If experimenters play a very loud buzzer, a rat will be startled. If they repeatedly flash a light before the buzzer is played, the rat will eventually be startled by the light alone. This is an example of:
A) generalization.
B) classical conditioning.
C) the law of effect.
D) instrumental conditioning.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (the light) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (the loud buzzer) that naturally produces an unconditioned response (startle). Over time, the neutral stimulus alone can elicit a conditioned response (startle), similar to the response to the unconditioned stimulus.

If Experimenters Play a Very Loud Buzzer, a Rat Will