A researcher in a classical conditioning experiment is attempting to condition a startle response to a green light. To do this, she illuminates the light at the same time that she plays a very loud noise. This experiment is utilizing what is called simultaneous pairing of the
A)unconditioned stimulus and conditioned stimulus
B)unconditioned stimulus and unconditioned response
C)unconditioned response and conditioned stimulus
D)unconditioned response and conditioned response

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In this experiment, the very loud noise is the unconditioned stimulus (US) because it naturally elicits a startle response, which is the unconditioned response (UR). The green light is the conditioned stimulus (CS) because it is a neutral stimulus that is being paired with the US (loud noise) to elicit a conditioned response (CR), which is similar to the UR (startle response). Simultaneous pairing means the CS and US are presented at the same time.

A Researcher in a Classical Conditioning Experiment Is Attempting to Condition