Question

​In a typical classical conditioning experiment by Pavlov, a buzzer or tone serves as a(n)

a. ​neutral stimulus that is paired with a conditioned response.
b. ​unconditioned stimulus that becomes a conditioned stimulus.
c. ​neutral stimulus that becomes a conditioned stimulus.
d. ​conditioned stimulus that becomes a neutral stimulus through the process of association.

Answer 1

In classical conditioning, a buzzer or tone starts as a neutral stimulus and becomes a conditioned stimulus once it is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus (like meat powder) and elicits the conditioned response of salivation.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a typical classical conditioning experiment by Ivan Pavlov, a buzzer or tone serves initially as a neutral stimulus, which is a stimulus that does not naturally elicit a response. When Pavlov repeatedly paired the tone with the unconditioned stimulus (meat powder), the tone eventually elicited salivation from the dogs on its own. Therefore, the correct answer is c. ​neutral stimulus which becomes a conditioned stimulus. The tone, originally a neutral stimulus, becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) through repetitive association with the meat powder, which is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). As a result of this process, the tone, now a conditioned stimulus, elicits the conditioned response (CR) of salivation, which was initially an unconditioned response (UCR) to the food.