Classical conditioning is a simple form of learning involving the association between a previously neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus that elicits an automatic response. Through repeated pairings, the neutral stimulus takes on properties to elicit the response itself, becoming the conditioned stimulus. The key phases are acquisition, where the association is formed through consistent pairings, extinction when the conditioned stimulus no longer predicts the unconditioned stimulus, and spontaneous recovery if the conditioned stimulus is represented after a rest period. Classical conditioning involves the transition of a neutral stimulus into a conditioned stimulus that elicits a conditioned response.

1. CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING
By Madi Muscat

2. KEY TERMS
Reinforcement = the process of encouraging or
establishing a belief or pattern of behaviour
Learnt = when knowledge has been acquired
through study, experience or being taught
Response = a reaction to something
Stimulus = a thing/event that evokes a specific
reaction
Antecedent = a thing/event that existed before

3. KEY TERMS
Consequence = a result/effect of an action
Classical conditioning = a simple form of
learning, which occurs through repeated
association of two (or more) different stimuli
Neutral stimulus (NS) = the conditioned stimulus
before it becomes conditioned
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) = any stimulus that
consistently produces a particular response
Unconditioned response (UCR) = a response which
occurs automatically when the UCS is presented

4. KEY TERMS
Conditioned stimulus = the stimulus which is neutral at
the start of conditioning. Wouldn’t normally produce
the UCR, but does so eventually because of its
association with the UCS.
Conditioned response = a response which occurs
automatically when the UCS is presented.
Acquisition = the learning/developing of a skill, habit, or
quality
Acquisition phase = The consistent pairings of the CS and
the UCS that produces a CR.
Extinction = When the UCS is no longer presented along
with the CS.

5. KEY TERMS
Spontaneous recovery = When CS is
reintroduced after extinction and a period of
rest has occurred, and the CR again appears
Stimulus generation = When the organism will
respond by producing a CR to stimuli that are
similar to the CS
Stimulus discrimination =When the organism
only responds to the CS and no other similar
stimuli

6. THE PROCESS OF CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING
(Before conditioning)
Unconditioned stimulus = unconditioned
response
Neutral stimulus = no unconditioned response

7. THE PROCESS OF CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING
(During conditioning)
Neutral stimulus + unconditioned stimulus =
unconditioned response

8. THE PROCESS OF CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING
(After conditioning)
Conditioned stimulus = conditioned response