Question

In classical conditioning, what term describes a stimulus that naturally triggers a response?

• A. Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
• B. Neutral Stimulus (NS)
• C. Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
• D. Conditioned Response (CR)

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

In classical conditioning, an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any prior learning. For example, food is an unconditioned stimulus because it naturally causes salivation. This concept is central to understanding how associations are formed in classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus by being repeatedly paired with the UCS.