Classical Conditioning: Mechanisms

Facilitation of the conditioning of a novel stimulus because of the presence of a previously conditioned stimulus. Also called the contra-blocking effect.

Interference with the conditioning of a novel stimulus because of the presence of a previously conditioned stimulus.

The idea that conditioned responding depends on a comparison between the associative strength of the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the associative strength of other cues present during training of the target CS.

A conditioned response opposite in form to the reaction elicited by the US and which therefore compensates for this reaction.

Facilitation of the conditioning of a novel stimulus because of the presence of a previously conditioned stimulus. Same as augmentation.

Interference with conditioning produced by repeated exposures to the CS before the conditioning trials. Also called latent-inhibition effect.

Reduction in the effectiveness of a drug as a result of repeated use of the drug.

A procedure in which a previously conditioned stimulus (CS₁) is used to condition a new stimulus (CS₂).

A concept introduced by Walter Cannon to refer to physiological machanisms that serve to maintain critical aspects of physiology (such as blood sugar level and termperature) within acceptable limits. The homeostatis level is achieved by the operation of negative feedback and feed forward mechanisms that serve to counteract the effects of challenges to the homeostatic level.

Interference with conditioning produced by repeated exposures to the CS before the conditioning trials. Also called CS-preexposure effect.

The idea that conditioned responding depends on how long the organism has to wait for the US in the presence of the CS, as compared to how long the organism has to wait for the US in the experimental situations irrespective of the CS.

The learning of an association between a stimulus and a response, with the result that the stimulus comes to elicit the response.

The learning of an association between two stimuli, with the result that exposure to one of the stimuli comes to activate a representation, or "mental image," of the other stimulus.

A procedure in which one biologically weak stimulus (CS₂) is repeatedly paired with another biologically weak stimulus (CS₁). Then, CS₁ is conditioned with an unconditioned stimulus. In a later test trial, CS₂ will elicit the conditioned response, even though CS₂ was never directly paired with the US.

The significance or noticeability of a stimulus. Generally, conditioning proceeds more rapidly with more salient conditioned and unconditioned stimuli.