Conditioned stimulus meaning

A conditioned stimulus is a previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a specific response.


Conditioned stimulus definitions

Word backwards denoitidnoc sulumits
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "conditioned stimulus" is a noun.
Syllabic division con-di-tioned stim-u-lus
Plural The plural of the word conditioned stimulus is conditioned stimuli.
Total letters 19
Vogais (4) o,i,e,u
Consonants (7) c,n,d,t,s,m,l

Conditioned Stimulus

Definition

A conditioned stimulus is a previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually triggers a conditioned response.

Classical Conditioning

Conditioned stimuli are a crucial component of classical conditioning, a theory introduced by Ivan Pavlov in the early 20th century. In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus until the neutral stimulus alone can evoke a response.

Example

One of the most famous examples of conditioned stimulus is Pavlov's experiment with dogs. He rang a bell (neutral stimulus) every time before feeding them. Over time, the dogs began to salivate at the sound of the bell alone, even without the presence of food.

Conditioned Response

Once the conditioned stimulus reliably produces the conditioned response, it is considered to be a part of the learning process. The conditioned response is the reaction caused by the conditioned stimulus after the association has been formed.

Association

The key to conditioned stimulus is the association between the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus. Through repeated pairings, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus that can produce the same response as the unconditioned stimulus.

Applications

Conditioned stimuli are used in various real-life scenarios, such as in advertising, education, and therapy. By understanding how conditioned stimuli influence behavior, professionals can create targeted interventions to modify responses in individuals.

Conclusion

Conditioned stimulus plays a significant role in shaping behavior and responses through the process of classical conditioning. By recognizing the power of association between stimuli, we can better understand how individuals learn and adapt to their environment.


Conditioned stimulus Examples

  1. During Pavlov's famous experiment, the ringing of a bell became a conditioned stimulus for the dogs to start salivating.
  2. In classical conditioning, the sight of food can serve as a conditioned stimulus to trigger a hungry response.
  3. A certain smell may act as a conditioned stimulus for someone to recall a specific memory from their past.
  4. The sound of a car horn can become a conditioned stimulus for pedestrians to look before crossing the street.
  5. For some people, the sight of a needle is a conditioned stimulus that triggers fear or anxiety.
  6. The taste of a particular food can act as a conditioned stimulus to evoke feelings of nostalgia.
  7. The sound of a microwave beeping can become a conditioned stimulus for feeling hungry.
  8. The song that played during a first dance can act as a conditioned stimulus to evoke memories of a wedding.
  9. The feeling of a warm breeze on a summer day can serve as a conditioned stimulus for relaxation.
  10. The buzzing sound of a mosquito can become a conditioned stimulus for someone to swat at their arm.


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  • Updated 19/06/2024 - 12:34:41