In a classic experiment from the 1930s, a biologist conducted selective breeding experiments involving maze-running behavior in rats. He repeatedly bred together males and females that made the fewest mistakes, and he also bred together males and females that made the most mistakes. After eight generations, all mice that descended from ʺmaze -smartʺ parents were better at running the maze than all mice that descended from ʺmaze -dumbʺ parents. This study indicates that
A) rats move through a maze randomly.
B) nothing can be concluded about maze-running behavior in rats.
C) maze running is a purely innate behavior in rats.
D) trial-and-error learning in rats appears to have a genetic component.
E) maze running is a purely learned behavior.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The study demonstrates that selective breeding based on maze performance led to differences in maze-running abilities between the offspring of "maze-smart" and "maze-dumb" parents, suggesting a genetic component to their ability to learn or perform in the maze.

In a Classic Experiment from the 1930s, a Biologist Conducted