If the unconditioned stimulus is presented before the conditioned stimulus, what happens?

• A. Conditioning occurs
• B. Spontaneous recovery occurs
• C. No conditioning
• D. Extinction occurs

Answer: (C)

The timing of the unconditioned stimulus relative to the conditioned stimulus is crucial in classical conditioning. Conditioning typically occurs when the conditioned stimulus reliably precedes the unconditioned stimulus, so the CS signals that the UCS is coming. If the unconditioned stimulus is presented before the conditioned stimulus, the CS does not predict the UCS, and the association between them fails to form. As a result, a conditioned response does not develop, which is described as no conditioning. Spontaneous recovery requires that extinction has occurred first and reappears after a rest, while extinction happens when the CS is presented without the UCS.