Deck 20: Basic Learning Concepts and Classical Conditioning

Question 1

You repeatedly hear a tone just before having a puff of air directed to your eye. Blinking to the tone presented without an air puff is a

A) UR.
B) US.
C) CR.
D) CS.

Answer 1

CR.

Question 2

Conditioning seldom occurs when a ________ comes after a(n) _____.

A) CS; US
B) UR; CS
C) secondary reinforcer; operant behavior
D) negative reinforcer; operant behavior

Answer 2

CS; US

Question 3

Long after her conditioned fear of dogs had been extinguished, Marcy experienced an unexpected surge of nervousness when first shown her cousin's new cocker spaniel. Her unexpected nervousness best illustrates

A) higher-order conditioning.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) delayed reinforcement.
D) discrimination.

Answer 3

spontaneous recovery.

Question 4

John B. Watson believed that psychology should be the science of

A) observable behavior.
B) cognitive processes.
C) genetic predispositions.
D) all of these factors.

Question 5

Researchers condition a flatworm to contract when exposed to light by repeatedly pairing the light with electric shock. The electric shock is a(n)

A) negative reinforcer.
B) conditioned stimulus.
C) conditioned reinforcer.
D) unconditioned stimulus.

Question 6

Learning is best defined as

A) any behavior produced by an organism without being provoked.
B) a change in the behavior of an organism.
C) a relatively permanent change in the behavior of an organism due to experience.
D) behavior based on operant rather than respondent conditioning.

Question 7

A year after surviving a classroom shooting incident, Angie still responds with terror at the sight of toy guns and to the sound of balloons popping. This reaction best illustrates

A) an unconditioned response.
B) operant conditioning.
C) latent learning.
D) generalization.

Question 8

The infant Albert developed a fear of rats after a white rat was associated with a loud noise. In this example, fear of the white rat was the

A) US.
B) UR.
C) CS.
D) CR.

Question 9

In Pavlov's original experiment with dogs, the meat served as

A) CS.
B) CR.
C) US.
D) UR.

Question 10

In Pavlov's original experiment with dogs, the tone was initially a(n) ________ stimulus; after it was paired with meat, it became a(n) ________ stimulus.

A) conditioned; neutral
B) neutral; conditioned
C) conditioned; unconditioned
D) unconditioned; conditioned

Question 11

After being bitten by his neighbor's dog, Miguel experienced fear at the sight of that dog but not at the sight of other dogs. This best illustrates the process of

A) extinction.
B) discrimination.
C) conditioned reinforcement.
D) latent learning.

Question 12

To obtain a reward, a monkey learns to press a lever when a 1000-Hz tone is on but not when a 1200-Hz tone is on. What kind of training is this?

A) extinction
B) generalization
C) classical conditioning
D) discrimination

Question 13

In Pavlov's original experiment with dogs, salivation to meat was the

A) CS.
B) CR.
C) US.
D) UR.

Question 14

When a conditioned stimulus is presented without an accompanying unconditioned stimulus, ________ will soon take place.

A) generalization
B) discrimination
C) extinction
D) aversion

Question 15

Through direct experience with animals, we come to anticipate that dogs will bark and that birds will chirp. This best illustrates

A) cognitive learning.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) respondent behavior.
D) associative learning.

Question 16

If you have a "frightening experience" immediately after hearing a strange sound, your fear may be aroused when you hear that sound again. This best illustrates

A) generalization.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) classical conditioning.
D) higher-order conditioning.

Question 17

For the most rapid conditioning, a CS should be presented

A) about 1 second after the US.
B) about one-half second before the US.
C) about 15 seconds before the US.
D) at the same time as the US.

Question 18

Pavlov noticed that dogs began salivating at the mere sight of the person who regularly brought food to them. For the dogs, the sight of this person was a(n)

A) primary reinforcer.
B) unconditional stimulus.
C) immediate reinforcer.
D) conditioned stimulus.

Question 19

Blinking in response to a puff of air directed to your eye is a

A) UR.
B) US.
C) CR.
D) CS.

Question 20

Which of the following is a form of associative learning?

A) classical conditioning
B) cognitive learning
C) observational learning
D) all of these types of learning

Question 21

The first experimental studies of associative learning were conducted by

A) John B. Watson.
B) B. F. Skinner.
C) Albert Bandura.
D) Ivan Pavlov.

Question 22

Last year, Dr. Moritano cleaned Natacha's skin with rubbing alcohol prior to administering each of a series of painful rabies vaccination shots. Which of the following processes accounts for the fact that Natacha currently becomes fearful every time she smells rubbing alcohol?

A) negative reinforcement
B) classical conditioning
C) observational learning
D) operant conditioning

Question 23

During extinction, the ________ is omitted; as a result, the ________ seems to disappear.

A) US; UR
B) CS; CR
C) US; CR
D) CS; UR

Question 24

John B. Watson would have expressed the greatest disapproval of attempts to scientifically study whether

A) consumer buying habits are influenced by newspaper advertisements.
B) worker productivity is influenced by hourly wage rates.
C) academic achievement is influenced by a positive self-concept.
D) aggressive behavior is influenced by threats of punishment.

Question 25

Conditioning is the process of

A) discrimination.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) learning associations.
D) observational learning.

Question 26

In Pavlov's studies of classical conditioning of a dog's salivary responses, spontaneous recovery occurred

A) during acquisition, when the CS was first paired with the US.
B) during extinction, when the CS was first presented by itself.
C) when the CS was reintroduced following extinction of the CR and a rest period.
D) during discrimination training, when several conditioned stimuli were introduced.

Question 27

John B. Watson considered himself to be a(n)

A) physiological psychologist.
B) cognitive psychologist.
C) behaviorist.
D) psychoanalyst.

Question 28

The acquisition of mental information by observing events, watching others, or through language is called

A) classical conditioning.
B) cognitive learning.
C) partial reinforcement.
D) shaping.

Question 29

If a sea slug on repeated occasions receives an electric shock just after being squirted with water, its protective withdrawal response to a squirt of water grows stronger. This best illustrates

A) spontaneous recovery.
B) associative learning.
C) observational learning.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 30

Acquiring new habits best illustrates the process of

A) cognitive learning.
B) discrimination.
C) learning.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 31

Which of the following is an example of a respondent behavior?

A) studying for a test
B) blushing when embarrassed
C) thanking someone for their help
D) sniffing to locate the source of a strange odor

Question 32

Children often learn to associate pushing a vending machine button with the delivery of a candy bar. This best illustrates the process underlying

A) observational learning.
B) respondent behavior.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 33

Jordan is frightened by the sound of a train whistle. The sound is a(n)

A) conditioned reinforcement.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) discrimination.
D) stimulus.

Question 34

Psychologists define learning as the process of

A) adapting to the environment.
B) responding to external stimuli.
C) reinforcing behavioral responses.
D) acquiring new information or relatively enduring behaviors.

Question 35

In classical conditioning a stimulus is any event or situation that

A) triggers imitation.
B) signals a reinforcer.
C) elicits operant behavior.
D) evokes a response.

Question 36

In which of the following may classical conditioning play a role?

A) emotional problems
B) the body's immune response
C) helping drug addicts
D) in all of these cases

Question 37

After one chimpanzee sees a second chimp open a box that contains a food reward, the first animal opens a similar box with great speed. This best illustrates

A) higher-order conditioning.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) respondent behavior.
D) observational learning.

Question 38

In Watson and Rayner's experiment, the loud noise was the ________ and the white rat was the ________.

A) CS; CR
B) US; CS
C) CS; US
D) US; CR

Question 39

Pets who learn that the sound of an electric can opener signals the arrival of their food illustrate

A) discrimination.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) classical conditioning.
D) observational learning.

Question 40

The "psychic secretions" that Pavlov initially considered an annoyance were

A) unconditioned responses.
B) primary reinforcers.
C) conditioned responses.
D) conditioned reinforcers.

Question 41

Researchers condition a flatworm to contract its body to a light by repeatedly pairing the light with electric shock. The stage in which the flatworm's contraction response to light is established and gradually strengthened is called

A) discrimination.
B) acquisition.
C) generalization.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 42

Makayla developed an intense fear of flying five years ago when she was in a plane crash. The fact that today she can again fly without distress indicates that her fear has undergone

A) spontaneous recovery.
B) extinction.
C) generalization.
D) discrimination.

Question 43

Which of the following is an unconditioned response?

A) playing jump rope
B) running through a maze to get a food reward
C) sweating in hot weather
D) clapping after a thrilling concert performance

Question 44

In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, infants develop a fear of books after books are repeatedly presented with a loud noise. In this fictional example, the loud noise is a(n)

A) unconditioned stimulus.
B) unconditioned response.
C) conditioned stimulus.
D) conditioned response.

Question 45

Male Japanese quail became sexually aroused by a red light that was repeatedly associated with the presentation of a female quail. The sexual arousal triggered by the red light was a

A) UR.
B) US.
C) CR.
D) CS.

Question 46

In Pavlov's experiments on the salivary conditioning of dogs, the US was

A) a tone.
B) salivation to the sound of a tone.
C) the presentation of food in the dog's mouth.
D) salivation to the food in the mouth.

Question 47

A real estate agent showed Gavin several pictures of lakeshore property while they were eating a delicious, mouth-watering meal. Later, when Gavin was given a tour of the property, he drooled with delight. For Gavin, the lakeshore property was a

A) US.
B) CS.
C) UR.
D) CR.

Question 48

In classical conditioning, generalization refers to the tendency for the conditioned response to be evoked by stimuli that are similar to the

A) unconditioned stimulus.
B) primary reinforcer.
C) conditioned stimulus.
D) conditioned reinforcer.

Question 49

The reappearance, after a time lapse, of an extinguished CR is called

A) generalization.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) secondary reinforcement.
D) higher-order conditioning.

Question 50

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning is called a(n)

A) unconditioned stimulus.
B) secondary reinforcer.
C) neutral stimulus.
D) primary reinforcer.

Question 51

The occurrence of spontaneous recovery suggests that during extinction

A) the CS is eliminated.
B) the CR is eliminated.
C) the CS is suppressed.
D) the CR is suppressed.

Question 52

In classical conditioning, the NS becomes a ________ after it reliably signals the impending occurrence of the ________.

A) US; CS
B) UR; CR
C) CS; US
D) CR; UR

Question 53

A child's learned fear at the sight of a hypodermic needle is a(n)

A) conditioned response.
B) unconditioned stimulus.
C) conditioned stimulus.
D) unconditioned response.

Question 54

Extinction occurs when a ________ is no longer paired with a ________.

A) UR; CR
B) CS; UR
C) US; UR
D) CS; US

Question 55

In classical conditioning, the conditioned stimulus signals the impending occurrence of

A) cognitive learning.
B) a conditioned reinforcer.
C) an unconditioned stimulus.
D) operant behavior.

Question 56

Associating a conditioned stimulus with a new neutral stimulus can create a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus. This best illustrates

A) extinction.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) intermittent reinforcement.
D) higher-order conditioning.

Question 57

In Pavlov's experiments, the taste of food triggered the dog's salivation. Salivation to the taste of food was a(n)

A) conditioned response.
B) unconditioned response.
C) unconditioned stimulus.
D) conditioned stimulus.

Question 58

A dog salivates to the sound of a tone because the tone has regularly been associated with the delivery of food. In this case, the tone is called a(n)

A) unconditioned stimulus.
B) primary reinforcer.
C) conditioned stimulus.
D) immediate reinforcer.

Question 59

In Pavlov's experiments, the sound of the tone triggered the dog's salivation. Salivation to the sound of a tone was a(n)

A) conditioned response.
B) unconditioned stimulus.
C) unconditioned response.
D) conditioned stimulus.

Question 60

A geometric figure is most likely to trigger sexual arousal if presented shortly

A) after an appropriate UR.
B) after an appropriate US.
C) before an appropriate UR.
D) before an appropriate US.

Question 61

Pavlov's research on classical conditioning was important because

A) it highlighted the role of cognitive processes in learning.
B) so many different species of animals, including humans, can be classically conditioned.
C) it demonstrated an essential difference between animal and human learning.
D) all learning depends on reinforcement.

Question 62

After he was spanked on several occasions for spilling his milk at a restaurant, Colin became afraid to go to the restaurant. In this case, spanking was a(n) ________ for Colin's fear.

A) negative reinforcer
B) conditioned stimulus
C) secondary reinforcer
D) unconditioned stimulus

Question 63

Compared with nonabused children, those who have experienced a history of abuse show a stronger brain-wave response to an unfamiliar but angry-looking face. This best illustrates

A) cognitive learning.
B) generalization.
C) discrimination.
D) negative reinforcement.

Question 64

The ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus is called

A) acquisition.
B) discrimination.
C) generalization.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 65

Your heart may race when you are confronted by a lion but not when you are approached by a kitten. This best illustrates the adaptive value of

A) observational learning.
B) discrimination.
C) extrinsic motivation.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 66

Watson and Rayner's study of Little Albert demonstrated how specific fears

A) can interfere with the process of learning.
B) can be used as negative reinforcers.
C) are acquired through observational learning.
D) may be produced through classical conditioning.

Question 67

Jacqueline is sexually aroused by the sight of her handsome boyfriend but not by the sight of her equally handsome brother. This best illustrates the value of

A) higher-order conditioning.
B) intermittent reinforcement.
C) discrimination.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 68

Comedian-writer Mark Malkoff reported that his fear of flying faded after he faced his fear and lived on an airplane for 30 days. His reduction of fear best illustrated the process of

A) cognitive learning.
B) extinction.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) secondary reforcement.

Question 69

Dogs conditioned to salivate to stimulation of the thigh also begin to salivate when stimulated on other body parts. This best illustrates

A) spontaneous recovery.
B) continuous reinforcement.
C) acquisition.
D) generalization.

Question 70

After learning to fear a white rat, Little Albert responded with fear to the sight of a rabbit. This best illustrates the process of

A) secondary reinforcement.
B) generalization.
C) acquisition.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 71

To assess whether Mrs. Webster had suffered from a brain injury, researchers conditioned her to blink in response to a sound that signaled the delivery of a puff of air directed toward her face. In this application of classical conditioning, the sound was a

A) US.
B) UR.
C) CS.
D) CR.

Question 72

Monica's psychotherapist reminds her so much of her own father that she has many of the same mixed emotional reactions to him that she has to her own dad. Her reactions to her therapist best illustrate the importance of

A) discrimination.
B) generalization.
C) delayed reinforcement.
D) adaptability.

Question 73

(a) How would you classically condition an adventuresome 2-year-old to be more fearful of running across a busy street near her house?
(b) How would you classically condition a preschool child who is afraid of dogs to enjoy playing with a neighbor's friendly dog?
Be sure to identify the US, NS, CS, UR, and CR in both answers.

Question 74

Toddlers taught to fear speeding cars may also begin to fear speeding trucks and motorcycles. This best illustrates

A) generalization.
B) secondary reinforcement.
C) stimulus predictability.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 75

Because of the discomfort and embarrassment associated with his childhood bed-wetting, Andrew becomes nervous whenever he senses an urge to urinate. If genital arousal subsequently makes Andrew unusually anxious, this would best illustrate

A) discrimination.
B) generalization.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) secondary reinforcement.

Question 76

Just after they taste a sweet liquid, mice are injected with a drug that produces an immune response. Later, the taste of the sweet liquid by itself triggers an immune response. This best illustrates

A) cognitive learning.
B) observational learning.
C) classical conditioning.
D) negative reinforcement.