Carrie fed her cat canned tuna that was opened with an electric can opener. Even when she was merely opening a can of corn, her cat responded physically as if it were about to be fed. In this example, the conditioned stimulus is the
A) sound of the electric can opener.
B) eating behaviours.
C) corn.
D) tuna.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The conditioned stimulus is the sound of the electric can opener because it has become associated with the act of getting fed, causing the cat to physically respond as if it were about to be fed even when it is not actually receiving food. The eating behaviours are the conditioned response, which have been learned through association with the sound of the can opener and the act of being fed. Corn and tuna are not directly related to the conditioning process in this example, although they may have been used as the actual food rewards during the conditioning process.

Carrie Fed Her Cat Canned Tuna That Was Opened with an Electric