A Conditioned Stimulus Is

question 245

Multiple Choice

A conditioned stimulus is

• A) a stimulus that elicits an unconditioned response without previous conditioning.
• B) an unlearned reaction that occurs without previous conditioning.
• C) a previously neutral stimulus that, through conditioning, acquires the capacity to elicit a conditioned response.
• D) a learned reaction that occurs because of previous conditioning.

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Definitions:

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited only by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.

Conditioned Stimulus

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

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without the need for prior learning.

Variable-interval

In the context of psychology, a schedule of reinforcement where a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed.