Jodi attended a number of birthday parties when she was younger - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 12 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 12
Jodi attended a number of birthday parties when she was younger. At all of the parties there was a clown who burst a balloon which scared Jodi. Jodi is now fearful o... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Jodi attended a number of birthday parties when she was younger - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 12 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Unconditioned Stimulus and Unconditioned Response
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Answer
The unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in this scenario is the sound of the balloon bursting. This sound would cause an unconditioned response (UCR) of fear in Jodi, which is a natural reaction to a loud and startling noise.
Step 2
Neutral Stimulus
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Answer
The neutral stimulus (NS) here is the clown. Before the instance of the balloon bursting, the clown did not evoke fear in Jodi, as he was merely a neutral presence at the parties.
Step 3
Conditioning Process
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Answer
During the birthday parties, the clown consistently appeared whenever the balloon burst. This pairing causes Jodi to associate the clown (NS) with the fear elicited by the balloon bursting (UCS). Thus, the clown begins to elicit fear as well.
Step 4
Conditioned Stimulus and Conditioned Response
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Answer
Over time, the clown becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS). Now, even in the absence of the balloon, the presence of the clown triggers a conditioned response (CR) of fear in Jodi, leading to her phobia of clowns.
