Psychology2016

Learning 187

Definition of Learning

(any relatively permanent change in behavior brought about by experience or practice)

“relatively permanent” aspect of learning

refers to learning being associated

with physical changes in the brain

although physical changes may be

present we may not always be able

to “get” to the information

Classical Conditioning

(learning to make an involuntary response to a stimulus other than the original, natural stimulus that normally produces it)

stimulus generalization: response to a stimulus that is similar to the original CS

stimulus discrimination: response to different stimuli in different ways

extinction: presentation of the CS in the absence of the UCS leads to reduction in the CR

spontaneous recovery: reappearance of a previously extinguished CR

higher-order conditioning: occurs when strong CS is paired with new neutral

stimulus; new previously neutral stimulus becomes a second CS

unconditioned stimulus (UCS): original, naturally occurring

stimulus that ordinarily leads to an involuntary response

unconditioned response (UCR): involuntary response

to the unconditioned stimulus

conditioned stimulus (CS): previously neutral stimulus that begins

to cause the same kind of involuntary response when paired

repeatedly with the UCS

conditioned response (CR): response that is given to the CS

worked with salivating dogs

discovered by Ivan Pavlov

key features

several key elements

must be present

and experienced

CS must come before the UCS

CS and UCS must come very close together in time (< 5 sec)

CS must be paired with the UCS many times

CS must be distinct from other competing stimuli

basic principles for

classical conditioning

to occur

focused on observable, measurable behavior

vicarious conditioning can occur by simply watching someone else respond to a stimulus

other

features

Pavlov—stimulus substitution occurs where the CS comes to activate

the same part of the brain that was originally activated by the UCS

cognitive perspective—organism consciously expects

something to occur; CS provides information about

the coming of the UCS (based on work of Rescorla)

conditioned emotional responses: emotional responses that have

become classically conditioned to occur in response to learned stimuli;

based on work of John B. Watson; helps explain development of phobias

some associations are

relatively quick and easy

to learn due to survival

value for organism

conditioned taste aversioncan occur quickly without repeated pairings is one situation where classical conditioning (biological preparedness)

Why does it work?

Reset

Practice Quiz How much do you remember?

Pick the best answer.

1. Michael noticed that whenever he moved his dog’s food dish, his
   dog would come into the kitchen and act hungry and excited. He
   reasoned that because he feeds the dog using that dish, the sound
   of the dish had become a(n)
   a. unconditioned stimulus.
   b. conditioned stimulus.

c. unconditioned response.

d. conditioned response.

2. Ever since she was scared by a dog as a young child, Angelica has
   been afraid of all dogs. The fact that she is afraid of not only the
   original dog but all types of dogs is an example of
   a. extinction.
   b. spontaneous recovery.

c. stimulus discrimination.

d. stimulus generalization.

3. In Watson’s experiment with “Little Albert,” the conditioned
   stimulus was
   a. the white rat.
   b. the loud noise.

c. the fear of the rat.

d. the fear of the noise.

4. Which of the following would be an example of vicarious classical
   conditioning?
   a. As a young child, Tony frequently observed his older sisters jump
   around and scream whenever any of them saw a spider, as they
   were very afraid of them. Subsequently, Tony experiences feel-
   ings of fear when he sees a spider.

b. Tommy is told about a new product by a close friend and

decides to buy it for himself.

c. A cat responds to the sound of a bell because it sounds similar

to a bell it hears on the television.

d. Tonja watches her grandfather check the air pressure in her bike

tire and then use a hand pump to add air to the tire. She is later

able to check the air pressure and pump up the tire herself.

5. Cindy had cheesy tacos at a local Mexican restaurant. Later she
   became terribly ill and suffered bouts of nausea and vomiting. What
   might we predict based on conditioned taste aversion research?
   a. Cindy will probably develop a strong liking for cheesy tacos.
   b. Cindy will probably be able to eat cheesy tacos with no nausea
   at all.
   c. Cindy will probably get nauseated the next time she tries to eat
   cheesy tacos.
   d. Cindy will probably continue to eat cheesy tacos except when
   she feels nauseous.


6. Rescorla found that the CS must _____ the UCS for
   conditioning to take place.
   a. replace c. come at the same time as
   b. come after d. predict