In a classical conditioning experiment, rats are made to hear a tone followed by the presentation of food. This takes place only when a bright light is on. When the light is off, the tone is not followed by food. This is most likely an experiment based on the phenomenon known as _____.
A) latent inhibition
B) overshadowing
C) blocking
D) occasion setting

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This experiment is based on the phenomenon of occasion setting, where the bright light serves as a contextual cue or "occasion setter" that signals when the tone-food pairing (classical conditioning) will occur. When the light is off, the conditioned response is not expected, indicating that the light sets the occasion for when the conditioned stimulus (tone) predicts the unconditioned stimulus (food).

In a Classical Conditioning Experiment, Rats Are Made to Hear