Rachel has found that when she opens up the cupboard door to get the cat food,the cats come running to the kitchen.Rachel knows that this is classical conditioning,that the unconditioned stimulus is the __________ and that the conditioned stimulus is the ___________.
A)cat food; cupboard door opening
B)kitchen; cat food
C)cupboard door opening; cat food
D)cat food; kitchen

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In classical conditioning, the unconditioned stimulus (US) is something that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any learning needed. In this case, the cat food is the US because it naturally makes the cats come running. The conditioned stimulus (CS) is a previously neutral stimulus that, after being associated with the US, triggers a conditioned response. Here, the cupboard door opening is the CS because it has been associated with the cat food and now causes the cats to come running.

Rachel Has Found That When She Opens Up the Cupboard