How can learning theory help to explain why diet drinks are ineffective in helping people lose weight?
A) Sugar acts as a positive reinforcer, but artificial sweeteners act as a negative reinforcer.
B) Stimulus discrimination allows the body to tell the difference between real sugar and artificial sweeteners.
C) Extinction occurs when artificial sweeteners are introduced, but spontaneous recovery leads to a return of overeating.
D) People normally learn that sweet tastes (CS) predict calories (US), but artificial sweeteners weaken this association.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Learning theory suggests that people normally learn that sweet tastes (CS) predict calories (US), leading to a conditioned response of increased hunger and craving in response to sweetness. However, artificial sweeteners do not provide the calories (US) that the body has learned to associate with sweetness, leading to confusion in the body's response and potentially weakening the learned association between sweetness and calories. This can lead to overeating and a lack of weight loss efficacy for diet drinks.

How Can Learning Theory Help to Explain Why Diet Drinks