What term refers to an initially neutral stimulus that elicits a response after conditioning?

The term that refers to an initially neutral stimulus that elicits a response after conditioning is "Conditioned Stimulus." In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus is paired repeatedly with an unconditioned stimulus, which automatically elicits an unconditioned response. After sufficient pairings, the neutral stimulus becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus and thus transforms into a conditioned stimulus. It is now capable of eliciting a similar response on its own, which is known as the conditioned response.

In this context, the other terms have distinct meanings:

• The unconditioned stimulus is a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any conditioning.

• A neutral stimulus is one that does not initially elicit any intrinsic response before conditioning occurs.

• The term "reinforced stimulus" is not commonly used in classical conditioning and does not accurately describe this process. It may rather be relevant in the context of operant conditioning, where behaviors are reinforced through rewards or punishments.

Understanding the role of a conditioned stimulus is crucial for grasping the principles of learning and behavior modification in psychological theories.