Animals tend to learn associations consistent with their natural behavior more easily than those that are not consistent with their natural behavior. This is due to _____.

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Instinctual drift is a phenomenon where animals tend to return to their innate behaviors, which are associated with their survival and adaptation in the environment. Therefore, animals are more likely to learn associations that align with their natural behavior rather than those that do not. Shaping involves gradually teaching an animal a new behavior by reinforcing small consecutive steps leading up to the final desired behavior. Classical conditioning is a type of learning that associates a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. Observational learning is when an animal learns a new behavior by observing and imitating others.

Animals Tend to Learn Associations Consistent with Their Natural Behavior