A researcher places dogs in a cage with metal bars on the floor. The dogs are randomly given electric shocks and can do nothing to prevent them or stop them. Later, the same dogs are placed in a cage where they can escape the shocks by jumping over a low hurdle. When the shocks are given, the dogs do not even try to escape. They just sit and cower. This is an example of __________

A) learned helplessness.
B) avoidance learning.
C) aversive conditioning.
D) vicarious learning.

Question

James Estayo · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : A, Explanation :  The dogs have learned that no matter what they do, they cannot prevent or stop the shocks from happening. This learned feeling of helplessness leads them to not even try to escape when given the opportunity to do so.

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