Alexis uses cocaine, which activates her sympathetic nervous system. Expecting her dealer, her hands shake and her heart pounds when she hears a knock on the door. In this scenario, which of the following alternatives correctly identifies the neutral stimulus, the CS, and the UCS?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The neutral stimulus is the knock on the door because it does not naturally elicit a response. The CS is also the knock on the door because it has become associated with the UCS (cocaine) and now also elicits a response (shaking hands and pounding heart). The UCS is cocaine because it naturally elicits a response (activating the sympathetic nervous system). Therefore, option C correctly identifies the neutral stimulus as the knock on the door, the CS as the knock on the door, and the UCS as cocaine.

Alexis Uses Cocaine, Which Activates Her Sympathetic Nervous System