If you previously associated a toolshed with wasps and then acquired a fear of wasps as a result of being stung, you might also feel anxious when walking near the toolshed. This is an example of _____.
A) sensory preconditioning
B) higher-order preconditioning
C) latent inhibition
D) overshadowing

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of sensory preconditioning because the individual first learned to associate the toolshed with wasps (two neutral stimuli) before developing a fear of wasps (one of the stimuli becomes conditioned). This prior association then leads to anxiety towards the toolshed, even though the fear was directly caused by being stung by wasps, not the toolshed itself.

If You Previously Associated a Toolshed with Wasps and Then