WGU D581 Task 1 HEALTH SCI | Actual verified
Study complete Solutions | A+ Graded | 2026
Updates | 100% correct
A. Classical Conditioning
An example of classical conditioning is using an alarm. Many people use alarms to wake up and
ensure their day is started on time. Without an alarm, waking up would be a neutral and natural
response to bodily function. Alarms are meant to use sharp noises, the unconditioned stimulus,
as an unconditioned stimulus that create urgency, the unconditioned response, and quickly
shake people from their sleep. The alarm is associated with being alert, urgent and possibly
anxious. Eventually the alarm, which is now the conditioned stimulus, will trigger a response
that is like the normal routine regardless of the context it is heard. Urgency is now a conditioned
response paired with the alarm. Now hearing the alarm will cause a response due to the
conditioning.
B. Operant Conditioning
A learned behavior demonstrating operant conditioning is a college student’s increased studying
habits in response to grades. When a student earns an "A" on an exam for which they studied
intensely, they are more likely to repeat that studying behavior for future exams. The student's
behavior of studying (the response) is followed by a positive consequence— a good grade—
which makes the behavior more likely to occur again. This scenario is a prime example of
operant conditioning because the behavior is shaped by the consequences that follow it.
1. Reinforcement and Punishment
In the example above, positive reinforcement is used to increase the likelihood of the studying
behavior. Positive reinforcement involves the addition of a desirable stimulus following a
behavior. The "A" grade is the desirable stimulus that is added, which strengthens the student's
motivation to study in the future. The student learns that a specific behavior (studying) leads to
a positive outcome (a good grade), thereby reinforcing the behavior. Conversely, if the student
had not studied and received a failing grade, that negative outcome could act as a form of
Study complete Solutions | A+ Graded | 2026
Updates | 100% correct
A. Classical Conditioning
An example of classical conditioning is using an alarm. Many people use alarms to wake up and
ensure their day is started on time. Without an alarm, waking up would be a neutral and natural
response to bodily function. Alarms are meant to use sharp noises, the unconditioned stimulus,
as an unconditioned stimulus that create urgency, the unconditioned response, and quickly
shake people from their sleep. The alarm is associated with being alert, urgent and possibly
anxious. Eventually the alarm, which is now the conditioned stimulus, will trigger a response
that is like the normal routine regardless of the context it is heard. Urgency is now a conditioned
response paired with the alarm. Now hearing the alarm will cause a response due to the
conditioning.
B. Operant Conditioning
A learned behavior demonstrating operant conditioning is a college student’s increased studying
habits in response to grades. When a student earns an "A" on an exam for which they studied
intensely, they are more likely to repeat that studying behavior for future exams. The student's
behavior of studying (the response) is followed by a positive consequence— a good grade—
which makes the behavior more likely to occur again. This scenario is a prime example of
operant conditioning because the behavior is shaped by the consequences that follow it.
1. Reinforcement and Punishment
In the example above, positive reinforcement is used to increase the likelihood of the studying
behavior. Positive reinforcement involves the addition of a desirable stimulus following a
behavior. The "A" grade is the desirable stimulus that is added, which strengthens the student's
motivation to study in the future. The student learns that a specific behavior (studying) leads to
a positive outcome (a good grade), thereby reinforcing the behavior. Conversely, if the student
had not studied and received a failing grade, that negative outcome could act as a form of
