PSYC 101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Classical Conditioning, Reinforcement, Observational Learning
PSYC 101: Chapter 6
Learning
Classical Conditioning (9/14)
1) What is classical conditioning?
1) A type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that
was originally evoked by another stimulus
2) What role did Pavlov play in disoeig lassial oditioig?
3) Define and describe the function of each of the following:
a. Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): evokes an unconditioned response without
previous conditioning.
b. Unconditioned Response (UCR) Unlearned reaction to an unconditioned
stimulus without previous conditioning.
c. Conditioned Stimulus (CS): previously neutral stimulus that has, through
conditioning, acquired capacity to evoke a conditioned response
d. Conditioned Response (CR): a learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus that
occurs because of previous conditioning
2) Often weaker/less intense
3) Relatively automatic and involuntary
4) What is the process of classical conditioning – how does it occur?
1. Acquisition: Forming New Responses → initial stage of learning a new response
tendency
a. Ho does oe auie a oditioed espose? What fatos ust e peset
for acquisition? Stimulus contiguity. The stimulus must be novel, unusual or
especially intense in order for it to stand out amongst other stimuli.
2. Extinction: Weakening conditioned responses → weakening and disappearance of a
conditioned response tendency
b. How does extinction occur with a classically conditioned response? The
consistent presentation of the conditioned stimulus alone, without the
unconditioned stimulus.
3. Spontaneous Recovery: Resurrecting Responses → reappearance of an extinguished
response after a period of nonexposure to the conditioned stimulus
4. Stimulus Generalization → occurs when an organism that has learned a response to
a specific stimulus responds in the same way to a new stimuli that are similar to the
original stimulus
5. Stimulus Discrimination → occurs when an organism that has leaned a response to
a specific stimulus does not respond in the same way to a new stimuli that are
similar to the original stimulus.
c. What facilitates stimulus generalization and stimulus discrimination?
Generalization is adaptive given that organisms rarely encounter the exact same
stimulus more than once
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Document Summary
Generalization is adaptive given that organisms rarely encounter the exact same stimulus more than once. How does it occur: conditioned stimulus functions as if it were an unconditioned stimulus, new conditioned responses are built on the foundation of already established conditioned responses. He (cid:271)elie(cid:448)ed that i(cid:374) this type of (cid:396)espo(cid:374)di(cid:374)g a(cid:374) o(cid:396)ga(cid:374)is(cid:373) (cid:862)ope(cid:396)ates(cid:863) o(cid:374) the environment instead of simply reacting to stimuli. Shaping = the reinforcement of closer and closer approximations of a desired response. When extrinction process starts, a brief surge often occurs in responding, followed by gradual decline in response. Resistance to extinction occurs when an organism continues to make a response after delivery of the reinforce for it has been terminated: compare/contrast fixed and variable reinforcement. Both do not reinforce every time: compare/contrast interval and ratio reinforcement. Interval= time period to pass between the presentation of reinforcers. Positive= a response is strengthened because it is followed by the presentation of rewarding stimulus.
