Which One of the Following Examples Best Illustrates Classical Conditioning

Question

Which one of the following examples best illustrates classical conditioning?
A) birds hatching in isolation and singing their species- specific song
B) geese following the first thing they see upon hatching
C) cats seeing a mouse and chasing it
D) cats running into the kitchen when they hear a food can being opened

Accepted Answer

The sound of a food can being opened has become a conditioned stimulus for the cats, causing them to salivate and run into the kitchen in anticipation of food. This is an example of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (the sound of the can opener) becomes associated with a natural, unconditioned response (the cats' hunger), and eventually elicits the same response (running into the kitchen) on its own.