Conditioned Response

Definition

A conditioned response is a learned response that occurs as a result of classical conditioning. It is an automatic, involuntary reaction that is triggered by a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus, causing the individual to respond in a specific way.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Conditioned responses are formed when a neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, causing the neutral stimulus to eventually elicit the same response as the unconditioned stimulus.
2. The process of forming a conditioned response involves stimulus generalization, where the conditioned response can be triggered by stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimulus.
3. Conditioned responses can be extinguished if the conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus, causing the individual to stop responding to the conditioned stimulus.
4. The strength of a conditioned response can be influenced by the timing and frequency of the pairing between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli.
5. Conditioned responses are an important aspect of classical conditioning, which is a fundamental learning process that occurs in both humans and animals.

Review Questions

• Explain the process of how a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits a conditioned response.
  • The process of forming a conditioned response involves repeatedly pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response. Over time, the neutral stimulus becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus, and eventually, the neutral stimulus alone can elicit the same response as the unconditioned stimulus. This learned association between the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus is the conditioned response.
• Describe the role of stimulus generalization in the context of conditioned responses.
  • Stimulus generalization is an important aspect of conditioned responses, where the conditioned response can be triggered by stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus. This means that the individual may respond to a range of stimuli that share characteristics with the original conditioned stimulus, even if they are not exactly the same. Stimulus generalization allows the individual to adapt and respond appropriately to a variety of situations, even if they are not identical to the original conditioning experience.
• Analyze how the timing and frequency of the pairing between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli can influence the strength of a conditioned response.
  • The strength of a conditioned response can be influenced by the timing and frequency of the pairing between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli. If the conditioned stimulus is consistently paired with the unconditioned stimulus in a predictable and reliable manner, the conditioned response will be stronger and more reliable. However, if the pairing is inconsistent or the timing between the stimuli is variable, the conditioned response may be weaker or more difficult to establish. Additionally, the more frequent the pairings between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli, the stronger the conditioned response will become over time.

Related terms

Classical Conditioning: A type of learning where a neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, eventually causing the neutral stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Stimulus: A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response, without any prior learning or conditioning.

Unconditioned Response: The natural, involuntary response that occurs in reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.