In cognitive theory, the sequence leading to a response begins with:

In cognitive theory, the sequence leading to a response begins with:

• A. Stimulus alone
• B. Stimulus and rumination
• C. Response then stimulus
• D. Random chance

Answer: (B)

In cognitive theory, how we respond isn’t automatic after a stimulus; the mind processes and interprets what’s happened before any action. This internal processing is captured by rumination—the thinking and evaluating that happens after a stimulus but before a response. So the sequence starts with the stimulus and the organism’s cognitive processing, which then leads to the chosen response. Stimulus alone skips that mental step, which cognitive theory says is essential. A sequence of response followed by stimulus reverses the order of events, which doesn’t describe how thinking guides action. Random chance ignores the cognitive processing that mediates how we respond.

In cognitive theory, how we respond isn’t automatic after a stimulus; the mind processes and interprets what’s happened before any action. This internal processing is captured by rumination—the thinking and evaluating that happens after a stimulus but before a response. So the sequence starts with the stimulus and the organism’s cognitive processing, which then leads to the chosen response.

Stimulus alone skips that mental step, which cognitive theory says is essential. A sequence of response followed by stimulus reverses the order of events, which doesn’t describe how thinking guides action. Random chance ignores the cognitive processing that mediates how we respond.