Glossary
Acquisition
The initial stage in classical conditioning where the neutral stimulus begins to be associated with the unconditioned stimulus, leading to the establishment and strengthening of the conditioned response.
Example:
During the acquisition phase, a dog learns to associate the sound of a can opener with getting food, and starts salivating at the sound.
Conditioned Response (CR)
The learned response to a previously neutral, but now conditioned, stimulus.
Example:
If you've learned to flinch every time you hear a specific sound because it was once paired with a loud bang, flinching to that sound is the conditioned response.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
An originally neutral stimulus that, after being repeatedly associated with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response.
Example:
After repeatedly hearing a specific song before getting a treat, the song itself becomes a conditioned stimulus for excitement in a pet.
Discrimination
The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other similar stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus, leading to a response only to the specific conditioned stimulus.
Example:
A dog trained to only respond to a specific high-pitched whistle, and not to other similar sounds, is demonstrating stimulus discrimination.
Extinction
The gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus.
Example:
If a bell that once made a dog salivate is rung repeatedly without food, the dog's salivation response will eventually undergo extinction.
Generalization
The tendency for a conditioned response to be elicited by stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus.
Example:
A child who was bitten by a small dog might develop a fear of all dogs, regardless of size or breed, demonstrating stimulus generalization.
Neutral Stimulus (NS)
A stimulus that initially elicits no specific response or reaction before it is paired with an unconditioned stimulus.
Example:
Before training, a specific ringtone is a neutral stimulus that doesn't make your mouth water.
Response
A reaction or behavior exhibited by an organism in reaction to a stimulus.
Example:
When you hear your favorite song, tapping your foot is a common response.
Spontaneous Recovery
The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest and without further conditioning.
Example:
After a fear of spiders has seemingly disappeared, a person might experience spontaneous recovery of that fear if they suddenly encounter a spider again after a long time.
Stimulus
Anything in the environment that can trigger a reaction or response from an organism.
Example:
The sudden flash of lightning was a stimulus that made the dog jump.
Unconditioned Response (UCR)
The unlearned, natural, and automatic reaction that occurs in response to an unconditioned stimulus.
Example:
When you accidentally touch a hot stove, immediately pulling your hand away is an unconditioned response.
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers an unlearned, reflexive response without any prior learning.
Example:
The smell of freshly baked cookies is often an unconditioned stimulus that makes people feel hungry.