Pfaus and colleagues (2001) stated that rats prefer a location that has previously been paired with a mate for copulation. This phenomenon is called:
A) classical conditioned sex
B) mating location preference
C) sexual habituation
D) conditional place preference

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described is known as conditioned place preference, which refers to an animal's preference for a location that is associated with a pleasurable experience or drug reward. In this case, the rats prefer the location where they previously mated, indicating that it has become associated with a positive reinforcing stimulus (i.e. mating). Option A is incorrect because classical conditioning refers to the process by which an originally neutral stimulus (e.g. a tone) becomes associated with a biologically significant stimulus (e.g. food) and elicits a response (e.g. salivation). Option B is also incorrect because mating location preference is not a commonly used term in the literature. Option C is incorrect because sexual habituation refers to a decrease in sexual responsiveness after repeated exposure to the same sexual stimulus, whereas the phenomenon described in the question refers to an increase in preference for a location that has been associated with a rewarding sexual experience.

Pfaus and Colleagues (2001) Stated That Rats Prefer a Location