Question 1

Partial reinforcement is defined as reinforcement in which:
A) behaviors are not reinforced every time they occur
B) the organism gives up before full reinforcement is obtained
C) only secondary reinforcers are utilized
D) punishment is used to shape behaviors

Accepted Answer

Partial reinforcement means that the desired behavior is not reinforced every time it occurs, but only intermittently or randomly. This can actually be more effective in shaping behaviors than continuous reinforcement, as the organism learns to persist in the behavior even in the absence of immediate reinforcement. None of the other options accurately describe partial reinforcement.

Question 2

Bruce gives his son Kenny a quarter if he practices his tennis serve for 15 minutes.Bruce is using which type of reinforcement schedule?
A) variable interval
B) fixed interval
C) variable ratio
D) fixed ratio

Accepted Answer

Bruce is using a fixed interval reinforcement schedule as he is rewarding Kenny after a specific and fixed amount of time (15 minutes) of practicing his tennis serve.

Question 3

A pattern in which students at a reform school clean up their rooms only before the weekly inspections is typical of which kind of reinforcement schedule?
A) variable interval
B) variable ratio
C) fixed interval
D) fixed ratio

Accepted Answer

The pattern of cleaning up the rooms only before the weekly inspections is an example of a fixed interval schedule, where the behavior is reinforced after a fixed amount of time has passed (in this case, one week).

Question 4

In operant conditioning,generalization has occurred when:
A) an organism emits the same response to similar stimuli
B) a response is not emitted in the presence of unreinforced stimuli
C) a behavior is no longer reinforced
D) an organism realizes that it has been operantly conditioned

Accepted Answer

Generalization occurs when an organism emits the same response to similar stimuli. This means that the organism has learned to respond to a particular stimulus and can now respond to similar stimuli in the same way without receiving further training.

Question 5

You like to fish.Sometimes,it takes you 30 minutes to catch a fish; other times,you catch a fish every 5 minutes.Fishing,in this case,is on a ____ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed-interval
B) fixed-ratio
C) variable-interval
D) variable-ratio

Accepted Answer

The scenario described is an example of variable-interval schedule of reinforcement as the time between successful catches of fish is unpredictable but on average it takes 30 minutes. Option A) fixed-interval and option B) fixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement would imply consistent time and response requirements respectively, which is not the case here. Option D) variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement is also not applicable as there is no mention of a set number of responses required to receive the reinforcement (in this case catching a fish).

Question 6

After being praised for learning the word "doggie",a young child will point to anything with four legs and a tail and say "doggie"-even if the "doggie" is really a cat,a horse,or a cow.This child is demonstrating:
A) discrimination
B) spontaneous recovery
C) extinction
D) generalization

Accepted Answer

The child is generalizing the word "doggie" to anything with four legs and a tail, even though it may not actually be a dog.

Question 7

A ____ refers to a reinforcer occurring only after an unchanging amount of time has lapsed.
A) fixed-interval
B) fixed-ratio
C) variable-interval
D) variable-ratio

Accepted Answer

A fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement is one in which reinforcers are delivered at fixed, predictable periods of time, regardless of the number of responses emitted. For example, a worker may receive a paycheck every two weeks. The reinforcer (paycheck) is delivered after an unchanging amount of time (two weeks) has lapsed, which is characteristic of a fixed-interval schedule.

Question 8

"Poor fool," you think to yourself when your friend tells you she lost on the lottery again,"another helpless victim of the ____ schedule of reinforcement."
A) fixed-ratio
B) variable-ratio
C) fixed-interval
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

The variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement is known to be the most effective in maintaining a behavior. This schedule provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, leading to consistent and persistent behavior. In the case of the lottery, the variable-ratio schedule is at play, as the chance of winning is unpredictable and random, leading individuals to continue playing even after multiple losses.

Question 9

Every 50 minutes,the class takes a break if their behavior is appropriate.They are on a ____ schedule of reinforcement.
A) variable-interval
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) fixed-ratio

Accepted Answer

The students are receiving reinforcement (a break) after a fixed interval of time (50 minutes) regardless of their behavior. This is an example of a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement.

Question 10

"Maybe this lottery ticket will be a winner.The last couple ones I've bought were losers,but I do buy a winner every once in a while." This person's lottery ticket-buying behavior is on what schedule of reinforcement?
A) continuous
B) fixed interval
C) variable ratio
D) fixed ratio

Accepted Answer

The person's behavior of buying lottery tickets is on a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement because they do not know how many tickets they have to buy before winning. The reward (winning) is unpredictable and could happen on any given purchase.

Question 11

"Every other set of encyclopedias you sell,I will give you $100," says your supervisor.You realize that you are on a ____ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed-ratio
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

This is a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement because the reward ($100) is given after a specific number of behaviors (selling a set of encyclopedias) is performed, which in this case is every other set sold.

Question 12

When Bob plays cards with his friends,he finds that his winning hands seem to come in bunches.Then,he may go as many as 10 hands without winning anything.Which schedule best describes the reinforcement Bob receives when playing cards?
A) fixed ratio
B) fixed interval
C) variable ratio
D) variable interval

Accepted Answer

Bob's reinforcement schedule is based on a variable ratio, meaning that he receives reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses (hands played). It is unpredictable how many hands he will win or lose before receiving reinforcement in the form of a winning hand. This type of schedule is known to be highly effective in maintaining behavior, as it creates a high and steady rate of responding.

Question 13

Dakota is using operant conditioning to get his dog Rover to bring him his slippers.He sounds a bell,has Rover bring the slippers,and reinforces the behavior with a dog biscuit.One day,a church bell sounds outside and Rover brings Dakota his slippers.Rover's behavior illustrates:
A) discrimination
B) shaping
C) intermittent reinforcement
D) generalization

Accepted Answer

Rover has generalized the sound of the bell to include other similar sounding bells, such as the church bell, and still brings Dakota his slippers. This is an example of generalization in operant conditioning where the learned response is extended beyond the original stimulus or situation.

Question 14

Robert is reinforced by his teacher every sixth time he turns in a homework assignment.Robert's teacher is using a ____ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed-interval
B) fixed-ratio
C) variable-interval
D) variable-ratio

Accepted Answer

Robert is being reinforced after a fixed number of responses (in this case, every sixth homework assignment). This is an example of a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Question 15

A ____ refers to a reinforcer occurring only after an unchanging number of responses take place.
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

The term "fixed ratio" refers to a schedule of reinforcement where a reinforcer is delivered after a specific number of responses.

Question 16

If an organism emits a response only in the presence of reinforced stimuli and not in the presence of unreinforced stimuli,then the organism is displaying:
A) discrimination
B) spontaneous recovery
C) extinction
D) generalization

Accepted Answer

Discrimination refers to an organism's ability to respond differently to similar but distinct stimuli, based on their association with reinforcement or punishment. In this case, the organism is emitting a response only in the presence of reinforced stimuli, which demonstrates discrimination. Spontaneous recovery refers to the reemergence of a previously extinguished response after a period of time, while extinction refers to the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a behavior that is no longer reinforced. Generalization refers to an organism's tendency to respond to similar stimuli in the same way as the original stimulus that was reinforced.

Question 17

Suzanne randomly checks up on her employees several times throughout the day to praise them if they are working hard.None of the employees know when Suzanne will be checking up on them.Suzanne is using a ____ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed-interval
B) fixed-ratio
C) variable-interval
D) variable-ratio

Accepted Answer

In a variable-interval schedule, the reinforcement is given after a variable amount of time has passed, in a random or unpredictable pattern. This is what is happening in the scenario described, as Suzanne checks up on her employees randomly throughout the day without a fixed time interval. This schedule of reinforcement tends to produce consistent and steady behavior, as individuals are motivated to maintain a consistent level of performance in anticipation of potential reinforcement. The other options, fixed-interval and fixed-ratio schedules, involve a more predictable timing or frequency of reinforcement, which can lead to different patterns of behavior.

Question 18

Shirley is about to teach a group of eight-year-olds the backstroke.She wants to do this using operant conditioning.At the outset of the swimming course,Shirley should:
A) appear quite stern so that later praise will seem more meaningful
B) praise them for no particular reason but to establish rapport
C) praise every correct thing the young swimmers do
D) praise them at the end of each lesson only, since that is what she would do if they were in proper training for a meet

Accepted Answer

Praising every correct thing the young swimmers do will establish positive reinforcement for their actions, creating a stronger association between the behavior and the reward. This will increase the likelihood that they will continue to perform the correct behavior in the future. Therefore, it is the best choice for Shirley to use operant conditioning effectively in this scenario. Options A, B, and D are not as effective because they do not consistently reinforce correct behavior or establish positive reinforcement for the young swimmers.

Question 19

Mom tells Billy that she will pay him to pull weeds from her flower garden.Because Mom is busy,she sometimes gives Billy a dime when he pulls five weeds,sometimes when he pulls 10 weeds,and other times when he pulls 20 or more weeds.The reinforcement schedule Mom is using is:
A) continuous
B) fixed interval
C) variable ratio
D) fixed ratio

Accepted Answer

The reinforcement schedule Mom is using is not fixed, as sometimes she rewards Billy for pulling five weeds, sometimes for pulling 10, and sometimes for pulling 20 or more. It is also not continuous, as Billy is not being rewarded for each and every weed he pulls. Instead, it is a variable ratio schedule, meaning the reinforcement is delivered after an unpredictable number of responses (in this case, pulling weeds). This is a particularly effective schedule for maintaining behavior, as it tends to produce a high rate of responding with minimal extinction.

Question 20

Out in the garden,Lucille is given a dime for every five weeds she pulls.What reinforcement schedule is she on?
A) fixed ratio
B) fixed interval
C) variable ratio
D) variable interval

Accepted Answer

Lucille is being reinforced for every fixed and specific number of weeds pulled (every 5 weeds). This is known as a fixed ratio schedule.

Quiz 10: Operant and Cognitive Approaches

Partial reinforcement is defined as reinforcement in which:

Bruce gives his son Kenny a quarter if he practices his tennis serve for 15 minutes.Bruce is using which type of reinforcement schedule?

A pattern in which students at a reform school clean up their rooms only before the weekly inspections is typical of which kind of reinforcement schedule?

In operant conditioning,generalization has occurred when:

You like to fish.Sometimes,it takes you 30 minutes to catch a fish; other times,you catch a fish every 5 minutes.Fishing,in this case,is on a ____ schedule of reinforcement.

After being praised for learning the word "doggie",a young child will point to anything with four legs and a tail and say "doggie"-even if the "doggie" is really a cat,a horse,or a cow.This child is demonstrating:

A ____ refers to a reinforcer occurring only after an unchanging amount of time has lapsed.

"Poor fool," you think to yourself when your friend tells you she lost on the lottery again,"another helpless victim of the ____ schedule of reinforcement."

Every 50 minutes,the class takes a break if their behavior is appropriate.They are on a ____ schedule of reinforcement.

"Maybe this lottery ticket will be a winner.The last couple ones I've bought were losers,but I do buy a winner every once in a while." This person's lottery ticket-buying behavior is on what schedule of reinforcement?

"Every other set of encyclopedias you sell,I will give you $100," says your supervisor.You realize that you are on a ____ schedule of reinforcement.

When Bob plays cards with his friends,he finds that his winning hands seem to come in bunches.Then,he may go as many as 10 hands without winning anything.Which schedule best describes the reinforcement Bob receives when playing cards?

Dakota is using operant conditioning to get his dog Rover to bring him his slippers.He sounds a bell,has Rover bring the slippers,and reinforces the behavior with a dog biscuit.One day,a church bell sounds outside and Rover brings Dakota his slippers.Rover's behavior illustrates:

Robert is reinforced by his teacher every sixth time he turns in a homework assignment.Robert's teacher is using a ____ schedule of reinforcement.

A ____ refers to a reinforcer occurring only after an unchanging number of responses take place.

If an organism emits a response only in the presence of reinforced stimuli and not in the presence of unreinforced stimuli,then the organism is displaying:

Suzanne randomly checks up on her employees several times throughout the day to praise them if they are working hard.None of the employees know when Suzanne will be checking up on them.Suzanne is using a ____ schedule of reinforcement.

Shirley is about to teach a group of eight-year-olds the backstroke.She wants to do this using operant conditioning.At the outset of the swimming course,Shirley should:

Mom tells Billy that she will pay him to pull weeds from her flower garden.Because Mom is busy,she sometimes gives Billy a dime when he pulls five weeds,sometimes when he pulls 10 weeds,and other times when he pulls 20 or more weeds.The reinforcement schedule Mom is using is:

Out in the garden,Lucille is given a dime for every five weeds she pulls.What reinforcement schedule is she on?