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WGU C180 Final Exam (Latest 2026/ 2027)
Introduction to Psychology Guide | Verified Questions &
Answers with Rationale |100% Correct
Subject: Introduction to Psychology
Source: 2027 Introduction to Psychology Study Guide
Format: Term Definitions, Concepts, and Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What is Classical Conditioning?
Correct Answer: Learning to associate 2 stimuli together, which leads to an
organism anticipating future events. Example: Ivan Pavlov studied
salivation in dogs as a precursor to digestion.
Rationale:
1. This definition identifies the core associative learning process central
to classical conditioning.
2. It correctly differentiates classical conditioning (involuntary, reflexive
responses) from operant conditioning (voluntary behaviors).
3. The provided example of Pavlov's dogs is the foundational, historical
illustration of this concept.
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2. What is an Unconditioned Stimulus (US)?
Correct Answer: Stimulus that automatically triggers a response naturally.
Unlearned.
Rationale:
1. The Unconditioned Stimulus is the innate, biological trigger in a
reflex arc.
2. The key terms "automatically" and "unlearned" are essential for
distinguishing it from a Conditioned Stimulus.
3. Understanding the US is the first step in diagramming any classical
conditioning scenario.
3. What is an Unconditioned Response (UR)?
Correct Answer: Naturally occurring, unlearned response to an
unconditioned stimulus. Unlearned.
Rationale:
1. The Unconditioned Response is the reflexive, biological reaction to
the Unconditioned Stimulus.
2. Like the US, it is innate and not dependent on prior learning.
3. The UR and the eventual Conditioned Response (CR) are often the
same behavior, but they are elicited by different stimuli.
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4. What is a Conditioned Stimulus (CS)?
Correct Answer: Originally neutral stimulus that triggers a response after
an association with an unconditioned stimulus is formed. Learned.
Rationale:
1. This definition correctly identifies the CS as initially neutral (e.g., a
bell) before learning occurs.
2. It gains its power to elicit a response solely through repeated pairing
with the Unconditioned Stimulus.
3. The label "Learned" is the critical distinction from an Unconditioned
Stimulus.
5. What is a Conditioned Response (CR)?
Correct Answer: Learned response to a stimulus that was originally
neutral, but is now conditioned.
Rationale:
1. The Conditioned Response is the learned reaction to the Conditioned
Stimulus.
2. It demonstrates that learning has occurred—the organism now
responds to a stimulus it previously ignored.
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3. The CR is typically similar to, but often weaker than, the original
Unconditioned Response.
6. What is Extinction in Classical Conditioning?
Correct Answer: Occurs when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer
paired with the conditioned stimulus. Make the behavior go away.
Rationale:
1. Extinction is the process of unlearning a conditioned association by
breaking the predictive link between the CS and US.
2. It is not forgetting; it involves new learning that the CS no longer
signals the US.
3. The phrase "make the behavior go away" succinctly describes the
outcome: the gradual decrease and disappearance of the CR.
7. What is Generalization in Classical Conditioning?
Correct Answer: Stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus will also elicit
the conditioned response. Avoid things that are similar to things that have
hurt us.
Rationale:
1. Generalization explains how learned responses transfer to similar,
but not identical, stimuli.
WGU C180 Final Exam (Latest 2026/ 2027)
Introduction to Psychology Guide | Verified Questions &
Answers with Rationale |100% Correct
Subject: Introduction to Psychology
Source: 2027 Introduction to Psychology Study Guide
Format: Term Definitions, Concepts, and Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What is Classical Conditioning?
Correct Answer: Learning to associate 2 stimuli together, which leads to an
organism anticipating future events. Example: Ivan Pavlov studied
salivation in dogs as a precursor to digestion.
Rationale:
1. This definition identifies the core associative learning process central
to classical conditioning.
2. It correctly differentiates classical conditioning (involuntary, reflexive
responses) from operant conditioning (voluntary behaviors).
3. The provided example of Pavlov's dogs is the foundational, historical
illustration of this concept.
, 2|Page
2. What is an Unconditioned Stimulus (US)?
Correct Answer: Stimulus that automatically triggers a response naturally.
Unlearned.
Rationale:
1. The Unconditioned Stimulus is the innate, biological trigger in a
reflex arc.
2. The key terms "automatically" and "unlearned" are essential for
distinguishing it from a Conditioned Stimulus.
3. Understanding the US is the first step in diagramming any classical
conditioning scenario.
3. What is an Unconditioned Response (UR)?
Correct Answer: Naturally occurring, unlearned response to an
unconditioned stimulus. Unlearned.
Rationale:
1. The Unconditioned Response is the reflexive, biological reaction to
the Unconditioned Stimulus.
2. Like the US, it is innate and not dependent on prior learning.
3. The UR and the eventual Conditioned Response (CR) are often the
same behavior, but they are elicited by different stimuli.
, 3|Page
4. What is a Conditioned Stimulus (CS)?
Correct Answer: Originally neutral stimulus that triggers a response after
an association with an unconditioned stimulus is formed. Learned.
Rationale:
1. This definition correctly identifies the CS as initially neutral (e.g., a
bell) before learning occurs.
2. It gains its power to elicit a response solely through repeated pairing
with the Unconditioned Stimulus.
3. The label "Learned" is the critical distinction from an Unconditioned
Stimulus.
5. What is a Conditioned Response (CR)?
Correct Answer: Learned response to a stimulus that was originally
neutral, but is now conditioned.
Rationale:
1. The Conditioned Response is the learned reaction to the Conditioned
Stimulus.
2. It demonstrates that learning has occurred—the organism now
responds to a stimulus it previously ignored.
, 4|Page
3. The CR is typically similar to, but often weaker than, the original
Unconditioned Response.
6. What is Extinction in Classical Conditioning?
Correct Answer: Occurs when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer
paired with the conditioned stimulus. Make the behavior go away.
Rationale:
1. Extinction is the process of unlearning a conditioned association by
breaking the predictive link between the CS and US.
2. It is not forgetting; it involves new learning that the CS no longer
signals the US.
3. The phrase "make the behavior go away" succinctly describes the
outcome: the gradual decrease and disappearance of the CR.
7. What is Generalization in Classical Conditioning?
Correct Answer: Stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus will also elicit
the conditioned response. Avoid things that are similar to things that have
hurt us.
Rationale:
1. Generalization explains how learned responses transfer to similar,
but not identical, stimuli.
