Which statement exemplifies favorable transfer of learning?

• A. The dog has already learned to do one thing actually helps it to learn to do a new task.
• B. The dog forgets the first task when learning a second.
• C. Learning one task blocks learning another.
• D. The dog performs both tasks independently without influence.

Answer: (A)

Favorable transfer of learning happens when what was learned before helps you pick up a new task more quickly or effectively. In conditioning practice, a dog that has already learned a related skill can apply that experience to a new task, using the same cues, reinforcement patterns, or problem-solving approach. That makes the new learning smoother because the brain recognizes similarities and can generalize the learned behaviors.

So, the statement that the dog’s prior learning actually assists in learning a new task best shows positive transfer because the prior skill is providing a head start, not just standing alone or interfering.

The other scenarios describe negative or no transfer: forgetting the first task when starting a second means interference rather than helpful transfer; learning one task blocks learning another is also interference; performing both tasks independently with no influence indicates zero transfer rather than a beneficial carryover of learning.