ABSTRACT
The classical conditioning paradigm concerns the pairing of two stimuli, the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). The CS is originally a neutral stimulus that elicits no particular response. The UCS is a stimulus that always elicits a response, the unconditioned response. Another area of research that uses instrumental conditioning to investigate memory has linked biological psychology to concepts used in cognitive psychology. Instrumental conditioning is concerned with rewards and punishments that are a consequence of voluntary behavior. Furthermore, if the consequence is pleasurable, the behavior is more likely to be repeated and if it is unfavorable the behavior is less likely to be repeated. In other words, the behavior may or may not be reinforced. The median forebrain bundle reinforces the connection between the system that detects the pleasurable stimulus and the motor system that carries out the desired behavior.
