Classical ConditioningPrinciples of Learning

Psychological Understanding of LearningLearning = Relatively permanent change in behavior that results from experience. A form of adaptation. 3 Major types of learning -

Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Cognitive Learning

Pavlov’s DogsDeveloped by Russian Physiologist Ivan Pavlov. Developed research into learning by association and experience in 1899. Won Nobel Prize in 1904. Conditioned dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell.

Used food as a stimulus.

Principles of Classical ConditioningA form of behavioral learning where a neutral stimulus is able to elicit the same reflex produced by another stimulus.

A particular stimuli is able to consistently result in a response.

ex. Dogs learn to associate eating with the sound of a bell.

Elements of Classical Conditioning: Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)UCS = Any stimulus that consistently produces a particular, natural, automatic response. In Pavlov’s experiment, the UCS = FOOD.

Elements of Classical Conditioning: Unconditional response (UCR)UCR = Response that occurs automatically when UCS is presented. UCR is a reflexive, involuntary response, predictably caused by a UCS. In Pavlov’s experiment, the UCR = Salivation

Elements of Classical Conditioning: Conditioned Stimulus (CS)CS = Stimulus that is neutral at the start of the process, doesn't normally produce the UCR. Through repeated association w/ UCS, CS triggers a similar response to that caused by the UCS. Association = Linking 1 stimulus with another stimulus. In Pavlov’s experiment, the bell was neutral, but became associated with the food.

Once conditioning has occurred and the neutral stimulus produces the response of salivating, then it’s called the CS.

Elements of Classical Conditioning: Conditioned Response (CR)

CR = Learned response that’s produced by CS. CR happens after the CS has been associated w/ the UCS. Behavior in the CR is similar to that of the UCR, but is triggered by the CS. Pavlov’s dogs displayed a CR only when they began to salivate to a CS.

Key Processes in Classical Conditioning

Acquisition = Overall process where the organism learns to associate 2 events. Extinction = Gradual decrease in strength or rate of a CR that happens when the UCS is no longer presented. Spontaneous Recovery = Reappearance of a CR when CS is presented, following a rest period after the CR appears to have been extinguished. Stimulus Generalization = Tendency for another stimulus to produce a response that is similar to the CR. Stimulus Discrimination = When a person/animal is able to learn to respond different stimuli in different ways.