Question

On a different occasion, Diana stumbles on a set of stairs and crashes towards the pavement. She reaches out to break her fall and feels a crackling sensation as her hand hits the ground. She finds a large scrape across her palm that does not completely heal for weeks. For months after this event, Diana feels anxious whenever she sees a set of stairs. In terms of classical conditioning, the sight of stairs would be described as which of the following?

A) Conditioned stimulus
B) Unconditioned response
C) Conditioned response
D) Unconditioned stimulus

Answer 1

In terms of classical conditioning, the sight of the stairs would be described as:

A) conditioned stimulus.

Step-by-step explanation:

When it comes to classical conditioning, we can define a conditioned stimulus as a neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned stimulus and, eventually, begins to trigger a conditioned response. Diana has associated the stairs with the stumble and injury - unconditioned stimulus and unconditioned response, respectively - she had months ago. The sight of the stairs is now a conditioned stimulus, meaning it causes a conditioned response which is, in this case, the anxiety she feels.