Solved Classical Conditioning Worksheet Directions: Six | Chegg.com - Free Printable

Let's go through each scenario and identify the components of classical conditioning using the standard terms:

- Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning.
- Unconditioned Response (UCR): The natural, unlearned response to the unconditioned stimulus.
- Neutral Stimulus (NS): A stimulus that initially does not trigger any specific response.
- Conditioned Stimulus (CS): The neutral stimulus that, after being paired with the UCS, eventually triggers a conditioned response.
- Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to the previously neutral stimulus.

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1. The Shower

> When Miah gets back to the dormitory after jogging around the campus, he likes to take a quick shower before going to class. One morning while taking a shower he hears someone flushing a nearby toilet. Suddenly, extremely hot water comes rushing out of the showerhead and Miah experiences excruciating pain. After muttering a few obscenities, he continues showering. A few minutes later, Miah hears another toilet flush and he leaps out of the shower.

#### 1. What is the unconditioned stimulus?
- Answer: Extremely hot water coming out of the showerhead
*(This naturally causes pain without prior learning.)*

#### 2. What is the unconditioned response?
- Answer: Excruciating pain (and jumping out of the shower)
*(The automatic reaction to the hot water.)*

#### 3. What is the neutral stimulus that becomes the conditioned stimulus?
- Answer: The sound of the toilet flushing
*(Initially, this sound did nothing — it was neutral. But after being paired with the hot water, it became significant.)*

#### 4. What is the conditioned response?
- Answer: Leaping out of the shower when hearing the toilet flush
*(Now, just hearing the flush triggers the same response as the hot water — even without the hot water.)*

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2. Stop the Carousel I Want to Get Off

> Molly was ecstatic when she learned her family was going to the state fair next weekend. When her family arrived at the state fair the temperature was in excess of 100°F, but Molly didn’t care because she was finally there. Molly stopped and watched some clowns performing next to the carousel. As she watched the silly antics of the clowns with the carousel music playing in the background, Molly got more and more sweaty and uncomfortable. Eventually, she fainted in the heat. After that trip to the state fair, every time Molly hears carousel musical she feels a little dizzy.

#### 1. What is the unconditioned stimulus?
- Answer: The extreme heat (temperature over 100°F)
*(This naturally causes dizziness and fainting.)*

#### 2. What is the unconditioned response?
- Answer: Feeling dizzy and fainting
*(A natural physiological response to overheating.)*

#### 3. What is the neutral stimulus that becomes the conditioned stimulus?
- Answer: The carousel music
*(At first, the music was just background noise — neutral. But it was repeatedly paired with the heat, so it became associated with discomfort.)*

#### 4. What is the conditioned response?
- Answer: Feeling dizzy when hearing carousel music
*(Even in normal temperatures, the music now triggers dizziness — a learned response.)*

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3. When Good Tuna Goes Bad

> Ryan was really looking forward to lunch because his mother had prepared a tuna salad sandwich. Unfortunately, the mayonnaise she used had been left out too long and was spoiled. Not long after eating the sandwich, Ryan felt sick and had to rush to the bathroom. Thereafter, the mere mention of a tuna sandwich would make Ryan nauseous.

#### 1. What is the unconditioned stimulus?
- Answer: Spoiled mayonnaise (or the toxins in the spoiled food)
*(This naturally causes nausea and illness.)*

#### 2. What is the unconditioned response?
- Answer: Feeling sick and rushing to the bathroom
*(Natural bodily reaction to ingesting spoiled food.)*

#### 3. What is the neutral stimulus that becomes the conditioned stimulus?
- Answer: The tuna sandwich (or the sight/smell/mention of it)
*(Before the incident, the sandwich was enjoyable — neutral. After being paired with illness, it became aversive.)*

#### 4. What is the conditioned response?
- Answer: Feeling nauseous when thinking about or hearing about a tuna sandwich
*(Now, even the idea of the sandwich makes Ryan feel sick — a learned association.)*

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Summary Table

| Scenario | UCS | UCR | NS → CS | CR |
|--------|-----|-----|--------|----|
| The Shower | Hot water | Pain & jump | Toilet flush → CS | Leap out of shower |
| Carousel | Extreme heat | Dizziness/fainting | Carousel music → CS | Feel dizzy |
| Tuna Sandwich | Spoiled mayonnaise | Nausea/vomiting | Tuna sandwich → CS | Nausea at mention |

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✔ Key Takeaway: Classical conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, causing the neutral stimulus to eventually evoke a similar response — now called a conditioned response. This explains how we form emotional and physical reactions to things that were once harmless.