Applications of Classical Conditioning

Applications of Classical Conditioning

1. 1. Generalization: a general tendency to respond similarly to similar stimuli

2. 2. Context (Comparator theories): What is the likelihood of the CS -US pairing.

   • Consider History and Contextual cues
     • Will you be afraid of the dentist?
       • History: How many times have you experienced the dentists office without a cavity/drilling (CS alone) or with a cavity/drilling (CS-US)?

3. 3. Higher-Order Conditioning: an additional CS is created by pairing it with the original CS, even if it is never paired with the US

   • Your best friend recommends a class...you sign up for it
     • 1. Present CS (1)--US Pairing Test CS (1) --> CR ?
       • 2. Present CS (2) -- CS (1) pairing Test CS (2) --> CR

4. 4. Conditioned Inhibition: Instead of eliciting a response (CS+), a stimulus is conditioned to prevent a response from occurring (CS-)

   • *School of Rock Example* Are going to have fun in class (CS+) today? It depends: Is the principal (CS-) going to be there?
   • Testing a CS-
     • 1. Summation Test: Pair the CS- with a new CS+. Do the inhibitory effects generalize?
       • 2. Retardation Test: Make the CS- into a CS+. How long does that take?

5. Temporal Arrangements (fastest to slowest)

   • 1. Short-delay conditioning--short delay between the onset of the CS and the onset of the US
     • Greatest predicability of the US
       • 2. Simultaneous conditioning--present both at the same time
         • The CS is not as good a predictor of the US but they are contiguous
           • 3. Long-delay conditioning--long delay (and no break) between the onset of the CS and the onset of the US
             • The CS is not a great predictor of the US but it does precede it
               • 4. Trace Conditioning (Memory Trace)
                 • The CS is not as good a predictor of the US; the longer the delay, the worse the conditioning
                   • Backward Conditioning
                     • CS signals the disappearance of the US