When Mr. Earlgray sits on a needle, he instinctively screams and then accidentally knocks over his cup of tea. He then claims that he will never drink tea again, because he finds the act too painful. In this situation, which provides the best example of an unconditioned stimulus?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The needle is the unconditioned stimulus as it naturally and automatically causes a physical pain response in Mr. Earlgray. His scream and the knocking over of the cup are both responses to the pain caused by the needle, and his decision to not drink tea again is a learned response that has developed from the association between the pain of sitting on the needle and drinking tea.

When Mr Earlgray Sits on a Needle, He Instinctively Screams and and Then