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3.7 Classical Conditioning

Syllabus
2025
Topic
3.7
Level
—

Learning objectives

3.7A—Explain how classical conditioning applies to behavior and mental processes. UNIT 3 Development and LearningExplain how classical conditioning applies to behavior and mental processes. UNIT 3 Development and Learning• The behavioral perspective evolved from theories about learning via conditioning. Behaviorists have traditionally focused on observable behavior to the exclusion of mental processes.• Classical conditioning focuses on the association of one stimulus with another stimulus to elicit a response. Learning the association (also known as acquisition) involves a series of steps that demonstrate principles of associative learning.- i. The unconditioned stimulus (UCS) elicits an unconditioned response (UCR). This response becomes the conditioned response (CR) when it is performed in response to the conditioned stimulus (CS).- ii. The order of presentation of the CS with the UCS is important to successful acquisition.- iii. A CR can become extinct when the CS is no longer paired with the UCS. A formerly extinct CR can be spontaneously recovered when the CS is again presented after extinction.- iv. Stimulus discrimination and generalization have been demonstrated in studies of classical conditioning.- v. A CS can be used as a UCS in higher-order conditioning.- Exclusion: Delayed conditioning, trace conditioning, simultaneous conditioning, and backward conditioning are outside the scope of the AP Psychology Exam.• Research has demonstrated that emotional responses can be classically conditioned. These findings form the basis of therapeutic interventions for many mental disorders, such as counterconditioning.- Exclusion: The expectancy theory is outside the scope of the AP Psychology Exam.• Research on taste aversions, which are acquired through classical conditioning, demonstrates one-trial conditioning and biological preparedness. One-trial learning occurs when the association is acquired through one pairing of the stimulus and response and is not strengthened by further pairings. Biological preparedness refers to how animals are biologically predisposed to learning certain stimulus-response pairings more quickly than others.• Habituation occurs when organisms grow accustomed to and exhibit a diminished response to a repeated or enduring stimulus.

How Classical Conditioning Builds an Association

Classical conditioning is associative learning in which one stimulus becomes able to elicit a response because it predicts another stimulus. Behaviorists study the observable stimulus-response pattern rather than relying on an unobservable mental explanation.

Phase Stimulus-response relation Example
Before acquisition UCS naturally elicits UCR Food (UCS) elicits salivation (UCR)
During acquisition A future CS is presented before and paired with the UCS Tone then food
After acquisition CS alone elicits CR Tone (CS) elicits salivation (CR)

UCR and CR may look similar, but they are identified by cause: the UCR is elicited by the UCS without learning, while the CR is elicited by the CS after learning. Correct labeling requires the sequence, not the response's appearance alone.

Process What changes
Extinction Repeated CS without UCS weakens the CR
Spontaneous recovery An extinguished CR returns when the CS is presented after a pause
Generalization Stimuli similar to the CS also elicit the CR
Discrimination The organism responds to the CS but not to distinct stimuli
Higher-order conditioning An established CS functions like a UCS for conditioning another cue

Emotional responses can be conditioned. Counterconditioning applies this principle therapeutically by pairing a cue linked to an unwanted response with learning that supports a different response. Expectancy theory is outside AP exam scope.

Taste aversion demonstrates one-trial conditioning: an association can be acquired from one pairing without later pairings strengthening it. It also demonstrates biological preparedness, because organisms are predisposed to learn some stimulus-response pairings faster than others.

Habituation is diminished responding after repeated or enduring exposure to one stimulus; it does not require learning that one stimulus predicts another. Delayed, trace, simultaneous, and backward conditioning are outside AP exam scope.