Dog trainers pair the sound of a clicker with treats so they can influence a dog's behavior without having to provide a treat every time. In this situation, the association between the clicker and a treat is an example of _____, and the clicker serves as a _____ to influence the dog's behavior.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The association between the clicker and a treat is an example of classical conditioning, where the clicker (initially a neutral stimulus) becomes associated with a treat (an unconditioned stimulus) to elicit a conditioned response. The clicker serves as a secondary reinforcer because it is not inherently rewarding but becomes so through its association with the primary reinforcer (the treat).

Dog Trainers Pair the Sound of a Clicker with Treats