During the acquisition phase of classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus begins to elicit the conditioned response. Eventually, the neutral stimulus transforms into a conditioned stimulus that is capable of eliciting the conditioned response by itself.

Stimulus Transformation During Acquisition

In classical conditioning, acquisition is the initial period of learning when an organism learns to connect a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus.

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Classical conditioning involves pairing one stimulus with a previously neutral stimulus, which causes a change in response to a neutral stimulus.

Classical Conditioning

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Habits form by repeating behaviors or actions after certain contextual cues. In repeating these actions, dependence on conscious motivation for performing the actions is reduced. The consistent repetition of actions over the period of 60+ days forms habits.

Formation of Habits

Stimulus generalization occurs when an organism elicits a conditioned response to stimuli that are similar, but not identical, to the original conditioned stimulus. This process is the opposite of stimulus discrimination. The likelihood of the conditioned response appearing is proportional to the similarity between the new stimulus and the conditioned stimulus; the more alike they are, the stronger the response.

Stimulus Generalization

Stimulus discrimination is a learning process where an organism learns to respond differently to various similar stimuli. In the context of classical conditioning, this means the organism exhibits the conditioned response only to the specific conditioned stimulus, not to other stimuli that may be similar but do not signal the unconditioned stimulus. This ability to distinguish between predictive and non-predictive stimuli is crucial for appropriate responses, such as recognizing sounds that signal a threat versus those that do not.

Stimulus Discrimination

Higher-order conditioning, also known as second-order conditioning, occurs when an established conditioned stimulus is used to condition a new, neutral stimulus. In this process, the original conditioned stimulus effectively acts like an unconditioned stimulus for the new association. However, achieving conditioning beyond this second level is generally difficult, and the learned response is often weaker.

Higher-Order Conditioning (Second-Order Conditioning)

- Unconditioned stimulus (US): stimulus that produces an automatic response without prior conditioning


- Unconditioned response (UR): unconditioned reaction automatically elicited by the unconditioned stimulus


- Neutral stimulus (NS): a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning


- Conditioned stimulus (CS): a previous NS that elicits a conditioned response after being paired with the US


- Conditioned response (CR): the learned response to the conditioned stimulus after the CS and US are paired


(Spielman 2020)

Classical Conditioning: Terms

Classical conditioning involves several key processes that describe how a conditioned response is learned and modified:

*   **Acquisition**: The initial stage of learning where a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.
*   **Extinction**: The gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus.
*   **Spontaneous Recovery**: The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest.
*   **Stimulus Generalization**: The tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit a similar conditioned response.
*   **Stimulus Discrimination**: The ability to differentiate between the conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that have not been paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Key Processes in Classical Conditioning

The principles of classical conditioning are applied in various domains to understand and influence behavior. Key areas of application include explaining learned emotional responses like fear, developing therapies for anxiety disorders, and creating positive associations in advertising to promote products. It also provides a framework for understanding aspects of language acquisition, as explored in Relational Frame Theory (RFT).

Applications of Classical Conditioning

The Little Albert experiment, conducted by John Watson and Rosalie Rayner in 1920, is an influential case study in the history of psychology. The researchers repeatedly paired a loud noise with the approach of a white rat, which taught the young child to fear the rat along with other furry objects. This detailed observation of a single individual demonstrated how emotional responses could be conditioned.

The Little Albert Experiment

Acquisition in Classical Conditioning

Timing is crucial for classical conditioning to occur. Typically, there must be only a brief interval between the presentation of the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus.

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