Conditioning Components Self-Check

Read the scenario and then give the self-check a try to see how well you understand conditioning.

Timmy, a two- year-old little boy, and his dad are playing a “ peek-a-boo.” Timmy’s dad puts his hands over his eyes, pretending to not be able to find Timmy. Then, he shouts out, “I see you!” and begins to tickle Timmy. Timmy thinks this is great fun and falls into a fit of laughter each time his dad tickles him. When Timmy’s mom comes home, Timmy’s dad tells his mom about the game. As soon as Timmy’s mom puts her hands over her eyes, Timmy immediately starts laughing.

Conditioning Components Self-Check—Text Version Answers

1. The fact that tickling a baby causes a baby to laugh would be considered the:
   Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
2. Timmy's laughter would be considered the:
   Unconditioned response (UCR)
3. The game that Timmy and his dad were playing would be considered the:
   Neutral stimulus (NS)
4. The pairing of the game that Timmy and his dad were playing and tickling Timmy would be considered the:
   Conditioned stimulus (CS)
5. Timmy's premature reaction of laughing when his mother covered her eyes would be considered the:
   Conditioned response(CR)