AP Psychology Practice Test

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

1. The initial natural reaction to a stimulus

2. A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus

3. An automatic response to a conditioned stimulus

4. A temporary response to an unconditioned stimulus

The correct answer is: A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus

A conditioned response (CR) is defined as a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has been consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus. In the context of classical conditioning, when a neutral stimulus is repeatedly presented alongside an unconditioned stimulus (which naturally and automatically triggers a response), the neutral stimulus eventually takes on the ability to elicit that same response. This learned response is what we refer to as the conditioned response. For example, if a bell (neutral stimulus) is rung every time food (unconditioned stimulus) is presented to a dog, the dog will eventually learn to salivate (conditioned response) at the sound of the bell alone, even when no food is presented. The CR demonstrates how learning can be shaped by associations between stimuli. The other options reflect different aspects of responses and stimuli in classical conditioning but do not accurately define what a conditioned response is. The initial natural reaction to a stimulus pertains to unconditioned responses, while automatic responses can relate to conditioned stimuli only when there is a history of pairing. Temporary responses might be more closely related to the reaction to unconditioned stimuli without the learning component inherent in CRs.