Question 1

The certain senior faculty member has been giving a junior faculty member a hard time, criticizing their research and teaching both to their face and behind their back. The junior faculty member doesn't want to say anything, fearing negative repercussions. However, when the senior faculty member gives a seminar, the junior shows up very late and is somewhat disruptive when entering. This is an example of ________.
A) avoidance behavior
B) learned helplessness
C) temporary suppression
D) passive aggressiveness

Accepted Answer

The junior faculty member's actions of showing up late and being somewhat disruptive, without directly confronting the issue, are indicative of passive-aggressive behavior. This involves expressing negative feelings indirectly rather than openly addressing them.

Question 2

Which of the following situations is the BEST example of prejudice being operantly conditioned?
A) Spencer's mother screamed at a homeless person, which scared Spencer.
B) Vidmar had a panic attack while taking an exam he had not studied for.
C) Cara's friends laugh when Cara tells a homeless woman to get a job.
D) James applies for a minority scholarship to a school that has mostly white students.

Accepted Answer

Cara's friends laughing when she tells a homeless woman to get a job is an example of operant conditioning because the laughter serves as positive reinforcement for Cara's prejudiced behavior, encouraging her to repeat it in the future.

Question 3

The best way to get your son to take out the trash without being told would be to reward your son on a ________ schedule of reinforcement at first, then change to a ________ schedule.
A) fixed; variable
B) continuous; partial
C) ratio; interval
D) fixed; interval

Accepted Answer

Initially, a continuous reinforcement schedule (rewarding every time the desired behavior occurs) is effective for establishing a new behavior. Over time, switching to a partial (or intermittent) reinforcement schedule helps maintain the behavior more effectively and makes it resistant to extinction.

Question 4

Sometimes (but not always) Ellen receives a bonus after doing her job well. However, this keeps her maintaining maximum performance on the job. What type of schedule does this illustrate?
A) fixed ratio
B) variable ratio
C) fixed interval
D) variable interval

Accepted Answer

Ellen receives a bonus at unpredictable intervals, which is characteristic of a variable ratio schedule. This type of reinforcement schedule rewards an action after an unpredictable number of responses, which encourages consistent behavior.

Question 5

Which reinforcement schedules produce the lowest levels of responding?
A) fixed ratio
B) variable ratio
C) fixed interval
D) variable interval

Accepted Answer

Variable interval schedules produce the lowest levels of responding because they require the most time and effort to produce a reward.

Question 6

Which schedule is most effective for maintaining behavior over the long term?
A) fixed ratio
B) variable ratio
C) fixed interval
D) variable interval

Accepted Answer

Variable ratio schedules are most effective for maintaining behavior over the long term because they provide reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, making the behavior more resistant to extinction.

Question 7

People who play slot machines keep playing even when they are losing money because reinforcement is being delivered on a ________.
A) variable interval schedule
B) fixed interval schedule
C) fixed ratio schedule
D) variable ratio schedule

Accepted Answer

Slot machine players continue playing even when losing because reinforcement (winning) is delivered on a variable ratio schedule, meaning after an unpredictable number of responses, which makes it highly compelling and resistant to extinction.

Question 8

Which of the following relies on operant conditioning to treat conditions like pain by allowing the patient to gauge their progress as they try various methods for alleviating the condition?
A) programmed instruction
B) biofeedback
C) biological monitoring
D) the law of effect

Accepted Answer

Biofeedback is a technique that relies on operant conditioning, where individuals learn to control bodily processes that are normally involuntary (like heart rate or muscle tension) by being provided with real-time feedback. This method is used to treat various conditions, including pain, by allowing patients to monitor their physiological responses and adjust their behavior or techniques accordingly to alleviate the condition.

Question 9

Since biofeedback reinforces desired physiological changes that have beneficial results, the tone that indicates the desired physiological changes have occurred serves as a(n) ________.
A) secondary reinforcer
B) negative punisher
C) operant conditioner
D) programmed instruction

Accepted Answer

The tone indicating the desired physiological changes in biofeedback acts as a secondary reinforcer because it is associated with the primary reinforcer, which is the beneficial physiological change itself. Secondary reinforcers gain their reinforcing power through their association with primary reinforcers.

Question 10

Before Jamie takes a test in school he taps his pencil ten times on his head, then crosses his fingers for one minute. He believes this will help him get an "A" on his test. What is this type of behavior called?
A) redundant
B) ineffectual
C) supercilious
D) superstitious

Accepted Answer

Jamie's behavior is an example of a superstition, which is a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation. Tapping his pencil on his head and crossing his fingers with the belief that it will help him get an "A" is a superstitious ritual.

Question 11

One of the major differences between classical conditioning and operant conditioning is that operant conditioning is ________.
A) able to cause extinction of a behavior, which classical conditioning does not do
B) when the subject is engaged in passive learning
C) based on reinforcement being given prior to the desired response
D) subject to active learning based on voluntary responses and consequences

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning involves active learning where behaviors are influenced by their consequences, such as rewards or punishments, unlike classical conditioning which is based on associating two stimuli together and involves passive learning.

Question 12

Cognitive-social theory emphasizes the connection between ________.
A) stimulus and response
B) stimulus, organism, and response
C) organism and response
D) stimulus and organism

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-social theory emphasizes the connection between stimulus, organism, and response, highlighting the importance of cognitive processes in understanding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to their environment.

Question 13

Almost every weekend you wander aimlessly through the mall not paying too much attention to the stores. When another shopper asks you where a particular store is and you know exactly where to direct them, you have demonstrated ________.
A) Köhler's insight learning
B) Tolman's latent learning
C) operant conditioning
D) social learning

Accepted Answer

Tolman's latent learning refers to learning that occurs without any obvious reinforcement or immediate demonstration of that knowledge, but which is revealed later when it is needed. In this scenario, knowing the location of a store without consciously trying to learn it, and being able to recall this information when asked, is an example of latent learning.

Question 14

When you learn something by watching others, you have experienced ________.
A) cognitive learning
B) social-cognitive learning
C) observational learning
D) operant learning

Accepted Answer

Observational learning occurs when an individual learns something by watching others, which is directly described by choice C.

Question 15

Four-year-old Matthew is very amused as he watches his cat Lucy rolling back and forth on the floor. He laughs out loud after watching, then drops to the ground and begins to imitate her playful behaviors. Which stage of Bandura's observational learning is occurring as Matthew reproduces the kitty's behavior?
A) the first stage
B) the second stage
C) the third stage
D) the fourth stage

Accepted Answer

Matthew is in the third stage of Bandura's observational learning, which is the reproduction stage. This stage involves the actual replication of the observed behavior, which Matthew demonstrates by imitating his cat's playful actions.

Question 16

Compared to rats raised in deprives environment, rats raised in an enriched environment typically develop which one of the following?
A) predictable behavior patterns
B) more dendritic branching
C) decreased performance on learning tasks
D) fewer neurons

Accepted Answer

Rats raised in enriched environments typically show more dendritic branching, which is indicative of greater neural connectivity and potential for learning and memory, compared to those raised in deprived environments.

Question 17

Which neurons in the brain are known to fire when we watch someone else perform, and when we perform a movement we have watched someone else perform?
A) performance
B) imitation
C) latent
D) mirror

Accepted Answer

Mirror neurons are the neurons in the brain that fire both when an individual performs an action and when they observe someone else performing the same action. This mirroring process is thought to be crucial for understanding others' actions, learning through imitation, and even in the development of empathy.

Question 18

Mirror neurons in the brain are believed to be importantly involved in which of the following?
A) operant conditioning
B) superstitious behavior
C) aggressive acting out
D) imitation

Accepted Answer

Mirror neurons are thought to play a crucial role in imitation, as they fire both when an individual performs an action and when they observe someone else performing the same action.

Question 19

Deficiencies in mirror neurons may explain some of the emotional issues associated with ________.
A) autism
B) depression
C) anxiety
D) dissociative personality disorder

Accepted Answer

Mirror neurons are believed to play a role in empathy and understanding the emotions of others. Deficiencies in these neurons have been linked to autism, where individuals often struggle with social interactions and understanding others' emotions.

Question 20

Deficiencies in mirror neurons may explain some of the issues associated with ________.
A) schizophrenia
B) bipolar disorder
C) sexual dysfunctions
D) eating disorders

Accepted Answer

Mirror neurons are believed to play a crucial role in empathy and understanding the intentions of others. Deficiencies in these neurons have been linked to autism and schizophrenia, where individuals may struggle with social interactions and empathy. Schizophrenia, in particular, involves difficulties in interpreting social cues and managing emotional responses, which could be related to mirror neuron dysfunction.

Quiz 6: Learning

Which of the following situations is the BEST example of prejudice being operantly conditioned?

The best way to get your son to take out the trash without being told would be to reward your son on a schedule of reinforcement at first, then change to a schedule.

Sometimes (but not always) Ellen receives a bonus after doing her job well. However, this keeps her maintaining maximum performance on the job. What type of schedule does this illustrate?

Which reinforcement schedules produce the lowest levels of responding?

Which schedule is most effective for maintaining behavior over the long term?

People who play slot machines keep playing even when they are losing money because reinforcement is being delivered on a ________.

Which of the following relies on operant conditioning to treat conditions like pain by allowing the patient to gauge their progress as they try various methods for alleviating the condition?

Since biofeedback reinforces desired physiological changes that have beneficial results, the tone that indicates the desired physiological changes have occurred serves as a(n) ________.

Before Jamie takes a test in school he taps his pencil ten times on his head, then crosses his fingers for one minute. He believes this will help him get an "A" on his test. What is this type of behavior called?

One of the major differences between classical conditioning and operant conditioning is that operant conditioning is ________.

Cognitive-social theory emphasizes the connection between ________.

Almost every weekend you wander aimlessly through the mall not paying too much attention to the stores. When another shopper asks you where a particular store is and you know exactly where to direct them, you have demonstrated ________.

When you learn something by watching others, you have experienced ________.

Compared to rats raised in deprives environment, rats raised in an enriched environment typically develop which one of the following?

Which neurons in the brain are known to fire when we watch someone else perform, and when we perform a movement we have watched someone else perform?

Mirror neurons in the brain are believed to be importantly involved in which of the following?

Deficiencies in mirror neurons may explain some of the emotional issues associated with ________.

Deficiencies in mirror neurons may explain some of the issues associated with ________.