Obi always gives his cats treats before he goes to work each morning. When he is gathering the things he takes to work, his cats
begin to circle around him and cry. Robert Rescorla and Allan Wagner would say this is occurring because Obi's cats have developed a(n) _____ for the treats.
Robert Rescorla and Allan Wagner would say this is occurring because Obi's cats have developed a(n) expectation for the treats.
Explanation:
The Rescorla-Wagner model is a type of classical conditioning. Classical conditioning refers to an organism learning a new behavior by the repetitive association of stimuli and response. In the case we are studying here, the cats have learned to associate Obi's action of gathering his things with the action of his giving them treats. Now, every time they see him gathering his things, they expect to receive treats. They respond by circling around him and crying, already in anticipation (expectation) for the treat they think will be given.
