Which term indicates an unlearned response occurring without prior conditioning?

The term that indicates an unlearned response occurring without prior conditioning is "unconditioned." This concept is a fundamental principle of behavior analysis and refers to responses that are natural and do not require any prior learning or conditioning to occur. These responses typically arise automatically in reaction to certain stimuli.

For instance, when a person touches something hot, the immediate withdrawal response is unconditioned; it occurs instinctively without any previous experience or learning required. This contrasts with conditioned responses, which are learned through associations between stimuli and responses. Understanding the difference between unconditioned and conditioned responses is crucial in behavior analysis for understanding how behaviors develop and can be modified through various interventions.