Deck 6: Operant Conditioning Introduction

Question 1

In a standard Skinner box, a _____ earns food by _____.

A) rat; pressing a lever
B) rat; running in a wheel
C) pigeon; pressing a lever
D) pigeon; flapping its wings

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Operant conditioning is also called _____.

A) classical conditioning
B) latent inhibition
C) instrumental conditioning
D) spontaneous recovery

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Reflexive is to _____ conditioning as intentional is to _____ conditioning.

A) classical; operant
B) operant; Pavlovian
C) instrumental; respondent.
D) Both b and c are correct.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Thorndike was motivated to conduct experiments on animal intelligence, partially due to

A) the massive popularity of experimental research on animal learning at the time.
B) his skepticism about the anecdotal approach to animal intelligence.
C) the availability of new technology designed to examine neural correlates of behavior.
D) his profound belief that humans and other animals solve problems in exactly the same way.

Question 5

The law of effect stated that behaviors leading to a(n) _____ are _____.

A) satisfactory state of affairs; stamped in
B) reinforcer; stamped in
C) positive reinforcer; strengthened
D) unconditioned stimulus; stamped out

Question 6

In _____ conditioning, it is what comes _____ the behavior that is critical.

A) operant; after
B) classical; after
C) instrumental; before
D) Both b and c are correct.

Question 7

Freud believed that humans are motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain. This notion accords most closely with _____ definition of _____.

A) Thorndike's; the law of effect
B) Skinner's; respondent behavior
C) Thorndike's; operant conditioning
D) Skinner's; the law of effect

Question 8

In the context of the Skinner box, rat is to _____ as pigeon is to _____.

A) lever press; key peck
B) key peck; lever press
C) turning circles; lever press
D) lever press; turning circles

Question 9

According to Thorndike's law of effect, behaviors leading to a(n) _____ state of affairs are stamped in, while behaviors leading to a(n) _____ state of affairs are stamped out.

A) annoying; satisfying
B) satisfying; annoying
C) irregular; regular
D) regular; irregular

Question 10

Skinner's development of the operant conditioning chamber was partly motivated by his desire to find a procedure that yielded _____ patterns of behavior.

A) inflexible
B) reflexive
C) regular
D) irregular

Question 11

Goal-oriented is to automatic as _____ behavior is to _____ behavior.

A) operant; elicited
B) elicited; operant
C) conditioned; unconditioned
D) unconditioned; conditioned

Question 12

The first psychologist to systematically investigate the learning ability of animals was

A) Skinner.
B) Pavlov.
C) Tolman.
D) Thorndike.

Question 13

Behaviors that are influenced by their consequences are called _____ behaviors.

A) operant
B) classical
C) elicited
D) deficit

Question 14

Skinner's operant conditioning procedure is known as the free operant procedure because a rat

A) is put on a free feeding schedule before the experiment starts.
B) is free to enter and leave the chamber.
C) is free to move about the chamber.
D) freely controls the rate at which it responds for food.

Question 15

When first setting out to investigate the behavior of animals, Skinner had originally thought that behavior could best be explained in terms of

A) thoughts and feelings.
B) reflexes.
C) operants.
D) fixed action patterns.

Question 16

With his puzzle box experiments, Thorndike discovered that learning is usually a(n) _____ process.

A) sudden
B) unpredictable
C) stressful
D) gradual

Question 17

In one of his experiments conducted with animals, Thorndike found that cats learned to escape from a puzzle box

A) gradually.
B) suddenly.
C) with insight.
D) Both b and c are correct.

Question 18

Skinner's operant conditioning procedure became known as _____ procedure because _____.

A) an instrumental; the consequences are free
B) the free operant; the animal is free to respond at any rate
C) an instrumental; the animal is free to enter or leave the chamber
D) the adjunctive; the experimenter is free to observe the rat's behavior

Question 19

Thorndike argued that animal intelligence could be studied only using

A) systematic investigation.
B) anecdotal evidence.
C) analogy to human intelligence.
D) ethological approaches.

Question 20

In one variant of the Skinner box, a pigeon earns food by

A) flapping its wings.
B) turning circles.
C) pecking a response key.
D) pressing a lever.

Question 21

Skinner's definition of operant conditioning differs from Thorndike's law of effect in that it is

A) less mentalistic.
B) more mentalistic.
C) less precise.
D) Both a and c are correct.

Question 22

Behaviorists have found it useful to define operant behaviors as a(n)

A) specific response.
B) covert stimulus.
C) class of responses.
D) unconditioned stimulus.

Question 23

Consequence is to process as _____ is to _____.

A) reinforcer; punisher
B) reinforcement; punishment
C) punisher; punishment
D) reinforcement; reinforce

Question 24

Procedure is to _____ as consequence is to _____.

A) reinforcer; reinforcement
B) reinforcement; punisher
C) punishment; reinforcement
D) reinforcer; punisher

Question 25

Operant behaviors are usually defined as a _____ because _____.

A) class of responses; such a definition makes naturalistic observation easier
B) specific response; behaviorists prefer specificity in measurement
C) class of responses; they incorporate all responses that are capable of producing the consequence
D) specific response; cumulative recorders can only record specific responses

Question 26

Operant behaviors are usually defined as a

A) class of behaviors that are topographically similar.
B) class of behaviors that lead to a certain consequence.
C) specific behavior that leads to a certain consequence.
D) specific behavior that leads to a class of consequences.

Question 27

Which of the following most closely parallels what happens in a Skinner box?

A) You are in your apartment with nothing to do but bake cookies and eat them.
B) You are unwell. Your mother brings you food three times a day.
C) You are in prison with nothing to do. Meals are served at fixed times during the day.
D) You are at work with lots to do. Meals are served at fixed times during the day.

Question 28

Suppose a rat presses a lever and receives a food pellet. As a result, it is more likely to press the lever in the future. In this example, the food is functioning as a _____ for lever-pressing.

A) reinforcer
B) discriminative stimulus
C) punisher
D) punishment

Question 29

Which of the following conditions must be met for a response to be considered an operant?

A) Its occurrence results in the delivery of a certain consequence.
B) The consequence affects the future probability of the response.
C) The response is elicited by the antecedent stimulus.
D) Both a and b are correct.

Question 30

Properly speaking, when we praise a child for following instructions, we are attempting to reinforce

A) the child.
B) the instructions.
C) the behavior of following instructions.
D) Both b and c are correct.

Question 31

The term _____ refers to a process or procedure.

A) reinforcer
B) reinforcement
C) punisher
D) Both a and c are correct.

Question 32

In an experiment with rats, the behavior of lever-pressing for food is said to be

A) elicited by the rat.
B) emitted by the rat.
C) elicited by the food.
D) emitted by the food.

Question 33

Properly speaking, when we give a dog a treat for sitting on command, we are attempting to reinforce

A) the dog.
B) the behavior.
C) the command.
D) our relationship with the dog.

Question 34

The operant response is properly described as a(n)

A) emitted behavior.
B) contrived behavior.
C) covert behavior.
D) elicited behavior.

Question 35

Properly speaking, operant behavior is said to be _____ by _____.

A) emitted; the organism
B) elicited; the organism
C) emitted; stimuli
D) elicited; stimuli

Question 36

The basic components of the operant conditioning process include

A) a response that produces a certain consequence.
B) the consequence that serves to either increase or decrease the probability of the response that preceded it.
C) a discriminating stimulus that precedes the response and signals the availability of the consequence.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 37

Skinner divided behaviors into two categories:

A) operant and instrumental.
B) conditioned and unconditioned.
C) primary and secondary.
D) operant and respondent.

Question 38

From an operant conditioning perspective, chocolate is a reinforcer if it

A) strengthens the probability of a behavior that follows it.
B) strengthens the probability of a behavior that precedes it.
C) elicits salivation.
D) Both b and c are correct.

Question 39

The three components of the operant conditioning process include

A) a response that is automatically elicited by a preceding stimulus.
B) a consequence that serves to either strengthen or weaken the probability of the response that preceded it.
C) a preceding stimulus that elicits the response but fails to signal the availability of the consequence.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 40

Emitted is to elicited as _____ conditioning is to _____ conditioning.

A) classical; operant
B) respondent; classical
C) operant; classical
D) instrumental; operant

Question 41

If a mother kisses her child whenever he breaks a dish and, as a result, he breaks fewer dishes in the future, the kissing would, by definition, be a

A) punisher.
B) reinforcement.
C) reinforcer.
D) punishment.

Question 42

Reinforcers are _____ the kinds of events that we consider pleasant.

A) not always
B) always
C) rarely
D) never

Question 43

Sam's favorite color is red.  Sam received a green popsicle for sharing his toys. The green popsicle is a _____ for Sam's sharing.

A) reinforcer
B) punisher
C) conditioned stimulus
D) None of these are correct. Further information is needed to determine the answer.

Question 44

A dog is given a treat each time it comes when called and, as a result, no longer comes when called. The _____ is an example of _____.

A) treat; negative reinforcement
B) treat; a punisher
C) decrease in behavior; a punisher
D) treat; punishment

Question 45

Maria gives her canary some food each time it flutters its wings. The food is a

A) punisher.
B) reinforcer.
C) discriminative stimulus.
D) None of these are correct. Further information is needed to determine the answer.

Question 46

An S^D is a stimulus that

A) increases the probability of a certain behavior.
B) signals that a response will be followed by a reinforcer.
C) decreases the probability of a certain behavior.
D) both a and c are correct.

Question 47

A dog no longer receives food for begging and, therefore, stops begging. This is an example of

A) blocking.
B) punishment.
C) reinforcement.
D) extinction.

Question 48

When Hai visits his parents, he whines a lot about how unappreciated he is at work. It seems likely that the presence of his parents is _____ for his whining.

A) a discriminative stimulus
B) a reinforcer
C) reinforcement
D) a conditioned stimulus

Question 49

A spanking is a punisher if it

A) follows a behavior.
B) precedes a behavior.
C) decreases the probability of a behavior.
D) Both a and c are correct.

Question 50

Suppose a rat runs in a wheel and receives a food pellet. The subsequent increase in wheel-running as a result of the food delivery is an example of

A) an establishing operation.
B) reinforcement.
C) a reinforcer.
D) punishment.

Question 51

Reinforcers and punishers are entirely defined by

A) their hedonic value.
B) the manner in which they influence behavior.
C) the extent to which they are appetitive or aversive.
D) Both a and c are correct.

Question 52

The weakening of a behavior by the withdrawal of reinforcement is called

A) extinction.
B) inhibition.
C) dishabituation.
D) negative punishment.

Question 53

Leena is gluten-intolerant. When Leena finished her homework, her mother gave her some apple pie. This is obviously an example of

A) positive reinforcement.
B) negative reinforcement.
C) positive punishment.
D) It is impossible to know, given the information provided.

Question 54

A(n) _____ stimulus serves as a signal that a response will be followed by a reinforcer.

A) operant
B) discriminative
C) conditioned
D) appetitive

Question 55

An electric shock is a reinforcer if it

A) follows a behavior.
B) precedes a behavior.
C) increases the probability of a behavior.
D) Both a and c are correct.

Question 56

In the three-term contingency, the antecedent is the

A) reinforcer.
B) operant response.
C) discriminative stimulus.
D) conditioned stimulus.

Question 57

Properly speaking, reinforcers and punishers are formally defined entirely by

A) their intensity.
B) the probability of their occurrence.
C) their effect on behavior.
D) the extent to which they are perceived as pleasant versus unpleasant.

Question 58

A simple way of thinking about the three-term contingency is that you (in correct order)

A) notice something, get something, and do something.
B) do something, notice something, and get something.
C) get something, notice something, and do something.
D) notice something, do something, and get something.

Question 59

A restaurant sign can be viewed as a(n) _____ for entering the restaurant and getting a hamburger.

A) S^D
B) US
C) S^R
D) CS

Question 60

A(n) _____ is a stimulus that "sets the occasion for" a behavior.

A) CS
B) S^D
C) S^R
D) S^P

Question 61

To determine if operant conditioning is involved, the most critical question to ask is whether the behavior is mostly a function of

A) the stimulus that precedes it.
B) the stimulus that follows it.
C) the person.
D) the environment.

Question 62

A contingency of reinforcement means that

A) a response is followed by a reinforcer.
B) a reinforcer is followed by a response.
C) a response is elicited by a reinforcer.
D) a response is elicited by an S^D.

Question 63

A stimulus that signals that a previously available reinforcement will be unavailable is known as

A) a discriminative stimulus for punishment.
B) a discriminative stimulus for extinction.
C) a conditioned stimulus.
D) an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 64

A stimulus that signals that a response will be punished is called a(n)

A) conditioned stimulus for punishment.
B) unconditioned stimulus for punishment.
C) negative antecedent.
D) discriminative stimulus for punishment.

Question 65

Unlike classically conditioned behavior, operant behavior is

A) typically seen as voluntary and flexible.
B) said to be elicited by the stimulus.
C) Both a and b are correct.
D) Neither a nor b is correct.

Question 66

As I walk up to my favorite coffee shop, I see a sign that reads "Closed for Repairs." This means that I won't be able to walk into the shop in order to get a latte and a muffin. In operant conditioning terms, the "closed" sign is

A) a discriminative stimulus for punishment.
B) a punisher.
C) a discriminative stimulus for extinction.
D) an extinguisher.

Question 67

Unlike classical conditioning, operant conditioning

A) involves an S-S-R sequence.
B) is a function of what comes before it.
C) Both a and b are correct.
D) Neither a nor b is correct.

Question 68

The term "positive reinforcement" refers to the _____ of a stimulus following a response, which then leads to a(n) _____ in the future strength of that response.

A) removal; increase
B) presentation; decrease
C) presentation; increase
D) removal; decrease

Question 69

The term _____ refers to the presentation of a stimulus following a response, which then leads to an increase in the future strength of that response.

A) positive reinforcement
B) negative reinforcement
C) positive punishment
D) negative punishment

Question 70

In correct order, the three-term contingency consists of

A) an antecedent, a consequence, and a behavior.
B) an antecedent, a behavior, and a consequence.
C) a consequence, a behavior, and an antecedent.
D) a behavior, an antecedent, and a consequence.

Question 71

Paula laughs at her child when he breaks a dish. As result, he breaks dishes more frequently. This is an example of

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

Question 72

The statement "Don't you dare try it!" would for most people be a(n)

A) discriminative stimulus for reinforcement.
B) unconditioned stimulus for fear.
C) discriminative stimulus for punishment.
D) discriminative stimulus for fear.

Question 73

The term _____ refers to the removal of a stimulus following a response, which then leads to an increase in the future strength of that response.

A) positive reinforcement
B) negative reinforcement
C) positive punishment
D) negative punishment

Question 74

When combined with the term "reinforcement" or "punishment," the word "negative" means

A) something that is good.
B) something that is intense.
C) something that is unpleasant.
D) something is subtracted or withdrawn.

Question 75

John smiles at his dog whenever it barks. As a result, the dog begins barking even more frequently. This is an example of

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

Question 76

A pigeon pecks a response key and receives food. As a result, the probability of key-pecking increases. This is an example of

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

Question 77

Increase is to decrease as _____ is to _____.

A) reinforcement; punishment
B) punishment; reinforcement
C) antecedent; consequence
D) consequence; antecedent

Question 78

When combined with the term "reinforcement" or "punishment," the word "positive" means

A) something that is appetitive.
B) something that is subtle.
C) something is added or presented.
D) Both a and b are correct.

Question 79

Andre praises his young daughter for being assertive, after which she becomes even more assertive. This is an example of

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

Question 80

With respect to the four types of contingencies, add is to subtract as _____ is to _____.

A) desire; hate
B) positive; negative
C) negative; positive
D) hate; desire