Although the sound is unfamiliar, when six-month-old Hlengiwe sees the flashing lights on the police car, she keeps her eyes locked on the lights. She also begins to show a decrease in heart rate. Which concept best explains Hlengiwe's reaction?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hlengiwe's reaction is best explained by the orienting response, which is the automatic orienting of attention towards a novel or significant stimulus, such as the flashing lights on the police car. The decrease in heart rate is also a physiological response associated with the orienting response. Operant conditioning involves learning through consequences, while habituation refers to a decrease in response to a repeated stimulus. The stable-order principle is not relevant to this scenario.

Although the Sound Is Unfamiliar, When Six-Month-Old Hlengiwe Sees the Flashing