The ability of an animal to choose between two or more different options is termed what?

The term that describes the ability of an animal to choose between two or more different options is discrimination. This concept is central to learning and behavior in animals, as it involves the capacity to differentiate between various stimuli and respond accordingly.

Discrimination allows an animal to identify specific cues or signals in its environment that indicate the presence of rewards or punishments. For instance, if a dog learns to respond to a particular command or signal because it consistently leads to a treat, it is demonstrating the ability to discriminate between that command and other similar-sounding words that do not bring about the same outcome.

The other terms listed refer to different aspects of learning or behavior. Blocking, for example, addresses how prior learning can interfere with the acquisition of new information. Preparedness pertains to the idea that certain associations are more easily learned by specific species due to evolutionary factors. Extinction refers to the process in which a previously learned behavior diminishes when it is no longer reinforced. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective training and behavior modification.