A researcher is training laboratory rats to run a complex maze. Each time the rats learn a new part of the maze, they are reward
ed with a pellet of food. Within a few hours, the rats have learned the entire maze. Which of the following did the researcher use to teach the rats the maze? A. Shaping
B. Generalization
C. Negative reinforcement
D. A fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement
E. Spontaneous recovery
From the question we are informed about A researcher who is training laboratory rats to run a complex maze. Each time the rats learn a new part of the maze, they are rewarded with a pellet of food. Within a few hours, the rats have learned the entire maze. In this case, the researcher use shaping to teach the rats the maze. Shaping can be regarded as calculated reinforcement of a particular behavior. To do this operant conditioning principles is been utilized in training the subject, which involves giving rewards for a proper behavior so as to discourage improper behavior.
Based on the scenario being described within the question it can be said that this success can be best attributed to the aspect of reciprocity. This term refers to the social norm of responding to an action with another similar action. In the Amish egalitarian society all individuals are born equal and help each other, thus one receives help and is more inclined to offer help back, and so forth.
