Final answer:
Emphasis on past events is not a characteristic of behavior modification, which includes behavioral principles, observable behavior focus, and precise procedural descriptions. The diagram of the cat's behavior reflects classical conditioning, where stimuli affect behavior through learned associations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic that is NOT associated with behavior modification is c) Emphasis on past events. Behavior modification focuses on altering current behavior through the application of behavioral principles, rather than delving into or analyzing past events to understand current behavior.
It utilizes procedures based on behavioral principles, emphasizes the importance of observable and measurable focus on behavior, and requires precise descriptions of procedures used to modify behavior. In the context provided of the cat and its response to stimuli, the process represented by the diagram is most likely b) classical conditioning.
This is a form of learning where a previously neutral stimulus, after being paired with a stimulus that naturally evokes a response, begins to trigger a similar response when presented alone. Conversely, innate behavior would not require learning or change due to stimuli, operant conditioning involves consequences to modify voluntary behavior, and cognitive learning involves mental processes that are beyond simple conditioned responses.