I cannot emphasize enough the importance of continual encouragement and positive talk and actions in motivating EEG biofeedback trainees. It is not just important, is actually quite critical. All of these orcas, never failing, perform intricate routines. None of these routines resemble the behavior of orcas in the wild ocean. No seaman has ever reported a wild killer whale doing back flips or carrying a diver on her nose.
Every single performance is perfect.
All the stunts and tricks are performed. No one would ever suggest that the orca is at fault if the whale did not learn a routine as quickly as another orca had learned it. SeaWorld's consistency of success with these huge, intelligent mammals is a result of their rigorous use of what psychologists know about learning and behavior. Very carefully , or not at all. Sea World punishes not at all.