classical conditioning
The most common name for a type of learning in which a neutral stimulus acquires the ability to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus.
unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
A stimulus that evokes an unconditioned response.
unconditioned response (UCR)
The response to an unconditioned stimulus.
conditioned stimulus
A previously neutral stimulus that has acquired the capacity to evoke a conditioned response.
conditioned response
A learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus that occurs because of previous conditioning.
extinction
The gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response tendency.
spontaneous recovery
The reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of nonexposure to the conditioned stimulus.
generalization
Occurs when an organism responds to new stimuli that are similar to the stimulus used in conditioning.
discrimination
Occurs when an organism learns not to respond to stimuli that are similar to the stimulus used in conditioning.
systematic desensitization
A type of exposure therapy that associates a pleasant, relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli commonly used to treat phobias (or anticipatory nausea).
backwards conditioning
presenting the UCS before the NS (not very effective)
contiguity theory
says (incorrectly) that time is the main factor why classical conditioning works
stimulus substitution
says (incorrectly) that conditioned stimulus subsitutes directly for unconditioned stimulus (Pavlov's original explanation)
cognitive perspective
says (correctly) that conditioning works because the CS predicts the UCS
conditoned taste-aversion/learned food aversion
avoiding a food because you were got sick after eating it (even if the food wasn't the real cause)