Universal Studios wants to train a cat to pull a rope as part of an animal act. The probability that the cat will just pull a rope is very low. What technique would be the best choice to use to help the cat learn to emit the desired response?
A) shaping
B) stimulus generalization
C) extinction
D) stimulus discrimination

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations towards the desired behavior. In this case, the cat may initially show any behavior towards the rope, such as sniffing or batting at it. By reinforcing these behaviors, the cat can eventually learn to pull the rope. This method is useful when the desired behavior is complex or not likely to occur naturally.

Universal Studios Wants to Train a Cat to Pull a Rope