Which of the following statements about taste aversion learning is true?

• A. Taste aversion can develop after only one pairing of the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus.
• B. Taste aversion learning is equally strong for all types of stimuli, including visual and auditory cues.
• C. Taste aversion learning does not involve classical conditioning processes.
• D. Taste aversion requires multiple pairings of the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus to be effective.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of taste aversion learning, which is a form of classical conditioning where an organism learns to avoid a taste after it has been associated with illness or discomfort.
2. Step 2: Recognize that taste aversion learning is unique because it can occur after just one pairing of the conditioned stimulus (the taste) and the unconditioned stimulus (the illness), unlike many other forms of classical conditioning that require multiple pairings.
3. Step 3: Note that taste aversion is typically specific to gustatory (taste) stimuli and is not equally strong for other types of stimuli such as visual or auditory cues, which means it is not a general classical conditioning process for all sensory modalities.
4. Step 4: Recall that taste aversion learning does involve classical conditioning processes, where the taste (conditioned stimulus) becomes associated with the negative experience (unconditioned stimulus) leading to a conditioned response (aversion).
5. Step 5: Conclude that the statement 'Taste aversion can develop after only one pairing of the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus' is true, while the other statements are false based on the characteristics of taste aversion learning.