Which scenario provides an example of instrumental (or operant) conditioning?
A) A mouse learns to associate the repeated sound of a bell with a food treat
B) A fearful dog learns that rain means there could be thunder
C) A cat learns that raising a paw to beg results in a dish of milk
D) A bird hides seeds and remembers the location it hid them

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Choice C describes how a cat learns that a specific behavior (raising a paw to beg) results in a specific consequence (getting a dish of milk), which is an example of instrumental (or operant) conditioning. Choices A and B describe classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (sound of a bell or rain) becomes associated with a specific outcome (food treat or thunder) through repeated pairing. Choice D describes a natural behavior (hiding seeds) that is not necessarily learned through conditioning.

Which Scenario Provides an Example of Instrumental (Or Operant) Conditioning