Classical Conditioning Worksheet

Identify the UCS, UCR, CS, CR in each of the following examples, put answer in boxes below. Remember to identify the CS specifically.

UCS: unconditioned stimulus CS: conditioned stimulus

UCR: unconditioned response CR: conditioned response

Situation: eight month old Billy. Before testing: 8 month old Billy showed no fear of animals, but he did show fear (eyes open, heart beat change) when a person banged hammer against large steel bar behind him. They then put a white rat in front of him. Whenever he reached for rat, they banged the hammer. Now he is afraid of toys like the dog & devil on the front table.

UCS

---->

UCR

     

CS

----->

CR

     

Situation: Several years ago, Grace was seriously injured when the ferry she was riding rammed the ferry terminal. To this day, Grace becomes anxious whenever she sees large green and white ferry boats.

UCS

---->

UCR

     

CS

----->

CR

     

Situation: Early experience with clowns, Santa Claus, etc. Some kids come to love them, some come to fear them. Think back on your own experience, what are your conditioned responses to a clown-type person? That is, when you see a clown (or walk into a circus tent, or go to Nordstroms at Christmas) what are your immediate, almost instinctual responses? What experiences do you remember that may have led to that conditioning?

UCS

---->

UCR

     

CS

----->

CR

     

Come up with another example where you have an immediate response (fear, relaxation, excitement) to a certain situation or stimulus. Common starters are: car accidents that created fears, being bitten by an animal, throwing up, places that make you sleepy (or alert), Halloween (what do you associate as scary?)