In the bell-food example, which response is the unconditioned response?

In the bell-food example, which response is the unconditioned response?

• A. Salivation to the Bell
• B. Salivation to the Food
• C. Barking
• D. Jumping

Answer: (B)

In classical conditioning, an unconditioned response is the automatic, reflexive reaction to an unconditioned stimulus. Here, the food acts as the unconditioned stimulus, and salivating in response to food is the natural, learned-free reflex. Therefore, salivation to the food is the unconditioned response. The bell, after being paired with the food, comes to elicit salivation as a learned (conditioned) response. Barking or jumping aren’t the reflexive salivation reaction to food, so they aren’t the unconditioned response here.

In classical conditioning, an unconditioned response is the automatic, reflexive reaction to an unconditioned stimulus. Here, the food acts as the unconditioned stimulus, and salivating in response to food is the natural, learned-free reflex. Therefore, salivation to the food is the unconditioned response. The bell, after being paired with the food, comes to elicit salivation as a learned (conditioned) response. Barking or jumping aren’t the reflexive salivation reaction to food, so they aren’t the unconditioned response here.