Advertising makes use of classical conditioning. For example, a product is presented along with some naturally appealing stimulus (e.g., a physically attractive person). In this case, the product begins as the
A)unconditioned stimulus.
B)neutral stimulus.
C)conditioned stimulus.
D)unconditioned response.
E)conditioned response.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus is something that initially does not elicit a strong or innate response until it is associated with an unconditioned stimulus. In the context of advertising, the product starts as a neutral stimulus because, before conditioning, it does not naturally elicit the response that marketers want (e.g., desire, happiness). Through repeated association with an appealing stimulus (like a physically attractive person, which acts as the unconditioned stimulus), the product (neutral stimulus) becomes a conditioned stimulus, capable of eliciting a similar response on its own.

Advertising Makes Use of Classical Conditioning