Question

Christopher used to drink water from a drinking fountain just before physics class. One time, he felt nauseated right after drinking the water. After that, to avoid the risk of nausea, he stopped drinking at the fountain. Christopher learned a connection between the water fountain and feeling nauseated because he experienced __________ . a. acquisition b. extinction c. spontaneous recovery d. counterconditioning

Short answer

The correct answer is a. Acquisition.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Options

First, we need to understand what each term means in the context of classical conditioning. \n\na. Acquisition: This is when a new behavior is learned or established. \n\nb. Extinction: This is when the learned behavior is eliminated over time, usually due to a lack of reinforcement. \n\nc. Spontaneous recovery: This is when a previously extinguished behavior reemerges after a certain period of time. \n\nd. Counterconditioning: This is a technique employed to replace a negative or unwanted behavior with a positive one.

Analyzing the Scenario

Now, looking at Christopher’s scenario, he used to drink water from the fountain before class. He then had a bad experience where he felt nauseated after drinking the water. From then on, he associated drinking water from the fountain with feeling sick and decided to stop drinking from it to avoid feeling nauseated again. This scenario is a learning process where a new behavior (avoidance of the water fountain) was established following a negative stimulus (feeling nauseated).

Choose the Correct Option

When we compare the scenario with all the given options, we find that it best aligns with 'acquisition'. After the experience of nausea, Christopher learned and acquired a new behavior of not drinking from the fountain. None of the other options quite fit the scenario.

Key concepts

Acquisition

In classical conditioning, acquisition is the initial stage where a new response is learned. This happens when a neutral stimulus (like a drinking fountain) is associated with an unconditioned stimulus (feeling nauseated), causing a conditioned response (avoidance of the fountain). During acquisition:

• The subject begins to respond to a previously neutral stimulus.
• This is due to the stimulus being paired repeatedly with an unconditioned response.
• The learned behavior becomes more prominent over time.

It's akin to learning the first chapter in a book - once the connection is strong, the subject can predict and react to the stimulus without needing the unconditioned response. Christopher, in this case, associated the fountain with nausea, showing that the acquisition has occurred.

Extinction

Extinction occurs when the conditioned response gradually diminishes because the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus. For example, if Christopher drank from the fountain multiple times without feeling sick, over time:

• The association between the fountain and nausea would weaken.
• Eventually, the avoidance behavior might disappear altogether.
• This process helps in unlearning behaviors or associations that are no longer relevant.

Think of it like forgetting a fear once you realize the cause is not present anymore. Extinction enables subjects to adapt by eliminating unnecessary responses.

Spontaneous Recovery

Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period post-extinction. Even after the response seems extinguished, it can suddenly come back:

• This shows the behavior wasn't entirely forgotten, just suppressed.
• Recovery is usually temporary and weaker than the initial learning.
• The environment or context can trigger this resurgence.

Imagine waking up years later still slightly uneasy about a harmless sound you used to fear. Christopher might avoid the fountain again if he recalled the nausea despite previously overcoming the association.

Counterconditioning

Counterconditioning involves replacing an unwanted conditioned response with a new, more desirable one. It's a bit like changing the ending of a story:

• The negative response is paired with a positive stimulus.
• Over time, the new positive behavior takes place of the old negative response.
• This is often used to treat phobias and anxiety.

For Christopher, a counterconditioning approach could involve combining the fountain with a pleasant experience. For example, he could drink water with friends and feel relaxed. This would over time change his nausea association to one of enjoyment when near the fountain.