Final answer:
The cognitive ability that allows students to apply learned skills of throwing and catching to different types of balls without specific training for each is known as transfer, a key concept in cognitive learning. Option a is the answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cognitive ability described where students can learn to throw and catch a ball without needing specific instruction for every type of ball used in sports is known as transfer. This concept refers to the ability to apply knowledge or skills learned in one context to a new but similar context. In cognitive learning, this can be a powerful method, enabling individuals to generalize learning experiences and adapt them to new tasks or situations. Cognitive learning involves complex brain processes such as visual processing, remembering past experiences, and processing sensory-based inputs like touching physical objects or tasting food. The powerful nature of cognitive learning means it can even be used to understand and analyze conditioning in depth.