Testosterone levels rise in male rats if they smell a nearby female rat that is in heat. In a proposed experiment, one male rat was allowed to mate only with females who wore oil of wintergreen "perfume." After several such exposures, the male's testosterone levels rose whenever he smelled oil of wintergreen. What serves as the CS in this example?
A) the opportunity to mate
B) the male rat's testosterone level
C) the natural smell of the female
D) the smell of oil of wintergreen

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The smell of oil of wintergreen serves as the conditioned stimulus (CS) because it was paired with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) of mating with a female rat. The male rat learned to associate the smell of oil of wintergreen with the opportunity to mate, which caused his testosterone levels to rise.

Testosterone Levels Rise in Male Rats If They Smell a Nearby