Question 1

Professor McCready wants to study animal learning by putting birds in a cage where they have to figure out how to peck a button to receive food. Professor McCready is using________ to modify animal behavior.
A) punishment
B) shaping
C) a Skinner box
D) the Premack principle

Accepted Answer

A Skinner box is a controlled environment that allows researchers to study and manipulate animal behavior using rewards and punishments. In this scenario, Professor McCready is using a Skinner box to modify the birds' behavior by rewarding them with food when they peck a button.

Question 2

You want to teach your dog to stop scratching at the door when he wants to go out. You do so by swatting his nose with a newspaper each time he scratches the door. By creating
Consequences for your dog's behavior, you have used ________ to train him.
A) operant conditioning
B) classical conditioning
C) modeling
D) the Premack principle

Accepted Answer

The use of consequences to influence behavior is a key factor in operant conditioning. The swatting of the nose with a newspaper would be considered positive punishment, which is an aversive consequence that decreases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.

Question 3

Raul has no motivation to read the chapters from his biology textbook that were assigned for homework. According to the Premack principle, Raul could reinforce his textbook reading by doing which of the following?
A) doing something enjoyable after he reads
B) doing something enjoyable before he reads
C) spending more time reading the textbook
D) spending less time reading the textbook

Accepted Answer

According to the Premack principle, a high-probability behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior. In this case, reading the textbook is the low-probability behavior and doing something enjoyable (such as watching TV, playing video games, or hanging out with friends) is the high-probability behavior. By linking the two behaviors together, Raul can increase his motivation to read the textbook. However, the reinforcement should come after the behavior in question (reading the textbook), not before or during, which rules out choices B, C, and D.

Question 4

Taylor's parents are inconsistent with their child-rearing practices. Some days, Taylor can get away with climbing onto the back of the couch and jumping off, but other days she is
Punished. Taylor's parents are reinforcing her behavior on a ________ schedule.
A) fixed ratio
B) variable ratio
C) variable interval
D) fixed interval

Accepted Answer

In a variable interval schedule, reinforcement is provided after an unpredictable amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement. In this scenario, Taylor's parents are not consistently reinforcing her behavior, leading to an unpredictable schedule of reinforcement. This can lead to the behavior being more difficult to extinguish, as Taylor may continue to engage in the behavior in the hopes of obtaining reinforcement, even if it is not consistently provided.

Question 5

Ellie hates it when her teenagers leave their dirty clothes on the floor. If Ellie decides to use the Premack principle to help her teens change their behavior, she should ________ to
Reward them for doing a less valued activity.
A) give a primary reinforcer
B) give a secondary reinforcer
C) use shaping
D) promise them a more valued activity

Accepted Answer

The Premack principle states that a more valued activity can be used to reinforce a less valued activity. In this case, Ellie can promise her teenagers a more valued activity (such as an extra hour of screen time or a special meal) if they consistently put their dirty clothes in the hamper. This is a way of using a positive reward to encourage a desired behavior.

Question 6

Dr. Brimfield believes that humans learn best when they are given the opportunity to act on their environments and make associations between their behavior and the resulting
Consequences. Dr. Brimfield believes in
A) classical conditioning.
B) operant conditioning.
C) observational learning.
D) modeling.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Brimfield's belief that humans learn best when they can act on their environment and learn from the consequences aligns with the principles of operant conditioning, which is associated with the theory of behaviorism. Classical conditioning (A) involves pairing a neutral stimulus with a reflexive response to create a learned response, while observational learning (C) and modeling (D) involve individuals observing and imitating the behavior of others. While observational learning can also involve learning from consequences, operant conditioning specifically focuses on the relationship between an individual's behavior and its consequences. Therefore, option B is the best choice.

Question 7

Lenny needs to quickly train his cows to use one specific field when they graze. The reinforcement that will allow the cows to learn most quickly is ________ reinforcement.
A) partial
B) interval
C) continuous
D) fixed

Accepted Answer

Continuous reinforcement involves rewarding the behavior every single time it occurs, which would be the fastest way for the cows to learn which field to graze in. The other types of reinforcement (partial, interval, fixed) involve rewarding the behavior only some of the time, based on various criteria, which may not be as effective in quickly training the cows.

Question 8

Reinforcement that comes after a predetermined amount of time is called a
A) variable ratio.
B) fixed ratio.
C) fixed interval.
D) variable interval.

Accepted Answer

The reinforcement that comes after a predetermined amount of time is called fixed interval. This means that the reinforcement is given at a fixed, regular interval of time regardless of the behavior being reinforced.

Question 9

Derek is conducting research with chimpanzees and observes that when the chimps' behaviors lead to some sort of satisfaction, they repeat those behaviors. Derek's observations
Are most consistent with
A) the cognitive model of learning.
B) the law of effect.
C) counterconditioning.
D) shaping.

Accepted Answer

The law of effect states that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated. Derek's observations align with this principle, as the chimps are repeating behaviors that lead to satisfaction.

Question 10

Susie wants to use operant conditioning to teach her cat to sit up for a treat. A psychologist who has conducted research that would be useful to her in this situation is
A) Edward Thorndike.
B) John Watson.
C) Alfred Bandura.
D) Ivan Pavlov.

Accepted Answer

Edward Thorndike conducted research on operant conditioning with his famous puzzle box experiment. His law of effect states that behaviors that are followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated in the future. This would be useful for Susie in teaching her cat to sit up for a treat as she can reward the cat with a treat every time it engages in the desired behavior.

Question 11

The Acme Chemical Company has some employees who work in a production plant and some who work in a sales office. The plant workers get paid every Friday; however, the office
Workers get paid for every fifth sale they make. The plant workers are paid on a ________
Schedule, whereas the office workers are paid on a ________ schedule.
A) fixed ratio; variable interval
B) fixed interval; fixed ratio
C) variable ratio; fixed interval
D) variable interval; variable ratio

Accepted Answer

Fixed interval schedules involve receiving a reward after a specific amount of time has passed, which applies to the plant workers getting paid every Friday. Fixed ratio schedules involve receiving a reward after a specific number of responses, which applies to the office workers getting paid after every fifth sale.

Question 12

Albert has a beautiful garden in his backyard and notices that hummingbirds feed on the flowers at the same time each day in order to get the most nectar. The hummingbirds are
Being rewarded for their feeding behavior on a ________ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed ratio
B) variable ratio
C) fixed interval
D) variable interval

Accepted Answer

The hummingbirds are being rewarded for their feeding behavior at the same time each day, indicating a fixed interval schedule of reinforcement.

Question 13

Jean wants her daughter to eat her vegetables so she is healthy. Jean tells her daughter that after she eats her vegetables she can play outside, which is one of her daughter's favorite
Things to do. In this situation, Jean is using ________ to increase her daughter's eating of
Vegetables.
A) negative reinforcement
B) positive punishment
C) the Premack principle
D) primary reinforcement

Accepted Answer

The Premack principle involves using a preferred or high-frequency behavior as a reinforcement for a less desirable, lower-frequency behavior. In this scenario, Jean is using her daughter's preferred behavior (playing outside) as a reward for eating her vegetables, which is a less desirable behavior for the daughter. Therefore, Jean is using the Premack principle to increase her daughter's eating of vegetables.

Question 14

When wild Arctic wolves hunt, their efforts are only sometimes reinforced because finding food is difficult. The fact that the wolves are only sometimes reinforced for hunting is an
Example of ________ reinforcement.
A) partial
B) continuous
C) ratio
D) fixed

Accepted Answer

Partial reinforcement refers to reinforcing a behavior only sometimes, rather than every time the behavior occurs. In the case of Arctic wolves hunting, they are not always successful in finding food, so their reinforcement for hunting is only sometimes reinforced. This is an example of partial reinforcement.

Question 15

In Thorndike's puzzle box, a trapped cat had to perform a specific action in order to escape. Thorndike ________ the box in order to encourage the cat to try to escape.
A) played loud music in
B) administered mild shocks in
C) placed food outside
D) placed a snake outside

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Thorndike's puzzle box, a trapped cat...

Question 16

Sandra is toilet training her son and only rewards him some of the time when he uses the toilet. Sandra knows that using partial reinforcement creates behaviors that are more enduring
Than does continuous reinforcement, which is a result of
A) the partial-reinforcement extinction effect.
B) the law of effect.
C) primary reinforcement.
D) the Premack principle.

Accepted Answer

The partial-reinforcement extinction effect refers to the idea that behaviors that have been reinforced only some of the time are more resistant to extinction (i.e., they persist longer when the reinforcement is no longer provided) than behaviors that have been reinforced every time. Therefore, Sandra's decision to only reward her son some of the time is likely to make his toilet training behavior more enduring. The other options (B, C, and D) do not fully explain why partial reinforcement leads to more enduring behaviors.

Question 17

Marcy decides that yelling at her teenage son to clean is room is not effective. Instead, whenever he cleans his room without being asked, Marcy takes him to his favorite ice cream
Shop. In this example, cleaning the room is the ________ and the ice cream is the ________.
A) operant; reinforcer
B) operant; punishment
C) unconditioned stimulus; reinforcer
D) unconditioned stimulus; punishment

Accepted Answer

The act of cleaning the room is an example of operant behavior, which means it is under voluntary control and is influenced by the consequences that follow it. In this case, the consequence of getting to go to his favorite ice cream shop serves as a reinforcer, which increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated in the future. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Option B is incorrect because punishment is a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior. Option C and D refer to unconditioned stimuli, which are not relevant in this scenario as they do not involve voluntary behavior and learning through consequences.

Question 18

Channing believes that the best way to get his boyfriend to clean up after himself is by offering dessert as soon as his boyfriend cleans up the apartment. Channing knows that
Dessert is a ________ reinforcer that will likely ________ the probability that his boyfriend
Will clean the apartment in the future.
A) primary; increase
B) primary; decrease
C) secondary; decrease
D) secondary; increase

Accepted Answer

The answer of Channing believes that the best way to...

Question 19

Sampson is a dolphin trainer who trains his dolphins to perform tasks by blowing a high-pitched whistle immediately after the dolphins do the task. The dolphins enjoy the sound
Of the whistle because it previously was paired with the fish they were given to eat. Based on
This, you know that Sampson is using the whistle as a ________ reinforcer to train the
Dolphins.
A) primary
B) negative
C) secondary
D) variable

Accepted Answer

The whistle is a secondary reinforcer because it has become associated with a primary reinforcer (fish) and is used to reinforce the dolphins' behavior.

Question 20

Percy wants to teach his daughter good manners. To increase the likelihood of her saying "Excuse me" when bumping into someone in a store, he should use a stimulus called a(n)
A) punishment.
B) reinforcer.
C) operant.
D) token economy.

Accepted Answer

Using a reinforcer, such as praise or a small reward, can increase the likelihood of a desired behavior (in this case, saying "Excuse me"). Punishment, operant conditioning, and token economies may not be as effective in teaching good manners.

Quiz 6: Learning

Professor McCready wants to study animal learning by putting birds in a cage where they have to figure out how to peck a button to receive food. Professor McCready is using________ to modify animal behavior.

You want to teach your dog to stop scratching at the door when he wants to go out. You do so by swatting his nose with a newspaper each time he scratches the door. By creating Consequences for your dog's behavior, you have used ________ to train him.

Raul has no motivation to read the chapters from his biology textbook that were assigned for homework. According to the Premack principle, Raul could reinforce his textbook reading by doing which of the following?

Taylor's parents are inconsistent with their child-rearing practices. Some days, Taylor can get away with climbing onto the back of the couch and jumping off, but other days she is Punished. Taylor's parents are reinforcing her behavior on a ________ schedule.

Ellie hates it when her teenagers leave their dirty clothes on the floor. If Ellie decides to use the Premack principle to help her teens change their behavior, she should ________ to Reward them for doing a less valued activity.

Dr. Brimfield believes that humans learn best when they are given the opportunity to act on their environments and make associations between their behavior and the resulting Consequences. Dr. Brimfield believes in

Lenny needs to quickly train his cows to use one specific field when they graze. The reinforcement that will allow the cows to learn most quickly is ________ reinforcement.

Reinforcement that comes after a predetermined amount of time is called a

Derek is conducting research with chimpanzees and observes that when the chimps' behaviors lead to some sort of satisfaction, they repeat those behaviors. Derek's observations Are most consistent with

Susie wants to use operant conditioning to teach her cat to sit up for a treat. A psychologist who has conducted research that would be useful to her in this situation is

Albert has a beautiful garden in his backyard and notices that hummingbirds feed on the flowers at the same time each day in order to get the most nectar. The hummingbirds are Being rewarded for their feeding behavior on a ________ schedule of reinforcement.

Jean wants her daughter to eat her vegetables so she is healthy. Jean tells her daughter that after she eats her vegetables she can play outside, which is one of her daughter's favorite Things to do. In this situation, Jean is using ________ to increase her daughter's eating of Vegetables.

When wild Arctic wolves hunt, their efforts are only sometimes reinforced because finding food is difficult. The fact that the wolves are only sometimes reinforced for hunting is an Example of ________ reinforcement.

In Thorndike's puzzle box, a trapped cat had to perform a specific action in order to escape. Thorndike ________ the box in order to encourage the cat to try to escape.

Sandra is toilet training her son and only rewards him some of the time when he uses the toilet. Sandra knows that using partial reinforcement creates behaviors that are more enduring Than does continuous reinforcement, which is a result of

Marcy decides that yelling at her teenage son to clean is room is not effective. Instead, whenever he cleans his room without being asked, Marcy takes him to his favorite ice cream Shop. In this example, cleaning the room is the and the ice cream is the .

Channing believes that the best way to get his boyfriend to clean up after himself is by offering dessert as soon as his boyfriend cleans up the apartment. Channing knows that Dessert is a reinforcer that will likely the probability that his boyfriend Will clean the apartment in the future.

Percy wants to teach his daughter good manners. To increase the likelihood of her saying "Excuse me" when bumping into someone in a store, he should use a stimulus called a(n)