Mary's cat learned to associate the sound from the electric can opener with being fed, so every time Mary used the can opener, her cat would run into the kitchen. In terms of classical conditioning, the electric can opener is the _____
A) conditioned stimulus
B) unconditioned stimulus
C) primary stimulus
D) secondary stimulus
E) reinforcer

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electric can opener is the conditioned stimulus because it is the previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with the unconditioned stimulus (being fed) through repeated pairings, leading to a conditioned response (the cat running into the kitchen).

Mary's Cat Learned to Associate the Sound from the Electric