Identifying the components of Classical Conditioning is an important skill to understand how learning
takes place. For this assignment you will read each example describing a situation classical conditioning
takes place. For each scenario you will identify the unconditioned stimulus (UCS), unconditioned
response (UCR), conditioned stimulus (CS) and conditioned response (CR). Submit your finished
assignment.
Example 1:
Jenny loves seafood and as a surprise her mother plans to take her to her favorite seafood restaurant for
her birthday. Unfortunately, the oysters Jenny ordered for her lunch had been left out too long and
became foul. After Jenny ate these oysters she developed a severe case of food poisoning and began
violently vomiting. Since this episode every time Jenny drives past her favorite seafood restaurant she
becomes nauseated.
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): ______________________________________________________
Unconditioned Response (UCR):______________________________________________________
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): __________________________________________________________
Conditioned Response (CR):__________________________________________________________
Example 2:
Alyssa enjoyed her first year on the community swim team. At her last meet however, a violent
lightening storm started while she was swimming her race. As Alyssa passed half way across the swim
lane the speakers started blaring “get out of the water” and the parents watching began to panic. Alyssa
finished her lap and had to be pulled out of the water at which point she fainted. Now every time Alyssa
hears thunder she becomes lightheaded.
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS):___________________________________________________________
Unconditioned Response (UCR):___________________________________________________________
Conditioned Stimulus (CS):_______________________________________________________________
Conditioned Response (CR):______________________________________________________________
Example 3:
Sally and her twin sister Sarah share a bathroom. One Monday morning they were both getting ready for
school. Sally was taking a shower and Sarah had to use the toilet. When Sarah flushed the toilet, it sent a
rush of freezing cold water through the shower. Now when Sally hears a toilet flush she begins shiver
uncontrollably.
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS):___________________________________________________________
Unconditioned Response (UCR):___________________________________________________________
Conditioned Stimulus (CS):_______________________________________________________________
Conditioned Response (CR):______________________________________________________________
Example 4:
Davis was walking his dog listening to his favorite band. All the sudden the neighbor’s very large dog
jumped out from the bushes and attacked Davis and his dog. Luckily Davis and his dog only suffered
minor injuries. However, after this incident every time Davis hears his favorite band’s music he begins to
have a panic attack.
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS):___________________________________________________________
Unconditioned Response (UCR):___________________________________________________________
Conditioned Stimulus (CS):_______________________________________________________________
Conditioned Response (CR):______________________________________________________________
