Taste aversions are a type of classical conditioning, and if there is a long delay between the CS and US, conditioning is usually prevented. The fact that people and animals can develop taste aversions, even though sickness occurs long after eating, indicates that
A)taste aversions are really a type of systematic desensitization.
B)taste aversions can be unlearned as well.
C)there is a biological preparedness to associate sickness with any food eaten earlier, which protects us from eating unhealthy foods.
D)there is less aversion associated with the actual sickness than with whatever caused the sickness in the first place.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Taste aversions are an exception to the general rule in classical conditioning that the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the unconditioned stimulus (US) must be presented close together in time. This exception suggests that organisms are biologically prepared to make certain associations, such as associating sickness with food that was consumed earlier, even if the sickness occurs hours later. This mechanism likely evolved to help protect organisms from consuming harmful or poisonous substances.

Taste Aversions Are a Type of Classical Conditioning, and If