CONDITIONAL REFLEX Meaning and
Definition
-
A conditional reflex is a psychological concept that refers to a type of learned response that occurs as a result of the association between a specific stimulus and a particular outcome. Also known as a "conditional response," this type of reflex is formed through the process of classical conditioning, which was extensively studied by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist.
In a conditional reflex, an initially neutral stimulus, known as the conditioned stimulus (CS), is paired repeatedly with an unconditioned stimulus (US) that naturally elicits an involuntary response, known as the unconditioned response (UR). Through this repetitive association, the conditioned stimulus eventually acquires the ability to elicit a similar response, which is then referred to as the conditioned response (CR).
For example, in Pavlov's classical experiments, a dog's salivation at the presentation of food (US) was an unconditioned response (UR). However, when the dog was repeatedly exposed to the sound of a bell (CS) prior to food delivery, it learned to associate the bell with mealtime. Over time, the dog started to salivate (CR) at the sound of the bell alone, even in the absence of food. This acquired response is a prime example of a conditional reflex.
Overall, a conditional reflex is an acquired behavioral response that occurs as a result of the pairing of a neutral stimulus with a naturally occurring stimulus.
Common Misspellings for CONDITIONAL REFLEX
- xonditional reflex
- vonditional reflex
- fonditional reflex
- donditional reflex
- cinditional reflex
- cknditional reflex
- clnditional reflex
- cpnditional reflex
- c0nditional reflex
- c9nditional reflex
- cobditional reflex
- comditional reflex
- cojditional reflex
- cohditional reflex
- consitional reflex
- conxitional reflex
- concitional reflex
- confitional reflex
- conritional reflex
Etymology of CONDITIONAL REFLEX
The word "conditional" in "conditional reflex" refers to a condition or circumstance that determines an action or response. The word "reflex" refers to an automatic or involuntary reaction to a stimulus.
The term "conditional reflex" was coined by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, who is known for his groundbreaking work on classical conditioning. Pavlov conducted experiments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, involving dogs and studying their salivary responses to certain stimuli. He observed that after repeatedly pairing a neutral stimulus (such as the sound of a bell) with an unconditioned stimulus (such as food), the dogs would eventually develop a conditioned or learned response (salivating) to the neutral stimulus alone.
Pavlov used the term "conditional reflex" to describe this acquired, learned response that is dependent on the preceding condition or stimulus.
Similar spelling words for CONDITIONAL REFLEX
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
