can become associated

then they can activate each other

Question 8

identify two mediating factors of classical conditioning

Answer 8

1/ salience
2/ contiguity

Question 9

explain how salience is a mediating factor

Answer 9

• salience refers to the strength between conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus
• this affects the rate of learning

Question 10

explain how contiguity is a mediating factor

Answer 10

• how quickly does the stimuli follow each other
• if conditioned stimuli immediately follows unconditioned stimuli, learning is quicker

Question 11

what is extinction?

Answer 11

• how quickly the pairing between stimuli can drop off
• involved presenting conditioned stimuli alone (no unconditioned stimuli)
• results in weakening of CR

Question 12

what is acquisition?

Answer 12

rate at which individual learns something

Question 13

what is spontaneous recovery?

Answer 13

• where conditioned response reappears after extinction and rest

Question 14

what is stimulus generalisation?

Answer 14

• stimuli that is similar to the conditioned stimulus and elicits a conditioned response

Question 15

what is stimulus discrimination?

Answer 15

the ability to distinguish different stimuli and respond differently

Question 16

explain high-order conditioning

Answer 16

• stimulus that has been established as a conditioned stimulus
• paired with a neutral stimulus
• after pairing, neutral stimulus elicits conditioned response

Question 17

what applications does classical conditioning have?

Answer 17

• taste aversion
• eye-blink conditioning
• fear research - Little Albert

Question 18

outline little Albert study

Answer 18

11 month old infant, no fear of animals, but didn’t like loud noises.

White rat put in front of him as steel bar struck.

After 7 pairings, Albert would cry at sight of rat.

Later also afraid of rabbit, fur coat and dog.

Question 19

what therapy uses the principles of classical conditioning?

Answer 19

exposure therapy

patient exposed to feared stimulus without consequences

results in extinction of CR

Question 20

how does advertising use the principles of classical conditioning?

Answer 20

• pairing product (CS) with pleasant stimulus (US)
• results in product being rated more favourably

Question 21

what type of learning is classical conditioning?

Answer 21

• passive
• involuntary
• associative