After many trials, the bell elicited saliva; what has the bell become?

• A. Conditioned stimulus
• B. Unconditioned stimulus
• C. Neutral stimulus
• D. Unconditioned response

Answer: (A)

This question tests Pavlovian conditioning. After many pairings with food, the bell now triggers salivation on its own, so the bell has become a conditioned stimulus. The bell started as a neutral stimulus, but through association with the unconditioned stimulus (the food), it gains the ability to signal the impending food and elicit the learned response (salivation). The unconditioned stimulus is the food, which naturally causes salivation (unconditioned response). The salivation in response to the bell is the conditioned response.