Final answer:
The therapist reinforced 'Approaching the fear stimulus'. Little Albert's case exemplifies 'stimulus generalization'. The behavior of the cat can be understood through 'classical conditioning', and cognitive learning involves changing behavior through the experience of consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The therapist likely reinforced 'C) Approaching the fear stimulus' in a case similar to the haggly old witch scenario. This is based on therapy protocols that aim to reduce phobias or fear responses by gradually and repetitively exposing the individual to the feared object or situation (the fear stimulus), which is a technique known as exposure therapy. This method is directly counter to reinforcing avoidance behaviors or negative associations, which would worsen the fear, and is distinct from reinforcement of fear responses.
In the case of Little Albert, the fear he developed for a white rat and then other similar objects represents 'd. stimulus generalization'. This occurs when a response conditioned to one stimulus is elicited by other, similar stimuli. The diagram depicting the cat's behavior in response to different stimuli is illustrative of 'b. classical conditioning', where an innate response (e.g., hiding at the sound of footsteps) becomes associated with a previously neutral stimulus.
Cognitive learning refers to the process wherein animals learn to modify their behavior based on experiencing the consequences of their actions, whether positive or negative, which is separate from classical or operant conditioning.