Classical Conditioning: Key Concepts and Techniques
Chapter 3: Learning Associations
Learning Object
Learn associations between different elements of an object stimulus.
Key Concepts and Techniques
Autoshaping
A variation of signal tracking.
Short Delay Conditioning
A classical conditioning technique where the conditioned stimulus (CS) begins shortly before the unconditioned stimulus (US).
Trace Conditioning
A classical conditioning technique where the US is presented after a brief period following the CS.
Inhibitory Conditioning
A classical conditioning technique where the CS becomes a signal for the absence of the US.
Backward Conditioning
A procedure where the CS becomes a signal for the absence of the US.
Simultaneous Conditioning
A classical conditioning procedure where the CS and US are presented at the same time.
Random Control
A procedure where the CS and US are presented at random times relative to each other.
Explicitly Unpaired Control
A procedure where the CS and US are presented with sufficient time between them to prevent association.
Conditioning Trial
An episode involving the presentation of a CS with or without a US.
Test Trial
The CS is presented without the US, allowing measurement of the conditioned response (CR) without the unconditioned response (UR).
Stimuli
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A stimulus that initially elicits no specific response, but comes to do so through association with a US.
Unconditioned Stimulus (US): A stimulus that naturally elicits a specific response without prior training.
Responses
Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response elicited by the CS as a result of conditioning.
Unconditioned Response (UR): The natural, unlearned response elicited by the US.
Other Important Terms
Extinction: The reduction of a learned response that occurs because the CS is no longer paired with the US. This also refers to the procedure of repeatedly presenting the CS without the US.
Inhibition of Delay: The increasing latency of the CR that occurs with extended training in long-delay conditioning.
Differential Inhibition: A procedure where one stimulus (CS+) is paired with the US, while another (CS-) is not. The CS+ elicits a CR, while the CS- inhibits this response. Also known as stimulus discrimination.
Trace Interval: The time between the end of the CS and the start of the US in trace conditioning.
CS-US Interval (Inter-stimulus Interval): The time between the CS and US presentations.
Intertrial Interval: The time between successive trials.
Latency: The time between a stimulus and the response.
Response Magnitude: The size, strength, or extent of a response.
Forgetting: The decline of a learned response over time, without specific intervention.
Response Probability: The likelihood of a response occurring, often expressed as a percentage.
Compound Stimulus Test (Summation Test): A test that identifies a stimulus as a conditioned inhibitor if it reduces the response elicited by an excitatory CS.
Retardation of Acquisition Test: A test that identifies a stimulus as a conditioned inhibitor if it takes longer to acquire excitatory properties than a comparison stimulus.
Pseudoconditioning: An increased responsiveness to a stimulus that occurs after repeated presentations of a US, even without a CS-US pairing.
Conditioned Emotional Response (CER) (Conditioned Suppression): Suppression of positively reinforced instrumental behavior due to presentation of a stimulus associated with an aversive stimulus.
Signal Tracking (Autoshaping): Movement toward and possible contact with a stimulus that signals the availability of a positive reinforcer, such as food.