AP Psychology Flashcards: Classical Conditioning
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 26 cards to help you master important concepts.
How can classical conditioning explain emotional responses?
Emotional responses can be classically conditioned by associating a neutral stimulus with an emotion-evoking stimulus.
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How can classical conditioning explain emotional responses?
Emotional responses can be classically conditioned by associating a neutral stimulus with an emotion-evoking stimulus.
What is 'one-trial conditioning'?
One-trial conditioning, often demonstrated by taste aversions, is a form of learning where an association is made after only one pairing of the CS and UCS.
Briefly describe the transition from an unconditioned to a conditioned response.
An unconditioned response (UCR) to an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) becomes a conditioned response (CR) when it is elicited by a conditioned stimulus (CS) after pairing.
Define: Extinction (in classical conditioning)
Extinction is the diminishing of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
What is the relationship between the CS-UCS pairing and extinction?
A conditioned response can become extinct if the conditioned stimulus (CS) is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS).
What two unique conditioning principles are demonstrated by taste aversions?
Taste aversions demonstrate one-trial conditioning, where the association is learned after a single pairing, and biological preparedness.
Define: Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
An unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is a stimulus that naturally and automatically elicits a response.
What is the primary focus of the behavioral perspective regarding learning?
The behavioral perspective focuses on observable behavior that is learned through processes like conditioning.
Define: Unconditioned Response (UCR)
An unconditioned response (UCR) is the unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus.
Define: Stimulus Discrimination
Stimulus discrimination is the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.
How does a conditioned stimulus (CS) act in higher-order conditioning?
In higher-order conditioning, a previously established conditioned stimulus (CS) is used as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to condition a new stimulus.
If you repeatedly ring a bell without presenting food to a conditioned dog, and the dog stops salivating, what has occurred?
This is an example of extinction, as the conditioned response has diminished because the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
What type of therapy is based on the classical conditioning of emotional responses?
Therapies like counterconditioning are based on the principles of classically conditioned emotional responses.
How does classical conditioning apply to behavior and mental processes?
Classical conditioning explains how we learn to associate stimuli, which in turn influences our observable behaviors and internal mental processes like emotional responses.
Define: Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
A conditioned stimulus (CS) is an originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response.
Define: Taste Aversion
A taste aversion is a classically conditioned dislike for and avoidance of a particular food that develops when an organism becomes ill after eating the food.
Define: Stimulus Generalization
Stimulus generalization is the tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses.
If a child who was bitten by a poodle is now afraid of all small dogs, what concept does this illustrate?
This demonstrates stimulus generalization, where a conditioned fear response to one stimulus (poodle) is elicited by similar stimuli (all small dogs).
From which psychological perspective did theories about learning via conditioning evolve?
The behavioral perspective evolved from theories about learning via conditioning, focusing on observable behavior.
Define: Spontaneous Recovery
Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response.
Define: Habituation
Habituation is an organism's decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it.
What is a critical factor for successful acquisition in classical conditioning?
The order of presenting the conditioned stimulus (CS) with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is important for successful acquisition.
What is biological preparedness?
Biological preparedness is the idea that an organism is innately predisposed to form associations between certain stimuli and responses, as seen in taste aversions.
What is the core principle of classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning focuses on associating one stimulus with another to elicit a response.
Define: Conditioned Response (CR)
A conditioned response (CR) is a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus.
Define: Higher-Order Conditioning
Higher-order conditioning is a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus.