Human beings generally have an aversion to bitter and sour foods. Some researchers suggest that this is because foods that are inedible or even poisonous are often bitter or sour. The tendency of human beings to find these potentially harmful foods repulsive is an example of ________.
A) classical conditioning
B) vicarious conditioning
C) conditioned emotional response
D) biological preparedness

Question

Human beings generally have an aversion to bitter and sour foods. Some researchers suggest that this is because foods that are inedible or even poisonous are often bitter or sour. The tendency of human beings to find these potentially harmful foods repulsive is an example of ________.
A) classical conditioning
B) vicarious conditioning
C) conditioned emotional response 
D) biological preparedness

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The aversion to bitter and sour foods is an example of biological preparedness, as humans have evolved to associate bitter or sour tastes with potentially harmful or poisonous foods, in order to avoid consuming them. This is an innate characteristic, rather than a learned association through conditioning. Choices A, B, and C all refer to learned associations rather than innate characteristics.

Human Beings Generally Have an Aversion to Bitter and Sour