Although the sound is unfamiliar, when six-month-old Cagney 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 Cagney's reaction?
A)Operant conditioning
B)An orienting response
C)Habituation
D)The stable-order principle

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cagney's reaction is best explained by an orienting response, which is a natural instinct to focus attention on a novel or unfamiliar stimulus. Seeing the flashing lights on the police car is a new experience for Cagney, and her increased attention and decreased heart rate suggest that she is orienting herself to the new stimulus.

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