Question

An animal trainer is conditioning an elephant to startle at the sound of a trombone. Every time she plays the trombone, she then shows the elephant a mouse, which startles the elephant. Eventually the elephant startles at just the sound of the trombone. However, after playing the 10 more times, without a mouse appearing, the elephant exhibits no response. The trainer then gives the elephant an adequate rest period from the trombone. What is MOST likely to occur the elephant hears the again the following?
A) The elephant will have a greatly delayed startle reaction.
B) The elephant will startle upon hearing the sound.
c) The elephant will startle only if it sees a mouse.
D) The elephant will not react.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option D, that is, the elephant will not react.

Explanation:

A kind of behavior that comprises a stimulus-response, which is distinct from the natural one is termed as conditioning. It is a kind of learned behavior. It is a kind of learning where the efficacy of stimulus enhances while provoking a response. When the presentation of two stimuli is done at a suitable time and with appropriate intensity, then one of them will be able to provoke a response that resembles the other one.  

In the given case, the mouse and the trombone are termed as unconditioned and conditioned stimuli. When a conditioned stimulus is demonstrated in a context of classical conditioning, it will result in the non-predication of the coming unconditioned stimulus. The conditioned response will get to cease slowly and will eliminate the conditioned fear. Thus, in the given case, the elephant will fail to react towards the trombone subsequently.