Question

In this episode of The Office, Jim performed a classical conditioning experiment with Dwight. He played the Windows reboot sound in front of Dwight and then offered him an Altoid mint right afterward. Dwight said "sure" and reached out his hand to accept the Altoid. Jim repeated this procedure several times; each time, Dwight reached out his hand and accepted the Altoid. On the last attempt, Jim played the Windows reboot sound alone without offering Dwight an Altoid, and Dwight reached out his hand. Dwight then said "My mouth tastes so bad all of a sudden". Match the term to the corresponding example from the video.

A. Unconditioned stimulus
B. Unconditioned response
C. Conditioned stimulus
D. Conditioned response
1. The Windows reboot sound
2. Dwight reaching out his hand
3. Jim offering an Altoid
4. Dwight eating the Altoid

Answer 1

A. Unconditioned stimulus => Jim offering an Altoid

B. Unconditioned response => Dwight reaching out his hand

C. Conditioned stimulus => The Windows reboot sound

D. Conditioned response => Dwight reaching out his hand

Step-by-step explanation:

In classical conditioning, an unconditioned stimulus is a natural stimulus that elicits a response naturally. In the scenario above, Jim offering Dwight an Altoid would naturally make Dwight reach out his hand to receive the Altoid, which is a natural response elicited in Dwight. This natural response is the unconditioned response.

On the other hand, a conditioned stimulus can be referred to as a neutral stimulus that usually do not produce a response alone, but after being paired with a conditioned stimulus, it would become associated with it and would produce the same response if later presented alone. In the case stated in the question, the Windows reboot sound is a neutral stimulus which normally would not make Dwight reach out his hand, but after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus, it then becomes a conditioned stimulus when presented alone to elicit the same response that was elicited by the unconditioned stimulus. This response whereby Dwight reaches out his hand at the sound of the windows is referred to as the conditioned response.