An aversive stimulus based on conditioning history.

An aversive stimulus based on conditioning history.

• A. Unconditioned Aversive Stimulus
• B. Conditioned Aversive Stimulus (SAVE)
• C. Aversive Stimulus
• D. Discriminative Stimulus

Answer: (B)

A conditioned aversive stimulus is an aversive stimulus that has acquired its aversiveness through conditioning history. It starts as a neutral cue that becomes associated with an aversive event, so, after pairing, that cue itself elicits avoidance, fear, or other aversive reactions even when the original aversive event doesn’t occur. This differentiates it from an unconditioned aversive stimulus, which is inherently aversive without learning, and from a general “aversive stimulus” term that could refer to either type. A discriminative stimulus, while it can signal that punishment is available, is a cue for a consequence rather than a stimulus whose aversiveness comes from prior learning.

A conditioned aversive stimulus is an aversive stimulus that has acquired its aversiveness through conditioning history. It starts as a neutral cue that becomes associated with an aversive event, so, after pairing, that cue itself elicits avoidance, fear, or other aversive reactions even when the original aversive event doesn’t occur. This differentiates it from an unconditioned aversive stimulus, which is inherently aversive without learning, and from a general “aversive stimulus” term that could refer to either type. A discriminative stimulus, while it can signal that punishment is available, is a cue for a consequence rather than a stimulus whose aversiveness comes from prior learning.