John Garcia
Definition
John Garcia was a psychologist known for his research on taste aversion, showing that some species are biologically prepared to make certain associations, which led to the development of the Garcia Effect.
Analogy
Imagine you're at a buffet and you try sushi for the first time. Unfortunately, it makes you sick. Even though there were many other foods on your plate, you associate feeling ill with the sushi. This is similar to what John Garcia found in his studies - organisms are more likely to associate sickness with food (taste) than with other stimuli.
Related terms
Garcia Effect: The principle that animals and humans are biologically predisposed to learn associations between certain stimuli and responses when these might aid survival.
Taste Aversion: A learned response to eating spoiled or toxic food.
Biological Preparedness: The idea that people and animals are inherently inclined to form associations between certain stimuli and responses.
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