Mitzi's cat has learned to meow every time it hears the can opener because Mitzi opened the cat food using an electric can opener.The cat food now comes in pull-top cans, so the cat never receives food after hearing the can opener.Mitzi's cat stops meowing to the can opener, illustrating that _____ has taken place.
A)shaping
B)extinction
C)a spontaneous recovery
D)negative reinforcement

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Extinction is the gradual disappearance of a learned response when a particular stimulus no longer produces the consequence that once reinforced the behavior. In this case, the cat learned to associate the sound of the can opener with getting food, but since the cat food now comes in pull-top cans, the sound of the can opener no longer produces the consequence of getting food, and the cat gradually stops meowing to it.

Mitzi's Cat Has Learned to Meow Every Time It Hears