Bell Ring

Definition

A bell ring is a neutral stimulus that, through classical conditioning, becomes associated with the presentation of food and elicits a conditioned response.

Related terms

Neutral Stimulus:

A neutral stimulus is something that does not naturally elicit a response before conditioning. For example, the sound of a bell ringing before it is associated with food.

Conditioned Response:

A conditioned response is a learned response that occurs as a result of an association between a previously neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus. In this case, salivating at the sound of the bell ringing after it has been paired with food.

Unconditioned Stimulus:

An unconditioned stimulus is something that naturally elicits an automatic response without any prior learning. In this case, the presentation of food which naturally causes salivation.