When Colin was young he was stung by a bee and had a severe allergic reaction. Now, many years later, whenever he hears a buzzing sound (including when people imitate a buzzing sound), he becomes nervous and panics. In this example, the conditional stimulus is
A) the bee.
B) the severe allergic reaction.
C) the buzzing sound.
D) Colin's reacting nervously and panicking.
E) the bee sting.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The conditional stimulus is the buzzing sound because it is the neutral stimulus that, after being associated with the unconditioned stimulus (the bee sting that caused the allergic reaction), now triggers the conditioned response (nervousness and panic) in Colin.

When Colin Was Young He Was Stung by a Bee