A Researcher in a Classical Conditioning Experiment First Conditions a Dog

question 12

Multiple Choice

A researcher in a classical conditioning experiment first conditions a dog to salivate in response to the presentation of a red circle. After this response has been established, she presents a light immediately before she displays the red circle and after several trials, the light comes to trigger the salivation response. This example best demonstrates the
Process of:

• A) stimulus generalization.
• B) backward pairing of the conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus.
• C) higher-order conditioning.
• D) discrimination.

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Definitions:

Neutral Stimulus

A stimulus that initially produces no specific response other than focusing attention, until it is paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Stimulus

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any prior learning.

Partial Conditioner

An agent or factor that has a conditional effect, contributing to an outcome only in certain contexts or situations.