Which of the following describes a neutral stimulus?

A neutral stimulus is defined as one that does not initially provoke any intrinsic response from an organism. In the context of behaviorism and conditioning, this means it is a stimulus that, when presented alone, does not elicit a particular response. For instance, in classical conditioning, a sound may initially be neutral but can be paired with an unconditioned stimulus to eventually elicit a conditioned response.

The nature of a neutral stimulus is significant, as it serves as the foundation for associative learning. Therefore, the option stating that a neutral stimulus will not elicit a response accurately captures its essence, making it the correct choice.

While other concepts involve stimuli that can elicit responses or have been conditioned, those do not align with the definition of a neutral stimulus which inherently lacks any reactive capability on its own.