Episode 1: Cognitive Distortions Beyond the Black Box

If we acknowledge the probability that animals experience cognitive distortions, how could we possibly apply practical strategies to address it? We don't have to read an animal's mind, we can act to combat the potential for false predictions not by acknowledging what will not be, but rather by modeling what will be. By crafting a learning environment that guarantees safety, and creates a space for them to explore the reality of whatever their expectations are. Crafting learning environments enables the learner to construct knowledge that benefits them as it relates to their past learning history and experiences, and how it may best contribute to their future needs. It offers a variety of paths toward the absorption of the necessary information. This type of teaching is at the forefront of human learning experiences, a learner-centered approach. It’s not new or groundbreaking in theory or practice in the human realm, but it is so foreign to us in animal training, it's time we catch up.



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