Deck 7: Basic Principles of Learning

Question 1

Let's say you have a hungry cat in your kitchen.You use your electric can opener,which makes a rather loud sound,to open a can of cat food.You have done this many times before.The hungry cat comes running toward the kitchen at the sound of the can opener,not at the sight of the food.In this example,the sound of the can opener is the

A) conditioned stimulus.
B) conditioned response.
C) unconditioned stimulus.
D) unconditioned response.

Answer 1

conditioned stimulus.

Question 2

Frequency and timing of the association of two neutral stimuli are important to the formation of what?

A) classical conditioning
B) unconditioned stimulus
C) shaped behavior
D) Thorndikian learning

Answer 2

classical conditioning

Question 3

A fleck of dust or dirt in your eye automatically causes the eye to produce tears to wash out the dirt.If this were part of a classical conditioning experiment,the fleck of dust or dirt would be labeled as the

A) unconditioned stimulus.
B) unconditioned response.
C) conditioned stimulus.
D) conditioned response.

Answer 3

unconditioned stimulus.

Question 4

A parent brings his 15-month-old to the pediatrician's office for her first shot.The child is happy and playful right up until the time the shot is injected.Now,every time the child sees someone in a white lab coat,she cries in terror.The injection in this scenario served as the

A) conditioned stimulus.
B) unconditioned stimulus.
C) unconditioned response.
D) conditioned response.

Question 5

In order to cry during a particular scene,an actor held a handkerchief soaked in onion juice close to her nose.The onion juice served as a(n)

A) conditioned response.
B) unconditioned response.
C) conditioned stimulus.
D) unconditioned stimulus.

Question 6

Learning is defined as a _______ change in behavior due to _______.

A) temporary;experience
B) biological;reinforcement
C) relatively permanent;experience
D) biological;maturation

Question 7

Some kindergarten children were shown a film on how to brush their teeth.If a change in behavior is not immediately obvious after viewing the instructional film,you may conclude that

A) learning has not occurred.
B) there is a potential for a behavioral change.
C) maturation has interfered with learning.
D) the children were obviously not paying attention.

Question 8

Women who breastfeed their babies often notice that the crying of any infant may result in milk ejection.In this case,the crying of any infant is a(n)

A) unconditioned stimulus.
B) conditioned stimulus.
C) unconditioned response.
D) conditioned response.

Question 9

In an experiment,participants are to learn a classically conditioned response.Which of the following will occur on the first learning trial?

A) The participant cannot make a UCR.
B) The UCR will elicit a CS.
C) The CS will not elicit a CR.
D) The CS will elicit a UCR.

Question 10

In Pavlov's classic studies with dogs and digestion,what was the response that Pavlov measured?

A) amount of food presented
B) footsteps in the laboratory
C) sound of a metrodome
D) amount of salivation

Question 11

In classical conditioning,an unlearned,inborn reaction to an unconditioned stimulus is a(n)

A) unconditioned stimulus.
B) conditioned stimulus.
C) unconditioned response.
D) conditioned response.

Question 12

In classical conditioning,which of the following is true of the unconditioned stimulus?

A) It becomes associated with the response after learning.
B) It causes the response only in the presence of the conditioned stimulus.
C) It elicits the response without any learning.
D) It is emitted by the unconditioned response.

Question 13

Pavlov found that a neutral stimulus was more likely to produce dogs to salivate if the stimulus

A) was delivered on a variable interval schedule.
B) positively reinforced salivation.
C) and food were frequently associated.
D) followed the salivation by 1 second.

Question 14

When a baby is born,it shows no preference for its father's voice,but after a month of living with Dad,a baby will show a clear preference for Dad's voice over other men's voices.This new preference is an example of

A) maturation.
B) genetics.
C) insight.
D) learning.

Question 15

An essential factor in the definition of learning is that the learned behavior

A) must result from maturation.
B) must be unmotivated.
C) has a biological cause.
D) is relatively permanent.

Question 16

A major league baseball pitcher changes his arm strength by taking steroids,which in turn changes his pitching.Is this change in pitching due to learning?

A) No,because the change was not due to experience.
B) No,because arm strength has nothing to do with pitching.
C) Yes,because the pitcher learned to take steroids.
D) Yes,because changes from steroids are permanent.

Question 17

Let's say you have a hungry cat in your kitchen.You use your electric can opener,which makes a rather loud sound,to open a can of cat food.You have done this many times before.The hungry cat runs toward the plate of food when it sees it being set on the floor.In this example,the placement of the food on the floor is a/n

A) conditioned stimulus.
B) conditioned response.
C) unconditioned stimulus.
D) unconditioned response.

Question 18

Let's say you have a hungry cat in your kitchen.You use your electric can opener,which makes a rather loud sound,to open a can of cat food.You have done this many times before.The hungry cat comes running toward the kitchen at the sound of the can opener,not at the sight of the food.In this example,the running into the kitchen at the sound of the can opener is the

A) conditioned stimulus.
B) conditioned response.
C) unconditioned stimulus.
D) unconditioned response.

Question 19

Using Pavlov's idea of learning through association,a/n ______ stimulus comes to elicit a response over time.

A) learned
B) original
C) neutral
D) inborn

Question 20

In Pavlov's experiments,which condition of association produced the best results?

A) when the metronome preceded the food powder by 10 seconds
B) when the food powder and metronome were presented simultaneously
C) when the food powder preceded the metronome by 10 seconds
D) when the metronome preceded the food powder by 1/2 second

Question 21

Research on operant conditioning suggests that the longer a reward for a good deed is delayed,the

A) less of an impact the reward has.
B) more tantalizing the reward becomes.
C) more strength gained by the conditioned stimulus.
D) less necessary is the unconditioned response

Question 22

When counterconditioning is used,a conditioned stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus that is _______ the conditioned response.

A) reinforced by
B) extinguished by
C) associated with
D) incompatible with

Question 23

The Smith's new puppy cries in the middle of the night.Various family members periodically check the dog,who responds by happily wagging his tail.Lately,his crying has actually increased.This increase is likely due to

A) positive punishment.
B) positive reinforcement.
C) negative reinforcement.
D) classical conditioning.

Question 24

Learning that occurs as a result of the consequences of our behavior is called _______ conditioning.

A) classical
B) Pavlovian
C) operant
D) observational

Question 25

At the beginning of a learning process using positive reinforcement,it is important to

A) only use secondary reinforcement.
B) progress very slowly.
C) avoid using extrinsic rewards.
D) use consistent reinforcement.

Question 26

In classical conditioning,one has the ability to "un-do" the association of neutral stimuli with fearful responses by using the process of

A) stimulus generalization.
B) stimulus discrimination.
C) counterconditioning.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 27

Which of the following is a key element in operant conditioning?

A) the type of stimulus used
B) the nature of the learning task
C) the consequences of a behavior
D) whether a response is elicited or not

Question 28

What is the overall effect of delay of reinforcement?

A) It slows learning.
B) It speeds learning.
C) It has no effect on learning.
D) It accelerates learning.

Question 29

Let's say you have a hungry cat in your kitchen.You use your electric can opener,which makes a rather loud sound,to open a can of cat food.You have done this many times before.The hungry cat runs toward the plate of food when it sees it being set on the floor.In this example,running toward a plate of food when set in front of the cat is a/n

A) conditioned stimulus.
B) conditioned response.
C) unconditioned stimulus.
D) unconditioned response.

Question 30

Joe has been afraid of cats since childhood when he was attacked and scratched by a neighborhood stray.A fear such as Joe's may best be explained by

A) classical conditioning.
B) observational learning.
C) operant conditioning.
D) insight learning.

Question 31

The origins of unusual sexual fetishes may best be explained by

A) learned helplessness.
B) the partial reinforcement effect.
C) superstitious behavior.
D) classical conditioning.

Question 32

A child cries until his mother gives him a piece of candy.The candy is a(n)

A) conditioned stimulus.
B) unconditioned response.
C) positive reinforcer.
D) secondary reinforcer.

Question 33

Learning from the consequences of our behavior,which in turn leads to the strengthening,or weakening of behaviors is called

A) observational learning.
B) latent learning.
C) classical conditioning.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 34

Thorndike's "law of effect" suggests that

A) the consequences of a behavior influence the probability of that behavior being repeated.
B) the more we observe positive models in our environment,the more we emulate those models.
C) when a conditioned stimulus is repeatedly followed by an unconditioned stimulus,learning occurs.
D) the more we know,the more we comprehend that we don't know.

Question 35

When a sexual fetish develops,the conditioned stimulus is

A) sexual behavior.
B) a nonsexual object.
C) an erotic picture.
D) a primary reinforcer.

Question 36

Fred asks his mom for a cookie,but the answer is no.He whines and cries,so his mom gives him a cookie and he calms down.According to the principles of operant conditioning,what can be expected?

A) Mom will be less likely to give cookies in the future.
B) Fred will whine and cry more often in the future.
C) Fred will cry whenever he is hungry.
D) Fred will enjoy his cookie less than if he had received it after the first request.

Question 37

If classical conditioning has been successfully accomplished,what type of response follows the presentation of a conditioned stimulus?

A) conditioned response
B) neutral response
C) conditioned stimulus
D) neutral stimulus

Question 38

The study of "Little Albert" is a famous example of the study of learned that was conducted by

A) Pavlov.
B) Watson.
C) Thorndike.
D) Bandura.

Question 39

Which of the following best describes the law of effect?

A) A conditioned stimulus will produce a conditioned response.
B) The consequence of a response determines whether the response will be repeated.
C) Reinforcers should be given immediately after a response.
D) Behaviors will be elicited if the conditioned response is strong.

Question 40

When voluntary behaviors are either strengthened or weakened by their outcomes,the behavioral changes result from

A) insight learning.
B) classical conditioning.
C) observational learning.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 41

Jill was trying to operantly condition her dog to roll over.Each time her dog rolled over she immediately said "good dog." However,the dog did not learn to roll over on command.Which of the following may best explain why?

A) Jill used inconsistent reinforcement.
B) The CS did not match the CR.
C) Jill should have delayed the reinforcement.
D) Saying "good dog" was not reinforcing to her dog.

Question 42

Many psychiatric hospitals offer patients the chance to perform chores in exchange for tokens.The patients can use these tokens to purchase items at the hospital store.This system is an example of

A) secondary reinforcement.
B) primary reinforcement.
C) negative reinforcement.
D) cognitive restructuring.

Question 43

Regarding learning,______ has occurred when the consequence of a behavior leads to an increased probability of that behavior being repeated in the future.

A) observational learning
B) positive reinforcement
C) punishment
D) latent learning

Question 44

In positive reinforcement,the consequences of a behavior are ______ and the behavior is likely to occur ______.

A) positive;less
B) negative;less
C) positive;more
D) negative;more

Question 45

Assume that your class is going to have an oral quiz on the material in this chapter.For every two questions in a row that a student gets correct,the professor will add one point to the classroom participation grade.This is an example of a ________ schedule of reinforcement.

A) variable ratio
B) fixed ratio
C) fixed interval
D) variable interval

Question 46

If a student in a classroom was given a piece of candy for every five words spelled correctly,the student's behavior is being reinforced on a ______ schedule.

A) fixed interval
B) variable ratio
C) fixed ratio
D) continuous

Question 47

Primary reinforcer is to secondary reinforcer as

A) classical conditioning is to operant conditioning.
B) operant conditioning is to classical conditioning.
C) unlearned is to learned.
D) learned is to unlearned.

Question 48

If a student in a classroom was given a piece of candy for,on average,every three words correctly spelled,this would be an example of being reinforced on a ______ schedule.

A) continuous
B) variable interval
C) fixed ratio
D) variable ratio

Question 49

An example of a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement is the case of the

A) student who is greeted every fifth time she arrives in class.
B) instructor who is paid every two weeks during the year.
C) dean who visits the instructor's class when the mood strikes.
D) dog who retrieves the paper every day but gets rewarded infrequently.

Question 50

Which of the following is an example of a secondary reinforcer?

A) physical activity
B) food
C) money
D) water

Question 51

Which of the following is an example of a primary reinforcer?

A) grades
B) food
C) applause
D) money

Question 52

Reinforcers that are acquired through learning are called _______ reinforcers.

A) primary
B) secondary
C) classical
D) conditioned

Question 53

The idea of delay of reinforcement suggests that the ______ delay of reinforcement,the ______ the learning.

A) greater;slower
B) less;slower
C) greater;more accurate
D) less;less accurate

Question 54

Food,water,warmth,novel stimulation,physical activity,and sexual gratification are all examples of

A) primary reinforcers.
B) secondary reinforcers.
C) tertiary reinforcers.
D) latent learning.

Question 55

Which of the following is an example of a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement?

A) Reinforcement occurs every three minutes.
B) Reinforcement occurs after two rewards.
C) Two reinforcers are given every four minutes.
D) Reinforcement occurs after every 15th correct response.

Question 56

An interval schedule in operant conditioning,whether fixed or variable,is based on

A) the passage of time.
B) the number of responses.
C) the intensity of the response.
D) continuous reinforcement.

Question 57

In positive reinforcement,the behavior that becomes more frequent is called the

A) latent reaction.
B) punisher.
C) effected law.
D) operant response.

Question 58

When using positive reinforcement,the _______ should immediately follow the _______.

A) CS;UCS
B) UCR;CS
C) reinforcer;response
D) response;reinforcer

Question 59

When every response is followed by a reinforcer,this is known as

A) stimulus generalization.
B) continuous reinforcement.
C) intermittent reinforcement.
D) extinction.

Question 60

A slot machine is programmed to pay the grand prize jackpot only once during every 100,000 plays.This is an example of a

A) fixed-ratio schedule.
B) variable ratio schedule.
C) fixed interval schedule.
D) variable interval schedule.

Question 61

A strategy of reinforcing successive approximations to a complex behavior is known as

A) modeling.
B) shaping.
C) interval training.
D) aversive conditioning.

Question 62

Escape conditioning causes a behavior to ______,while avoidance conditioning causes a behavior to ______.

A) stop;not happen
B) not happen;stop
C) start;accelerate
D) accelerate;start

Question 63

After John was ridiculed by the teacher in his high school English class,he began cutting class.This can be seen as an example of

A) avoidance conditioning.
B) discriminative conditioning.
C) positive reinforcement.
D) punishment.

Question 64

The termination of a behavior is known as ______ conditioning,while preventing the behavior from occurring all along is known as ______ conditioning.

A) avoidance;escape
B) generalized;specified
C) escape;avoidance
D) specified;generalized

Question 65

With shaping,the desired outcome or behavior that is the ultimate goal is called

A) continuous behavior.
B) the secondary reinforcer.
C) the target response.
D) intermittent succession.

Question 66

An animal in a Skinner box received a brief electric shock each time a bar was pressed.Subsequently,the animal stopped pressing the bar due to

A) escape conditioning.
B) disinhibition.
C) negative reinforcement.
D) punishment.

Question 67

A student comes to college and is extremely anxious about doing poorly and flunking out.To calm her fears,the student studies hard and receives all 'A's the first semester.This student has been

A) positively reinforced.
B) negatively reinforced.
C) classically conditioned.
D) vicariously punished.

Question 68

Slot machines are set to pay off on the average of once in every 1,000,000 plays.This is an example of a ______ schedule of reinforcement.

A) variable ratio
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) fixed interval

Question 69

A teenager has been grounded by her parents for not doing the dishes.Mom tells the teenager that if you do the dishes,then you will not be grounded anymore.This attempt at behavior change is best described as

A) habituation.
B) extinction.
C) positive reinforcement.
D) negative reinforcement.

Question 70

Sometimes your old car's starter will start the car on the first turn of the key,while other times the starter won't work until you turn the key numerous times.Your car starter has created a _______ schedule of reinforcement for your behavior.

A) variable ratio
B) fixed ratio
C) variable internal
D) fixed interval

Question 71

John's toaster is malfunctioning.Sometimes his toast is ready in ten seconds.Sometimes he must wait thirty seconds.At times,it can even take several minutes before the toast is done.The toaster has John on a ________ schedule of reinforcement.

A) fixed ratio
B) fixed interval
C) variable ratio
D) variable interval

Question 72

Which of the following is an example of avoidance conditioning?

A) missing a curfew and getting grounded for two weeks
B) getting an A on this psychology examination
C) taking an aspirin to get rid of a headache
D) taking the garbage out before your parents yell at you

Question 73

Increase behavior is to decrease behavior as

A) positive reinforcement is to negative reinforcement.
B) punishment is to positive reinforcement.
C) negative reinforcement is to punishment.
D) punishment is to primary reinforcement.

Question 74

When an instructor commends students for asking tentative questions in order to encourage the asking of more detailed and technical questions,the instructor is using

A) classical conditioning.
B) a conditioned response.
C) shaping.
D) primary reinforcement.

Question 75

The method of successive approximations is used to achieve the learning goal of

A) extinction.
B) shaping.
C) generalization.
D) discrimination.

Question 76

Which of the following is an example of negative reinforcement?

A) learning to avoid your boss by hiding when he comes by your office
B) doing your work fast to avoid your boss's constant nagging about deadlines
C) doing your work to gain a bonus
D) complimenting your boss every time you see him

Question 77

You fear that your date may not be receptive to your idea of seeing a new play,so you do not even mention it.This is an example of

A) escape behavior.
B) extinction.
C) primary reinforcement.
D) avoidance behavior.

Question 78

If students in your class wait to read and prepare for an exam until the day before each regularly scheduled exam,how can you increase their studying time on a day-to-day basis?

A) Punish the lack of studying done by students.
B) Implement penalties for wrong answers from one to two points per question.
C) Start to praise more in class.
D) Start giving unannounced pop quizzes.

Question 79

Maria's boss was unhappy with the way her grooming and dress had deteriorated over the last few years.Rather than reprimand her,the boss decided to lavishly praise Maria on days when she was neater and gradually raise his requirements for praise as Maria became neater and neater.The technique being planned was

A) extinction.
B) shaping.
C) fixed interval reinforcement.
D) variable interval reinforcement.

Question 80

At the beginning of the semester your history instructor announced that you will have a test every three weeks until the end of the semester.What schedule of reinforcement was being used?

A) fixed ratio
B) fixed interval
C) variable ratio
D) variable interval