Alexis was a sick child who made frequent visits to the hospital to get her shots. One day she and her mother drove past the hospital, and Alexis began to cry. She repeatedly said, "Mommy, I don't want to see the doctor." In this example, the conditioned stimulus would be _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The conditioned stimulus is the hospital because it is what is causing the child to feel anxious and cry. The hospital is associated with getting shots and medical interventions, which have become a source of fear and stress for the child. The parking lot, shot, and nurse are all associated stimuli that may contribute to the fear response, but they are not the primary trigger.

Alexis Was a Sick Child Who Made Frequent Visits to the Hospital