Deck 7: Basic Principles of Learning

Question 1

Of the following,which is the BEST description of Pavlov's accidental discovery?

A) The dogs learned a reflexive response (salivating)to a stimulus (food).
B) The dogs learned a reflexive response (salivating)to a neutral stimulus (laboratory attendant).
C) A neutral stimulus (laboratory attendant)rewarded the dogs by giving them a reflexive stimulus (food).
D) A reflexive response (salivating)became associated with a neutral stimulus (laboratory attendant).

Answer 1

A reflexive response (salivating)became associated with a neutral stimulus (laboratory attendant).

Question 2

A buzzing sound is followed by an electric shock to the hands.After several repetitions,subjects jerk their hands away when they hear the buzzer.In this example,what is the conditioned stimulus?

A) subjects jerking their hands away
B) the buzzer
C) fear of the shock
D) the electric shock

Answer 2

the buzzer

Question 3

Peter is punched by several bullies at school.Now,whenever a bully merely swings his fist at Peter,Peter winces.In this example,the conditioned stimulus is:

A) pain from being punched.
B) the punch.
C) a hand moving in the air.
D) wincing.

Answer 3

a hand moving in the air.

Question 4

Which of the following phrases most closely matches psychology's definition of learning?

A) changing behavior
B) becoming educated
C) acquiring understanding
D) studying

Question 5

In Pavlov's classic experiments with dogs,the laboratory attendant had become a(n):

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

Question 6

A stimulus that automatically elicits a response with no prior learning is a(n):

A) neutral stimulus
B) conditioned stimulus
C) generalized stimulus
D) unconditioned stimulus

Question 7

In Pavlov's studies,Pavlov realized that the dogs had learned to associate:

A) food with salivating.
B) food with getting treats.
C) the sight of the attendant with food.
D) barking with getting food.

Question 8

Which of the following is psychology's definition of learning?

A) a temporary change in behavior that results from past experience
B) the adaptation of instincts to new environments
C) a relatively permanent change in behavior brought about through experience
D) the gradual and systematic organization of behavior

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT true about learning?

A) Learning refers to a relatively permanent change in behavior.
B) Learning occurs through experience.
C) Learning is the result of interactions with one's environment.
D) Learning refers only to intentionally produced changes in behavior.

Question 10

In his investigations of association learning,Pavlov discovered that dogs' best learning of the association between a metronome and food takes place when the interval between each stimulus is about:

A) 1 second.
B) 0.5 second.
C) 3 seconds.
D) 5 seconds.

Question 11

Peter is punched by several bullies at school.Now,whenever a bully merely swings his fist at Peter,Peter winces.In this example,the unconditioned stimulus is:

A) pain from being punched.
B) the punch.
C) a hand moving in the air.
D) wincing.

Question 12

When a baby is born,he shows no preference for foods other than mother's milk or formula.Soon after the introduction of new foods,however,the baby shows a preference for fruits and vegetables.This new preference is an example of

A) instinct.
B) learning.
C) maturation.
D) insight.

Question 13

In Pavlov's studies,the food or meat powder was the:

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

Question 14

Women who breast-feed their infants often notice that the crying of any infant will trigger a reflex in which breast milk is ejected even when they are not nursing at the moment.In this case,the ejection of milk is a(n):

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

Question 15

In Pavlov's studies,Pavlov realized that the dogs had learned to associate:

A) a behavior with a stimulus.
B) a reward with a stimulus.
C) a behavior with a behavior.
D) a stimulus with a stimulus.

Question 16

In order to encourage the association between two stimuli,a researcher should:

A) give subjects plenty of time between the stimuli so that they can try to remember their association.
B) only pair the stimuli once or twice so the subjects won't get bored.
C) make sure the subjects are told that the two stimuli are associated.
D) pair the stimuli many times and keep the time between presentations of the stimuli short.

Question 17

After several injections,Windsor the terrier starts to yelp at the sight of hypodermic needles.The initial injection Windsor received is a(n):

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

Question 18

As he gets older,an all-star baseball batter's ability to quickly react is lost.Why is this loss NOT considered to be the result of learning?

A) The loss occurs over too long a period of time.
B) The loss is too gradual and learning is rapid by comparison.
C) The loss is the result of biological,not experiential factors.
D) Learning always involves a gain,not a loss,of behavior.

Question 19

Johnny was playing on his swing set when a semi truck blasted its horn on the street directly in front of him.Johnny was so startled that he fell off the swing and skinned his knee.Now Johnny gets scared every time he hears a truck.This is an example of:

A) punishment.
B) classical conditioning.
C) negative reinforcement.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 20

A buzzing sound is followed by an electric shock to the hands.After several repetitions,subjects jerk their hands away when they hear the buzzer.In this example,what is the unconditioned stimulus?

A) subjects jerking their hands away
B) the buzzer
C) fear of the shock
D) the electric shock

Question 21

Researchers have discovered that the body's immune system responses can be influenced by:

A) counterconditioning.
B) aversive conditioning.
C) classical conditioning.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 22

When a response comes to be elicited by the conditioned stimulus,it is called a(n):

A) neutral response
B) association response
C) conditioned response
D) unconditioned response

Question 23

As a child,every time you played near the neighbor's farm and a cow wandered over,your mother (who has a terrible fear of cows)screamed,snatched you into her arms,and ran into the house.You would get so startled that you would begin to cry.In this example,the CR is:

A) the cow.
B) your mother.
C) fear of your mother.
D) fear of cows.

Question 24

As a child,every time you played near the neighbor's farm and a cow wandered over,your mother (who has a terrible fear of cows)screamed,snatched you into her arms,and ran into the house.You would get so startled that you would begin to cry.You now have a fear of cows.In this example,the UCS is:

A) the cow.
B) your crying.
C) your mother's reaction.
D) fear of the cow.

Question 25

Which of the following procedures will produce classical conditioning?

A) pairing the CS with the CR over time
B) pairing the UCS with the UCR over time
C) pairing a neutral stimulus with the UCS over time
D) pairing the CR with the UCR over time

Question 26

In classical conditioning,the strength of the association between the two stimuli depends on all of the following EXCEPT:

A) the consistency of the pairing of the stimuli.
B) the timing of the pairing of the stimuli.
C) the behavior of the individual being conditioned.
D) the frequency of the pairing of the two stimuli.

Question 27

If you are trying to classically condition a response,before you begin the conditioning:

A) the UCS automatically elicits a UCR.
B) the CS automatically elicits a CR.
C) the UCS automatically elicits a CR.
D) the CS automatically elicits a UCR.

Question 28

In Watson's experiments with Little Albert,the loud noise produced by banging the steel bar behind Albert's head was a(n):

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

Question 29

As a child,every time you played near the neighbor's farm and a cow wandered over,your mother (who has a terrible fear of cows)screamed,snatched you into her arms,and ran into the house.You would get so startled that you would begin to cry.You now have a fear of cows.In this example,the CS is:

A) the cow.
B) your mother.
C) your mother's reaction.
D) fear of your mother.

Question 30

Which of the following is true of classical conditioning?

A) The higher the level of response of the individual being conditioned,the stronger the association.
B) The process does not depend on the behavior of the individual being conditioned.
C) New behavior can be acquired this way.
D) The less consistently the stimuli are paired,the stronger the association.

Question 31

In classical conditioning,the ____________ is identical or very similar to the ____________.

A) CS;UCS
B) CR;UCR
C) UCS;UCR
D) CS;CR

Question 32

Women who breast-feed their infants often notice that the crying of any infant will trigger a reflex in which breast milk is ejected even when they are not nursing at the moment.In this case,the suckling of a woman's own infant is the:

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

Question 33

In Watson's experiments with Little Albert,the white rat was the:

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

Question 34

Before classical conditioning,the conditioned stimulus is best referred to as:

A) unconditioned.
B) a response.
C) neutral.
D) associated.

Question 35

Which of the following is a true statement about the experiment with "Little Albert"?

A) The conditioning was not entirely effective.
B) Watson and Rayner did not attempt to reverse Little Albert's conditioned fear.
C) Watson and Rayner conditioned Little Albert to be afraid of loud noises.
D) Experiments very similar to this one are common in contemporary American universities.

Question 36

As a child,every time you played near the neighbor's farm and a cow wandered over,your mother (who has a terrible fear of cows)screamed,snatched you into her arms,and ran into the house.You would get so startled that you would begin to cry.In this example,the UCR is:

A) the cow.
B) fear of the cow.
C) fear resulting from your mother's reaction.
D) your mother.

Question 37

A woman walks by Sam.She is wearing the same perfume his first girlfriend always wore.Sam notices a pleasant,warm feeling in his body.In this example,the conditioned response is:

A) the perfume.
B) the woman walking by.
C) Sam's memories of his first girlfriend.
D) the pleasant,warm feeling.

Question 38

Peter is punched by several bullies at school.Now,whenever a bully merely swings his fist at Peter,Peter winces.In this example,the conditioned response is:

A) pain from being punched.
B) the punch.
C) a hand moving in the air.
D) wincing.

Question 39

Counterconditioning refers to the process of:

A) gradually reducing the stimulus intensity to gradually reduce response intensity.
B) presenting a UCS for a response that is incompatible with the CR that one wants eliminated.
C) removing all reinforcement for a particular behavior in order to eliminate it.
D) punishing a behavior that one wishes to eliminate.

Question 40

Pairing a CS with a UCS to produce a response that is stronger than the original CR and that cannot co-occur with the original CR in order to eliminate the original CR is referred to as:

A) stimulus discrimination.
B) counterconditioning.
C) stimulus generalization.
D) extinction.

Question 41

In operant conditioning,the association learned is between:

A) a stimulus and a response.
B) rewards and consequences.
C) behavior and consequences.
D) a stimulus and a reward.

Question 42

Sal felt little motivation to study and was getting poor grades.Her friends tried to convince her to take school more seriously.Sal listened and decided to try harder.She studied more and earned a B+ on her Algebra exam.She was so pleased by the results of her efforts that she now studies all the time.What role did the B+ play in her present motivation?

A) The B+ was a negative reinforcer.
B) The B+ was a positive reinforcer.
C) The B+ had little to do with her motivation;her friends were the reinforcers.
D) The B+ became a conditioned stimulus.

Question 43

Becoming sexually aroused every time an individual sees a digital watch is an example of a fetish.Fetishes are believed to result from:

A) negative reinforcement.
B) positive reinforcement.
C) classical conditioning.
D) vicarious learning.

Question 44

Consistent delivery of a reinforcer is most critical:

A) after the behavior has been well established.
B) with new learning.
C) with young children,but not necessarily with adults.
D) if you want the behavior to last a long time.

Question 45

The children in your therapy group are being rewarded with chocolate drops.Every time a child talks about feelings,you let them take a chocolate drop from the candy dish.After several sessions,you notice that one child is not responding and shows little interest in the reward.What might you conclude?

A) The child is too young to learn through operant conditioning.
B) You are not being consistent in giving out the reward.
C) The reward you chose is not reinforcing for this particular child.
D) You are not using the appropriate reinforcement schedule.

Question 46

You want your son to quit picking up the cat by its tail,so you yell at him every time you see the behavior.Unfortunately,you do not see a decrease in the unwanted behavior.Rather,your son is increasing this behavior.Of the following,which is the BEST explanation?

A) When you see the behavior,you are not yelling soon enough.
B) Your yelling is serving as positive reinforcement.
C) Your yelling is serving as a punishment.
D) You are not using the proper reinforcement schedule.

Question 47

An item or event that becomes a reinforcer only because of a learned association with other reinforcers is called:

A) a secondary reinforcer.
B) an unconditioned stimulus.
C) an operant.
D) a primary reinforcer.

Question 48

Operant conditioning is a type of conditioning that is dependent on:

A) intelligent comprehension of the situation.
B) feedback resulting from one's actions.
C) innate and unlearned reflexes.
D) the ability to imitate social models.

Question 49

A secondary reinforcer:

A) has the opposite effect of a primary reinforcer.
B) must be learned.
C) has little effect on behavior.
D) is similar to punishment.

Question 50

Which of the following is an example of a secondary reinforcer?

A) water
B) praise
C) food
D) physical stimulation

Question 51

What is a primary reinforcer?

A) one that is used in the first stage of a two-part conditioning process
B) one that was added as opposed to removed
C) one that satisfies an innate need
D) one that an individual learns to like

Question 52

Which type of learning is based on the consequences of one's behavior?

A) vicarious learning
B) insight learning
C) operant conditioning
D) classical conditioning

Question 53

In operant conditioning,long delays between the behavior and the reinforcement will:

A) make the reinforcement more tantalizing.
B) result in slower learning.
C) result in resentment and anger.
D) result in dependence on the reinforcement.

Question 54

Angelica asks her mom for a lollipop and her mother promptly tells her no.She whines,cries,and makes such a fuss that her mother gives in and buys her a lollipop.According to the principles of operant conditioning,what can be expected from this encounter?

A) Angelica's mom will be less likely to buy her a lollipop in the future.
B) In the future,Angelica will probably whine and cry when she wants something.
C) In the future,if Angelica starts to whine and cry,her mom will send her to her room.
D) Because she had to beg to get her lollipop,she will not ask for another lollipop.

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT true of positive reinforcers?

A) It involves rewarding individuals with something they consider positive.
B) It can involve removal of something the individual considers not to be positive.
C) It increases the frequency of the behavior.
D) All of these are true.

Question 56

You want your daughter to study hard,so you decide to pay her $20 for every "A" on her report card.This strategy will not work if your daughter despises:

A) report cards.
B) you.
C) studying.
D) money.

Question 57

Operant conditioning is based on the principle of "law of effect," which means:

A) a behavior will increase or decrease based on the consequences that follow that behavior.
B) a behavior will increase or decrease,regardless of the consequences that follow the behavior.
C) people do not learn from the consequences of their behavior,unless they are physically punished.
D) people will not engage in behavior that is deemed "illegal."

Question 58

Anika's parents tell her that if she does the dishes every night,she can stay up late to watch her favorite TV show.Because she is now doing the dishes every night,we could say that Anika's behavior is an example of a behavior learned through:

A) negative reinforcement-avoidance conditioning.
B) the law of effect.
C) classical conditioning.
D) vicarious learning.

Question 59

In a study by Ader,researchers were able to produce immune system suppression in rats by pairing:

A) a yellow light with an immunosuppressive drug.
B) a yellow light with an electric shock.
C) saccharin-flavored water with an immunosuppressive drug.
D) saccharin-flavored water with an electric shock.

Question 60

Operant conditioning is based on the premise that behaviors occur more often when they are:

A) extinguished.
B) rewarded.
C) negated.
D) ignored.

Question 61

You decide to reward yourself with a snack every time you finish reading two chapters in your history textbook.You are reinforcing your studying by using a:

A) fixed interval schedule.
B) variable interval schedule.
C) fixed ratio schedule.
D) variable ratio schedule.

Question 62

Which schedule of reinforcement results in the most rapid learning?

A) a fixed interval schedule
B) a variable interval schedule
C) a fixed ratio schedule
D) a continuous schedule

Question 63

Shaping can be an effective way to:

A) treat phobias and other anxieties.
B) eliminate inappropriate behaviors.
C) punish a behavior.
D) teach a complex behavior.

Question 64

A circus trainer uses shaping to train a bear to spin a ball on its nose.This means that the trainer will:

A) force the bear to place its head under the ball.
B) start by reinforcing the bear if it moves toward the ball.
C) deprive the bear of food and water until it makes the appropriate response.
D) show the bear how to balance the ball by modeling the behavior.

Question 65

You have no idea how many lottery tickets you need to buy in order to win,but the more tickets you buy,the better your chances are of winning.Your behavior is being reinforced on a:

A) variable interval schedule.
B) fixed interval schedule.
C) variable ratio schedule.
D) fixed ratio schedule.

Question 66

Which of the following is an example of a primary reinforcer?

A) water
B) grades
C) a pay check
D) applause

Question 67

Negative reinforcement:

A) increases the frequency of the behavior.
B) decreases the frequency of the behavior.
C) extinguishes the behavior.
D) helps individuals avoid behaviors.

Question 68

Shaping means:

A) learning by imitation.
B) punishing all behaviors except the one you desire.
C) reinforcing successive approximations to a target behavior.
D) using negative reinforcement-avoidance conditioning to eliminate an undesired behavior.

Question 69

You love to watch for meteors,but as meteors are unpredictable,your pleasure in seeing one is reinforced on a:

A) fixed ratio schedule.
B) variable ratio schedule.
C) fixed interval schedule.
D) variable interval schedule.

Question 70

You are training a rat to run a maze.After every 10th correct run,you reward the rat with a food pellet.You are using a:

A) fixed interval schedule.
B) variable interval schedule.
C) fixed ratio schedule.
D) variable ratio schedule.

Question 71

Sales pitch X works every time you present it to an audience.Using the sales pitch is reinforced on a:

A) fixed interval schedule.
B) continuous schedule.
C) fixed ratio schedule.
D) variable ratio schedule.

Question 72

Which schedule of reinforcement usually results in an initial burst of activity but is followed by periods of inactivity?

A) a fixed interval schedule
B) a variable interval schedule
C) a fixed ratio schedule
D) a variable ratio schedule

Question 73

Which schedule of reinforcement results in highly stable performance only when the response has been partially learned through continuous reinforcement?

A) fixed interval schedule
B) variable interval schedule
C) fixed ratio schedule
D) variable ratio schedule

Question 74

Every 2 weeks you receive a paycheck for work completed in the previous 2 weeks.Your work behavior is reinforced on a:

A) fixed interval schedule.
B) variable interval schedule.
C) fixed ratio schedule.
D) variable ratio schedule.

Question 75

Kirsten is trying to train her dog,Sadie,to come when she calls.She starts by calling her name,and when Sadie looks up,she gives her a treat.She does this a few times.Next,whenever Sadie stands up when her name is called,Kirsten gives her the treat.Finally,Sadie must come all the way over to Kirsten before she gets her treat.Kirsten is using ____________ to train Sadie.

A) classical conditioning
B) stimulus discrimination
C) shaping
D) negative reinforcement

Question 76

Which of the following is an example of a secondary reinforcer?

A) electric shock
B) pain
C) food
D) money

Question 77

Susan is teaching her 3-year-old daughter,Anna,to tie her shoes.At first,if Anna can make an "X" with her shoelaces,she gets praise and a big hug.Next,if Anna can cross a shoelace under and through the "X" she gets praise and a big hug.Finally,if Anna can make the loops to tie the bow,she gets praise and a big hug.Susan is using ____________ to teach Anna how to tie her shoes.

A) stimulus generalization
B) shaping
C) classical conditioning
D) negative reinforcement

Question 78

The mail carrier always brings the mail about 11:00 in the morning so you start checking the mailbox at about that time.You are operating on a ____________ reinforcement schedule.

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

Question 79

Which schedule of reinforcement results in very high rates of responding and rather permanent learning?

A) fixed interval schedule
B) variable interval schedule
C) fixed ratio schedule
D) variable ratio schedule

Question 80

When Della goes to Las Vegas,her granddaughter has difficulty getting her to stop playing the nickel slot machines.In fact,she sometimes will forego food and sleep in order to keep playing.Which schedule of reinforcement is Della operating under?

A) a fixed interval schedule
B) a variable interval schedule
C) a fixed ratio schedule
D) a variable ratio schedule