Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows. A vervent monkey is in a tree eating bugs that are crawling along the branches. The vervent monkey sees a hawk circling overhead. The hawk is a predator of the monkeys. The vervent monkey cries out, warning the other monkeys to descend to the ground below the trees. In this scenario, what is the unconditioned stimulus for the vervent monkey’s behavior?
Answer
A
the vervent monkey eating bugs
B
the vervent monkey crying out
C
the group of monkeys descending
D
the sight of the hawk circling
Explanation
The unconditioned stimulus is the event that naturally triggers a response, without needing to be learned. Here, seeing a hawk—a predator of the monkeys—naturally prompts the vervent monkey to warn the others. The sight of the hawk circling is therefore the unconditioned stimulus; crying out is the response.
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