Conditioned Stimulus

Definition

A conditioned stimulus (CS) is a neutral signal or event that, after being repeatedly paired with another stimulus that naturally triggers a response, eventually causes the same response on its own. Initially, the CS does not evoke any significant reaction, but through repeated association with another stimulus (called an unconditioned stimulus), it becomes capable of producing a learned response.

Example

You are training your dog to associate a specific sound with mealtime. Initially, ringing a bell (the conditioned stimulus) has no effect on your dog. It doesn’t make the dog salivate or react in any particular way. However, if you consistently ring the bell right before feeding your dog (pairing it with the unconditioned stimulus of food), over time, the sound of the bell alone will cause the dog to salivate. The bell has become a conditioned stimulus because it now triggers a response that was originally triggered only by the sight or smell of food.

Why It Matters

Conditioned stimuli are crucial in understanding how learning and behavior work. They demonstrate how associations can shape our reactions to events, objects, or situations. This concept is fundamental in psychology because it explains why certain cues or reminders can evoke strong emotions or behaviors. For example, conditioned stimuli help explain phenomena like phobias (e.g., fear of thunder after being scared by a loud storm) or preferences (e.g., liking a particular song that reminds you of a happy memory). Understanding conditioned stimuli also has practical applications in areas such as marketing, education, and therapy.

See Also

• Classical Conditioning