Question 1

When psychologists characterize behavior as being controlled by its consequences, they are referring to a principle of

Accepted Answer

Instrumental conditioning, also known as operant conditioning, is a learning process in which behavior is modified by the consequences that follow it. Positive or negative outcomes influence the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Question 2

The modern "synthetic" view of response learning argues that all learning is

Accepted Answer

The modern "synthetic" view of response learning incorporates a holistic approach, suggesting that learning is a combination of behavioral, cognitive, and evolutionary mechanisms. This perspective acknowledges the complexity of learning processes and the influence of various factors on behavior.

Question 3

Modern learning theorists assume that

Accepted Answer

Modern learning theorists believe that both response learning and stimulus learning occur naturally together, rather than one being primary and the other secondary or conditional. This reflects an understanding of learning as a complex process where stimuli and responses are interconnected.

Question 4

The statement "Food is reinforcing because it ends hunger pains" is aligned with _______ theories because _______.

Accepted Answer

Hull's drive reduction theory suggests that behaviors are motivated by the need to fulfill basic biological needs, such as hunger. When food is consumed to end hunger pains, it is reinforcing because it meets a biological need, aligning with Hull's theory.

Question 5

Guthrie proposed that instrumental learning

Accepted Answer

Guthrie proposed that instrumental learning occurs because the stimulus and response are contiguous, meaning that they occur close together in time and space.

Question 6

Which statement below is not one of the assumptions of Guthrie's instrumental learning approach?

Accepted Answer

Guthrie's instrumental learning approach does not assume that reinforcement is the necessary and sufficient condition for learning to occur. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of contiguity between the stimulus and response for learning.

Question 7

Despite having been reinforced for correctly manipulating a lock (i.e., opening it successfully), you still have trouble opening it, and you keep trying different strategies. Which statement about this situation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Guthrie's theory posits that a change in behavior (such as trying different strategies to open a lock) occurs because the stimuli present in the environment are perceived differently each time, leading to different responses.

Question 8

Which scenario illustrates Guthrie's assumption as to why reinforcement facilitates instrumental learning?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which scenario illustrates Guthrie's assumption as to...

Question 9

Guthrie and Horton's attempt to demonstrate that cats could solve Thorndike's puzzle box problem via contiguity illustrated instead that

Accepted Answer

Guthrie and Horton's work showed that the cats' escape from the puzzle box was not due to learning via contiguity but rather an innate response that coincidentally solved the problem, indicating the complexity of distinguishing between learned and innate behaviors in animal learning experiments.

Question 10

Estes' stimulus sampling theory is a _______ approach.

Accepted Answer

Estes' stimulus sampling theory is a mathematical, stimulus-element approach. It emphasizes the role of mathematical models in understanding how organisms learn to respond to specific elements of stimuli in their environment, rather than configurations of stimuli or cognitive interpretations.

Question 11

Tolman is best known for his argument that

Accepted Answer

Tolman is best known for his theory of latent learning and the concept of cognitive maps, which suggest that behavior is purposeful, goal-directed, and influenced by beliefs and expectations, not just by reinforcement or punishment. This aligns with choice C, indicating behavior is inherently flexible and goal-oriented.

Question 12

In a series of studies examining maze learning in animals, Tolman concluded that the animals tended to learn

Accepted Answer

Tolman's studies on maze learning in animals led to the concept of "latent learning" and the idea that animals learn the layout of a maze (i.e., where to go to get rewarded) rather than just a specific response to get a reward. This suggested that learning could occur without reinforcement and that animals form a cognitive map of their environment.

Question 13

According to Tolman's latent learning experiments, a child could learn the route from home to school

Accepted Answer

Tolman's latent learning experiments suggest that learning can occur without reinforcement and can be demonstrated when a motivation is present. Thus, a child could learn the route from home to school through various modes of transportation, as long as they can observe and remember the route.

Question 14

The "learning/performance distinction" refers to

Accepted Answer

The "learning/performance distinction" refers to the idea that learning can occur without immediate changes in behavior being evident. Motivation, such as reward or punishment, is often necessary for the learned behavior to be performed, but it is not necessary for the learning process itself. This distinction highlights that learning and performance are not always directly linked; an individual can learn something without it immediately being reflected in their performance.

Question 15

Which scenario illustrates the learning/performance distinction?

Accepted Answer

Marta's scenario illustrates the learning/performance distinction because it shows a difference between what she has learned (knowing the material very well) and her performance (only doing enough work to pass).

Question 16

Which statement is false?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement is false?
...

Question 17

Skinner assumed that when reinforcers are not made contingent on behavior,

Accepted Answer

Skinner believed that when reinforcers are delivered independently of any specific behavior, individuals might develop superstitious behaviors, thinking their actions somehow caused the reinforcement. This is because they try to associate their behavior with the receipt of the reinforcer, even when there is no causal relationship.

Question 18

Stimulus control resembles the classical conditioning phenomenon of

Accepted Answer

Stimulus control is most similar to the phenomenon of occasion setting in classical conditioning. Occasion setting is when a stimulus signals that a certain association is relevant or will be reinforced, thus controlling the response to another stimulus. This is akin to how stimulus control works, where a specific stimulus or cue dictates when a particular behavior is appropriate or will be reinforced.

Question 19

Which scenario illustrates the fading procedure?

Accepted Answer

Fading involves gradually changing a prompt or cue (such as a verbal command) to a different form (like a hand signal) while maintaining the learned behavior.

Question 20

The procedure of fading involves a gradual

Accepted Answer

Fading involves gradually decreasing the intensity of one stimulus in a compound stimulus to allow the second stimulus to gain control over the behavior.

Quiz 7: Behavior and Its Consequences