Question 1

You are training a rat to press a bar.Instead of waiting for the rat's first accidental bar press, you reinforce the rat with a food pellet for facing the bar and then turning toward the bar.Next, you reinforce the rat every time he takes a step toward the bar, until he touches the bar.Lastly, you reinforce the rat for pressing the bar.You are
A) using latent learning to train the rat.
B) fading the rat's behavior.
C) shaping the rat's behavior.
D) using secondary reinforcement with the rat.

Accepted Answer

The process described is known as shaping, where the behavior is reinforced step by step until the desired behavior is achieved. This is a common technique used in operant conditioning to teach new behaviors. The other options do not accurately describe the process being used.

Question 2

A puppy has begun to cry and bark in order to be let into the house.To extinguish this response, you would
A) let the puppy in the house.
B) ignore the crying, letting the puppy in when quiet.
C) swat the puppy with a newspaper whenever it cried.
D) let the puppy in when it cries, then swat it with a newspaper.

Accepted Answer

The best option would be to ignore the crying and wait for the puppy to quiet down before letting it in. This reinforces the behavior of being quiet, as the puppy learns that it is rewarded by being let inside when it is quiet. Punishing the puppy with physical force (such as swatting it with a newspaper) can cause fear and mistrust, and also does not provide a clear message to the puppy about the desired behavior. Allowing the puppy in the house immediately when it cries reinforces the crying behavior, which is not desirable.

Question 3

The gradual molding of responses to a desired pattern is known as
A) latent learning.
B) fading.
C) shaping.
D) secondary reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

Shaping is the gradual molding of responses to a desired pattern through the use of reinforcement techniques. Latent learning refers to learning that occurs without reinforcement, fading refers to slowly removing prompts during the learning process, and secondary reinforcement involves reinforcing a behavior with a stimulus that has been associated with a primary reinforcer.

Question 4

After weeks of successful extinction trials, your pet dachshund suddenly resumes burying bones in the front yard.Your pet trainer advises you that the dog's current behavior is an example of
A) shaping.
B) stimulus generalization.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) satiation.

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous recovery is the sudden reappearance of an extinguished behavior after a delay. In this case, the dachshund had been successfully trained to stop burying bones, but has resumed the behavior spontaneously. It is not an example of shaping, which involves gradually building up a behavior through reinforcement. It is also not stimulus generalization, which occurs when a behavior is exhibited in response to stimuli that are similar to the original training stimuli. Satiation occurs when a behavior is no longer reinforcing because the subject has consumed too much of a particular reinforcer.

Question 5

Bernice is "potty training" 18-month-old Kenny.First, she allows him to become familiar with the potty chair, next she reinforces Kenny for just sitting on the potty, and finally she reinforces Kenny for actually "using" the potty.Bernice is using a procedure called
A) latent learning.
B) vicarious classical conditioning.
C) shaping.
D) intermittent conditioning.

Accepted Answer

Bernice is using shaping, which involves gradually reinforcing behaviors that are closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior. In this case, she is reinforcing Kenny first for getting familiar with the potty, then for just sitting on it, and finally for actually using it. This is a common technique for potty training young children. Latent learning, vicarious classical conditioning, and intermittent conditioning are not applicable to this scenario.

Question 6

You had originally loved going to a particular restaurant every day for lunch.However, you are becoming bored with the menu and find that everything has started to taste the same.Chances are you find yourself going to this restaurant less and less, which illustrates the process of
A) response chaining.
B) latent learning.
C) operant extinction.
D) stimulus generalization.

Accepted Answer

Operant extinction occurs when a previously reinforced behavior (in this case, going to the restaurant for lunch) decreases in frequency or stops altogether because it is no longer being reinforced (the food and menu becoming boring). Therefore, the best choice is C: operant extinction. Response chaining refers to a series of behaviors linked together in a sequence to achieve a goal. Latent learning involves learning that is not immediately obvious or demonstrated until there is an incentive to do so. Stimulus generalization involves responding in a similar way to different but similar stimuli. None of these processes accurately explain the situation described in the prompt.

Question 7

The brief return of an operant response after its apparent extinction is known as
A) shaping.
B) stimulus generalization.
C) a spontaneous recovery.
D) satiation.

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of an operant response after it has been extinguished. It occurs after a period of time has passed following the extinction, without any further training or reinforcement. Shaping involves gradually reinforcing closer approximations of a desired behavior, stimulus generalization occurs when a response occurs to similar stimuli, and satiation occurs when the subject has become "full" or over-saturated with a reinforcer, leading to a decrease in the response.

Question 8

Extinction in operant conditioning involves
A) withholding reinforcement.
B) punishment.
C) test trials.
D) shaping.

Accepted Answer

Extinction in operant conditioning involves withholding reinforcement, meaning that the behavior will eventually decrease or stop because it is no longer being reinforced. Punishment involves adding a negative consequence, which is not the same as withholding reinforcement. Test trials are used to assess learning and are not directly related to extinction. Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations to a desired behavior, which is also not directly related to extinction.

Question 9

You are a very good skater, but you did not start out that way.Your mother reinforced you for each small improvement you made over several months.This process is known as
A) shaping.
B) latent learning.
C) vicarious classical conditioning.
D) intermittent conditioning.

Accepted Answer

Shaping is the process of reinforcing small steps towards a desired behavior. In this scenario, the mother reinforced small improvements in skating skills over several months, which is an example of shaping. Choices B, C, and D are not applicable in this scenario.

Question 10

Learned responses that are not reinforced will gradually weaken or disappear through a process known as
A) spontaneous recovery.
B) intermittent fading.
C) counterconditioning.
D) operant extinction.

Accepted Answer

This question is referring to the process of operant conditioning, in which behaviors are learned through reinforcement or punishment. Option D, operant extinction, is the process by which a learned behavior that is no longer reinforced gradually diminishes or disappears. Option A, spontaneous recovery, refers to the temporary reappearance of an extinguished behavior, and is not relevant to this question. Option B, intermittent fading, is not a commonly used term in psychology and does not describe a known process. Option C, counterconditioning, is a process in which a fear or anxiety response is replaced by a positive response through associating the feared stimulus with a pleasurable experience, and is not directly relevant to this question.

Question 11

A series of responses that gradually approach a desired pattern of behavior are called
A) adaptations.
B) gradients.
C) successive approximations.
D) conditioning trials.

Accepted Answer

Successive approximations refer to a behavioral therapy technique in which a series of small steps is taken to gradually approach a desired behavior or response. This is also known as shaping, and it involves reinforcing each step towards the desired behavior. The other options, adaptations, gradients, and conditioning trials, do not specifically refer to this technique.

Question 12

You decide that you want to study more, so you set a series of gradual, daily goals and reinforce yourself for meeting each goal in the series.You are using a technique known as
A) latent learning.
B) shaping.
C) vicarious classical conditioning.
D) intermittent conditioning.

Accepted Answer

The technique described is shaping, which involves setting incremental steps or goals towards a larger desired behavior and reinforcing each step of progress. This is a commonly used technique in behavior modification and can be effective in promoting sustained behavior change. The other options do not fit with the scenario described.

Question 13

To teach a child to eat spaghetti neatly, you would reinforce initial responses, such as holding the fork, and then reinforce increasingly closer approximations to the final response, a procedure known as
A) counter conditioning.
B) secondary conditioning.
C) desensitization.
D) shaping.

Accepted Answer

The procedure described of reinforcing initially holding the fork and then progressively closer approximations towards the final response of eating spaghetti neatly, is an example of shaping. Shaping involves reinforcing behaviors that are closer and closer to the desired behavior or response, until the desired behavior is eventually achieved.

Question 14

A few weeks after giving up on buying state lottery tickets, many people are tempted to try again, thus, illustrating the concept of
A) spontaneous recovery.
B) stimulus generalization.
C) superstitious behavior.
D) satiation.

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous recovery refers to the reappearance of a previously extinguished response after a period without exposure to the conditioned stimulus. In this context, the desire to buy lottery tickets reemerges after a break, similar to how a conditioned response can return after it was thought to be extinguished.

Question 15

By changing the rules about what makes a successful response, we can gradually, through successive approximations, train an animal or a person to make a chain of responses or to improve a skill.This process is called
A) shaping.
B) respondent conditioning.
C) latent learning.
D) vicarious classical conditioning.

Accepted Answer

Shaping refers to the process of gradually getting an organism to perform a desired behavior by reinforcing successive approximations of that behavior. It involves changing the criteria for what is considered a successful response, as mentioned in the question. Respondent conditioning (B) is more related to classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. Latent learning (C) refers to learning that occurs without a clear demonstration of that learning until a reward or reinforcement is presented. Vicarious classical conditioning (D) refers to the process of learning by observing the experiences of others. However, neither latent learning nor vicarious classical conditioning directly pertains to the process of gradually improving a behavior through reinforcement of successive approximations.

Question 16

Your dog jumps up on you when you get home.You eliminate this behavior by withholding your attention and ignoring the dog when it jumps on you.This is called
A) classical conditioning.
B) negative reinforcement.
C) punishment.
D) operant extinction.

Accepted Answer

Withholding attention and ignoring the dog when it jumps on you is an example of operant extinction. This involves removing the reinforcement (attention) previously given to the behavior (jumping up) in order to decrease the likelihood of the behavior occurring again in the future.

Question 17

There is an old story about a young boy who was left to guard the village sheep.He was instructed to cry "wolf" if he thought the sheep were in danger.Even though there was no danger, the boy enjoyed crying "wolf" over and over, just to see the villagers come running.Then, when a wolf did appear, the disbelieving villagers ignored the boy's cry.The failure of the villagers to respond illustrates the operant conditioning concept called
A) acquisition.
B) stimulus generalization.
C) partial reinforcement.
D) operant extinction.

Accepted Answer

The failure of the villagers to respond to the boy's cry of "wolf" in the presence of an actual wolf is an example of operant extinction, which occurs when a behavior that has been reinforced (in this case, responding to the boy's cry of "wolf") is no longer reinforced and therefore decreases or stops altogether. The villagers had become desensitized to the boy's cries because he had cried "wolf" so many times when there was no actual danger, and as a result, did not respond when there was actually a wolf present.

Question 18

If you wanted to train a dog to play the piano or a cat to turn on the living room lights, you would most likely use
A) successive approximations.
B) classical conditioning.
C) vicarious conditioning.
D) positive transfer.

Accepted Answer

Successive approximations involve breaking down a complex behavior, such as playing the piano or turning on lights, into smaller achievable steps, and reinforcing each step until the desired behavior is achieved. This method is commonly used in training animals to perform complex tasks. Classical conditioning, vicarious conditioning, and positive transfer are not applicable in training animals to perform specific tasks such as playing the piano or turning on lights.

Question 19

If the teacher never calls on you when you raise your hand, you will probably stop raising your hand.This decrease in your hand raising due to the teacher ignoring you is an example of
A) negative reinforcement.
B) desensitization.
C) operant extinction.
D) stimulus generalization.

Accepted Answer

Operant extinction occurs when a behavior is no longer reinforced, leading to a decrease in that behavior over time. In this example, the behavior of raising one's hand is no longer reinforced (i.e. the teacher does not call on the student), leading to a decrease in the behavior of raising one's hand over time.

Question 20

The process through which a response is taught by rewarding successive approximations to the final desired response is called
A) extinction.
B) fading.
C) shaping.
D) secondary transfer.

Accepted Answer

The process described is called shaping, where behavior is gradually modified through reinforcement of successive approximations towards the desired response. Extinction involves removing reinforcement to reduce or eliminate a behavior, while fading involves gradually reducing the intensity or frequency of a prompt used to elicit a response. Secondary transfer is not a recognized term in the field of behaviorism.

Quiz 6: Conditioning and Learning.

A puppy has begun to cry and bark in order to be let into the house.To extinguish this response, you would

The gradual molding of responses to a desired pattern is known as

After weeks of successful extinction trials, your pet dachshund suddenly resumes burying bones in the front yard.Your pet trainer advises you that the dog's current behavior is an example of

Bernice is "potty training" 18-month-old Kenny.First, she allows him to become familiar with the potty chair, next she reinforces Kenny for just sitting on the potty, and finally she reinforces Kenny for actually "using" the potty.Bernice is using a procedure called

You had originally loved going to a particular restaurant every day for lunch.However, you are becoming bored with the menu and find that everything has started to taste the same.Chances are you find yourself going to this restaurant less and less, which illustrates the process of

The brief return of an operant response after its apparent extinction is known as

Extinction in operant conditioning involves

You are a very good skater, but you did not start out that way.Your mother reinforced you for each small improvement you made over several months.This process is known as

Learned responses that are not reinforced will gradually weaken or disappear through a process known as

A series of responses that gradually approach a desired pattern of behavior are called

You decide that you want to study more, so you set a series of gradual, daily goals and reinforce yourself for meeting each goal in the series.You are using a technique known as

To teach a child to eat spaghetti neatly, you would reinforce initial responses, such as holding the fork, and then reinforce increasingly closer approximations to the final response, a procedure known as

A few weeks after giving up on buying state lottery tickets, many people are tempted to try again, thus, illustrating the concept of

By changing the rules about what makes a successful response, we can gradually, through successive approximations, train an animal or a person to make a chain of responses or to improve a skill.This process is called

Your dog jumps up on you when you get home.You eliminate this behavior by withholding your attention and ignoring the dog when it jumps on you.This is called

If you wanted to train a dog to play the piano or a cat to turn on the living room lights, you would most likely use

If the teacher never calls on you when you raise your hand, you will probably stop raising your hand.This decrease in your hand raising due to the teacher ignoring you is an example of

The process through which a response is taught by rewarding successive approximations to the final desired response is called