Classical Conditioning Vocabulary Quiz

In classical conditioning, what is the term for a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any prior learning?

• Conditioned Stimulus

• Unconditioned Stimulus

• Neutral Stimulus

• Conditioned Response

Answer explanation

In classical conditioning, the Unconditioned Stimulus (US) is a stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning, such as food causing salivation in dogs. This distinguishes it from conditioned stimuli.

Which of the following is an example of a conditioned response?

• Salivating when food is in the mouth

• Jumping at the sound of a loud noise

• Salivating at the sound of a bell after conditioning

• Blinking when something approaches the eye

Answer explanation

A conditioned response is learned through association. Salivating at the sound of a bell after conditioning is a classic example, as it shows a response developed through prior association with food, unlike the other options.

What is the process called when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response?

• Extinction

• Acquisition

• Spontaneous Recovery

• Higher Order Conditioning

Answer explanation

The process called 'Acquisition' occurs when a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus, leading to the neutral stimulus eliciting a conditioned response. This is a fundamental concept in classical conditioning.

What happens during the extinction phase of classical conditioning?

• The conditioned response strengthens

• The unconditioned stimulus is removed

• The conditioned response diminishes

• A new conditioned stimulus is introduced

Answer explanation

During the extinction phase of classical conditioning, the conditioned response diminishes as the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus, leading to a decrease in the learned response.

Which term describes the reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of rest and with no further conditioning?

• Stimulus Generalisation

• Spontaneous Recovery

• Stimulus Discrimination

• Repetition

Answer explanation

The term 'Spontaneous Recovery' refers to the reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period without further conditioning, distinguishing it from other concepts like stimulus generalization or discrimination.

What is it called when a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus?

• Higher Order Conditioning

• Stimulus Discrimination

• Extinction

• Acquisition

Answer explanation

When a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus, it leads to Higher Order Conditioning, where the new stimulus becomes a second conditioned stimulus, albeit usually weaker than the original.

Which concept refers to the ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus?

• Stimulus Generalisation

• Stimulus Discrimination

• Association

• Repetition

Answer explanation

Stimulus Discrimination refers to the ability to differentiate between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not predict an unconditioned stimulus, making it the correct choice for this question.

What is the term for the tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus?

• Stimulus Generalisation

• Stimulus Discrimination

• Extinction

• Acquisition

Answer explanation

The correct term is 'Stimulus Generalisation', which refers to the tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus, indicating a broader response pattern.

In classical conditioning, what is the role of repetition?

• It helps in the extinction of the conditioned response

• It strengthens the association between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli

• It leads to spontaneous recovery

• It causes stimulus discrimination

Answer explanation

In classical conditioning, repetition is crucial as it strengthens the association between the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the unconditioned stimulus (US), leading to a more robust conditioned response.

Which of the following best describes the concept of association in classical conditioning?

• The process of pairing a conditioned stimulus with a neutral stimulus

• The connection formed between a conditioned stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus

• The elimination of a conditioned response

• The differentiation between similar stimuli

Answer explanation

The correct choice describes the core of classical conditioning, where a conditioned stimulus (CS) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US) to form an association, leading to a conditioned response.