A shock is given shortly after a buzzer sounds, but not if the light is also flashing.A rat will act normally if the light and buzzer are presented, but it will freeze if only the buzzer is presented.This is an example of:
A)the law of effect
B)conditioned inhibition
C)escape conditioning
D)avoidance conditioning

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of conditioned inhibition, where the rat has learned that the shock will not be given when the light is flashing, and therefore does not freeze. However, when only the buzzer is presented, the rat has learned to associate it with the shock and freezes as a result. The law of effect refers to the principle that behaviors that are followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors that are followed by negative consequences are less likely to be repeated. Escape conditioning refers to a type of learning in which an animal learns to engage in a response that stops an ongoing aversive stimulus, while avoidance conditioning refers to a type of learning in which an animal learns to engage in a response that prevents an aversive stimulus from occurring.

A Shock Is Given Shortly After a Buzzer Sounds, but Not