April wants to teach her cat not to claw at the arms of her couch. Which of the following methods will be most successful?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning involves reinforcing desired behaviors and punishing or ignoring unwanted behaviors, which can be effective in training animals. In this case, April would need to provide something rewarding, such as treats or attention, when her cat uses a scratching post instead of the couch, while also providing a deterrent, such as a loud noise or spray of water, when the cat claws at the couch. By consistently using positive reinforcement and punishment, over time the cat will learn that scratching the couch is not desirable behavior. Higher-order conditioning involves associating a neutral stimulus with a conditioned stimulus, which is not applicable to this situation. Observational learning involves learning by watching others, which may not be effective in training a cat. Classical conditioning involves associating an unconditioned stimulus with a neutral stimulus, such as Pavlov's experiment with dogs and the sound of a bell. While classical conditioning can be used to train animals, it may not be the most effective method for modifying a specific behavior like scratching a couch.

April Wants to Teach Her Cat Not to Claw at the Arms