Concept Definition: Simultaneous Conditioning

Important characteristics of Simultaneous Conditioning:

• CS and US onsets occur at the same time.
• Produces weaker conditioned responding than Short Delay Conditioning.

Consider the unconditioned reflex whereby food elicits (US) elicits salivation (UR). In Simultaneous Conditioning, a tone (NS) might sound at the same time that food (US) is presented. Consequently, the tone (CS) may come to elicit salivation (CR) even in the absence of food, but probably not to the same extent than a similar case in which the tone immediately precedes the food delivery.