Question

read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.

glen is attempting to use operant conditioning to train his dog, thor, to fetch a ball upon command. to test thors understanding, glen throws the ball and yells, \pineapple!\ thor does not fetch the ball.

which process of operant conditioning has thor demonstrated?
a. stimuli optimization
b. stimuli discrimination
c. stimuli extinction
d. stimuli generalization

please select the best answer from the choices provided

Explanation:

Analyze the scenario and behavior

Thor has been trained to fetch a ball upon command. When Glen throws the ball and yells a different, unrelated word ("Pineapple!"), Thor does not fetch the ball. This shows that Thor can distinguish between the specific training command and other non-training verbal stimuli.

Identify the operant conditioning process

Responding only to the specific discriminative stimulus that has been reinforced, and not responding to other similar or different stimuli, is known as stimulus discrimination.

Evaluate the given options

• A. stimuli optimization: Not a standard term in operant conditioning.
• B. stimuli discrimination: Correct, as Thor distinguishes the command from "Pineapple!".
• C. stimuli extinction: Refers to the gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response.
• D. stimuli generalization: Would occur if Thor fetched the ball to any yelled word, which he did not.

Answer:

• A. stimuli optimization
• B. stimuli discrimination (Correct answer)
• C. stimuli extinction
• D. stimuli generalization