Question 1

Which of the following processes weakens operant behavior?​
A) ​negative reinforcement
B) ​extinction
C) ​positive reinforcement
D) ​respondent conditioning

Accepted Answer

Extinction weakens operant behavior by removing the reinforcing consequences previously associated with that behavior. Negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, and respondent conditioning all strengthen operant behavior in different ways.

Question 2

In order to extinguish a negatively reinforced behavior,the ____________ is no longer removed or avoided following the behavior.​
A) ​aversive stimulus
B) ​positive reinforcer
C) ​reinforcer
D) ​prompt

Accepted Answer

Negatively reinforced behavior is extinguished when the aversive stimulus, which the behavior was initially aimed at removing or avoiding, is no longer removed or avoided following the behavior. This means the behavior no longer results in the negative consequence being taken away, thus reducing the likelihood of the behavior occurring again.

Question 3

Robert dances in the end zone whenever he scores a touchdown,because the fans give him a standing ovation for doing so.When the fans no longer give him a standing ovation for his dancing,Robert stops dancing in the end zone.This is an example of:​
A) ​punishment
B) ​extinction of a negatively reinforced behavior
C) ​a latency period
D) ​extinction of a positively reinforced behavior

Accepted Answer

Robert is positively reinforced for dancing in the end zone by receiving a standing ovation from the fans. When the positive reinforcement (standing ovation) is no longer present, the behavior (dancing in the end zone) is extinguished.

Question 4

In comparison with a behavior that has been intermittently reinforced,a behavior that has been continuously reinforced will ____________ when reinforcement is stopped.​
A) ​decrease more rapidly
B) ​decrease at the same rate
C) ​decrease more slowly
D) ​remain at about the same level

Accepted Answer

A behavior that has been continuously reinforced will decrease more rapidly than a behavior that has been intermittently reinforced when reinforcement is stopped. This is because the continuous reinforcement has always provided a consistent outcome for the behavior, while the intermittent reinforcement has only provided occasional outcomes. Therefore, when the continuous reinforcement is stopped, the behavior is more likely to decrease rapidly as it no longer receives the constant reinforcement.

Question 5

Randy stopped putting money into a candy machine because he stopped getting candy out.After a couple months Randy put money into the candy machine again,but when no candy came out,he stopped putting money in.Randy's behavior of putting money into the candy machine after a couple months is an example of:​
A) ​punishment
B) ​spontaneous recovery
C) ​delayed extinction
D) ​reinforcement

Accepted Answer

Randy's behavior is an example of spontaneous recovery, which is a phenomenon in classical conditioning where a previously extinguished response re-emerges after a period of no exposure to the conditioned stimulus. In this case, after a break, Randy tries the candy machine again, showing a temporary return of the behavior that had stopped when the reinforcement (candy) was no longer provided.

Question 6

Whenever Matt is told to run laps during basketball practice,he complains to the coach that he is too tired in order to get out of running.The coach starts making him run the laps anyway,and eventually Matt stops complaining about being too tired when he is told to run.This is an example of:​
A) ​extinction of a negatively reinforced behavior
B) ​spontaneous recovery
C) ​extinction of a positively reinforced behavior
D) ​punishment

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes the extinction of a negatively reinforced behavior. Matt's complaining behavior was reinforced by the coach allowing him to avoid running. However, once the coach continued to make him run despite his complaints, the complaining behavior eventually went away (extinguished).

Question 7

Extinction will be least effective when:​
A) ​it follows continuous reinforcement
B) ​it follows intermittent reinforcement
C) ​reinforcement occurs after extinction
D) ​B and C

Accepted Answer

Extinction is least effective when it follows intermittent reinforcement or when reinforcement occurs after extinction. This is because intermittent reinforcement creates a stronger association between the behavior and the reinforcer, making it more difficult to extinguish the behavior. Additionally, if reinforcement occurs after extinction, the behavior may be reinforced again, making it even more difficult to extinguish.

Question 8

Extinction works best when:​
A) ​it follows continuous reinforcement
B) ​it follows intermittent reinforcement
C) ​reinforcement occurs during extinction
D) ​A and C

Accepted Answer

Extinction is most effective following continuous reinforcement because the behavior was reinforced every time it occurred, making it easier to extinguish when reinforcement stops. In contrast, behaviors reinforced intermittently are more resistant to extinction.

Question 9

Greg shakes the apple tree to get an apple to fall for him to eat.Now when he shakes the tree,no apples fall so he runs into the tree with his shoulder to get an apple to fall.Running into the tree with his shoulder is an example of:​
A) ​an extinction burst
B) ​spontaneous recovery
C) ​resistance to extinction
D) ​an establishing operation

Accepted Answer

Running into the tree with his shoulder is an example of an extinction burst. This occurs when behavior that was previously reinforced (in this case, shaking the tree to get an apple) is no longer effective in producing that reinforcement (no apples fall when he shakes the tree). As a result, the individual engages in more intense or varied attempts to engage in the same behavior in the hope of obtaining the reinforcement (running into the tree with his shoulder). This is a common occurrence during the process of extinction.

Question 10

In comparison to a behavior that has been continuously reinforced,a behavior that has been intermittently reinforced will _____________ when reinforcement is stopped​
A) ​decrease more rapidly
B) ​decrease at the same rate
C) ​decrease more slowly
D) ​remain at about the same level

Accepted Answer

Intermittently reinforced behaviors are more resistant to extinction than those that have been continuously reinforced, meaning they decrease more slowly when reinforcement is stopped. This is known as the partial reinforcement extinction effect.

Question 11

When the behavior occurs,the reinforcer is no longer delivered.This is a definition of extinction of:​
A) ​negatively reinforced behavior
B) ​an intermittently reinforced behavior
C) ​a positively reinforced behavior
D) ​a continuously reinforced behavior

Accepted Answer

Extinction refers to the process of withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, which results in a decrease in the frequency of that behavior over time. In this case, the behavior was reinforced by a positive reinforcer, which is no longer being delivered, leading to extinction of that behavior. Option A refers to a behavior that is reinforced by the removal of an aversive stimulus, and extinction of this behavior would involve no longer removing the aversive stimulus. Option B refers to a behavior that is reinforced irregularly, and extinction of this behavior would involve withholding reinforcement consistently. Option D refers to a behavior that is reinforced every time it occurs, and extinction of this behavior would involve no longer delivering the reinforcement every single time.

Question 12

Which of the following factors does NOT influence the extinction process?​
A) ​the schedule of reinforcement before extinction
B) ​reinforcement after extinction
C) ​the frequency of the behavior
D) ​B and C

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following factors does NOT...

Question 13

When a behavior occurs again after it had not occurred for some time due to extinction,the process is called​
A) ​operant behavior
B) ​extinction burst
C) ​resurgence
D) ​spontaneous recovery

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous recovery is when a behavior that had been extinguished reappears after a period of time without reinforcement.

Question 14

Ignoring the behavior amounts to extinction only when the behavior is:​
A) ​occurring excessively
B) ​negatively reinforced
C) ​reinforced by attention
D) ​not severe

Accepted Answer

Ignoring the behavior only leads to extinction when the behavior is reinforced by attention, meaning that the behavior is maintained by receiving attention from others. If the behavior is negatively reinforced or severe, simply ignoring it may not be enough to cause extinction.

Question 15

Which of the following factors influence the extinction process?​
A) ​punishment prior to extinction
B) ​reinforcement after extinction
C) ​A and B
D) ​none of these

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following factors influence the...

Question 16

A common misconception people have about extinction,is that it:​
A) ​means ignoring the behavior
B) ​increases the behavior
C) ​is the same as reinforcement
D) ​decreases the behavior

Accepted Answer

Extinction in behavioral psychology refers to the process of reducing or eliminating a behavior by no longer providing reinforcement for it, not simply ignoring it.

Question 17

Bobby's parents used extinction to get him to stop crying when he had to eat vegetables,by making him eat vegetables despite his crying.One night Bobby has a babysitter,and she does not make him eat his vegetables when he starts crying.As a result,Bobby's behavior of crying when told to eat vegetables:​
A) ​has not been reinforced
B) ​has been intermittently reinforced
C) ​has been continuously reinforced
D) ​A and B

Accepted Answer

The babysitter's decision to not make Bobby eat his vegetables when he starts crying serves as an intermittent reinforcement for his crying behavior, making it more likely that he will cry in the future when asked to eat vegetables.

Question 18

When the behavior occurs,the aversive stimulus is no longer removed.This is a definition of extinction of:​
A) ​negatively reinforced behavior
B) ​an intermittently reinforced behavior
C) ​a positively reinforced behavior
D) ​a continuously reinforced behavior

Accepted Answer

This is a definition of the extinction of a negatively reinforced behavior because the aversive stimulus was previously removed as a result of the behavior, but now it is no longer removed. In other words, the behavior no longer produces the desired outcome of avoiding the aversive stimulus.

Question 19

Extinction of a negatively reinforced behavior involves continuation of the _______ following the behavior.​
A) ​aversive stimulus
B) ​reinforcer
C) ​conditioned stimulus
D) ​negative stimulus

Accepted Answer

Extinction of a negatively reinforced behavior involves the continuation of the aversive stimulus following the behavior, meaning the behavior no longer results in the removal of the aversive stimulus, thus reducing the behavior over time.

Question 20

If reinforcement for the behavior occurs during the process of extinction,the behavior will:​
A) ​decrease more rapidly
B) ​be unaffected by the reinforcement
C) ​decrease less rapidly
D) ​immediately become extinguished

Accepted Answer

Extinction is the process of gradually eliminating the occurrence of a behavior by withholding reinforcement. If reinforcement still occurs during the extinction process, the behavior may decrease less rapidly because the individual is still receiving some form of reinforcement. This is known as an extinction burst, where the behavior initially increases before eventually decreasing. Therefore, the correct option is C - the behavior will decrease less rapidly.

Quiz 5: A: Extinction

Which of the following processes weakens operant behavior?​

In order to extinguish a negatively reinforced behavior,the ____________ is no longer removed or avoided following the behavior.​

Robert dances in the end zone whenever he scores a touchdown,because the fans give him a standing ovation for doing so.When the fans no longer give him a standing ovation for his dancing,Robert stops dancing in the end zone.This is an example of:​

In comparison with a behavior that has been intermittently reinforced,a behavior that has been continuously reinforced will ____________ when reinforcement is stopped.​

Whenever Matt is told to run laps during basketball practice,he complains to the coach that he is too tired in order to get out of running.The coach starts making him run the laps anyway,and eventually Matt stops complaining about being too tired when he is told to run.This is an example of:​

Extinction will be least effective when:​

Extinction works best when:​

Greg shakes the apple tree to get an apple to fall for him to eat.Now when he shakes the tree,no apples fall so he runs into the tree with his shoulder to get an apple to fall.Running into the tree with his shoulder is an example of:​

In comparison to a behavior that has been continuously reinforced,a behavior that has been intermittently reinforced will _____________ when reinforcement is stopped​

When the behavior occurs,the reinforcer is no longer delivered.This is a definition of extinction of:​

Which of the following factors does NOT influence the extinction process?​

When a behavior occurs again after it had not occurred for some time due to extinction,the process is called​

Ignoring the behavior amounts to extinction only when the behavior is:​

Which of the following factors influence the extinction process?​

A common misconception people have about extinction,is that it:​

When the behavior occurs,the aversive stimulus is no longer removed.This is a definition of extinction of:​

Extinction of a negatively reinforced behavior involves continuation of the _______ following the behavior.​

If reinforcement for the behavior occurs during the process of extinction,the behavior will:​

Which of the following processes weakens operant behavior?

In order to extinguish a negatively reinforced behavior,the ____________ is no longer removed or avoided following the behavior.

Robert dances in the end zone whenever he scores a touchdown,because the fans give him a standing ovation for doing so.When the fans no longer give him a standing ovation for his dancing,Robert stops dancing in the end zone.This is an example of:

In comparison with a behavior that has been intermittently reinforced,a behavior that has been continuously reinforced will ____________ when reinforcement is stopped.

Whenever Matt is told to run laps during basketball practice,he complains to the coach that he is too tired in order to get out of running.The coach starts making him run the laps anyway,and eventually Matt stops complaining about being too tired when he is told to run.This is an example of:

Extinction will be least effective when:

Extinction works best when:

Greg shakes the apple tree to get an apple to fall for him to eat.Now when he shakes the tree,no apples fall so he runs into the tree with his shoulder to get an apple to fall.Running into the tree with his shoulder is an example of:

In comparison to a behavior that has been continuously reinforced,a behavior that has been intermittently reinforced will _____________ when reinforcement is stopped

When the behavior occurs,the reinforcer is no longer delivered.This is a definition of extinction of:

Which of the following factors does NOT influence the extinction process?

When a behavior occurs again after it had not occurred for some time due to extinction,the process is called

Ignoring the behavior amounts to extinction only when the behavior is:

Which of the following factors influence the extinction process?

A common misconception people have about extinction,is that it:

When the behavior occurs,the aversive stimulus is no longer removed.This is a definition of extinction of:

Extinction of a negatively reinforced behavior involves continuation of the _______ following the behavior.

If reinforcement for the behavior occurs during the process of extinction,the behavior will: