What is the difference between neutral stimuli and conditioned stimulus?

Neutral stimuli are stimuli that do not initially elicit a response or have any significance to an individual. In contrast, conditioned stimuli are stimuli that have been paired with an unconditioned stimulus (something that naturally elicits a response) and have come to elicit a conditioned response through the process of classical conditioning. In other words, neutral stimuli become conditioned stimuli after they have been associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Neutral Stimulus

- A stimulus that does not naturally elicit a particular response.
- Before conditioning, it has no inherent meaning or association with the unconditioned stimulus.
- Example: The sound of a bell

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

- A previously neutral stimulus that, after pairing with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a conditioned response.
- It predicts or signals the occurrence of the unconditioned stimulus.
- Example: The sound of a bell after it has been paired with food

Differences:

- Association with Unconditioned Stimulus: Neutral stimuli have no association with the unconditioned stimulus, while conditioned stimuli have acquired an association through conditioning.
- Elicitation of Response: Neutral stimuli do not elicit a specific response, while conditioned stimuli elicit a conditioned response.
- Time Course: Neutral stimuli become conditioned stimuli over time through the process of conditioning, while unconditioned stimuli elicit responses naturally without prior learning.
- Predictability: Conditioned stimuli predict the occurrence of the unconditioned stimulus, while neutral stimuli do not.
- Example: In classical conditioning, a dog initially responds to the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus). After the bell is repeatedly paired with food (unconditioned stimulus), the sound of the bell alone (conditioned stimulus) elicits a conditioned response (salivation).