A deep dive on classical and operant conditioning principles and behaviorist theory beyond the intro-level treatment.
36 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is classical conditioning?
- A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an automatic response through pairing with an unconditioned stimulus.
- In Pavlov's experiments, what was the unconditioned stimulus?
- Meat powder, which naturally triggered salivation without prior learning.
- Define unconditioned response.
- An innate, automatic response to an unconditioned stimulus that occurs without learning.
- What is a conditioned stimulus?
- A previously neutral stimulus that, after pairing with an unconditioned stimulus, now triggers a learned response.
- Define conditioned response.
- A learned response that is elicited by a conditioned stimulus, typically similar to the original unconditioned response.
- What is the acquisition phase in classical conditioning?
- The initial learning period during which the neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with the unconditioned stimulus, gradually evoking the conditioned response.
- What happens during extinction in classical conditioning?
- The conditioned response decreases or disappears when the conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus.
- Define spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning.
- The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a rest period, even though the stimulus has not been re-paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
- What is disinhibition?
- The sudden reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response when a new, extraneous stimulus is presented in the context of extinction.
- Define stimulus generalization in classical conditioning.
- The tendency for a conditioned response to occur to stimuli that resemble the original conditioned stimulus.
- What is stimulus discrimination?
- The ability to differentiate between the conditioned stimulus and other similar stimuli, such that the response occurs only to the specific conditioned stimulus.
- Define higher-order conditioning.
- A procedure in which a conditioned stimulus from one pairing is used as the unconditioned stimulus to condition a new neutral stimulus.
- What is the significance of the inter-stimulus interval in classical conditioning?
- The time between the onset of the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus affects the strength of the learned association; optimal intervals vary but are typically brief (e.g., 500 ms for delay conditioning).
- Distinguish between trace conditioning and delay conditioning.
- In delay conditioning, the conditioned stimulus continues to be present when the unconditioned stimulus arrives; in trace conditioning, the conditioned stimulus ends before the unconditioned stimulus begins.
- What is operant conditioning?
- A learning process in which the frequency of a behavior is modified by the consequences that follow it (reinforcement or punishment).