Deck 4: Basic Principles of Behavior

Question 1

Maynard is learning to put on his socks. His father reinforces him when he first grasps his  sock with both hands. He is then reinforced for placing the sock on his toes, then his foot, and finally when he pulls it up his calf. What principle is his father employing?

A) fading
B) shaping
C) modeling
D) weaning
E) imitation

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Murphy is learning how to obtain his teacher's attention. He can either raise his hand, write her a note, yell out, or walk up to her desk. What are all the behaviors that result in Murphy obtaining his teacher's attention called?

A) generalization
B) response class
C) positive reinforcement
D) response extinction
E) internal validity

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Deprivation refers to:

A) the behavior being modified.
B) withholding a reinforcer for a period of time in order to increase the effectiveness of the  reinforcer.
C) the gradual removal of discriminative stimuli.
D) the response being combined with reinforcers from a behavioral chain.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Stimulus control refers to:

A) any antecedent stimuli that alters a response.
B) any stimuli presented after a behavior occurs.
C) regulating the amount of stimuli an individual is exposed to at any one time.
D) any stimuli that, when removed, increases the occurrence of a behavior.

Question 5

Fading refers to the gradual change of the stimulus controlling a response such that the response eventually occurs for a partially or completely changed stimulus.

Question 6

The buzzer that goes off in your car until you put your seat belt on is an example of:

A) extinction
B) punishment
C) deprivation
D) spontaneous recovery
E) negative reinforcement

Question 7

Melvin's parents have been ignoring his crying when he is put to bed. Melvin has gone five nights without crying. However, on the sixth night he begins to cry when put to bed. What principle may be responsible for Melvin's crying reappearing?

A) forgetting
B) differential reinforcement
C) spontaneous recovery
D) ratio strain
E) ordinal proximity

Question 8

A response whose frequency has been increased through positive reinforcement is said to have been conditioned.

Question 9

Forgetting refers to:

A) allowing a response to occur but withholding reinforcement
B) the passage of time preventing the response from occurring
C) the average frequency of behavior
D) punishing a behavior until it no longer occurs

Question 10

In backward chaining, the terminal response in the chain is conditioned first.

Question 11

For maximum effectiveness, a reinforcer should be given shortly after the desired response occurs.

Question 12

Response differentiation refers to:

A) changes in behavior as a function of the passage of time
B) the process of using a behavior that occurs often to reinforce a behavior that seldom  occurs
C) the principle that a positive reinforcer for one response, if programmed to follow another response, will  condition the new response
D) recognition that one member of a response class will be reinforced while other  members will not be reinforced

Question 13

Jeffery is having fun at a party. He is supposed to be home at midnight. Although he'd like to stay longer, he can't stand the thought of being yelled at by his father, so he comes home on time. What principle is in effect?

A) escape conditioning
B) stimulus-discrimination conditioning
C) negative reinforcement
D) avoidance conditioning

Question 14

Superstitious behavior refers to:

A) the development of desirable stimulus control over pleasant interactions
B) prompting and shaping techniques to condition superstitions
C) a positive reinforcer and response being inadvertently associated together
D) individuals avoiding punishing consequences by not making a response

Question 15

Stimulus generalization occurs when:

A) the individual learns not to emit a behavior in the presence of certain stimuli.
B) the individual responds in a similar manner to different stimuli.
C) the individual decreases his or her response after being transferred to another setting.
D) the individual learns to respond differently in different situations.

Question 16

Ratio strain will occur when too much reinforcement is delivered too quickly.

Question 17

Positive reinforcement refers to:

A) some property of a stimuli becoming more different from the response.
B) any response that prevents the occurrence of a punisher.
C) any stimuli presented after a behavior occurs that increases the probability of that  behavior occurring in the future.
D) any stimuli removed after a behavior occurs that increases the probability of that behavior occurring in the future.

Question 18

Explain the term avoidance conditioning and how it relates to student behavior. 

Question 19

Martha keeps bugging her mom to buy her some gum while they are standing in line at the  grocery store. Her mom does not appear to hear her. What principle is her mom employing?

A) punishment
B) forgetting
C) maintenance
D) minimization
E) extinction

Question 20

Rubbing two sticks together to make fire or burning a hole in a leaf with a magnifying glass are examples of which schedule of reinforcement?

A) variable interval
B) fixed duration
C) variable ratio
D) fixed interval
E) variable duration

Question 21

Demonstrate a way to use either positive reinforcement, shaping, fading, extinction, or stimulus control in the classroom.

Question 22

What is an example of stimulus control?

Question 23

Describe the differences between stimulus discrimination and stimulus generalization.

Question 24

Explain the similarities and differences between a Type I and a Type II punishment (application of contingent stimulation punishment versus contingent withdrawal of a positive reinforcer punishment).