Question 1

At the National Zoological Park in Washington,D.C.,a polar bear suffered a broken tooth,and keepers needed a safe way of treating the problem.The bear was rewarded first for sticking its nose through a slot in the cage door,then for allowing a keeper to lift its lip and touch its teeth.Finally,a veterinarian was able to treat the damaged tooth while the bear waited placidly for its familiar reward.This is an example of _______.
A)modeling
B)shaping
C)negative reinforcement
D)secondary learning

Accepted Answer

Shaping refers to the reinforcement of successive approximations of a desired behavior until the target behavior is achieved.

Question 2

A stimulus presented to a person or animal that decreases the probability of a particular response is known as __________.
A)positive punishment
B)negative punishment
C)negative reinforcement
D)negative expectation

Accepted Answer

Positive punishment involves adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Question 3

Linda sees a sign on a farmer's fence that reads: HELP ME PICK STRAWBERRIES.FOR EVERY 5 QUARTS YOU PICK,KEEP ONE FOR YOURSELF.If Linda decides to pick strawberries for this farmer,she would be under a _______ schedule of reinforcement.
A)fixed-interval
B)fixed-ratio
C)variable-interval
D)variable-ratio

Accepted Answer

A fixed-ratio schedule demands a set number of responses,in this case 5 quarts of berries.

Question 4

On a variable-interval schedule,reinforcement is given _________.
A)after a set amount of time has passed
B)after varying amounts of time have passed
C)after a set number of responses have been made
D)after a varying number of responses have been made

Accepted Answer

On a variable-interval schedule, reinforcement is given after varying amounts of time have passed. This type of schedule is often used to maintain a behavior because the individual does not know exactly when they will receive reinforcement, which can keep them engaged in the behavior for longer periods of time.

Question 5

__________ is an operant-conditioning procedure in which successive approximations of a desired response are reinforced.
A)Shaping
B)Spontaneous recovery
C)Stimulus generalization
D)Stimulus discrimination

Accepted Answer

Shaping is the operant-conditioning procedure in which successive approximations of a desired response are reinforced. The behavior is gradually shaped through reinforcement of closer and closer approximations to the desired response.

Question 6

An expert on parenting is addressing parents at the local elementary school.When the topic of punishment is discussed,what is one outcome of punishment the expert is likely to note for the parents to consider?
A)Punishment can also lead to the child acting aggressively.
B)Punished children tend to do really well in school.
C)Punishment motivates the child to focus on schoolwork.
D)Punishment tends to increase the number of nightmares experienced.

Accepted Answer

Punishment can also lead to a child acting aggressively.

Question 7

A school issues tokens to the children for good behavior.This issue of a token is an example of ___________.
A)classical conditioning
B)instinctive drift
C)primary reinforcement
D)behavior modification

Accepted Answer

Behavior modification is the use of operant conditioning to bring about desired behavior,which is exactly what the school is trying to do.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of negative punishment?
A)receiving harsh criticism for lying to your parents
B)losing telephone privileges for breaking curfew
C)getting stung by a bee when walking barefoot outside and stepping on the bee
D)getting pepper sprayed for making a lewd comment to a stranger

Accepted Answer

Having something taken away as a means of reducing the behavior is an example of punishment by removal.

Question 9

What has occurred when there is a decrease in the likelihood or rate of a target response?
A)positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement
B)negative reinforcement
C)punishment
D)positive reinforcement

Accepted Answer

A decrease in the likelihood or rate of a target response is a characteristic of punishment. Punishment involves the application of an aversive consequence following a behavior in order to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future.

Question 10

What is the first step in constructing an effective behavior modification plan?
A)Reinforcing small steps
B)Recording progress
C)Choosing appropriate reinforcers
D)Setting realistic and specific goals

Accepted Answer

The first step in constructing an effective behavior modification plan is to set realistic and specific goals. Without clear goals, it's impossible to plan effective interventions or measure progress. Once goals are established, appropriate reinforcers can be chosen to reinforce small steps and progress can be recorded.

Question 11

On a fixed-interval schedule,reinforcement is given _______.
A)after a set amount of time has passed
B)after randomly varying amounts of time have passed
C)after a set number of responses have been made
D)after a varying number of responses have been made

Accepted Answer

On a fixed-interval schedule, reinforcement is given after a set amount of time has passed. This means that regardless of the number of responses, reinforcement will only occur after a specific amount of time has elapsed.

Question 12

Lila doesn't like her psychology class because the instructor uses unannounced pop exams to test the class.As a result,she never knows when she will be tested.Her instructor is testing her on a __________ schedule.
A)fixed-ratio
B)fixed-interval
C)variable-ratio
D)variable-interval

Accepted Answer

Because she does not know how much time must pass before her studying is going to be reinforced,this is a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement.

Question 13

When you were first learning to make your bed,your parents told you that you did a good job when you got the bedspread pulled up,even though the bed was still a little messy.For the next week they showed you how to be a little neater each time you made the bed.What operant conditioning procedure did your parents use?
A)generalization
B)extinction
C)shaping
D)punishment

Accepted Answer

Shaping refers to the reinforcement of successive approximations of a desired behavior until the target behavior is achieved.

Question 14

You have a class in which you have a quiz every Friday.Your studying for quizzes is reinforced on what type of schedule?
A)fixed-ratio
B)fixed-interval
C)variable-ratio
D)variable-interval

Accepted Answer

Because you know that you will have the reinforcement after a fixed amount of time (one week),this is a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement.

Question 15

A behavioral psychologist tries to train a bird to climb a tree to get a reward of a piece of fruit.At first,the bird learns how to climb the tree with its legs and beak.After a while,it starts flapping its wings and hopping around before it starts to climb.Eventually,the bird flies up to the piece of fruit,even though that prevents it from getting the fruit.According to the Brelands' analysis of biological constraints,the bird is demonstrating __________.
A)response generalization
B)instinctive drift
C)the Law of Effect
D)stimulus discrimination

Accepted Answer

The Brelands discovered that animals revert to instinctual behavior in gathering food,a phenomenon they called instinctive drift.

Question 16

When a stimulus is removed from a person or animal resulting in a decrease in the probability of response,it is known as __________.
A)positive punishment
B)negative punishment
C)negative reinforcement
D)punishing reinforcement

Accepted Answer

This decrease in the probability of response due to the removal of a stimulus is known as negative punishment. Positive punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus to decrease the probability of a response. Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an aversive stimulus to increase the probability of a response. Punishing reinforcement is not a recognized term in psychology.

Question 17

In the process of shaping,behaviors are ordered in terms of increasing similarity to the desired response.These behaviors are called _____________.
A)primary reinforcers
B)successive approximations
C)secondary reinforcers
D)unconditioned stimuli

Accepted Answer

Successive approximations are the small steps or behaviors that are reward during the shaping process as they bring the desired response closer. These steps are increasing in similarity to the ultimate goal behavior. Primary and secondary reinforcers and unconditioned stimuli are not specific to the shaping process.

Question 18

A stimulus presented to a person or animal that decreases the probability of a particular response is known as __________.
A)punishment
B)discrimination
C)negative reinforcement
D)negative expectation

Accepted Answer

Punishment is defined as a stimulus that decreases the probability of a particular behavior. Option B, discrimination, refers to the ability to differentiate between different stimuli or responses. Option C, negative reinforcement, is a stimulus that increases the probability of a desirable response by removing an aversive stimulus. Option D, negative expectation, is not a recognized term in psychology.

Question 19

Olivia is punished for spilling her cereal.Her parents give her a spanking and send her to her room where she cries.Later,her puppy makes a mess on the floor.Olivia kicks her puppy and puts it out in the yard where it whines sadly.Which of the following statements explains her behavior toward the puppy?
A)Olivia is correctly applying Skinnerian principles of negative reinforcement to change her dog's behavior.
B)Olivia is using negative punishment on her dog and it will change the dog's behavior.
C)Olivia is modeling the aggressive behavior her parents demonstrated to her.
D)Olivia's parents probably think that the best way to raise kids is "spare the rod,spoil the child."

Accepted Answer

Olivia is modeling the aggressive behavior,and that is a problem with punishment.

Question 20

Learning that depends on mental processes that you do in your head is called _________ learning.
A)autonomic
B)primary
C)secondary
D)cognitive

Accepted Answer

Cognitive learning refers to learning that involves mental processes such as thinking, problem-solving, reasoning, and attention. Autonomic learning refers to learning that occurs without conscious awareness, such as classical conditioning. Primary and secondary learning are not commonly used terms in psychology.

Quiz 5: Learning

A stimulus presented to a person or animal that decreases the probability of a particular response is known as __________.

Linda sees a sign on a farmer's fence that reads: HELP ME PICK STRAWBERRIES.FOR EVERY 5 QUARTS YOU PICK,KEEP ONE FOR YOURSELF.If Linda decides to pick strawberries for this farmer,she would be under a _______ schedule of reinforcement.

On a variable-interval schedule,reinforcement is given _________.

__________ is an operant-conditioning procedure in which successive approximations of a desired response are reinforced.

An expert on parenting is addressing parents at the local elementary school.When the topic of punishment is discussed,what is one outcome of punishment the expert is likely to note for the parents to consider?

A school issues tokens to the children for good behavior.This issue of a token is an example of ___________.

Which of the following is an example of negative punishment?

What has occurred when there is a decrease in the likelihood or rate of a target response?

What is the first step in constructing an effective behavior modification plan?

On a fixed-interval schedule,reinforcement is given _______.

Lila doesn't like her psychology class because the instructor uses unannounced pop exams to test the class.As a result,she never knows when she will be tested.Her instructor is testing her on a __________ schedule.

You have a class in which you have a quiz every Friday.Your studying for quizzes is reinforced on what type of schedule?

When a stimulus is removed from a person or animal resulting in a decrease in the probability of response,it is known as __________.

In the process of shaping,behaviors are ordered in terms of increasing similarity to the desired response.These behaviors are called _____________.

A stimulus presented to a person or animal that decreases the probability of a particular response is known as __________.

Learning that depends on mental processes that you do in your head is called _________ learning.