Question

A dog is pulling on a leash to greet a stranger. The owner responds by asking the stranger to wait until the dog stops pulling. The dog sits and the owner tells the stranger that he can approach. What is being demonstrated?

Answer 1

The owner is using operant conditioning to train the dog to sit and associate sitting with a positive outcome.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario being demonstrated in this question is an example of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on the consequences that follow them.

In this case, the owner is using positive reinforcement by giving the dog a treat when it sits, which increases the likelihood of the dog sitting in the future. By waiting until the dog stops pulling and then allowing the stranger to approach, the owner is reinforcing the desired behavior of sitting and teaching the dog to associate sitting with a positive outcome.

This type of training is commonly used to shape the behaviors of animals, including dogs, and is based on the principles of behaviorism.