Can a behavior be conditioned if the neutral stimulus is presented after the unconditioned stimulus?

The conditioning phase involves repeatedly pairing the neutral stimulus (NS) with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). This process of association is demonstrated in an illustration where a bell is rung at the same time food is presented to a dog, causing the dog to salivate.

New Mexico Highlands University

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It is useful to consider the phases before, during, and after conditioning.

Before, During, and After Classical Conditioning

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Before conditioning, an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) naturally elicits an unconditioned response (UCR), while a neutral stimulus (NS) does not elicit that response. For example, an illustration of this stage shows a dog salivating at the sight of food (UCS -> UCR), but not salivating when a bell is rung (NS -> No Response).

Before Classical Conditioning

During Classical Conditioning

After conditioning is complete, the previously neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) that can elicit the response on its own. This learned association is shown in an illustration where the dog salivates in response to the bell ringing, even without the presence of food. The salivation is now a conditioned response (CR).

After Classical Conditioning

Analyze the learning process described in the case study below. Specifically, explain what the sound of the dental drill represents to the patient *after* the events described and how it came to elicit the patient's reaction of anxiety.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After