Deck 5: Learning

Question 1

Which of the following is the best definition of spontaneous recovery?

A)the weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response over time
B)displaying a conditioned response to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus
C)displaying a conditioned response to new neutral stimuli
D)displaying a conditioned response in the absence of the conditioned stimulus
E)return of a conditioned response following extinction

Answer 1

return of a conditioned response following extinction

Question 2

Most psychologists define learning as

A)any change in behavior.
B)any change in behavior due to maturation.
C)any change in behavior due to experience.
D)a relatively permanent change in behavior due to natural development.
E)a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience.

Answer 2

a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience.

Question 3

Following _____, a conditioned response may reappear. This process is known as ______.

A)generalization; spontaneous recovery
B)discrimination; extinction
C)extinction; spontaneous recovery
D)discrimination; spontaneous recovery
E)generalization; extinction

Answer 3

extinction; spontaneous recovery

Question 4

Classical conditioning is best described as learning by

A)trial and error.
B)association.
C)stimulus response.
D)insight.
E)observation.

Question 5

To achieve classical conditioning, you should pair

A)a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.
B)a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.
C)a neutral stimulus with a conditioned response.
D)a conditioned stimulus with a conditioned response.
E)an unconditioned stimulus with a conditioned response.

Question 6

Ivan Pavlov's initial research work was in the study of

A)learning by association with rabbits.
B)latent learning with rats.
C)observational learning with children.
D)digestive processes in dogs.
E)conditioning of pigeons.

Question 7

In a typical classical conditioning experiment by Pavlov, a buzzer or tone serves as a(n)

A)neutral stimulus that is paired with a conditioned response.
B)conditioned stimulus that becomes a neutral stimulus through the process of association.
C)unconditioned stimulus that becomes a conditioned stimulus.
D)neutral stimulus that becomes an unconditioned stimulus.
E)neutral stimulus that becomes a conditioned stimulus.

Question 8

Dr. Emmanuel demonstrates a typical Pavlovian conditioning experiment for his psychology class. Emmanuel pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus and then asks the class, "What is the neutral stimulus called now?" The correct answer is

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

Question 9

A reflexive reaction triggered by a stimulus is a(n)

A)conditioned response.
B)unconditioned response.
C)unconditioned stimulus.
D)neutral response.
E)operant response.

Question 10

Learning in which a previously neutral stimulus becomes capable of triggering a reflexive response is called

A)operant conditioning.
B)classical conditioning.
C)instrumental conditioning.
D)stimulus-response learning.
E)spontaneous recovery.

Question 11

Which pattern best describes what happens once classical conditioning occurs?

A)UR elicits the US.
B)CS elicits the CR.
C)NS leads to no response.
D)NS + US leads to UR.
E)US + CS leads to UR.

Question 12

A puff of air to the eye causes a reflexive blink. If you precede the puff of air with a buzzer, eventually the buzzer will cause a blink. In this example, the puff of air is called the

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

Question 13

A puff of air to the eye causes a reflexive blink. If you precede the puff of air with a buzzer, eventually the buzzer will cause a blink. In this example, the buzzer begins as the _____ and eventually becomes the ______.

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

Question 14

Marcel sat at a cafe eating the best croissant he had ever tasted. He begins frequenting the café to order the croissants. He hardly notices the jingling of the cash register just before the clerk hands him the croissant. Now every time he hears the same kind of jingling from another cash register, his mouth waters. Marcel's learning is an example of

A)operant conditioning.
B)latent learning.
C)conditioned taste aversion.
D)classical conditioning.
E)observational learning.

Question 15

In classical conditioning, a conditioned response can weaken and eventually disappear. This is referred to as

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

Question 16

Following his experience in the military, Hans developed a classically conditioned fear response to radio static. After he left the military, the response extinguished. However, after not hearing radio static for several months, Hans again shows the conditioned fear response. Hans's experience is best described by

A)stimulus generalization.
B)stimulus discrimination.
C)reconditioning.
D)spontaneous recovery.
E)shaping.

Question 17

Pavlov found that the strength of a conditioned response increased with the number of pairings of the

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

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the nature of learning?

A)Learning is always adaptive. It involves enduring, but not necessarily permanent, changes in behavior.
B)Learning is always adaptive. It involves permanent changes in behavior.
C)Learning is adaptive in most cases. It involves enduring, but not necessarily permanent, changes in behavior.
D)Learning is adaptive in most cases. It involves permanent changes in behavior.
E)Learning is adaptive in most cases. It involves any type of change in behavior.

Question 19

Who is most closely associated with classical conditioning?

A)E.L. Thorndike
B)Ivan Pavlov
C)John Garcia
D)B.F. Skinner
E)Robert Rescorla

Question 20

In Pavlov's studies of classical conditioning, the unconditioned stimulus was one that caused

A)an unexpected response.
B)a controlled response.
C)an unlearned response or reflex.
D)a conditioned response or reflex.
E)a neutral response.

Question 21

Regarding the timing of the CS and the US in classical conditioning, the STRONGEST conditioned response occurs when the

A)CS and US are presented simultaneously.
B)CS is presented first and remains on during the presentation of the US.
C)CS is presented first and is terminated before the presentation of the US.
D)US is presented first and is terminated before the presentation of the CS.
E)US is presented first and remains on during the presentation of the CS.

Question 22

In Watson's research with Little Albert, what was the CS?

A)a loud sound
B)a white rat
C)an electric shock
D)a spanking
E)the Santa Claus mask

Question 23

In the past three psychology labs, Liliya has been attempting to classically condition a lab rat. Her strategy has been to present the US and CS simultaneously. Which of the following should she do to strengthen the conditioned response of the rat?

A)Make less frequent pairings of CS and US.
B)Present the CS first and have it remain present during presentation of US.
C)Present the US prior to CS.
D)Present the CS first and withdraw it before introducing the US.
E)Decrease the intensity of the US.

Question 24

Through classical conditioning, Alyce has developed a fear of mice. She also shows a fear response to gerbils and hamsters. Alyce is demonstrating

A)stimulus generalization.
B)stimulus discrimination.
C)spontaneous recovery.
D)extinction.
E)reconditioning.

Question 25

In applying a cognitive perspective to explaining classical conditioning, a psychologist would emphasize the extent to which the CS __________ the US.

A)interferes with
B)predicts
C)follows
D)reduces
E)is elicited by

Question 26

Regarding classical conditioning, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Stimulus generalization helps explain the development of phobias.
B)In extinction, conditioned responses gradually weaken and disappear.
C)By learning to differentiate among related stimuli, animals are able to distinguish between threatening and nonthreatening situations.
D)Stimulus generalization has survival value because it allows animals to generalize learned responses to originally threatening stimuli.
E)Extinguished responses are forgotten if they are not reinforced.

Question 27

Through classical conditioning, Eduardo has developed a fear of dogs. However, he only fears large, longhaired dogs but not small, longhaired dogs or large, shorthaired dogs. Eduardo is demonstrating

A)spontaneous recovery.
B)stimulus discrimination.
C)stimulus generalization.
D)latent learning.
E)extinction.

Question 28

Which of the following psychologists is most likely to apply a cognitive perspective to research on classical conditioning?

A)Dr. Amir, who believes that the stronger the CS, the stronger the CR.
B)Dr. Harding, who believes the frequency of the pairings of the CS and US are the most important factor explaining strength of the CR.
C)Dr. Rivers, who believes that conditioned stimuli are signals or cues organisms use to make predictions about the environment.
D)Dr. Smithers, who believes that reducing the interval between the CS and US will help strengthen the CR.
E)Dr. Runes, who believes that the ability to think or conceptualize is the key factor in explaining the strength of association between the CS and the CR.

Question 29

Who is most closely associated with the study of conditioned emotional reactions?

A)John Watson
B)Ivan Pavlov
C)John Garcia
D)B.F. Skinner
E)Robert Rescorla

Question 30

In an example reported in your text, a man was trapped behind a refrigerator and nearly suffocated. Subsequently, he has a phobia of tight, enclosed spaces and is afraid to ride on small, crowded elevators. However, he has no fear of large, uncrowded elevator rides. The man's fear of small elevators is an example of ______, and his lack of fear toward large elevators is an example of _______.

A)reconditioning; extinction
B)stimulus generalization; extinction
C)stimulus generalization; stimulus discrimination
D)stimulus discrimination; extinction
E)stimulus discrimination; stimulus generalization

Question 31

LaGina walks into a room and feels as if she has been there before, even though she knows that she has not. LaGina's experience of deja vu may be explained by which concept from classical conditioning?

A)Extinction
B)Stimulus generalization
C)Stimulus discrimination
D)Spontaneous recovery
E)Reconditioning

Question 32

Rescorla applies a cognitive perspective in explaining classical conditioning. He focuses on the extent to which the CS __________ the US.

A)interferes with
B)predicts
C)follows
D)reduces
E)is elicited by

Question 33

What is Rosalie Rayner's role in the history of psychology?

A)She was a student assistant who helped Pavlov with his experiments on classical conditioning in animals.
B)She was a colleague who helped Skinner with his experiments on operant conditioning in animals.
C)She developed a cognitive theory of classical conditioning.
D)She created the puzzle box used by Edward Thorndike.
E)She was a student assistant who helped Watson with his experiments on classical conditioning in humans.

Question 34

Stimulus generalization occurs when

A)the conditioned response reappears after extinction.
B)the conditioned response is displayed following exposure to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.
C)the conditioned response is not displayed following presentation of the conditioned stimulus.
D)the conditioned stimulus elicits responses that are generally like the conditioned response.
E)the conditioned stimulus generalizes to other settings.

Question 35

Following extinction, a conditioned response can be learned again more quickly than it was learned originally. This process is called

A)spontaneous recovery.
B)generalization.
C)discrimination.
D)reconditioning.
E)shaping.

Question 36

Regarding characteristics that influence conditioned responses, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)In general, the more often the CS is paired with the US, the stronger the CR.
B)In general, the more often the CS is paired with the US, the more reliable the CR.
C)The strongest conditioned responses occur when the CS is presented first and remains present throughout the administration of the US.
D)A stronger US will typically lead to faster conditioning than a weaker one.
E)A single pairing of the CS and US cannot result in classical conditioning.

Question 37

Watson investigated the classical conditioning of which type of responses?

A)anger
B)sadness
C)happiness
D)fear
E)sexual arousal

Question 38

Which of the following represents an application of a cognitive perspective on classical conditioning?

A)The organism uses the CS to make predictions about the occurrence of events in the environment.
B)The stronger the CS, the stronger the CR.
C)The stronger the CS, the greater the resistance to extinction.
D)The US holds information value that the organism uses to know how to respond.
E)The US becomes a reliable signal for predicting the occurrence of the CS.

Question 39

Increasing the number of pairings of the US and CS will

A)weaken the CR.
B)strengthen the CR.
C)weaken the CR at first, and then strengthen it.
D)strengthen the CR at first, and then weaken it.
E)have no effect on the CR.

Question 40

Regarding Rescorla's views on classical conditioning, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Rescorla believes that classical conditioning depends on how reliably the CS serves as a signal for indicating the occurrence of the US.
B)Rescorla believes that classical conditioning is the result of repeated pairings of NS and US.
C)Rescorla's perspective on classical conditioning can be described as cognitive.
D)Rescorla suggests that the more reliably the CS signals the occurrence of the US, the stronger the conditioned response.
E)Rescorla believed that classical conditioning has important survival implications for animals.

Question 41

Regarding research on the classical conditioning of taste aversions, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Conditioning of taste aversions can be acquired on the basis of a single pairing of the flavor with a nausea-inducing substance.
B)Taste aversions can be acquired when the flavor is presented hours before the nausea-inducing substance.
C)Garcia and Koelling's work on taste aversions was no surprise to their colleagues; the research turned out as expected.
D)Garcia has applied his research to solve real-world problems.
E)Conditioned taste aversions have survival benefits.

Question 42

Although Little Albert was classically conditioned to fear a rat, he also began to fear dogs, rabbits, and a Santa Claus mask. This is an example of

A)spontaneous recovery.
B)stimulus generalization.
C)stimulus discrimination.
D)extinction.
E)reconditioning.

Question 43

Pauline became ill after eating eggs contaminated with salmonella. She subsequently becomes nauseous whenever she sees eggs. This is an example of

A)conditioned taste aversion.
B)stimulus discrimination.
C)spontaneous recovery.
D)a phobia.
E)conditioned emotional reaction.

Question 44

Behaviors that result in satisfying effects are strengthened and behaviors that result in discomfort are weakened. This statement is explained by

A)the Law of Effect.
B)classical conditioning.
C)latent learning.
D)radical behaviorism.
E)insight learning.

Question 45

In an application of classical conditioning principles reported in the text, how were sheep ranchers able to protect their sheep from coyotes?

A)The sheep ranchers learned to shoot more accurately through reinforcement.
B)Live sheep were injected with a poison that would kill coyotes.
C)Sheep carcasses were injected with poison that would kill coyotes.
D)Sheep carcasses were injected with a poison that would sicken but not kill coyotes.
E)Sheep were classically conditioned to fear coyotes.

Question 46

In Watson's research with Little Albert, the rat began as the _____ and became the _____.

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

Question 47

Classical conditioning can explain the development of all of the following EXCEPT

A)aversions to particular foods.
B)phobias.
C)positive or negative emotions.
D)drug cravings during withdrawal.
E)complex, voluntary behaviors.

Question 48

A researcher finds that rats avoid drinking from bottles in a room in which they had received exposure to radiation that subsequently made them ill. This demonstrates

A)stimulus discrimination.
B)stimulus generalization.
C)conditioned taste aversion.
D)fixed interval schedule of reinforcement.
E)behavior therapy.

Question 49

Researchers have been able to successfully condition immune system suppression by linking neutral stimuli with a(n)

A)electrical shock.
B)drug that induces nausea.
C)immune-suppressant drug.
D)previously conditioned response.
E)immune-suppressant drug and electrical shock.

Question 50

Advertising makes use of classical conditioning. For example, a product is presented along with some naturally appealing stimulus (e.g., a physically attractive person). In this case, the product begins as the

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

Question 51

An acquired fear response is called

A)a conditioned emotional reaction.
B)a reconditioned phobia.
C)a higher-order conditioned response.
D)a discriminative response.
E)a form of superstitious behavior.

Question 52

In Garcia's research on taste aversions, what was the neutral stimulus?

A)radiation
B)taste of the water
C)nausea
D)electric shocks
E)taste of the food

Question 53

Under which condition would Watson's experiments on classical conditioning be replicated today?

A)If the researchers obtained parental permission to expose the child to intense fear
B)If the researchers used methods to extinguish the fears after completing their experiments
C)If the researchers followed the children for several years to make sure they were not "damaged" from their participation in the experiment
D)If the researchers taught parents how to extinguish their children's fears
E)The experiments would not be replicated even with the parents' permission

Question 54

When Salina was a young girl, a dog viciously attacked her as she was walking along a white picket fence. Since then, she displays intense fear of white picket fences. Salina is demonstrating

A)a discriminative stimulus.
B)superstitious behavior.
C)stimulus discrimination.
D)a phobia.
E)spontaneous recovery.

Question 55

The Law of Effect was proposed by

A)Pavlov.
B)Skinner.
C)Thorndike.
D)Watson.
E)Tolman.

Question 56

The most surprising element in Garcia's research on taste aversion was that

A)animals were sickened by radiation.
B)animals would avoid drinking water.
C)animals would drink even if they were sick.
D)conditioned taste aversion could be developed even when the CS occurred several hours before the US.
E)conditioned taste aversion could be developed only when the US immediately followed the CS.

Question 57

Cassandra, who has been clean and sober for many years after struggling with alcoholism, no longer has a physical addiction to alcohol. However, whenever she sees her old "drinking buddies," she begins to have cravings for alcohol. Cassandra's experience is an example of

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

Question 58

The systematic application of learning principles to help people overcome phobias is called ______ therapy.

A)aversion
B)cognitive
C)conditioning
D)behavior
E)reexposure

Question 59

When two-year-old Clarice was playing in the basement, a large burst of thunder scared her at the same time she saw a spider. Now Clarice has a spider phobia. Clarice's experience is an example of which type of learning?

A)Operant conditioning
B)Observational learning
C)Vicarious learning
D)Insight learning
E)Classical conditioning

Question 60

Regarding classical conditioning, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Immune system responses can be classically conditioned.
B)Drug cravings and taste aversions can be acquired through classical conditioning.
C)Feelings of nostalgia can be elicited by stimuli that were associated with pleasant experiences in the past.
D)Taste aversions can be acquired with a single pairing of a food or drink and a nausea-inducing stimulus.
E)While classical conditioning is effective in creating phobias, its principles are not particularly useful in therapy to address phobias.

Question 61

Velma takes headache medicine to relieve pain. The medicine serves to remove the pain. This is an example of

A)avoidance conditioning.
B)conditioned reinforcement.
C)positive reinforcement.
D)negative reinforcement.
E)superstitious behavior.

Question 62

Regarding operant conditioning, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Positive reinforcement leads to strengthening of response, whereas negative reinforcement leads to weakening of response.
B)Discriminative stimuli set the stage for reinforcement.
C)Organisms are capable of learning complex behaviors through reinforcement of successive approximations to the desired behaviors.
D)Some reinforcers are rewarding because they satisfy basic biological needs, whereas others acquire reward value through experience.
E)Extinction is achieved by no longer reinforcing the desired response.

Question 63

Modern psychologists refer to the first part of the Law of Effect as _____ and the second part as _____.

A)classical conditioning; operant conditioning
B)operant conditioning; classical conditioning
C)reinforcement; punishment
D)punishment; reinforcement
E)trial and error; latent learning

Question 64

To which area of human behavior was Thorndike particularly excited about applying principles of animal learning?

A)parenting
B)law enforcement
C)medicine
D)advertising
E)education

Question 65

Which of the following pairings is correct?

A)Garcia -- conditioned emotional response
B)Thorndike -- schedules of reinforcement
C)Skinner -- operant conditioning
D)Watson -- classical conditioning of reflexes
E)Pavlov -- classical conditioning of emotions

Question 66

Thorndike used the ______ in studying animal learning.

A)Skinner box
B)token economy
C)programmed instruction computer
D)maze
E)puzzle box

Question 67

The process of learning in which the consequences of a response determine the probability that the response will be repeated is called

A)classical conditioning.
B)operant conditioning.
C)insight learning.
D)observational learning.
E)latent learning.

Question 68

Thorndike is to _____ as Skinner is to _______.

A)classical conditioning; Law of Effect
B)classical conditioning; operant conditioning
C)operant conditioning; classical conditioning
D)Law of Effect; classical conditioning
E)Law of Effect; operant conditioning

Question 69

Your significant other gives you a compliment, and you smile at him/her. The probability that s/he will give you another compliment increases. This is an example of which type of learning?

A)Latent learning
B)Insight learning
C)Observational learning
D)Classical conditioning
E)Instrumental learning

Question 70

Which view holds that behavior is completely determined by environmental and genetic influences?

A)the Law of Effect
B)radical behaviorism
C)behavior modification
D)programmed instruction
E)cognitive learning

Question 71

A discriminative stimulus signals that

A)reinforcement is available for a particular response.
B)an unconditioned stimulus is about to be presented.
C)a conditioned stimulus is about to be presented.
D)a neutral stimulus is about to be presented.
E)an approximately correct response will receive reinforcement.

Question 72

Stimuli that are naturally reinforcing are referred to as ______, while stimuli that develop reinforcing properties through association are called ______.

A)indiscriminative stimuli; discriminative stimuli
B)primary reinforcers; secondary reinforcers
C)positive reinforcers; negative reinforcers
D)primary stimuli; secondary stimuli
E)shapers; successive approximators

Question 73

Graduate student Charisse Goldberg conducted operant conditioning trials with a laboratory rat. Goldberg trained the animal to press a lever to earn a food pellet. The rat successfully learned to press the lever. In the language of operant conditioning, what is the animal's learned response called?

A)a higher-order conditioned response
B)a vicariously learned response
C)a reconditioned response
D)a latent response
E)an operant response

Question 74

Zorba gives his dog a treat for rolling over. Zorba explains this procedure as a form of

A)conditioned reinforcement.
B)punishment.
C)negative reinforcement.
D)positive reinforcement.
E)classical conditioning.

Question 75

Presentation of a rewarding stimulus serves as ______, while removal of an aversive stimulus serves as ______.

A)positive punishment; negative punishment
B)negative punishment; positive punishment
C)negative reinforcement; positive reinforcement
D)positive reinforcement; negative reinforcement
E)reinforcement; punishment

Question 76

An "Open" sign in the window of a store that tells Ivan he can go in to purchase a beverage he finds particularly reinforcing. In this example, the sign serves as a

A)primary reinforcer.
B)discriminative stimulus.
C)conditioned reinforcer.
D)conditioned stimulus.
E)secondary reinforcer.

Question 77

Which of the following is an example of negative reinforcement?

A)A mother picks up her infant when he cries, which then stops his crying, thereby reducing the mother's level of annoyance.
B)A father picks up his infant when she cries, thereby increasing the likelihood that she will cry to be picked up again in the future.
C)A grandmother gives her granddaughter a "time out" when she misbehaves, thereby leading the granddaughter to calm down.
D)A grandfather gives his grandson $10 for every "A" on his report card, thereby strengthening his grandson's study habits.
E)A caregiver removes a child from the "block play center" when he is throwing blocks, thereby causing him to cry.

Question 78

Skinner found that coincidental association of a behavior and a reinforcement may result in

A)extinction.
B)superstitious behavior.
C)stimulus discrimination.
D)taste aversions.
E)the development of phobias.

Question 79

Which of the following is the best definition of reinforcer?

A)a response that operates on the environment to produce certain consequences
B)a stimulus or event that increases the probability that the response it follows will be repeated
C)behavior acquired through coincidental association of a response and a reinforcement
D)a cue that signals that reinforcement is available if the subject makes a particular response
E)the introduction of an aversive stimulus after a response occurs

Question 80

Operant conditioning is also known as

A)classical conditioning.
B)vicarious learning.
C)observational learning.
D)instrumental learning.
E)cognitive learning