B. F. Skinner rigged the cages of eight pigeons so that food was delivered every 15 seconds. Within a short time, most of the pigeons were practicing some sort of consistent ritual, even though the ritual did not have the least effect on the delivery of the reinforcer. The birds were ________.
A) demonstrating spontaneous recovery
B) developing phobias
C) trained by vicarious conditioning
D) behaving superstitiously

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The description fits with Skinner's experiment on "superstitious" behavior, where pigeons developed consistent but pointless rituals in the hope of obtaining food.

B F Skinner Rigged the Cages of Eight Pigeons So That