A phenomenon called the blocking effect demonstrates the key role played by __________ in conditioning.
A) intelligence
B) genetics
C) desire
D) surprise

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The blocking effect is a phenomenon in which a previously learned association between a conditioned stimulus (CS) and an unconditioned stimulus (US) prevents the formation of a new association between a novel CS and the same US. This occurs because the presence of the previously learned CS provides no new information to the organism, and therefore does not allow for surprise or prediction error that is necessary for learning to occur. Hence, surprise plays a key role in conditioning and is reflected in the blocking effect.

A Phenomenon Called the Blocking Effect Demonstrates the Key Role