What is a conditional stimuli?

A conditional stimulus (CS) is a stimulus that, through conditioning, elicits a response after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US) that naturally triggers that response. For example, in classical conditioning, if a bell (CS) is repeatedly paired with food (US), the bell alone can eventually evoke salivation in a dog. This learned association forms the basis of many behavioral responses in animals and humans. Essentially, a conditional stimulus gains significance through its association with a meaningful stimulus.