Question

Because Sela always opens a drawer to get the can opener whenever she feeds her cat, Socks, use a can opener when getting her Socks runs into the kitchen each time he hears someone open a drawer. Socks has a. remembered what cat food is. b. made an association between the drawer opening and being fed. c. habituated to noises in the kitchen. d. done none of the above.

Short answer

b. made an association between the drawer opening and being fed.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Scenario

We are given a scenario in which Socks the cat runs into the kitchen whenever someone opens a drawer. This behavior stems from the association with being fed every time the drawer is opened because Sela uses the can opener stored in that drawer to open the cat food can.

Analyzing the Options

We need to evaluate the given options: - Option a suggests that Socks has remembered what cat food is. This option does not explain the behavior as it doesn't connect to the sound of the drawer. - Option b suggests that Socks has made an association between the drawer opening and being fed. This aligns with the described behavior and the process of classical conditioning. - Option c suggests that Socks has habituated to noises in the kitchen. This is unlikely, as habituation would mean that Socks ignores the noise, but here, Socks reacts to it. - Option d states that none of the above applies, however, option b appears to fit the situation well.

Choosing the Correct Option

Based on the analysis, option b is the most suitable choice as it describes the classical conditioning process where Socks has made an association between the drawer opening and the feeding time.

Key concepts

Behavioral Psychology

Behavioral psychology delves into understanding how behaviors are learned and conditioned in both humans and animals. It's a vast field that explores various behavioral phenomena. In the context of the exercise, we notice a classical conditioning example.

• *Behavioral psychology* investigates the cause-and-effect relationships in behavior.
• It often involves observing how behaviors can be conditioned through repeated exposure to stimuli.
• The classic studies by Ivan Pavlov with dogs illustrate this type of learning well.

In the example presented, Socks, the cat, displays a conditioned response each time Sela opens the drawer. Behavioral psychology would focus on understanding how Socks' response of running into the kitchen was learned and what triggers it.

Animal Behavior

Animal behavior is the scientific study of the ways animals interact with each other and their environments. Understanding animal behavior can offer valuable insights into the species' survival strategies, social structures, and learning processes. In this scenario, Socks the cat demonstrates learned behavior. This behavior could be categorized as part of their natural food-obtaining strategy but is shaped within a home environment.

• Animals, like Socks, are highly adaptable and learn from their environments.
• Such behaviors often stem from the need to maximize their chances of receiving food or other rewards.
• Observation of animal behavior helps comprehend how pets learn and react to daily stimuli.

By observing Socks' behavior when the drawer opens, we gather insights into how animals can form associations between specific actions and rewards. This is crucial for pet owners aiming to understand and reinforce positive behaviors in their pets.

Associative Learning

Associative learning is a process by which an association between two stimuli or a behavior and a stimulus is learned. It's a cornerstone concept in both human and animal psychology. The core of associative learning involves linking two events: in this case, the sound of a drawer opening and the anticipation of food.

• Classical conditioning is a well-known form of associative learning.
• It typically involves pairing a neutral stimulus (drawer sound) with an unconditioned stimulus (food), leading to a conditioned response (Socks running to the kitchen).
• Over time, animals begin to associate the neutral stimulus with the conditioned response.

Socks ran to the kitchen each time the drawer was opened, demonstrating a classic case of classical conditioning. This learning process is crucial for animals to adapt to changes in their environment and consistently obtain rewards, such as food. Understanding associative learning helps in training pets and refining their behaviors effectively.