Question 1

An infant who is fed every four hours is on a schedule that is SIMILAR to which of the following?
A) fixed ratio
B) variable ratio
C) fixed interval
D) variable interval

Accepted Answer

A fixed interval schedule is one where reinforcement is delivered after a certain amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement. In the case of an infant being fed every four hours, this is similar to a fixed interval schedule because the reinforcement (feeding) occurs after a fixed amount of time (four hours). This is different from a fixed ratio schedule (which would involve reinforcement after a fixed number of responses) or a variable schedule (which would involve unpredictable timing of reinforcement).

Question 2

Gretta spends a lot of time at the race track betting on ponies, and occasionally she wins. The frequency of her betting is controlled by which of the following?
A) fixed ratio schedules
B) a continuous reinforcement schedule
C) a partial schedule of reinforcement
D) luck

Accepted Answer

A partial schedule of reinforcement is a type of operant conditioning where behavior is reinforced only some of the time. Gretta's occasional wins suggest that she is being reinforced on a partial schedule, which is likely controlling her betting behavior. Fixed ratio schedules would involve reinforcement after a set number of bets, and a continuous reinforcement schedule would involve reinforcement after every single bet, which does not seem to be the case for Gretta. Luck cannot be considered a controlling factor as it is not a behavioral reinforcement schedule.

Question 3

Perry works at a job where he is paid by commission. For every car Perry sells, he gets 10% of the profits. Perry is being reinforced on a ________ schedule.
A) fixed-ratio
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

Perry is being reinforced on a fixed-ratio schedule because he receives a commission (reinforcement) after a set number of responses (selling each car).

Question 4

Sandy's favorite activity is to go to Las Vegas and play the slot machines. Her gambling behavior is being reinforced on a ________ schedule.
A) fixed-ratio
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

A variable-ratio schedule delivers reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, which is a very effective way to maintain behavior (in this case, gambling). Fixed schedules (A and B) are less effective at maintaining behavior, and a variable-interval schedule (D) would be less relevant in the context of slot machines.

Question 5

Scott works at a job where he is paid a salary every 2 weeks. Scott is being reinforced on a ________ schedule.
A) fixed-ratio
B) fixed-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) variable-interval

Accepted Answer

Scott receives his salary on a regular, predetermined schedule every 2 weeks, regardless of how much work he actually does. This is an example of a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement. The reinforcement (salary) is delivered after a fixed amount of time has elapsed, rather than after a certain number of responses (fixed-ratio) or at unpredictable intervals (variable-ratio or variable-interval).

Question 6

A person receiving a monthly salary is on a:
A) continuous reinforcement schedule.
B) fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.
C) fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement.
D) variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

A person receiving a salary is on a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement, as they receive payment at set intervals (e.g. monthly). Fixed-ratio schedules involve a reinforcement after a set number of responses, and variable-ratio schedules involve a reinforcement after a varying number of responses.There is no continuous reinforcement schedule in this situation.

Question 7

A very high rate of responding is produced by a ________ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

Variable ratio schedules of reinforcement produce the highest rates of responding because the reinforcement is given on a variable basis, making it harder for the subject to predict when the next reinforcement will occur. This results in more persistent and higher levels of responding compared to fixed interval and fixed ratio schedules of reinforcement. Variable interval also results in moderate levels of responding.

Question 8

On a fixed-interval schedule, reinforcement is given ________.
A) for the first correct response after a specific amount of time has passed
B) for correct responses after randomly varying amounts of time have passed
C) after a specific number of responses are given
D) after a randomly varying number of responses are given

Accepted Answer

On a fixed-interval schedule, reinforcement is given for the first correct response after a specific amount of time has passed. This means that reinforcement is not given for any responses that occur before the specific time interval, only for the first response that occurs after it.

Question 9

On a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given ________.
A) for the first correct response after a specific amount of time has passed
B) for correct responses after randomly varying amounts of time have passed
C) after a specific number of responses are given
D) after a randomly varying number of responses are given

Accepted Answer

On a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given after a randomly varying number of responses are given. This means that there is no set number of responses required for reinforcement, but rather the reinforcement is given after an unpredictable number of responses.

Question 10

The schedule of reinforcement that yields the slowest increase in a behavior and the fastest extinction of the behavior when the schedule is stopped is ________.
A) variable ratio
B) continuous reinforcement
C) partial reinforcement
D) fixed interval

Accepted Answer

Continuous reinforcement provides the fastest increase in behavior because it reinforces the behavior every time it occurs. However, when the reinforcement is stopped, the behavior quickly extinguishes because the behavior was only learned through constant reinforcement. Partial reinforcement, on the other hand, provides a slower increase in behavior because the behavior is only reinforced some of the time. However, when the reinforcement is stopped, the behavior persists longer because it was learned through intermittent reinforcement. Variable ratio is a type of partial reinforcement and fixed interval only reinforces behavior after a set amount of time, which is not related to the speed of extinction when the reinforcement is stopped.

Question 11

On a fixed-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given ________.
A) for correct responses after randomly varying amounts of time have passed
B) after a specific number of responses are given
C) for the first correct response after a specific amount of time has passed
D) after a randomly varying number of responses are given

Accepted Answer

On a fixed-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given after a specific number of responses are given. This means that the behavior is reinforced every time the subject completes a set number of responses, resulting in a higher rate of responding.

Question 12

The only vending machine in your dorm is notorious for delivering its merchandise only occasionally when people put money in it. This is most similar to a ________ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

A variable ratio schedule of reinforcement delivers rewards after an unpredictable number of responses. This unpredictability is similar to the vending machine's occasional delivery of merchandise, making it most similar to a variable ratio schedule. Fixed interval and fixed ratio schedules involve predictable patterns, and a variable interval schedule involves time, not the number of responses.

Question 13

Anything that increases the likelihood that a behavior will occur more frequently is called a(n) ________.
A) aversive control
B) punishment
C) antecedent
D) reinforcer

Accepted Answer

A reinforcer is anything that increases the likelihood that a behavior will occur more frequently, by providing a reward or positive consequence for the behavior. Aversive control and punishment are methods used to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring, while an antecedent is a trigger or cue that precedes a behavior but does not necessarily increase or decrease its likelihood.

Question 14

Linda sees a sign on a farmer's fence that reads: HELP ME PICK STRAWBERRIES FOR EVERY 5 QUARTS YOU PICK, KEEP ONE FOR YOURSELF. If Linda decides to pick strawberries for this farmer, she would be under a ________ schedule of reinforcement.
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

Linda is being reinforced based on a fixed ratio of 5:1, meaning she receives reinforcement (keeping one quart for herself) after every 5 quarts picked. This is a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Question 15

On a fixed-ratio schedule reinforcement is given ________.
A) for the first correct response after randomly varying amounts of time have passed
B) for the next correct response after a fixed number of responses have been made
C) for the first correct response after a fixed amount of time has passed
D) for the next correct response after a varying number of responses have been made

Accepted Answer

On a fixed-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses have been made. For example, a rat may receive a pellet of food after every 10 lever presses.

Question 16

On a variable-interval schedule, reinforcement is given ________.
A) for the first correct response after a specific amount of time has passed
B) for correct responses after randomly varying amounts of time have passed
C) after a specific number of responses are given
D) after a randomly varying number of responses are given

Accepted Answer

On a variable-interval schedule, reinforcement is given for correct responses after randomly varying amounts of time have passed. This means that the reinforcement is not dependent on a specific amount of time passing, as in A, or a specific number of responses, as in C and D.

Question 17

An animal is placed in a box with a bar and also a wire floor that can deliver a mild shock. The experimenter first sounds a buzzer, then a few seconds later turns on the shock. Pressing the bar after the buzzer sounds but before the shock is delivered will prevent the shock from occurring. This is an example of ________.
A) avoidance training
B) modeling
C) classical conditioning
D) punishment learning

Accepted Answer

This is an example of avoidance training, where the animal learns to perform a behavior (pressing the bar) to avoid an aversive stimulus (the shock).

Question 18

On a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given ________.
A) for the first correct response after a fixed amount of time has passed
B) for the first correct response after varying amounts of time have passed
C) for the next correct response after a fixed number of responses have been made
D) for the next correct response after a varying number of responses have been made

Accepted Answer

On a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given after a varying number of responses have been made. This means that the behavior being reinforced is more resistant to extinction because the individual does not know when the reinforcement is coming and has to keep responding in order to receive it. This type of reinforcement schedule is often used in gambling, where the payouts occur randomly, leading individuals to keep playing despite the odds against them.

Question 19

Five-year-old Tommy is helping get ready for a family reunion at Thanksgiving by polishing the good silverware. If his mother gives him a dime for each piece he polishes, what kind of reinforcement schedule is she using?
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

The mother is using a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule, which means Tommy is being rewarded for a fixed number of behaviors (polishing each piece of silverware) with a consistent reward (a dime).

Question 20

Your professor has informed you at the beginning of the term that you will have eight tests--but they will all be unannounced. This is most similar to a ________ reinforcement schedule.
A) fixed interval
B) fixed ratio
C) variable interval
D) variable ratio

Accepted Answer

The fact that the tests will be unannounced means that they will occur at varying intervals of time, hence, it is a variable interval reinforcement schedule. Fixed interval reinforcement schedules involve reinforcement after a set amount of time has passed, while fixed ratio reinforcement schedules involve reinforcement after a set number of responses. Variable ratio schedules involve reinforcement after a varying number of responses.

Quiz 5: Learning

An infant who is fed every four hours is on a schedule that is SIMILAR to which of the following?

Gretta spends a lot of time at the race track betting on ponies, and occasionally she wins. The frequency of her betting is controlled by which of the following?

Perry works at a job where he is paid by commission. For every car Perry sells, he gets 10% of the profits. Perry is being reinforced on a ________ schedule.

Sandy's favorite activity is to go to Las Vegas and play the slot machines. Her gambling behavior is being reinforced on a ________ schedule.

Scott works at a job where he is paid a salary every 2 weeks. Scott is being reinforced on a ________ schedule.

A person receiving a monthly salary is on a:

A very high rate of responding is produced by a ________ schedule of reinforcement.

On a fixed-interval schedule, reinforcement is given ________.

On a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given ________.

The schedule of reinforcement that yields the slowest increase in a behavior and the fastest extinction of the behavior when the schedule is stopped is ________.

On a fixed-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given ________.

The only vending machine in your dorm is notorious for delivering its merchandise only occasionally when people put money in it. This is most similar to a ________ schedule of reinforcement.

Anything that increases the likelihood that a behavior will occur more frequently is called a(n) ________.

Linda sees a sign on a farmer's fence that reads: HELP ME PICK STRAWBERRIES FOR EVERY 5 QUARTS YOU PICK, KEEP ONE FOR YOURSELF. If Linda decides to pick strawberries for this farmer, she would be under a ________ schedule of reinforcement.

On a fixed-ratio schedule reinforcement is given ________.

On a variable-interval schedule, reinforcement is given ________.

On a variable-ratio schedule, reinforcement is given ________.

Five-year-old Tommy is helping get ready for a family reunion at Thanksgiving by polishing the good silverware. If his mother gives him a dime for each piece he polishes, what kind of reinforcement schedule is she using?

Your professor has informed you at the beginning of the term that you will have eight tests--but they will all be unannounced. This is most similar to a ________ reinforcement schedule.