Question

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 monkeys behavior?

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:

Identify the unconditioned stimulus

An unconditioned stimulus (US) is a stimulus that naturally, automatically, and unconditionally triggers a specific, unlearned response. In this scenario, the presence of a natural predator (the hawk circling overhead) is an innate threat that naturally triggers fear and defensive behaviors (the warning cry) in the vervet monkey without any prior conditioning.

Evaluate the given options

• A. the vervet monkey eating bugs: This is an ongoing baseline behavior, not the stimulus triggering the alarm response.
• B. the vervet monkey crying out: This is the behavioral response (unconditioned response) triggered by the threat.
• C. the group of monkeys descending: This is the behavioral response of the other monkeys to the warning cry.
• D. the sight of the hawk circling: This is the environmental trigger (the predator threat) that naturally and automatically elicits the monkey's alarm behavior.

Answer:

• (A) the vervet monkey eating bugs
• (B) the vervet monkey crying out
• (C) the group of monkeys descending
• (D) the sight of the hawk circling (Correct answer)