Operant Conditioning at Sea-World This sequence shows a SeaWorld trainer using operant conditioning principles with a dolphin that has already been shaped to perform somersaults. (a) The trainer gives the dolphin two discriminative stimuli—a distinct vocal sound and a specific hand gesture. (b) The dolphin quickly responds with the correct operant—a perfect somersault in the air. (c) The operant is positively reinforced with a piece of fish. The same basic techniques are also used to teach seals, sea lions, walruses, and killer whales to perform different tricks on cue.

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