Key Terms
Learning
The relatively permanent change in knowledge or behavior that results from experience.
Classical conditioning
Learning that occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that naturally produces a behavior. Afte
US (unconditioned stimulus)
Something that naturally triggers a response. Example: food triggers salivation.
UR (unconditioned response)
The natural, automatic response to the US.
Example
Training someone to perform a complex skill by first rewarding rough approximations; then requiring closer and closer ac
CS (conditioned stimulus)
A formerly neutral stimulus that, after repeated pairing with the US, now triggers a response on its own.
CR (conditioned response)
The learned response to the CS. Example: salivating to the tone alone.
Acquisition
The phase when CS and US are repeatedly paired; the response strengthens over time.
Extinction
When the CS is presented repeatedly without the US; the CR weakens and eventually disappears. But extinction is never tr
Spontaneous recovery
After a rest period following extinction, the CR can reappear when the CS is presented again; though at a weaker level t
Generalization
Responding to stimuli that are similar to, but not identical to, the original CS. Pavlov's dogs salivated to tones simil
Discrimination
Learning to respond to the original CS but not to similar stimuli. The organism learns the difference.
Real-world example
Money is a secondary conditioner. We don't value paper bills for what they are; we value them because they're associated
Biological preparedness
Humans are evolutionarily primed to develop phobias toward snakes, spiders, heights, and open spaces; threats from our a
Operant conditioning
Learning based on the consequences of behavior. The organism learns from what happens after it acts.