Learning: Principles, Basic processes of Classical Conditioning (extinction, generalization, spontaneous recovery) | BA SEM 1 Psychology

Learning: Principles, Basic processes of Classical Conditioning (extinction, generalization, spontaneous recovery)

Learning is a complex process through which individuals acquire new knowledge, behaviors, or skills.

One prominent theory of learning is classical conditioning, which was developed by Ivan Pavlov. Here are the basic processes of classical conditioning:

 

1. Principles of Classical Conditioning:

   Classical conditioning involves associating an initially neutral stimulus (NS) with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to elicit a conditioned response (CR). The key principles include:

   - Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning. For example, food causing salivation.

   - Unconditioned Response (UCR): The natural, unlearned reaction to the unconditioned stimulus. In the example, salivation in response to food.

   - Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Initially neutral, but through association with the unconditioned stimulus, it comes to trigger a conditioned response. For instance, a bell that becomes associated with food.

   - Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to the conditioned stimulus, similar to the unconditioned response. In our example, salivation in response to the bell.

 

2. Basic Processes of Classical Conditioning:

   - Extinction: This occurs when the conditioned stimulus (CS) is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). As a result, the conditioned response weakens and eventually diminishes. For instance, if the bell (CS) is rung without presenting food (UCS), the dog's salivation (CR) decreases over time.

 

   - Generalization: Generalization involves responding to stimuli that are similar, but not identical, to the conditioned stimulus. In our example, if the dog salivates not only to the bell (CS) but also to similar sounds, it demonstrates generalization.

 

   - Spontaneous Recovery: After a period of rest or time without exposure to the conditioned stimulus, the conditioned response may reappear. This is known as spontaneous recovery. It suggests that even though extinction occurred, the association is not entirely erased.

 

In summary, classical conditioning is a learning process where associations are formed between stimuli, leading to learned responses. Extinction weakens the learned response, generalization occurs when similar stimuli evoke the same response, and spontaneous recovery involves the reappearance of the response after a rest period.