Which one of the following best describes contemporary theorists' perspective on classical conditioning?
A) Cognitive factors, such as mental representations of stimuli and predictions that organisms make, must often be considered in addition to observable stimuli and responses.
B) Despite Pavlov's early findings to the contrary, higher-order conditioning and sensory preconditioning seldom occur.
C) Classical conditioning typically occurs only in conjunction with operant conditioning; for example, conditioned stimuli elicit conditioned responses only when those responses are followed by reinforcement.
D) Classical conditioning occurs primarily in artificial laboratory conditions; it rarely occurs in more naturalistic, real-life settings.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Contemporary theorists recognize the importance of cognitive factors, such as mental representations of stimuli and predictions that organisms make, in classical conditioning. They understand that classical conditioning is not just about observable stimuli and responses, but also about the organism's cognitive processes. Additionally, contemporary theorists do not rule out the possibility of higher-order conditioning and sensory preconditioning.

Which One of the Following Best Describes Contemporary Theorists' Perspective