Question

Mark is testing whether or not cats can be trained to perform tricks in the same manner as dogs. Mark has successfully taught his cat Pantera to touch Mark's hand with her paw when saying "shake." He has done so by rewarding her with a treat every time she successfully accomplishes the task as well as telling her she's "a good girl." However, he noticed Pantera will often attempt to touch his hand with her paw anytime she hears the word 'take' on the television. Which of the following psychological figures most likely influenced the procedures Mark employed during his experiment with Sally?

Answer 1

The psychological figure that most likely influenced the procedures used by Mark in his experiment with Pantera is B.F. Skinner and his work on Operant Conditioning. Option B

What is the situation here

Mark rewarded Pantera with treats and verbal praise ("a good girl") every time she successfully performed the desired task of touching his hand with her paw after hearing the command "shake."

The rewarding stimuli (treats and verbal praise) function as positive reinforcement, encouraging the behavior of paw touching when the command "shake" is given.

This positive reinforcement aligns with the principles of operant conditioning, specifically the use of rewards to strengthen desired behaviors.

question

Which of the following psychological figures most likely influenced the procedures Mark employed during his experiment with Pantera?

A) Ivan Pavlov

B) B.F. Skinner

C) Sigmund Freud

D) Abraham Maslow