AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In Pavlov’s classic experiment, the food represents what is known as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). The UCS naturally and automatically triggers a response. 1 Pavlov’s dogs salivating in response to the food is an example of the unconditioned response.

Detailed explanation-2: -What is an unconditioned stimulus? An unconditioned stimulus (UCS or US) can naturally elicit an automatic response without prior conditioning or learning. It is also called the primary reinforcer. The involuntary response, also known as the unconditioned response, is a reflex triggered by the unconditioned stimulus.

Detailed explanation-3: -In Pavlov’s experiment, the food was the unconditioned stimulus. An unconditioned response is an automatic response to a stimulus. The dogs salivating for food is the unconditioned response in Pavlov’s experiment.

Detailed explanation-4: -The unconditioned response is the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus. Through classical conditioning the neutral stimulus is then associated to become the conditioned stimulus, causing a conditioned response. The conditioned response is reinforced as the process is repeated.

Detailed explanation-5: -Conditioned stimulus vs unconditioned stimulus The main difference between a conditioned and unconditioned stimulus is that an unconditioned stimulus is a reflexive response that can naturally trigger biologically involuntary behavior while a conditioned stimulus can only do this after conditioning.