Final answer:
Garcia's research demonstrated that classical conditioning and the development of taste aversion are influenced by evolutionary adaptations that aid species survival, thus validating the statement (b) that classical conditioning is influenced by an individual's evolutionary history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The research of John Garcia on taste aversion and classical conditioning revealed significant insights into the effects of an individual's evolutionary history on learning processes. Contrary to showing classical conditioning as a universal response, Garcia's studies indicated the existence of biological constraints to learning.
In experiments with rats, Garcia and Koelling discovered that rats easily learned to avoid a flavor paired with illness but did not learn to avoid visual or auditory cues paired with illness. With this finding, Garcia's research supported the theory that classical conditioning is influenced by evolutionary adaptations, assisting organisms in avoiding foods or stimuli that could be hazardous, endorsed by natural selection, and contributing to species survival. These studies have practical implications for utilizing classical conditioning in health care practices, such as helping cancer patients manage treatment-induced nausea.