Question 1

Mary takes a course in which she is tested every two weeks.Her studying falls off right after a test,followed by a gradual increase to a rapid rate of studying as the next test approaches.Her studying conforms to the typical pattern of responding maintained on
A) fixed-ratio schedules.
B) variable-ratio schedules.
C) fixed-interval schedules.
D) variable-interval schedules.

Accepted Answer

Mary's studying pattern is consistent with a fixed-interval schedule, as she starts studying more as the test approaches and her behavior is reinforced by the fixed interval of two weeks between tests. Fixed-ratio schedules would involve Mary having to complete a set amount of studying before being reinforced, variable-ratio schedules would involve reinforcement after a varying amount of studying, and variable-interval schedules would involve reinforcement after a varying amount of time. None of these schedules fit Mary's studying pattern as well as fixed-interval schedules.

Question 2

When a researcher does not reinforce every correct response that an organism makes,it is referred to as
A) continuous reinforcement.
B) extinction.
C) intermittent reinforcement.
D) punishment.

Accepted Answer

Intermittent reinforcement refers to the practice of occasionally reinforcing correct responses, rather than reinforcing every correct response. This can be useful in shaping behavior as it can lead to more consistent responding and improved resistance to extinction. Continuous reinforcement involves reinforcing every correct response, whereas extinction involves ceasing to reinforce responses, and punishment involves presenting a consequence after an incorrect response.

Question 3

The newest winning numbers in the state lottery are announced on the local television station every Saturday night,at the end of the news hour.People who are watching for the lottery numbers will have their "watching" reinforced on
A) a fixed-ratio schedule.
B) a variable-ratio schedule.
C) a variable-interval schedule.
D) a fixed-interval schedule.

Accepted Answer

The reinforcement (announcement of lottery numbers) occurs at a fixed time every week (Saturday night), which is characteristic of a fixed-interval schedule.

Question 4

A worker gets paid every Friday for completing his 40 hour work week.He is being paid on a ____ schedule.
A) fixed-ratio
B) variable-ratio
C) fixed-interval
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

The worker is being paid on a fixed-interval schedule because he is being paid on a specific interval (every Friday), regardless of the amount of work he completes during that time.

Question 5

Shaquille is a professional basketball player.He never knows for sure which of his shots will result in a basket,but the more shots he takes the more baskets he makes.In this example,Shaquille's shooting is being reinforced on
A) a fixed-ratio schedule.
B) a fixed-interval schedule.
C) a variable-ratio schedule.
D) a variable-interval schedule.

Accepted Answer

A variable-ratio schedule is a reinforcement schedule in which the number of responses needed for reinforcement varies based on a random schedule. In this case, Shaquille is being reinforced on a variable-ratio schedule because he never knows which shot will result in a basket, but he knows the more shots he takes, the more likely he is to make baskets. This unpredictable reinforcement schedule is known to be the most effective in maintaining high levels of responding.

Question 6

Given the same frequency of reinforcement,____ schedules generate higher rates of responding than do ____ schedules.
A) interval; ratio
B) fixed; variable
C) ratio; interval
D) variable; fixed

Accepted Answer

Ratio schedules, where reinforcement is delivered after a certain number of responses, tend to result in higher rates of responding compared to interval schedules, where reinforcement is delivered after a certain amount of time has passed. Additionally, variable schedules (whether ratio or interval) tend to result in higher rates of responding compared to fixed schedules, likely because the unpredictability of when reinforcement will be delivered keeps the individual motivated to keep trying. Therefore, the answer is C, which combines a ratio schedule with a higher rate of responding and does not specify whether the schedule is fixed or variable.

Question 7

Slot machines increase gambling behavior through the use of
A) a continuous reinforcement schedule.
B) a noncontingent reinforcement schedule.
C) an intermittent reinforcement schedule.
D) a short-delay reinforcement schedule.

Accepted Answer

Slot machines utilize an intermittent reinforcement schedule where the rewards are unpredictable and not guaranteed, which has been shown to increase gambling behavior.

Question 8

A salesperson earns a commission for each item of clothing she sells.Commission on the clothing sales is an example of which type of reinforcement schedule?
A) fixed-ratio
B) variable-interval
C) fixed-interval
D) variable-ratio

Accepted Answer

A fixed-ratio schedule provides reinforcement after a set number of responses, such as earning a commission for each item sold.

Question 9

You are watching a rat pressing a lever in a Skinner box to obtain food pellets.The rat is pressing the lever at a very high rate,and does not stop,even when a food pellet is delivered.In this example,the reinforcement schedule that is in place is MOST likely
A) a fixed-interval schedule.
B) a variable-ratio schedule.
C) a fixed-ratio schedule.
D) a variable-interval schedule.

Accepted Answer

A variable-ratio schedule is a reinforcement schedule where a behavior is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses. This type of schedule is known to produce high response rates, and the fact that the rat is pressing the lever at a high rate, even after receiving a food pellet, suggests that it is in a variable-ratio schedule. In contrast, a fixed-interval schedule would only reinforce the behavior after a certain amount of time has passed, a fixed-ratio schedule would reinforce the behavior after a fixed number of responses, and a variable-interval schedule would reinforce the behavior after an unpredictable amount of time has passed.

Question 10

You are watching a rat pressing a lever in a Skinner box to obtain food pellets.The rat is pressing the lever at a slow,steady rate,but it does not stop,even when a food pellet is delivered.In this example,the reinforcement schedule that is in place is MOST likely
A) a variable-ratio schedule.
B) a fixed-interval schedule.
C) a variable-interval schedule.
D) a fixed-ratio schedule.

Accepted Answer

The rat is pressing the lever at a steady rate, even after a food pellet is delivered. This behavior is characteristic of a variable-interval schedule, where reinforcement is given at unpredictable times after a set amount of time has passed. The rat may be anticipating another food pellet even after receiving one, leading it to continue pressing the lever at a steady rate.

Question 11

Josiah checks his electronic mail several times throughout the day.Some days there is mail each time he checks; sometimes several days go by with no new messages arriving.In this example,Josiah's behavior of checking his electronic mail is being reinforced on
A) a variable-interval schedule.
B) a fixed-ratio schedule.
C) a fixed-interval schedule.
D) a variable-ratio schedule.

Accepted Answer

In a variable-interval schedule, the reinforcement (in this case, receiving new messages) occurs at unpredictable times, which makes the behavior (checking email) more resistant to extinction. This is consistent with Josiah's behavior of checking his email several times throughout the day, even though new messages may not arrive every time he checks. A fixed-ratio schedule would require a specific number of responses before reinforcement is given, which does not fit the pattern described for Josiah. A fixed-interval schedule would reinforce the behavior only after a certain amount of time has passed, regardless of the number of responses, which also does not fit the pattern described for Josiah. A variable-ratio schedule would reinforce the behavior after an unpredictable number of responses, which is also not consistent with Josiah's behavior of checking email a certain number of times per day.

Question 12

In a variable-ratio schedule,the reinforcer is given
A) after a fixed number of nonreinforced responses.
B) after a variable number of nonreinforced responses.
C) for the first response that occurs after a fixed amount of time has elapsed.
D) for the first response that occurs after a variable amount of time has elapsed.

Accepted Answer

In a variable-ratio schedule, the reinforcer is given after a variable number of nonreinforced responses. This means that the individual or subject must perform a certain behavior a certain number of times before receiving a reward, and the number of times needed is variable and unpredictable. This type of schedule can lead to high rates of behavior and resistance to extinction.

Question 13

In terms of reinforcement schedules,interval schedules always relate to the
A) elapsed time between reinforcements.
B) number of responses given.
C) number of reinforcements given.
D) length of the training period.

Accepted Answer

Interval schedules are based on the elapsed time between reinforcements, rather than the number of responses or reinforcements given.

Question 14

Maxwell runs a lawn care service and he charges his clients based on the square footage of their yard,rather than charging an hourly rate for his services.In this example,Maxwell is working on
A) a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.
B) a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement.
C) a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement.
D) a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

In a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement, a reward is given after a fixed number of responses or actions. In this scenario, Maxwell is providing a reward (i.e. charging his clients) after a fixed amount of yard square footage is serviced. Therefore, Maxwell's pricing model matches the characteristics of a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Question 15

When animals or humans are shifted to higher fixed ratio schedules,which require more responses to obtain each reinforcer,the typical result is
A) a decrease in the overall rate of responding.
B) more pauses between responses.
C) faster extinction of the operant response.
D) an increase in the overall rate of responding.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When animals or humans are shifted to...

Question 16

Given the same overall frequency of reinforcement on a fixed and a variable schedule of reinforcement,you should predict that the variable reinforcement schedule will tend to produce
A) more breaks in responding and lower resistance to extinction.
B) steadier response rates but lower resistance to extinction.
C) more breaks in responding but greater resistance to extinction.
D) steadier response rates and greater resistance to extinction.

Accepted Answer

The variable reinforcement schedule tends to produce steadier response rates because the unpredictability of when the reinforcement will occur keeps the individual engaged in the behavior. Additionally, the variable schedule also tends to produce greater resistance to extinction because the individual has learned that reinforcement may still occur even if it doesn't happen consistently. Therefore, a variable reinforcement schedule is more effective in maintaining behavior over time.

Question 17

Assuming the reinforcer is the sound of the rattle,a baby's response of shaking a rattle is reinforced according to which type of schedule?
A) continuous reinforcement
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-interval
D) variable-ratio

Accepted Answer

Continuous reinforcement involves reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs, which is the case with the sound of the rattle every time the baby shakes it. Fixed-interval, variable-interval, and variable-ratio schedules involve reinforcing a behavior after a certain amount of time, certain number of responses or after a variable number of responses, respectively, which is not the case with the sound of the rattle as it is being reinforced every time it occurs.

Question 18

Katrina is trying to put a dollar bill into a vending machine in her office.Sometimes the machine will take a dollar bill on the first try,other times it can take up to five or six tries before the dollar bill is finally accepted.In this example,inserting a dollar bill into the vending machine is reinforced on
A) a continuous reinforcement schedule.
B) a noncontingent reinforcement schedule.
C) an intermittent reinforcement schedule.
D) a short-delay reinforcement schedule.

Accepted Answer

An intermittent reinforcement schedule is when the behavior (in this case, inserting a dollar bill into the vending machine) is reinforced occasionally or intermittently rather than every time it occurs. This unpredictability can lead to the behavior being more resistant to extinction, meaning Katrina may continue to try inserting the dollar bill even if it doesn't work the first few times.

Question 19

Ratio schedules of reinforcement always relate to the
A) elapsed time between reinforcements.
B) number of responses given.
C) number of reinforcements given.
D) length of the training period.

Accepted Answer

Ratio schedules of reinforcement are based on the number of responses given. The reinforcement occurs after a certain number of responses, not after a certain amount of time or at specific intervals.

Question 20

Raul's parents make certain they thank Raul every time he clears the dishes from the table without being asked.Sadie's parents try to remember to thank Sadie every time she clears the table without being asked,but about half the time they forget.Based on principles of operant conditioning,you should predict that
A) both children's table clearing will be equally resistant to extinction.
B) Sadie's table clearing will be more resistant to extinction than Raul's.
C) Raul's table clearing will be more resistant to extinction than Sadie's.
D) Raul will develop stimulus generalization, and Sadie will develop stimulus discrimination.

Accepted Answer

Sadie's table clearing will be more resistant to extinction than Raul's because intermittent reinforcement (in this case, only being thanked about half the time) leads to more persistent behavior than consistent reinforcement. This is known as the Partial Reinforcement Extinction Effect. Raul, who is consistently thanked every time, is more likely to stop clearing the table once the reinforcement is no longer present.

Quiz 6: Learning

Mary takes a course in which she is tested every two weeks.Her studying falls off right after a test,followed by a gradual increase to a rapid rate of studying as the next test approaches.Her studying conforms to the typical pattern of responding maintained on

When a researcher does not reinforce every correct response that an organism makes,it is referred to as

The newest winning numbers in the state lottery are announced on the local television station every Saturday night,at the end of the news hour.People who are watching for the lottery numbers will have their "watching" reinforced on

A worker gets paid every Friday for completing his 40 hour work week.He is being paid on a ____ schedule.

Shaquille is a professional basketball player.He never knows for sure which of his shots will result in a basket,but the more shots he takes the more baskets he makes.In this example,Shaquille's shooting is being reinforced on

Given the same frequency of reinforcement, schedules generate higher rates of responding than do schedules.

Slot machines increase gambling behavior through the use of

A salesperson earns a commission for each item of clothing she sells.Commission on the clothing sales is an example of which type of reinforcement schedule?

You are watching a rat pressing a lever in a Skinner box to obtain food pellets.The rat is pressing the lever at a very high rate,and does not stop,even when a food pellet is delivered.In this example,the reinforcement schedule that is in place is MOST likely

You are watching a rat pressing a lever in a Skinner box to obtain food pellets.The rat is pressing the lever at a slow,steady rate,but it does not stop,even when a food pellet is delivered.In this example,the reinforcement schedule that is in place is MOST likely

Josiah checks his electronic mail several times throughout the day.Some days there is mail each time he checks; sometimes several days go by with no new messages arriving.In this example,Josiah's behavior of checking his electronic mail is being reinforced on

In a variable-ratio schedule,the reinforcer is given

In terms of reinforcement schedules,interval schedules always relate to the

Maxwell runs a lawn care service and he charges his clients based on the square footage of their yard,rather than charging an hourly rate for his services.In this example,Maxwell is working on

When animals or humans are shifted to higher fixed ratio schedules,which require more responses to obtain each reinforcer,the typical result is

Given the same overall frequency of reinforcement on a fixed and a variable schedule of reinforcement,you should predict that the variable reinforcement schedule will tend to produce

Assuming the reinforcer is the sound of the rattle,a baby's response of shaking a rattle is reinforced according to which type of schedule?

Ratio schedules of reinforcement always relate to the