Full Answer Section

When I was a child, I would always get excited when I heard the sound of the doorbell. This is because the doorbell was always followed by the arrival of a package, which I loved. Over time, the sight of a package began to elicit the same feeling of excitement, even if it was not accompanied by the sound of the doorbell. This is because the sight of the package had been paired with the sound of the doorbell so many times that it had become a conditioned stimulus.

This respondent behavior impacts me in my environment in a positive way. When I see a package, I feel excited and happy. This feeling motivates me to open the package and see what is inside. This can be a positive experience, as it often leads to me getting something that I want or need.

If I wanted to extinguish this respondent behavior, I could do so by pairing the sight of a package with a neutral stimulus that does not elicit the feeling of excitement. For example, I could pair the sight of a package with the sound of a raindrop. After a few repetitions, the sight of the package would no longer elicit the feeling of excitement.

If I wanted to elicit the same response under the control of other stimuli, I could do so by pairing the sight of a package with a stimulus that I already associate with excitement. For example, I could pair the sight of a package with the sound of my favorite song. After a few repetitions, the sight of the package would come to elicit the feeling of excitement, even if it is not accompanied by the sound of my favorite song.

It is important to note that respondent conditioning can be a powerful tool for both good and bad. In this case, the respondent behavior is positive, as it motivates me to open packages. However, respondent conditioning can also be used to create negative behaviors, such as a fear of spiders or heights. It is important to be aware of the power of respondent conditioning and to use it responsibly.