A rat is placed in a maze for an hour a day for 10 consecutive days. It is allowed to explore the corridors of the maze. On the eleventh day, food is placed in the goal box. The animal learns immediately, and without errors, to run to the goal box for food. What type of learning is illustrated here?
A) generalization
B) latent learning
C) intrinsic learning
D) insightful behavior

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This scenario illustrates latent learning, which occurs when knowledge or behavior is acquired but not demonstrated until there is an incentive, such as a reward or punishment. The rat explored the maze without a clear goal for 10 days, but on the eleventh day, it learned to navigate directly to the goal box to receive food. This suggests that the learning had already occurred, but it was not overtly demonstrated until the reinforcement was introduced.

A Rat Is Placed in a Maze for an Hour