Question

Students naturally feel excited when class ends, and they can meet with their friends. Teachers frequently use the word "tomorrow" just before class ends. When the end of the class period draws near, Ms. Fenton mentions what is planned for class "tomorrow." As soon as students hear her say the word tomorrow, they close their books and begin to pack up their backpacks.

What is the NS (Neutral Stimulus) in this scenario?
a) Meeting with friends
b) Class ending
c) Ms. Fenton
d) Mention of "tomorrow"

Answer 1

The NS (Neutral Stimulus) in this scenario is the mention of 'tomorrow' by Ms. Fenton.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the NS (Neutral Stimulus) is the mention of 'tomorrow' by Ms. Fenton. When Ms. Fenton mentions what is planned for class 'tomorrow,' it acts as a neutral stimulus because it does not initially elicit a strong response from the students. However, through repeated pairings with the unconditioned stimulus (class ending) and the subsequent closing of books and packing up of backpacks (conditioned response), the mention of 'tomorrow' becomes a conditioned stimulus that triggers the conditioned response of students closing their books and packing up their backpacks.