Deck 7: Learning

Question 1

Behavioral scientists study learning by measuring changes in behavioral responses.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Sensitization involves an increase in response to the presentation of a single cue.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Having a brain and spinal cord is not necessary for non-associative learning to occur.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Data from learning studies allow us to gain insight into changes in performance over time. This data can be depicted on a graph as a learning __________.

Question 5

Name two major types of associative conditioning?

Question 6

Sensory habituation occurs outside of our awareness.

Question 7

Provide examples from your own life that illustrate an instance of habituation and sensitization.

Question 8

Psychologists use the term _______ to refer to a lasting change in behavior resulting from experience.

A) development
B) maturation
C) cognition
D) learning

Question 9

How does associative learning differ from non-associative learning?

A) Associative learning is studied experimentally. Non-associative learning is studied using non-experimental methods.
B) Associative learning applies to humans. Non-associative learning applies to other animals.
C) Associative learning is based on connecting two or more stimuli. Non-associative learning is not based on such connections.
D) Non-associative learning involves memory. Associative learning does not require memory.

Question 10

The vast majority of learning that occurs in complex organisms is __________ learning.

Question 11

Which of the following can be classified as learning?

A) Development of neural connections in the brain
B) Using crutches while your broken leg heals
C) Writing with your left hand while the right hand is injured
D) Acquisition of reading skills

Question 12

Why are learning and memory treated separately in most introductory textbooks in psychology?

A) Psychologists have traditionally used animal subjects in studies of learning, but human participants in studies of memory.
B) Learning and memory involve different brain mechanisms.
C) Learning and memory are less related than they might seem.
D) Psychologists have used experimental methods to investigate memory, but correlational research to examine memory.

Question 13

The first time Scarlett purchased a coffee from the local coffee shop, she noticed the warning, "Caution! Beverage is hot!" Now, after three years of regularly stopping by that coffee shop for coffee, she no longer notices the warning message. What has occurred?

A) Sensitization
B) Habituation
C) Associative learning
D) Non-associative learning

Question 14

What creature have scientists intensively studied to learn about non-associative learning?

A) Dogs
B) Cats
C) Slugs
D) Mice

Question 15

Which of the following statements best expresses the relationship among the terms associative learning, non-associative learning, habituation, and sensitization?

A) Habituation is a type of non-associative learning, whereas sensitization is a type of associative learning.
B) Habituation and sensitization are types of associative learning.
C) Associative learning, non-associative learning, habituation, and sensitization are four different types of learning.
D) Habituation and sensitization are types of non-associative learning.

Question 16

Habituation refers to an increased response to a stimulus after it has been encountered repeatedly over time.

Question 17

What does the data in a learning curve illustrate?

Question 18

Describe the research methodology that scientists have used to study non-associative learning in sea slugs.

Question 19

Differentiate between associative and non-associative learning.

Question 20

A search engine company is considering two designs for its new web portal. Users' success in navigating each design is plotted as a function of time. What is the resulting graph called? The company concludes that Design B is easier to navigate than Design A. Which feature of the graph would support this conclusion?

A) The graph is called a practice function. The company's conclusion would be supported if the slope of the line relating success to time were steeper for Design A than for Design B.
B) The graph is called a practice function. The company's conclusion would be supported if the slope of the line relating success to time were steeper for Design B than for Design A.
C) The graph is called a learning curve. The company's conclusion would be supported if the slope of the line relating success to time were steeper for Design A than for Design B.
D) The graph is called a learning curve. The company's conclusion would be supported if the slope of the line relating success to time were steeper for Design B than for Design A.

Question 21

Describe how extinction occurs in the context of classical conditioning.

Question 22

Ivan Pavlov was a Russian psychologist.

Question 23

Which of the following alternative CORRECTLY classifies the major types of learning described in your text?

A) associative learning: classical conditioning and sensitization; non-associative learning: operant conditioning and habituation
B) associative learning: classical conditioning; non-associative learning: operant conditioning
C) associative learning: habituation and desensitization; non-associative learning: classical and operant conditioning
D) associative learning: classical and operant conditioning; non-associative learning: habituation and sensitization

Question 24

Does habituation differ from adaptation? If so, how?

A) They do not differ. The terms refer to the same concept.
B) They are different. Habituation involves neuronal changes in the central nervous system, whereas adaptation involves changes only in the peripheral sensory systems.
C) They are different. Adaptation involves neuronal changes in the central nervous system, whereas habituation involves changes only in the peripheral sensory systems.
D) They don't really differ. The term habituation is used in the study of learning, whereas the term adaptation is used in the study of perception. The terms, however, refer to the same concept.

Question 25

Identify the US, UR, CS, and CR of Pavlov's initial study with the lab assistant.

Question 26

Joy was startled into flinching when she heard thunder during a rain storm. Eventually, the sight of lighting made her flinch. What is the conditioned stimulus in this example?

A) Sound of thunder
B) Flinching from hearing thunder
C) Sight of lightning
D) Flinching from sight of lightning

Question 27

Neuroscientists have studied non-associative learning among:

A) pigeons
B) sea slugs
C) rats
D) non-human primates

Question 28

Which of the following implications for human learning might one safely draw from the work on non-associative learning among sea slugs?

A) The peripheral nervous system may play an important role in some aspects of human learning.
B) Neurotransmitters and interneurons may be important in non-associative learning among humans.
C) The central nervous is especially important in non-associative learning among humans.
D) Non-associative learning is an important aspect of human learning.

Question 29

Which alternative below CORRECTLY identifies a sea slug's behavior?

A) A sea slug withdraws its gill and siphon when it is touched. Several touches later, it no longer withdraws its gill and siphon -- habituation
B) A sea slug withdraws its gill and siphon when it is touched. Several touches later, it no longer withdraws its gill and siphon -- extinction
C) A sea slug withdraws its gill and siphon when it is shocked with electricity. It still withdraws its gill and siphon when it is then touched lightly -- habituation
D) A sea slug withdraws its gill and siphon when it is shocked with electricity. It still withdraws its gill and siphon when it is then touched lightly -- conditioning

Question 30

In classical conditioning, a previously __________ stimulus is associated with an unconditioned stimulus that naturally elicits some response.

Question 31

Extinction does not represent "unlearning".

Question 32

What does the term "unconditioned" refer to in the context of classical conditioning?

Question 33

Which alternative below CORRECTLY matches a type of non-associative learning with its neuronal basis in the sea slug?

A) habituation - interneuron fatigue
B) habituation - motor neuron fatigue
C) sensitization - neurotransmitter replenishment
D) sensitization - interneuron recruitment

Question 34

"BANG!" "What was that?" Danielle asks in a breathless panic. "That? It was just a falling pecan hitting the carport's tin roof," Matthew explains. A scant minute later, the doorbell rings. Danielle turns abruptly, still startled. Danielle's behavior reflects ________.

A) sensitization
B) habituation
C) association
D) conditioning

Question 35

You toss a newly-purchased felt mouse across the floor. Your cat chases it excitedly, clutches it in her paws and rolls around with it. Several tosses later, your cat yawns pointedly and settles herself for a nap. The change in your cat's behavior illustrates ________.

A) adaptation
B) habituation
C) conditioning
D) sensitization

Question 36

Evidence that the CS-US pairing still exists after extinction training can be recognized when the CR re-emerges at a later date in a phenomenon known as __________.

Question 37

Even after Pavlov's assistant stopped bringing food to the dogs during visits, the dogs salivated weeks later when they saw the assistant. What learning phenomenon does this describe?

Question 38

What phenomenon did Ivan Pavlov initially set out to study?

A) Canine audition
B) Canine vision
C) Associative learning
D) Salivary reflex in digestion

Question 39

Habituation and sensitization both refer to a change in response as a result of learning. Which of the following statements best expresses the relationship between the types of changes in response denoted by the two terms?

A) The two terms refer to the same type of change in response.
B) The two terms refer to similar kinds of changes in response.
C) The two terms refer to different sorts of changes in response.
D) The two terms refer to opposite changes in response.

Question 40

A neuroscientist applies an electric shock to sea slugs' tails. After a varying interval, she touches the slugs' tails lightly. Which of the following alternatives CORRECTLY names and identifies the variables in this experiment?

A) independent variable - length of interval; dependent variable - withdrawal response
B) dependent variable - length of interval; independent variable - withdrawal response
C) experimental variable -- length of interval; control variable - withdrawal response
D) control variable - length of interval; experimental variable - withdrawal response

Question 41

In Watson's studies, what initially neutral stimulus did "little Albert" eventually come to fear?

Question 42

Scientists suggest that the link between stomach illness and taste represents a biological propensity to learn taste aversion.

Question 43

In classical conditioning, how are the neutral stimulus and the CS related?

A) They are not related; they are completely different stimuli.
B) They are the same thing; the terms are interchangeable.
C) The neutral stimulus becomes the CS.
D) The CS becomes a neutral stimulus.

Question 44

How do phobias develop?

Question 45

Mario ate leftover food on Saturday morning that had not been refrigerated properly the night before. Later that day, he became ill. To this day, many years later, Mario refuses to eat leftover food. Which term describes his condition?

A) Sensitization
B) Phobia
C) Taste aversion
D) Habituation

Question 46

Define stimulus generalization and describe how "little Albert's" fears became generalized.

Question 47

What 2 groups of individuals may be especially vulnerable to conditioned taste aversion?

Question 48

One approach to treating phobias is the presentation of a series of extinction trials in a process known as __________.

Question 49

Explain how a conditioned taste aversion occurs by identifying the US, UR, CS, and CR.

Question 50

Provide an example of a specific phobia. Explain how the condition may have developed through classical conditioning by identifying the sequence of events associated with the US, UR, CS, and CR.

Question 51

___________ is credited with laying the foundation for the study of classical conditioning in psychology.

A) Thorndike
B) Skinner
C) Pavlov
D) Watson

Question 52

_________ is a type of learning in which a neutral stimulus comes to elicit a response after being paired with a stimulus that would elicit the same response naturally.

A) Classical conditioning
B) Operant conditioning
C) Observational learning
D) Instrumental conditioning

Question 53

Phobias are classified as an anxiety disorders associated with particular stimuli.

Question 54

While on a recent combat tour in Afghanistan, Regina learned to dive for cover at the sounds of gunfire. When she returned home, she found herself diving for cover when her husband accidently slammed a door. What learning process is illustrated by this example?

A) Habituation
B) Systematic desensitization
C) Stimulus generalization
D) Extinction

Question 55

Classical conditioning works with animals, but not humans.

Question 56

In Pavlov's study, the US was _______; the neutral stimulus was _________; and, finally, the CS was _________.

A) meat; the assistant; meat
B) meat; the assistant; the assistant
C) the assistant; meat; meat
D) meat; meat; the assistant

Question 57

Who conducted the study of fear conditioning with "little Albert"?

A) Thorndike
B) Watson
C) Skinner
D) Chomsky

Question 58

Watson's studies with "little Albert" would not be conducted today because they violate the __________ guidelines of psychological research.

Question 59

Your text states that, "[Pavlov's] dogs had learned to associate the appearance of a lab assistance of a lab assistant with getting food." This suggests that classical conditioning involves an association between:

A) a stimulus and either another stimulus, or a response
B) a stimulus and a response
C) two responses
D) two stimuli

Question 60

Producing taste aversion requires several pairings of the US and CS.

Question 61

Alexis uses cocaine, which activates her sympathetic nervous system. Expecting her dealer, her hands shake and her heart pounds. Which alternative below correctly identifies the neutral stimulus, the CS, and the US?

A) neutral stimulus - knock on the door; CS - cocaine; US -- cocaine
B) neutral stimulus - knock on the door; CS - knock on the door; US - pounding heart
C) neutral stimulus - knock on the door; CS - knock on the door; US -- cocaine
D) neutral stimulus - cocaine; CS - knock on the door; US -- cocaine

Question 62

In a process known as systematic ________, phobic individuals are exposed repeatedly to the feared object or situation in the absence of the US.

A) exitinction
B) desensitization
C) adaptation
D) relaxation

Question 63

___________ occurs when a previously conditioned response decreases in frequency when the CS is presented in the absence of the US.

A) Extinction
B) Habituation
C) Adaptation
D) Deconditioning

Question 64

Effie no longer eats egg salad sandwiches - some time ago, she found herself "praying to the porcelain God" after consuming a sandwich in which the mayonnaise must have spoiled. Which alternative below correctly identifies a stimulus in this situation?

A) US - bacteria
B) CS -- nausea
C) US -- food
D) CS -- bacteria

Question 65

An exaggerated or irrational fear of a stimulus is termed a(n) ________. It is associated with increased brain activity in the _________.

A) neurosis; amygdala
B) neurosis; hypothalamus
C) phobia; amygdala
D) phobia; hypothalamus

Question 66

Classical conditioning is most effective when the neutral stimulus begins:

A) just before the US begins
B) at exactly the same time that the US begins
C) a while before the US begins
D) immediately after the US begins

Question 67

Carlotta consumed some poorly-stored sushi on a hot day; she became violently ill. Now Carlotta can't stand the sight of sushi. She has developed a(n) _________.

A) phobia
B) aversive taste association
C) aversive taste sensitization
D) conditioned taste aversion

Question 68

Often, a conditioned response may be elicited not only by the original CS, but also by a similar one. This is known as stimulus ___________.

A) control
B) discrimination
C) generalization
D) diffusion

Question 69

June's cat runs to the kitchen not only at the sound of the electric can opener, but also when a similar-sounding blender is used. June's cat is demonstrating stimulus ________.

A) control
B) association
C) generalization
D) diffusion

Question 70

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies spontaneous recovery?

A) Alexis is a former cocaine user. Now that she no longer uses, her hands no longer shake and her heart no longer pounds when she hears a car pull into her drive, like her dealer used to do in his car.
B) Alexis uses cocaine. She no longer feels quite the same rush as she did when she fist started using.
C) Alexis is a former cocaine user in recovery. After a relapse, though, her hands shake and her heart pounds when she hears a car pull into her drive, like her dealer used to do in his car.
D) Alexis has relapsed on cocaine. She finds that she doesn't need quite as much of the drug to feel its effects as she did immediately before she stopped using the last time.

Question 71

Rosa becomes anxious when she enters the examination room at the clinic before a blood test. She also squirms when she views injections on television. This paragraph illustrates:

A) non-associative learning
B) stimulus generalization
C) operant conditioning
D) sensitization

Question 72

Research investigating conditioning of the eye blink reflex that one brain structure especially important to the formation of US-CS associations is the ________.

A) cerebellum
B) corpus callosum
C) striatum
D) hippocampus

Question 73

Adam was badly stung by a bee once. Now he has an exaggerated fear not only of bees but also of all flying insects. In part through stimulus ________, Adam has developed a(n) _______.

A) association; neurosis
B) association; phobia
C) generalization; neurosis
D) generalization; phobia

Question 74

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies extinction?

A) Alexis is a former cocaine user. Now that she no longer uses, her hands no longer shake and her heart no longer pounds when she hears a car pull into her driveway, like her dealer used to do in his car.
B) Alexis uses cocaine. She no longer feels quite the same rush as she did when she fist started using.
C) Alexis is a former cocaine user in recovery. After a relapse, though, her hands shake and her heart pounds when she hears a car pull into her drive, like her dealer used to do in his car.
D) Alexis has relapsed on cocaine. She finds that she doesn't need quite as much of the drug to feel its effects as she did immediately before she stopped using the last time.

Question 75

Aaron has a needle phobia. Which pair below CORRECTLY identifies a stimulus or response in the conditioning of his phobia?

A) conditioned stimulus - pain; tissue damage
B) unconditioned stimulus - anxiety; fear
C) neutral stimulus - the needle itself
D) unconditioned stimulus - the needle

Question 76

Is conditioned taste aversion in any way an exception of sorts to the general principles of classical conditioning? If so, how?

A) No, it is not an exception - it is simply another illustration of the generality of the principles of classical conditioning.
B) Yes, it is an exception - conditioned taste aversions require more trials to acquire than do most CRs.
C) Yes, it is an exception - conditioned taste aversions require a shorter interval between the CS and the response for their acquisition than do most CRs.
D) Yes, it is an exception -- conditioned taste aversions often require only a single CS-UCS pairing, rather than several pairings, for their acquisition.

Question 77

In studies examining the conditioning of the eye blink reflex, the US is a(n) _______. The CS is a(n) _________.

A) tone; puff of air
B) tone; tone, also
C) puff of air; puff of air, also
D) puff of air; tone

Question 78

Dr. Cortese conducts a neuroimaging study of patients undergoing systematic desensitization to treat a fear of high places. The images should show that activity in the _________ occurs when patients are __________.

A) hypothalamus; experiencing fear
B) prefrontal cortex; experiencing fear
C) amygdala; undergoing extinction
D) prefrontal cortex; undergoing extinction

Question 79

Each pair below CORRECTLY identifies a stimulus or response in Watson and Rayner's "Little Albert" study EXCEPT:

A) neutral stimulus - noise
B) conditioned stimulus - rat
C) unconditioned response - fear
D) unconditioned stimulus - noise

Question 80

A space-time anomaly strands several early psychologists in the 21st century. With no way back, the psychologists attempt to continue their work in the present day. Watson proposes a 'Little Albert' study to a contemporary research ethics committee. Which of the following reflects the LEAST likely response of the committee?

A) "Congratulations! Your proposal has been approved! You may begin collecting data."
B) "The investigator fails to make adequate provision for the collection of informed consent from the infant's parent or guardian."
C) "No discussion of debriefing or potential follow-up is included."
D) "The committee is concerned that the risk to the participant may outweigh the scientific benefit of the proposed work."