Pavlov and Classical Conditioning

Ivan Pavlov and Various Classical Conditioning Theories and Experiments

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Classical conditioning
A form of associative learning that typically involves the presentation of a neutral stimulus with one that reliably elicits a natural response 
Conditioned stimulus
A neutral stimulus that does not reliably elicit a response
Unconditioned stimulus
A stimulus that holds significant meaning in the subject and reliably elicits a natural or reflexive response
The result of CS and UCS pairings
The CS alone will elicit a CR
Pavlov's term for classical conditioning
Stimulus substitution, because it appeared that the CS replaced the UCS
Why does the CS produce the CR
There is a reinforcement: this reinforcement is always the UCS, it is not necessarily a good or pleasurable thing, it can also be a negative event, like a shock
Operational definition of reinforcement
Any event that increases the probability of a response (always the UCS because it is the UCS that causes the CS -> CR relationship to develop)
The learning curve for classical conditioning
Always an S shape, performance changes rapidly and then levels
Extinction
If you withhold the UCS, it eliminates the conditioned response by eliminating the learned association between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned response
Spontaneous recovery
If you leave a pocket of time after extinction, the response returns (though not as strongly as before)
Extinction below zero
If you continue extinction trials even after there is no response, there will be no spontaneous recovery
Overlearning
Continuing trials even once the behaviour is learned, this leads to better retention
Generalization of excitation
Stimulus generalization of the conditioned stimulus: similar stimuli to the trained stimulus will also elicit the conditioned response, just at lower levels of responding
Hovland's theory of generalization of excitation
Hovland said that we need to take the JND into account: we should look at stimulus generalization not in terms of absolutes, but in terms of number of JNDs
Differentiation (Pavlov's theory of generalization of excitation)
If you present the trained CS and the similar stimuli interchangeably without reinforcing the similar stimuli, then the subject will be be trained to discriminate between the trained stimulus and the broad range of similar stimuli that also elicit the conditioned response