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If you trained a pigeon to turn in a circle when a TURN sign was presented, you could say that the bird was_________.

User Amongalen
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Final answer:

The pigeon was exhibiting conditioned behavior through shaping, a technique in operant conditioning used to train animals by reinforcing successive steps toward a desired complex behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you trained a pigeon to turn in a circle when a TURN sign was presented, you could say that the bird was exhibiting conditioned behavior as a result of the shaping process. Shaping is a technique used in operant conditioning to train animals by reinforcing successive approximations to achieve the desired complex behavior. Renowned psychologist B.F. Skinner famously used this method to teach pigeons various behaviors such as turning in circles, walking in figure eights, and even playing ping pong. This approach can lead to a variety of interesting and complex behaviors in animals.

User Nick Banks
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