What is it called when an animal uses past experiences to make a decision regarding its actions?

The concept of using past experiences to inform decision-making in animals is best described as reasoning. Reasoning involves the cognitive process through which animals analyze past events and outcomes to guide their future actions. This decision-making process signifies a level of higher cognitive ability, allowing animals to adapt their behavior based on previous experiences rather than merely relying on instinct or conditioned responses.

In this context, instinct refers to inborn patterns of behavior that animals demonstrate without prior experience. Conditioning involves the process where animals learn to associate certain stimuli with specific responses through reinforcement or punishment. Learning, while it encompasses a broader range of experiences, is more general and can include both conditioning and reasoning. Therefore, reasoning specifically highlights the application of past experiences to guide current behavior, making it the most appropriate term for this scenario.