Question

A college student plays a prank on a roommate by popping a balloon behind the roommate's head after every time making popcorn. Before long, the smell of popcorn makes the roommate nervous. Which part of the story corresponds to each of the classical conditioning concepts below? \- Conditioned stimulus: \- Unconditioned stimulus: \- Conditioned response: \- Unconditioned response:

Short answer

US: balloon popping; UR: nervousness; CS: smell of popcorn; CR: nervousness.

Step-by-step solution

- Identify the Unconditioned Stimulus

The unconditioned stimulus (US) is the stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any learning. In this story, the unconditioned stimulus is the balloon popping behind the roommate's head.

- Identify the Unconditioned Response

The unconditioned response (UR) is the automatic response that occurs in reaction to the unconditioned stimulus. Here, the unconditioned response is the roommate's nervousness due to the balloon popping.

- Identify the Conditioned Stimulus

The conditioned stimulus (CS) is the previously neutral stimulus that, after being associated with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually triggers a conditioned response. The conditioned stimulus in this scenario is the smell of popcorn.

- Identify the Conditioned Response

The conditioned response (CR) is the learned response to the conditioned stimulus after conditioning. In this case, the conditioned response is the roommate's nervousness in reaction to the smell of popcorn.

Key concepts

Unconditioned Stimulus

In classical conditioning, the unconditioned stimulus (US) is something that naturally triggers a response without prior learning. This stimulus has a kind of automatic power. For example, in our exercise, the balloon's sudden pop is the unconditioned stimulus. It naturally makes the roommate nervous without any previous need to learn this response. Unconditioned stimuli are powerful triggers. They can include things like:

• Food causing salivation in dogs
• A loud noise startling someone
• A puff of air making you blink

Each of these examples shows how the unconditioned stimulus works without any conditioning. The organism doesn't need to learn how to react; it just does.

Unconditioned Response

The unconditioned response (UR) is the automatic reaction to the unconditioned stimulus. It happens naturally and without prior learning. In our exercise, the roommate's nervousness when the balloon pops is the unconditioned response. This reaction is immediate and reflexive because the balloon popping is startling. Unconditioned responses can also include:

• Dogs salivating when they see food
• Jumping at a loud noise
• Blinking when a bright light is shined in your eyes

These responses are not taught; they are inherent and occur subconsciously when the unconditioned stimulus is presented.

Conditioned Stimulus

The conditioned stimulus (CS) starts as a neutral stimulus. It doesn't usually cause a response on its own. However, after being paired repeatedly with the unconditioned stimulus, it starts to evoke a response. In our case, the smell of popcorn becomes the conditioned stimulus. At first, popcorn's smell is just a pleasant neutral scent. But after repeatedly being paired with the balloon popping, it begins to make the roommate nervous. Typical examples of conditioned stimuli might include:

• A bell ringing when food is presented (for dogs)
• A specific sound before giving a shock
• Seeing a dentist chair before getting dental work

This association process is what makes classical conditioning effective, linking the neutral stimulus with a significant unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response

A conditioned response (CR) is the learned response to the previously neutral stimulus, which is now the conditioned stimulus. Post-conditioning, this response is similar to the unconditioned response but is now linked to the conditioned stimulus. In the exercise, the roommate's nervousness due to the popcorn's smell is a conditioned response. Their body has learned to associate the previously neutral smell with the startling balloon pop.
Conditioned responses are crucial in demonstrating learning and behavior changes. Some common instances include:

• Dogs salivating at the sound of a bell
• Feeling tense upon hearing a loud siren
• Feeling anxious at the sight of a hospital

These responses illustrate how our behaviors and reactions can be shaped through repeated associations.