To analyze whether Jillian’s smiling at cute babies is an unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus, or conditioned response, we first need to understand each term in the context of classical conditioning.
In this scenario, Jillian’s smile can be seen as a reaction to something that naturally elicits a positive emotional response. Typically, an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is something that naturally triggers a response without any prior learning. Cute babies often elicit a naturally positive reaction in people, and their innate appeal can make anyone smile.
Now, let’s define each option:
- a) Unconditioned Stimulus: A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without any conditioning. For example, seeing a cute baby elicits happiness.
- b) Unconditioned Response: The natural response that occurs due to the unconditioned stimulus. In this case, Jillian’s smile can be seen as the unconditioned response to seeing a cute baby.
- c) Conditioned Stimulus: A previously neutral stimulus that becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus, eventually triggering a conditioned response. If Jillian learned to smile at something associated with cute babies, that would be the conditioned stimulus.
- d) Conditioned Response: The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus.
Given that smiling at cute babies is a natural, instinctive reaction, the answer is b) unconditioned response. Jillian’s smile does not require any learned behavior; it’s an automatic response to the stimuli of cute babies.