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Each time a dog walks nicely on leash, the owner praises and releases the dog to "go sniff". Walking nicely on leash increases. This is an example of

A. Thorndikes law of effect
B. Premack Principle
C. Classical learning
D. Desensitization

User Bernzkie
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Final answer:

The increase in a dog walking nicely on a leash as a result of being allowed to "go sniff" is an application of the Premack Principle, which involves using a desirable behavior as a reward for a less probable one.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the example of a dog that walks nicely on a leash and then is released to "go sniff" as a reward, we can analyze this behavior through the lens of different learning principles. In psychology, the Premack Principle asserts that more probable behaviors (such as the desirable behavior of sniffing for a dog) can be utilized as rewards for less probable behaviors (like walking nicely on a leash). When the dog's owner allows it to go sniff after exhibiting positive behavior on the leash, the dog's walking nicely on leash increases. This is because the act of sniffing serves as a reward for the dog, making the previous behavior more likely to be repeated. This is indeed an application of the Premack Principle, which differs from the classical conditioning detailed in Pavlov’s experiments. In classical conditioning, an innate reflex is triggered by a neutral stimulus through association, such as the salivation of dogs when hearing a bell that they have learned to associate with food. However, the example given pertains to operant conditioning, where the dog learns through reinforcement.

User Beeholder
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