Classical Conditioning

 ^ Click the letters above to view the different charts. These charts display the timing of the CS and the UCS in the Classical Conditioning Module.

 

Timing is Everything

  1. In trace conditioning, the CS precedes and is terminated before the onset of the US.
  2. The onset of the CS and the US in trace conditioning is shown in figure a. Only the onset of stimuli influence learning in the present model.
  3. In delay conditioning, the CS is present throughout the presentation of the US. In the present model, this situation is handled identically to trace conditioning.
  4. In simultaneous conditioning, the CS and the US are presented at the same time. This does not usually result in any learning.
  5. In backward conditioning, the US is presented before the CS. No association is established since the CS has no predictive power in this case.
  6. In extinction, the CS is presented on its own. This extinguishes a previously established association with the US. (t refers to the passing of time.)