What is reflexes in psychology?
n. any of a number of automatic, unlearned, relatively fixed responses to stimuli that do not require conscious effort and that often involve a faster response than might be possible if a conscious evaluation of the input were required. An example is the pupillary reflex.
What is a conditioned reflex?
A conditioned reflex, also called an acquired reflex, is an automatic response to a stimulus that differs from that initially causing the response, but that has become associated with it by repetition, in a process known as classical conditioning.
Does classical conditioning involve reflex?
In classical conditioning an initially weak or ineffective conditioned stimulus (CS) becomes highly effective in producing a behavioral response after it has been paired temporally with a strong unconditioned stimulus (US). Often a reflex can be modified by both sensitization and classical conditioning.
What is a reflex reaction?
A reflex is an involuntary (say: in-VAHL-un-ter-ee), or automatic, action that your body does in response to something — without you even having to think about it. You don't decide to kick your leg, it just kicks. There are many types of reflexes and every healthy person has them.
What is conditioned reflex and its example?
The so-called conditioned reflexes are not reflexes at all but complicated acts of learned behaviour. Salivation is one such conditioned reflex; it occurs only when a person is conscious of the presence of food or when one imagines food.
How are conditioned reflexes formed?
the formation of a conditioned reflex through the temporal paring of an unconditioned stimulus, which reflexively elicits a response, and a neutral conditioned stimulus.
How is classical conditioning similar to reflexes?
Put another way, classical conditioning involves placing a neutral stimulus before a naturally occurring reflex. In Pavlov's classic experiment with dogs, the neutral signal was the sound of a tone and the naturally occurring reflex was salivating in response to food.
What is the difference between a reflex and learned behavior?
A reflex is a behavior that humans are born knowing how to do, such as sucking or blushing; these behaviors happen automatically in response to stimuli in the environment. Learned behaviors are things that humans are not born knowing how to do, such as swimming and surfing.
What is the meaning of the term reflex in classical conditioning quizlet?
Classical Conditioning. learning to make an involuntary (reflex) response to a stimulus other than the original, natural stimulus that normally produces the reflex.
What is reflex action example?
Reflex action is a sudden and involuntary response to stimuli. It helps organisms to quickly adapt to an adverse circumstance that could have the potential to cause bodily harm or even death. Pulling our hands away immediately after touching a hot or cold object is a classic example of a reflex action.
What is a reaction vs reflex?
Reactions are voluntary responses whereas reflexes are involuntary or unintentional (and not subject to conscious control in most cases). Each type of response is initiated by a sensory stimulus that may be visual, audible, tactile, olfactory, or gustatory in nature.
What is the strict definition of a reflex?
Reflex is defined as an involuntary motor response, secretory or vascular, elicited shortly after a stimulus, which may be conscious or not. The response to the stimulus is unalterable, it cannot be changed or adapted according to needs or circumstances.
What is a conditioned reflex ABA?
A conditioned reflex is created when the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS), eliciting a response by virtue of its contingent relation to the US. This response, a conditioned response (CR), is often related to but is not necessarily the same as the unconditioned response (UR) elicited by the US.
What is conditioned and unconditioned reflex?
Reflexes are of two types- An unconditioned reflex is an unlearned response that occurs in response to a stimulus. A conditioned reflex is a learned response that occurs in response to a stimulus.
How does a conditioned reflex differ from a reflex action?
Reflex actions are autonomic and do not involve the brain. They are in-born and we do not have to learn the, unlike conditional reflex actions. On the other hand, A conditional reflex action is a type of reflex actiona that is learned overtime and have become part of the body.
Is knee jerk a conditioned reflex?
Option A: Knee jerk is an unconditioned reflex.
What is classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning is the process by which a naturally occurring stimulus is paired with a stimulus in the environment, and as a result, the environmental stimulus eventually elicits the same response as the natural stimulus. Classical conditioning was discovered by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, ...
How can classical conditioning be used in the classroom?
Classical conditioning can also be used in therapy and the classroom. For example, to combat anxieties and phobias such as a fear of spiders, a therapist might repeatedly show an individual an image of a spider while they are performing relaxation techniques so the individual can form an association between spiders and relaxation. Similarly, if a teacher couples a subject that makes students nervous, like math, with a pleasant and positive environment, the student will learn to feel more positive about math.
How did Pavlov's discovery of classical conditioning arise?
Origins and Influence. Pavlov’s discovery of classical conditioning arose out of his observations of his dogs’ salivation responses. While dogs naturally salivate when food touches their tongues, Pavlov noticed that his dogs' salivation extended beyond that innate response. They salivated when they saw him approach with food or even just heard his ...
Why did Pavlov believe that stimuli were conditioned?
In other words, stimuli that had previously been neutral became conditioned because of their repeated association with a natural response. Although Pavlov wasn’t a psychologist, and in fact believed his work on classical conditioning was physiological, his discovery had a major influence on psychology.
What are the different types of stimulus?
Types of Stimuli and Responses 1 The presentation of food to the dog is referred to as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) because the dog’s response to the food occurs naturally. 2 The light or bell is the conditioned stimulus (CS) because the dog must learn to associate it with the desired response. 3 Salivation in response to the food is called the unconditioned response (UCR) because it’s an innate reflex. 4 Salivation to the light or bell is the conditioned response (CR) because the dog learns to associate that response with the conditioned stimulus.
What is the unconditioned stimulus?
The presentation of food to the dog is referred to as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) because the dog’s response to the food occurs naturally. The light or bell is the conditioned stimulus ...
Why is the user's typical environment a conditioned stimulus?
This is because the user’s typical environment has become a conditioned stimulus that prepares the body for a conditioned response to the drug. In the absence of this conditioning, the body may not be adequately prepared for the drug.
Who is the father of classical conditioning?
The best-known example of this is from what some believe to be the father of classical conditioning: Ivan Pavlov. In an experiment on canine digestion, he found that over time dogs were salivating not only when their food was presented to them, but when the people who fed them arrived.
What stimulus is associated with the unconditioned response?
We begin to associate the neutral stimulus with the unconditioned response.
What is the term for the unconditioned stimulus and unconditioned response that wasn't taught?
Before conditioning. Before conditioning is when the unconditioned stimulus and unconditioned response come into play. This is the natural response that wasn’t taught. For instance, food produces salivating, or a stomach virus produces nausea.
How does operant conditioning work?
In operant conditioning, you learn a behavior by the consequence of that behavior, which in turn affects your future behavior.
Is classical conditioning exposed?
We’re all exposed to classical conditioning in one way or another throughout our lives.
Is operant conditioning unconscious?
While classical conditioning is considered unconscious learning, operant conditioning is what most people would consider a habit. It’s about reinforcement and is considered more controlled. Classical conditioning is considered more of a reflex.
What are some examples of classical conditioning?
The most famous example of classical conditioning was Pavlov's experiment with dogs, who salivated in response to a bell tone.
Why is classical conditioning important?
Classical conditioning emphasizes the importance of learning from the environment, and supports nurture over nature. However, it is limiting to describe behavior solely in terms of either nature or nurture, and attempts to do this underestimate the complexity of human behavior. It is more likely that behavior is due to an interaction between nature (biology) and nurture (environment).
What is the term for the gradual weakening of a conditioned response?
In psychology, extinction refers to gradual weakening of a conditioned response by breaking the association between the conditioned and the unconditioned stimuli.
When does conditioned stimulus occur?
For classical conditioning to be effective, the conditioned stimulus should occur before the unconditioned stimulus, rather than after it, or during the same time. Thus, the conditioned stimulus acts as a type of signal or cue for the unconditioned stimulus.
Who were the first psychologists to apply the principles of classical conditioning to human behavior?
Watson & Rayner (1920) were the first psychologists to apply the principles of classical conditioning to human behavior by looking at how this learning process may explain the development of phobias.
Does classical conditioning produce a response?
The neutral stimulus in classical conditioning does not produce a response until it is paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
What are conditioned reflexes?
This notion formed the core of one of the most influential theories in the field of animal behavior introduced by Pavlov (1849–1936) and further explored by his numerous students and followers. According to Pavlov's views, the whole variety of everyday behaviors was built on two types of reflexes, inborn and conditioned. Pavlov performed ingenious experiments and showed that autonomic reflexes, such as salivation when the hungry animal saw food, could be modified in such a way that they emerged in response to a new, conditional, stimulus. Pavlov used the sound of a bell presented to the dogs prior to feeding and, after a series of repetitions, the animals started to salivate when they heard the bell even if food was not served. These observations formed the foundation for the main idea of Pavlov and his followers that conditioned reflexes, in combination with inborn reflexes, were the basic physiological elements for animal behavior, including motor behavior.
Who invented the situational conditioning reflex?
In the end of 1940s, Petr Kupalov, a former student of Pavlov, invented a methodology of situational conditioned reflexes. In the west this method was coined as the method of operant conditioning. In the method animal behavioral reactions but not external stimuli served as unconditioned stimuli.
What is neurotherapy 8?
In mid-1980s, the two approaches, EEG biofeedback and neurometics, merged forming a new direction that is now named neurotherapy 8. An American company Lexicor was the first to produce neurotherapeutic devices. At present, the new approach is actively developing and extending. New views for the genesis of EEG rhythms made it possible to form a theoretical basis for neurotherapeutic approach. Several companies are now specialized in EEG analysis and in development of individual neurotherapeutic protocols.
How are reflexes measured?
In the human protocol, reflex size is measured in two different situations: control trials and conditioning trials. In control trials, the reflex is simply measured (without feedback as to reflex size). In conditioning trials, the reflex is measured while the subject is encouraged to increase (up-conditioning) or decrease (down-conditioning) reflex size and is provided with immediate visual feedback as to whether she/he has succeeded in producing a reflex larger (up-conditioning) or smaller (down-conditioning) than a criterion. Thus, the task of changing reflex size in the rewarded direction is imposed only in conditioning trials. The within-session difference in size between the reflexes of the control and conditioning trials reflects rapid task-dependent adaptation, while the change in the control reflex across sessions reflects long-term plasticity in the targeted reflex pathway ( Thompson et al., 2009a ).
How is fear conditioning conditioned?
Conditioned responses, such as freezing, can be observed in relationship to environmental cues that were previously paired with an aversive stimulus, such as a brief foot shock. Such paradigms are referred to as fear conditioning. The main manipulation is the interval between the aversive conditioning and the observation of the CR. Environmental cues can also be manipulated to examine the impact of context on the response. The main dependent variable is the time spent freezing. Several procedural advantages can identified for this paradigm. As in conditioned taste adversion conditioning, typically only one pairing of the CS (the environment) and the US (the shock) is conducted. The behavioral variable (freezing) is easily observable and quantifiable. The equipment needed is minimal. The disadvantage is the relevance to human applications as noted for the conditioned taste adversion paradigm.
What are conditioned responses to cues for administration of ethanol?
55 These have been motivated by the search for how environmental stimuli may contribute to intoxication, and by a search for how environmental stimuli may affect ethanol tolerance. 56
Does fear conditioning decrease with age?
Oler and Markus (1998) and Houston et al. (1999) reported an age-related decrease in the retention of fear conditioning as a function of the delay interval between conditioning and test in F344 rats. Typically freezing behavior strengthens with time presumably because of the “memory incubation.” This phenomenon was observed in young rats, whereas, after 20 days reduced freezing behavior was reported in the aged rats ( Houston et al., 1999 ).
How does classical conditioning work?
Classical conditioning, on the other hand, involves forming an association with some sort of already naturally occurring event. 1
What is the difference between operant and classical conditioning?
One of the simplest ways to remember the differences between classical and operant conditioning is to focus on whether the behavior is involuntary or voluntary. Classical conditioning involves associating an involuntary response and a stimulus, while operant conditioning is about associating a voluntary behavior and a consequence.
What is the process of pairing a previously neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus?
The classical conditioning process involves pairing a previously neutral stimulus (such as the sound of a bell) with an unconditioned stimulus (the taste of food). This unconditioned stimulus naturally and automatically triggers salivating as a response to the food, which is known as the unconditioned response.
How can operant conditioning help people?
In addition to being used to train people and animals to engage in new behaviors, operant conditioning can also be used to help people eliminate unwanted ones. Using a system of rewards and punishments, people can learn to overcome bad habits that might have a negative impact on their health such as smoking or overeating. 4
What is instrumental conditioning?
Operant conditioning (or instrumental conditioning) focuses on using either reinforcement or punishment to increase or decrease a behavior. Through this process, an association is formed between the behavior and the consequences of that behavior. 1
How does reinforcement affect behavior?
How often the response is reinforced, known as a schedule of reinforcement, can play an important role in how quickly the behavior is learned 2 and how strong the response becomes.
Is commercial break a stimulus?
While commercial breaks were once a neutral stimulus, repeated pairing with an unconditioned stimulus (having a delicious snack) has turned the commercials into a conditioned stimulus. Now every time you see a commercial, you crave a sweet treat.
What is the best known example of classical conditioning?
Have you heard of Pavlov’s dogs? That’s the experiment conducted by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov wherein his dogs started to salivate when he rang a bell. This is the best-known example of classical conditioning, when a neutral stimulus is paired with a conditioned response.
What is a neutral stimulus?
If you've ever been in a public area and heard a familiar notification chime, this classical conditioning example will certainly ring true for you. You hear that tone and instinctively reach for your smartphone, only to realize it's coming from someone else's phone. The chime or tone is a neutral stimulus.
Why are pencils neutral stimuli?
It's only because students come to associate them, along with the dead silence of the room or the nervously-ticking wall clock, to the stress of writing a test that they elicit a negative response.
Can classical conditioning apply to food?
Just like the negative experience with the barking dog above, the principles of classical conditioning can apply to so many other areas of everyday life. Any individual dish or type of food, if you've never eaten it before, is a blank slate for possible associations. If the first time you eat sushi, you get terrible ...
Origins and Influence
Pavlov’s Experiments
- Classical conditioning requires placing a neutral stimulus immediately before a stimulus that automatically occurs, which eventually leads to a learned response to the formerly neutral stimulus. In Pavlov’s experiments, he presented food to a dog while shining a light in a dark room or ringing a bell. The dog automatically salivated when the food w...
Types of Stimuli and Responses
- Each of the stimuli and responses in classical conditioning is referred to by specific terms that can be illustrated with reference to Pavlov’s experiments. 1. The presentation of food to the dog is referred to as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) because the dog’s response to the food occurs naturally. 2. The light or bell is the conditioned stimulus (CS)because the dog must learn to asso…
The Three Stages of Classical Conditioning
- The process of classical conditioning occurs in three basic stages: Before Conditioning At this stage, the UCS and CS have no relationship. The UCS comes up in the environment and naturally elicits a UCR. The UCR wasn’t taught or learned, it’s a completely innate reaction. For example, the first time a person takes a ride on a boat (UCS) they may become seasick (UCR). At this point, th…
Other Principles of Classical Conditioning
- There are several additional principles in classical conditioning that further detail how the process works. These principles include the following: Extinction As its name suggests, extinction happens when a conditioned stimulus is no longer associated with an unconditioned stimulus leading to a decrease or complete disappearance of the conditioned response. For example, Pav…
Examples of Classical Conditioning
- Examples of classical conditioning can be observed in the real world. One instance is various forms of drug addiction. If a drug is repeatedly taken in specific circumstances (say, a specific location), the user may become used to the substance in that context and require more of it to get the same effect, called tolerance. However, if the individual takes the drug in a different environ…
Concept Critiques
- While there are numerous real-world applications for classical conditioning, the concept has been criticized for several reasons. First, classical conditioning has been accused of being deterministic because it ignores the role of free will in people's behavioral responses. Classical conditioning anticipates an individual will respond to a conditioned stimulus with no variation. T…
Sources
- Cherry, Kendra. “What is Classical Conditioning?” Verywell Mind, 28 September 2018. https://www.verywellmind.com/classical-conditioning-2794859
- Crain, William. Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications. 5th ed., Pearson Prentice Hall. 2005.
- Goldman, Jason G. “What is Classical Conditioning? (And Why Does it Matter?)” Scientific Am…
- Cherry, Kendra. “What is Classical Conditioning?” Verywell Mind, 28 September 2018. https://www.verywellmind.com/classical-conditioning-2794859
- Crain, William. Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications. 5th ed., Pearson Prentice Hall. 2005.
- Goldman, Jason G. “What is Classical Conditioning? (And Why Does it Matter?)” Scientific American, 11 January 2012. https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/thoughtful-animal/what-is-classical-conditio...
- McLeod, Saul. “Classical Conditioning.” Simply Psychology, 21 August 2018. https://www.simplypsychology.org/classical-conditioning.html
How Classical Conditioning Works
- Stage 1: Before Conditioning:
In this stage, the unconditioned stimulus(UCS) produces an unconditioned response (UCR) in an organism. In basic terms, this means that a stimulus in the environment has produced a behavior / response which is unlearned (i.e., unconditioned) and therefore is a natural response which has … - Stage 2: During Conditioning:
During this stage, a stimulus which produces no response (i.e., neutral) is associated with the unconditioned stimulus at which point it now becomes known as the conditioned stimulus(CS). For classical conditioning to be effective, the conditioned stimulus should occur before the unco…
Classical Conditioning Examples
- Pavlov's Dogs
The most famous example of classical conditioning was Ivan Pavlov's experiment with dogs, who salivated in response to a bell tone. Pavlov showed that when a bell was sounded each time the dog was fed, the dog learned to associate the sound with the presentation of the food. He first p… - Fear Response
Watson & Rayner (1920) were the first psychologists to apply the principles of classical conditioning to human behavior by looking at how this learning process may explain the development of phobias. They did this in what is now considered to be one of the most ethically …
Critical Evaluation
- Classical conditioning emphasizes the importance of learning from the environment, and supports nurture over nature. However, it is limiting to describe behavior solely in terms of either nature or nurture, and attempts to do this underestimate the complexity of human behavior. It is more likely that behavior is due to an interaction between nature (biology) and nurture (environm…