Conditioned Stimulus Definition: Conditioned vs. Unconditioned Stimulus
Conditioned stimulus refers to reinforcement resulting in individuals altering their behavioral processes so that a specific response becomes more frequent or predictable. This form of learning usually involves one of two parameters, including a given stimulus or signal to create a response and a response that occurs more regularly in a well-specified, stable environment. A conditioned stimulus is one of the critical components of the conditioning theory. Keep reading to learn more about conditioning and how a therapist may be able to help you assess any effects of conditioning in your own life, whether related to addiction, habits, or any other area of psychology.
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Conditioned stimulus definition
A conditioned stimulus is a learned substitute stimulus that causes the same response as an unconditioned stimulus. A conditioned stimulus is a neutral stimulus that garners a response over time and training by repeatedly pairing it with another naturally occurring stimulus.
The difference: Conditioned stimulus vs. unconditioned stimulus
Understanding the meaning of the word "stimulus" can be essential for understanding the difference between what makes a conditioned stimulus work and what makes an unconditioned stimulus work. A stimulus is any external or internal event, situation, or agent that elicits a response. It is commonly understood as the cause of a human or animal's behavioral response.
An unconditioned stimulus is any stimulus that naturally and automatically causes a specific response in humans or organisms. A stimulus-response may also be the result of operant conditioning, also known as instrumental conditioning, in which rewards and/or punishments are used to modify behaviors.
“This form of learning usually involves a given stimulus or signal to create a response that occurs more regularly in a well-specified, stable environment.”
Pavlov and conditioned response in classical conditioning
One of the most widely known examples of a conditioned stimulus is the research conducted by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov. His research in classical conditioning (a form of associative learning) was notable for demonstrating how to create associations between the occurrence of one event that elicits a response and the anticipation of another.
Pavlov's dog experiments: The process of classical conditioning
Ivan Pavlov unintentionally discovered Pavlovian conditioning while conducting research on animals' gastric systems. He found that dogs' physical reactions to food, specifically saliva production, occurred while hearing or smelling the meal before the food arrived. This standard, unconditioned stimulus is expected since saliva plays a vital role in the digestive response of animals (and humans). During Pavlov’s experiment, he also noticed that the dogs could be conditioned to associate a previously neutral stimulus with feeding time unconsciously.
In his experiment, Pavlov placed dogs in harnesses in an isolated environment. Starting by presenting food in a bowl, he would then use a device to measure the rate of the dog’s saliva secretions. During the experiment, the dogs' salivation would begin once the researcher opened the door to feed them. The door opening was a neutral event, but the dogs began to associate the opening of the door with being fed. Thus, a conditioned stimulus was created when the door opened, and dogs began to salivate.
Pavlov continued to test his theory using different conditioned stimuli, including the sound of a bell or metronome, and even electrical shocks. In his bell tests, Pavlov would ring a bell shortly before blowing an air puff of food powder into a dog's mouth, using the same controlled environment as his previous experiments. The bell ringing would then be associated with food, much in the same way the door had been before. As such, hearing the sound of the bell (a conditioned stimulus) caused the dogs to salivate.
How conditioned stimulus works: From neutral stimulus to generalization
Often, time is required for neutral stimuli to become conditioned stimuli. This period is called the acquisition phase. During this time, humans or animals learn to connect the neutral stimulus with the unconditioned response. These repeated connections transform the neutral stimulus into a conditioned stimulus.
Conditioned stimuli and the conditioned response can fade or become "extinct"
If a conditioned stimulus no longer follows the unconditioned stimulus, the conditioned response may fade in a process known as extinction. Once Pavlov's dogs associated a specific tone with food, he began making the sound but not providing food. Over time, when hearing the tone, the dogs produced less saliva in a process known as "experimental extinction" or unlearning the association.
Once experimental extinction occurs, Pavlov's research suggests it is not entirely wiped from the mind. The dogs would again reinstate their conditioned responses by reintroducing the original conditioning of tones and then food. This process is known as spontaneous recovery.
Conditioned stimulus definition in psychology and stimulus generalization
Another finding of Pavlov's experiments was the dogs' ability to generalize the conditioned stimuli to other similar stimuli. Stimulus generalization happens when an organism responds similarly to different but related stimuli.A conditioned stimulus definition in psychology refers to a previously neutral stimulus that, after being repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a conditioned response. For example, when a tone was used as a conditioned stimulus, Pavlov would differ the tones and still get the same conditioned or automatic response. This response was often more pronounced when the tones were closer to the original stimulus.
In addition to stimulus generalization, it's also possible to discriminate between various stimuli. Stimulus discrimination involves separating similar stimuli that may otherwise elicit similar responses. So, for example, if you are always the one to feed your dog, they may associate you with feeding time and begin to salivate or bark excitedly. But if your partner suddenly starts feeding your dogs, they may not have the same initial reaction (until they become conditioned).
That being said, over time, a conditioned stimulus can condition another stimulus. This process is known as second-order or higher-order conditioning. For example, if a dog hears a can opener before he is fed, the sound would be the original conditioned stimulus. If the owner must take the can opener out of a cabinet before using it, the dog may eventually associate the owner opening the cabinet with being fed. Second-order conditioning is often the highest level of conditioning that can be achieved. Trying to use more than two conditioning levels could prove difficult or ineffective.
The conditioned stimulus isn't just for dogs
Dogs aren't the only ones who learn from conditioning. Conditioned stimuli are consistently present in many individuals' everyday lives. By understanding the conditioned stimulus definition, you may better understand how stimuli shape your thought patterns and behaviors.
John B. Watson used Pavlov's findings in the early 20th century to reproduce classical conditioning in a young child. This unethical experiment took one patient, an emotionally stable nine-month-old child, and subjected him to classical conditioning to create a phobia. The experiment was specifically intended for him to experience fear when encountering white fuzzy animals.
During the "Little Albert Experiment," Watson introduced the child to furry animals, including:
- Rabbits
- Dogs
- White rats
When "Albert" was around the rat, Watson made loud, unpleasant noises that distressed Albert. Soon, the conditioned stimulus of the loud noise elicited fear in Albert, specifically toward the rat. Albert's fear generalized to other furry animals and Watson in a white furry mask without further conditioning. This experiment had shortfalls and crossed ethical boundaries not established at the time. However, it can serve as a reminder of how conditioning can shape one's thoughts and behaviors.
Conditioned and unconditioned stimulus: Real-life examples
However, classical conditioning using a controlled stimulus is not only used in the laboratory. Below are a few examples of everyday conditioned stimuli and how they can affect one's life.
TV example
Every evening, Jack enjoys his favorite television show with a cup of tea. This will eventually trigger an association between that specific show and having tea. So as time goes on, every time the show starts (conditioned stimulus), Jack gets a craving for a cup of tea. The show triggered a response in Jack to crave a cup of tea.
Car example
When Lisa, a parent, comes home from work, she pulls her car into the garage. Lisa's children then heard the garage door opening from inside the house. Soon, the children associate the sound of the garage door (conditioned stimulus) with Lisa coming home.
Yoga example
A parent of a young child tries to practice yoga while their child is taking an afternoon nap. As part of the nap routine, the parent reads a couple of books to their child. They may start thinking about their yoga routine as they read the books (conditioned stimulus).
Potato salad as an example of a neutral stimulus becoming a conditioned response
One day at a family picnic, Sam ate a plate of potato salad sitting out for a day. That night, he feels unwell and becomes ill. The potato salad was initially a neutral stimulus, but the illness turned it into a conditioned stimulus. Now, every time Sam sees or smells potato salad, the aversive conditioning of his experience causes him to think of the time he got sick eating it. This example could also be considered a psychological food aversion.
Car accident example
As Lily backed out of a parking space (neutral stimulus), another driver ran into her car, causing an accident. After the experience, when Lily backs out of a parking spot, she feels a tinge of hypervigilance and anxiety. The fear conditioning that resulted from the car accident turned backing out of a parking space into a conditioned stimulus. The act of backing out of a parking space triggered a fear response in Lily after associating it with a traumatic experience.
Unconditioned stimulus example
Imagine accidentally touching a hot surface. The immediate pain you feel is an unlearned, automatic response to the heat. In this case, the heat serves as the unconditioned stimulus, naturally triggering a pain response without prior conditioning.
This example demonstrates how an unconditioned stimulus naturally elicits a reaction, in contrast to the learned associations shown in the other examples.
How classical conditioning can be used in therapy and counseling
Human brains are optimized to search, perceive, and respond to the world with automatic associations and pattern matching.
Through learned associations, the principles of classical conditioning influence human behavior by shaping a person’s:
- Preferences
- Actions
- Responses
This process allows individuals to respond in ways they learn are effective and normal. Through classical conditioning, organisms learn to predict or associate events that repeatedly happen together. Inherited and learned thought patterns allow individuals to respond to stimuli quickly and subconsciously.
However, the brain's pursuit of efficiency can create depressive, addictive, or traumatic thought patterns, impacting mental health and well-being. These thought patterns can be repaired or replaced with healthier ones through therapy.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Two ways conditioning is taught in therapy
Below are two ways a therapist might help clients use conditioning to their advantage during therapy.
Changing self-talk
Words can be associated with various emotions and behaviors. The words you think to yourself can have such a great impact on you, especially when they are positive. On the other hand, self-defeating thoughts and negative self-talk can cause mental health challenges and distress. A licensed therapist can help you restructure thought patterns and self-talk in a productive way for your mental health and wellness. This process is often referred to as cognitive restructuring.
Finding the right therapist isn’t just important – it’s everything.
Find your matchChanging how you think about places
Due to past experiences, places can have strong associations. A painful visit to the dentist as a child could unconsciously make you feel anxious before every dentist appointment. Therapists can offer relief from anxiety by asking individuals to imagine the dentist as a positive experience necessary for health or desensitize the fear through safe and ethical conditioning like exposure therapy.
Counseling options
If you are considering therapeutic care but feel traditional settings are too expensive or inconvenient, an online therapist may benefit you. A study published in the journal Clinical Psychology Review noted that online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) could significantly contribute to enhanced mental health, especially regarding daily stressors that impact the quality of living. Studies in the paper reported that up to 92% of individuals could adhere to the training and practices recommended by online MBIs.
Advancements in telehealth technologies can bring strategies such as online MBIs to you. If you are considering online counseling, consider signing up for a platform like BetterHelp, which offers qualified and licensed therapists. In the convenience of your home, an experienced therapist can help with conditioning or many other proven strategies for improving mental health.
You can evaluate each therapist based on your needs and select someone with experience and training in your area of concern.
Additionally, online therapy sessions can sometimes be conducted around your schedule and outside of standard business hours. You can communicate with your therapist in a way that’s comfortable for you, including:
- Audio
- Video
- Live chat
- In-app messaging
Takeaway
What does stimulus mean in psychology?
A stimulus is any object or event that elicits a response from an organism.
What is an example of stimulus behavior?
One of the most commonly referenced stimulus behaviors in psychology is the Pavlovian response. Researcher Ivan Pavlov took an unconditioned stimulus (food placed in front of a dog) and response (salivation), then introduced a neutral stimulus (ringing a bell right before the food arrived), which then caused a conditioned response. When the dogs heard a bell ring, they salivated.
Doing the process repeatedly can eventually trigger a learned response to the previously neutral stimulus. At first, the dogs would only salivate in the presence of their food when it was placed in front of them. The dogs eventually began to salivate slightly before their food arrived. After learning the conditioned response, the dogs would salivate even just by hearing the sound of the bell tone.
Similarly, another example of a stimulus behavior is hearing a sound, like a whistle, with your favorite food. Even if the whistle is unrelated to the taste and smell of the food, if it’s paired with the scent of the food multiple times, there’s a tendency for a person to develop a conditioned response, making them react to the sound alone. Despite this, learned responses can still go extinct over time, especially if there’s no conditioned stimulus that automatically triggers or produces the same response. When a previously extinct behavior resurfaces, that phenomenon is called spontaneous recovery.
What is the correct definition of stimulus?
According to the APA dictionary, stimulus is “any agent, event, or situation—internal or external—that elicits a response from an organism.” A neutral stimulus can become a conditioned stimulus; this process works by intentionally or unintentionally pairing it with an unconditioned stimulus, which automatically triggers or produces a response. For example, a hotel concierge begins to respond after hearing the sound of a bell. A hotel bell (neutral stimulus) cannot elicit a response on its own. However, after associating it with an unrelated unconditioned stimulus, such as the sight of customers, the sound of a hotel bell will eventually trigger a conditioned response signaling a call for assistance.
What is the simple definition of stimulus and response?
A simple way to look at stimulus and response is to realize that the stimulus is something that causes a reaction of some kind, and the response is that reaction. For example, if a baby cries and a parent jumps to pick them up, this is a stimulus (crying) and a response (picking up the baby). Ivan Pavlov’s classical conditioning explains that a previously neutral stimulus can evoke the same response after being consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus that automatically triggers or produces a reaction. At that point, the neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus.
What are stimuli in perception of psychology?
There are two types of stimuli in psychology: an unconditioned stimulus and a conditioned stimulus.
An unconditioned stimulus leads to an automatic response, such as pulling your hand away (response) from a hot stove (stimulus).
A conditioned stimulus is a learned stimulus that, over time, triggers a conditioned response. An example of this may be suffering from a stomach virus or food poisoning after eating a specific meal like pizza (stimulus). Feeling terrible after this experience may cause an individual to avoid pizza for a time (response), as the smell or sight may make them feel nauseous.
What is stimulus control in psychology?
Stimulus control is a situation in which a behavior is caused by the presence or absence of a certain stimulus. For example, someone who always eats while watching television in terms of operant conditioning would be considered to have their eating habits controlled by the stimulus of watching TV.
What is a conditioned reflex example?
A conditioned reflex is a learned response to a conditioned stimulus. One example of a conditioned reflex can be seen in Pavlov’s dog experiment. In his classical conditioning experiment, the dogs were presented with food, which triggered salivation. The food was the unconditioned stimulus, while the act of salivation was an innate or unconditioned response. He used a metronome as a neutral stimulus to begin conditioning. Pavlov clicked the metronome before giving food to his dogs, triggering the unconditioned response (salivation).
The metronome by itself doesn’t trigger any response, but after repeatedly pairing it with the presentation of the food, it eventually resulted in an increase in salivation in the dogs. The previously neutral stimulus, which is the metronome, became the conditioned stimulus after being associated with the unconditioned stimulus, which triggered the conditioned response.
What is simple discrimination?
Simple discrimination occurs when there is only one stimulus condition that exerts control over a response. For example, a child can say “daddy” when they see their father, but they don’t say it when they see other men. In ABA therapy, simple discrimination training is used to teach a person how to differentiate between two different stimuli. Discrimination can be beneficial for human behavior as it promotes the acquisition of new skills and their development.
Are phobias conditioned or unconditioned?
Classical conditioning explains that phobias can form when a neutral stimulus is paired with a frightening experience, eventually leading to a conditioned fear response.
Ivan Pavlov is a physiologist who conducted a series of experiments on the digestive response of dogs. In his original experiment, he found that dogs developed a reflexive behavior, such as salivating, after the neutral stimulus (e.g., the bell tone) was constantly paired with the presentation of an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., food).
Meanwhile, John B. Watson discovered that phobias can be considered a conditioned response. His “Little Albert” experiment demonstrated that fear responses can be conditioned in a person. By pairing a neutral stimulus (e.g, a white rat) with a loud noise, it triggered a fear response in Little Albert whenever he encountered the rat alone. In other words, Albert was classically conditioned to experience fear, making him cry from simply seeing a white rat. The previously neutral stimulus (white rat) triggered a conditioned response.
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