PSYC*1000 — WEEK 6 MASTER STUDY SHEET
Chapter 6 | Learning: Classical Conditioning · Operant Conditioning · Cognitive & Observational
Learning
PART 1: CLASSICAL CONDITIONING (Chapter 6.1)
Core Definition
Learning: Any relatively permanent change in behavior as a result of practice or experience. Changes
due to growth or maturation are NOT learning.
Classical Conditioning: A form of learning that occurs through the repeated association of 2 or more
different stimuli; learning occurs when a stimulus consistently produces a response it did not
previously produce.
Association: The tendency to connect events that occur together in space or time — the KEY to
learning.
The 3 General Kinds of Learning
• Classical Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning
• Cognitive Learning
Behaviourism Theorists Timeline
Theorist Lifespan Research Key Contribution
Period
Ivan Pavlov 1849–1936 1890s–1900s Classical conditioning / salivation
experiments
Edward Thorndike 1874–1949 1900s–1930s Law of Effect / Connectionism / Puzzle
Box
John Watson 1878–1958 1910s–1920 Behaviourism / Little Albert experiment
B.F. Skinner 1904–1990 1930s–1960s Operant conditioning / Skinner Box /
Shaping
Ivan Pavlov's Research
Pavlov was a Russian physiologist who first described classical conditioning in 1899 while studying
dogs' digestive systems. He won the Nobel Prize for Medicine/Physiology in 1904.
He observed dogs salivated not just to food, but to the lab tech who fed them — prompting further
controlled experiments.
KEY STIMULUS TERMS — MUST MEMORIZE
Term Abbr Definition Pavlov Example
eviat
ion
Unconditioned US / Elicits a predictable response Food in mouth
, Stimulus UCS WITHOUT training
Unconditioned UR / Automatic/natural reaction to a Salivation to food
Response UCR stimulus without training
Neutral Stimulus NS Initially does NOT elicit a Bell (before training)
response
Conditioned CS Elicits a response DUE TO Bell (after training)
Stimulus being paired with the UCS
Conditioned CR The LEARNED reaction to a Salivation to bell alone
Response CS
⭐ EXAM TIP: In Pavlov's experiment: Food=US → Salivation=UR. Bell+Food repeatedly → Bell
becomes CS → Salivation to bell alone = CR.
Acquisition
Acquisition: The formation of a learned response to a stimulus through repeated pairing of CS and
UCS. The most critical factor is the ORDER and TIMING of presentation.
4 Factors that influence Classical Conditioning:
• Number of pairings of CS and US
• Intensity of the US
• How reliably the CS predicts the US
• Temporal (time) relationship between CS and US
Other Classical Conditioning Concepts
Stimulus Generalization: The tendency for another stimulus to produce a response similar to the
CR. Greater similarity between stimuli = greater chance of generalization. (e.g., dogs salivate to
similar-sounding bells)
Extinction: The gradual decrease in strength or rate of a CR when the UCS is no longer presented.
Occurs when a CR no longer follows presentation of the CS.
⭐ EXAM TIP: Extinction does NOT mean the learning is erased — the association can
spontaneously recover.
John Watson & Little Albert (1920)
Classic experiment on conditioning emotions — one of the most famous (and ethically controversial)
studies in psychology.
• Subject: 11-month-old infant known as 'Little Albert'
• White rat (NS) + loud bang (UCS) → startle/fear response (UR)
• After repeated pairings: White rat (CS) → Fear (CR)
• Little Albert also feared other white, furry things (generalization)
Watson's views were widely accepted despite NOT being based on strong research evidence, and his
work is now recognized as having fundamental errors and significant ethical concerns.
Adaptive Value of Classical Conditioning
Adaptive Value: Usefulness of certain traits evolved in animals/humans that increase chances of
survival.
Chapter 6 | Learning: Classical Conditioning · Operant Conditioning · Cognitive & Observational
Learning
PART 1: CLASSICAL CONDITIONING (Chapter 6.1)
Core Definition
Learning: Any relatively permanent change in behavior as a result of practice or experience. Changes
due to growth or maturation are NOT learning.
Classical Conditioning: A form of learning that occurs through the repeated association of 2 or more
different stimuli; learning occurs when a stimulus consistently produces a response it did not
previously produce.
Association: The tendency to connect events that occur together in space or time — the KEY to
learning.
The 3 General Kinds of Learning
• Classical Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning
• Cognitive Learning
Behaviourism Theorists Timeline
Theorist Lifespan Research Key Contribution
Period
Ivan Pavlov 1849–1936 1890s–1900s Classical conditioning / salivation
experiments
Edward Thorndike 1874–1949 1900s–1930s Law of Effect / Connectionism / Puzzle
Box
John Watson 1878–1958 1910s–1920 Behaviourism / Little Albert experiment
B.F. Skinner 1904–1990 1930s–1960s Operant conditioning / Skinner Box /
Shaping
Ivan Pavlov's Research
Pavlov was a Russian physiologist who first described classical conditioning in 1899 while studying
dogs' digestive systems. He won the Nobel Prize for Medicine/Physiology in 1904.
He observed dogs salivated not just to food, but to the lab tech who fed them — prompting further
controlled experiments.
KEY STIMULUS TERMS — MUST MEMORIZE
Term Abbr Definition Pavlov Example
eviat
ion
Unconditioned US / Elicits a predictable response Food in mouth
, Stimulus UCS WITHOUT training
Unconditioned UR / Automatic/natural reaction to a Salivation to food
Response UCR stimulus without training
Neutral Stimulus NS Initially does NOT elicit a Bell (before training)
response
Conditioned CS Elicits a response DUE TO Bell (after training)
Stimulus being paired with the UCS
Conditioned CR The LEARNED reaction to a Salivation to bell alone
Response CS
⭐ EXAM TIP: In Pavlov's experiment: Food=US → Salivation=UR. Bell+Food repeatedly → Bell
becomes CS → Salivation to bell alone = CR.
Acquisition
Acquisition: The formation of a learned response to a stimulus through repeated pairing of CS and
UCS. The most critical factor is the ORDER and TIMING of presentation.
4 Factors that influence Classical Conditioning:
• Number of pairings of CS and US
• Intensity of the US
• How reliably the CS predicts the US
• Temporal (time) relationship between CS and US
Other Classical Conditioning Concepts
Stimulus Generalization: The tendency for another stimulus to produce a response similar to the
CR. Greater similarity between stimuli = greater chance of generalization. (e.g., dogs salivate to
similar-sounding bells)
Extinction: The gradual decrease in strength or rate of a CR when the UCS is no longer presented.
Occurs when a CR no longer follows presentation of the CS.
⭐ EXAM TIP: Extinction does NOT mean the learning is erased — the association can
spontaneously recover.
John Watson & Little Albert (1920)
Classic experiment on conditioning emotions — one of the most famous (and ethically controversial)
studies in psychology.
• Subject: 11-month-old infant known as 'Little Albert'
• White rat (NS) + loud bang (UCS) → startle/fear response (UR)
• After repeated pairings: White rat (CS) → Fear (CR)
• Little Albert also feared other white, furry things (generalization)
Watson's views were widely accepted despite NOT being based on strong research evidence, and his
work is now recognized as having fundamental errors and significant ethical concerns.
Adaptive Value of Classical Conditioning
Adaptive Value: Usefulness of certain traits evolved in animals/humans that increase chances of
survival.
