Ahmen Adopts a Dog from the Local Animal Shelter

question 229

Multiple Choice

Ahmen adopts a dog from the local animal shelter. When Ahmen's mother comes home that day, she runs to the dog to pet her, but the dog cowers and puts her tail between her legs. The dog continues to exhibit this response whenever Ahmen's mother approaches her. Eventually, after several weeks, the dog cowers less until finally, Ahmen's mother is able to pet the dog. What the dog has learned is that Ahmen's mother will not harm her; therefore, her response decreases with time. This is an example of:

• A) habituation
• B) latent learning
• C) extinction
• D) tabula rasa

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Definitions:

Environments

The surroundings or conditions in which a person, plant, or animal lives or operates, encompassing both natural and human-constructed elements.

Earliest Schemas

The fundamental cognitive structures formed in early childhood that help individuals categorize and understand the world around them.

Reflexes

Automatic, involuntary movements or actions in response to specific stimuli, present from birth and necessary for survival.

Qualitative Change

Transformation that involves a fundamental difference in nature or character, not merely in amount or volume.