Deck 21: Classical Conditioning

Question 1

Lee is helping his son learn to read.Each night his son attempts to read a story and Lee assists.His son will be most successful in learning to read if Lee rewards him based on

A) spontaneous recovery.
B) respondent behavior.
C) operant conditioning.
D) successive approximations.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

A discriminative stimulus is

A) a behavior that operates on the environment,producing consequences.
B) an event or situation signaling that an operant response will be reinforced.
C) a behavior that occurs as an automatic response to a stimulus.
D) an event that strengthens the behavior it follows.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

On Monday,Johnny's mother gave him cookies and milk after he had played quietly for 10 minutes.On Tuesday,she required 20 minutes of quiet play before treat time.On Wednesday,she gave him cookies only after he played quietly for a full half hour.Johnny was taught to play quietly for extended periods through

A) secondary reinforcement.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) shaping.
D) fixed-ratio scheduling.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Dr.Raheja places a rat in a small cage where it learns to press a bar to obtain a food pellet.Obviously,Dr.Raheja is using a(n)________ to study learning.

A) operant chamber
B) variable-ratio schedule
C) Pavlovian maze
D) fixed-ratio schedule

Question 5

Teachers who effectively shape their students' study habits are most likely to

A) avoid the use of negative reinforcement to motivate effective study.
B) reinforce effective study with primary rather than secondary reinforcers.
C) reinforce effective study on a fixed-interval schedule.
D) reinforce even minor improvements in students' study skills.

Question 6

The process of reinforcing successively closer approximations to a desired behavior is called

A) generalization.
B) intermittent reinforcement.
C) shaping.
D) secondary reinforcement.

Question 7

To teach an animal to perform a complex sequence of behaviors,animal trainers are most likely to use a procedure known as

A) delayed reinforcement.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) generalization.
D) shaping.

Question 8

An enclosure containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer is called a(n)

A) time-out room.
B) operant chamber.
C) unconditioned stimulus.
D) observational platform.

Question 9

The psychologist most closely associated with the study of operant conditioning was

A) B.F.Skinner.
B) Ivan Pavlov.
C) John B.Watson.
D) Edward L.Thorndike.

Question 10

Stacey tries extra hard in school because she receives 10 dollars for every A she earns on her report card.According to Thorndike's ________,Stacey is more likely to earn As.

A) classical conditioning
B) operant conditioning
C) law of effect
D) theory of shaping

Question 11

Because Saleem was spanked on several occasions for biting electric cords,he no longer does so.Saleem's behavior change best illustrates the value of

A) negative reinforcement.
B) classical conditioning.
C) conditioned reinforcers.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 12

Skinner developed a procedure to guide a rat's actions toward a desired behavior.The procedure is known as

A) shaping.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) secondary conditioning.
D) variable-interval scheduling.

Question 13

The law of effect refers to the tendency to

A) learn associations between consecutive stimuli.
B) learn in the absence of reinforcement.
C) repeat rewarded behaviors and discontinue punished behaviors.
D) make a conditioned response to a conditioned stimulus.

Question 14

Operant conditioning involves ________ behavior,whereas classical conditioning involves ________ behavior.

A) delayed;primary
B) operant;respondent
C) reflexive;operant
D) respondent;reflexive

Question 15

A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer is called

A) delayed conditioning.
B) classical conditioning.
C) primary conditioning.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 16

Learning associations between one's own personal actions and resulting events is most relevant to the process of

A) classical conditioning.
B) primary conditioning.
C) partial reinforcement.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 17

Julio's mother has been giving him gold stars for keeping his bed dry all night.After about a week,Julio discontinued his habit of bed-wetting.His change in behavior best illustrates the value of

A) primary reinforcement.
B) classical conditioning.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 18

A reinforcement is any event that

A) satisfies a biological need.
B) triggers feelings of pleasure.
C) elicits respondent behavior.
D) increases the frequency of a preceding response.

Question 19

Soccer instruction that reinforces short kicks before attempting to reinforce long kicks best illustrates the process of

A) shaping.
B) fixed-interval scheduling.
C) discrimination.
D) delayed reinforcement.

Question 20

Jill is toilet training and has learned that her mother will give her a piece of candy each time she sits on the toilet.So Jill wants to sit on the toilet to get the candy.Jill's toilet-sitting behavior is called ________ because her intent is to produce a consequence,the candy.

A) learning
B) classical conditioning
C) a respondent behavior
D) an operant behavior

Question 21

Innately satisfying stimuli that fulfill biological needs are called ________ reinforcers.

A) fixed
B) primary
C) positive
D) continuous

Question 22

When the Zantays eat dinner,the family dog begs for food.Sometimes,but not often,the children give in to the dog's begging and pass their pet a tasty morsel.You would be most justified in predicting that

A) the dog is eventually going to stop begging for food.
B) as soon as the children stop reinforcing the dog's begging,it will stop begging.
C) the dog is going to be quite persistent in its begging in the future.
D) the dog will always beg for food even if the Zantays never reinforce the begging.

Question 23

A negative reinforcer ________ the behavior it follows.

A) strengthens
B) eliminates
C) suppresses but does not eliminate
D) has an unpredictable effect on

Question 24

Jessie is learning how to drive.As she drives,the light ahead changes from green to yellow,signaling a specific response.The light is an example of a

A) spontaneous recovery.
B) respondent behavior.
C) discriminative stimulus.
D) successive approximation.

Question 25

A positive reinforcer is anything that,when ________ a response,strengthens the response.

A) introduced before
B) removed after
C) introduced after
D) removed before

Question 26

Janna's behavior is more strongly influenced by the momentary thrill of unprotected sex than by the prospect of an unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.This best illustrates the impact of

A) classical conditioning.
B) immediate reinforcement.
C) a fixed-interval schedule.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 27

Mandisa always picked up her infant daughter when she screamed because she couldn't have the toy she wanted.As a result,her daughter screams whenever she doesn't get her way.In this case,picking up the infant served as a(n)________ for screaming.

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

Question 28

Jeremiah studies algebra every day because he is motivated to get an A grade at the end of the semester.In this case,the A grade is a

A) primary reinforcer.
B) unconditioned stimulus.
C) delayed reinforcer.
D) negative reinforcer.

Question 29

Compared with continuous reinforcement,intermittent reinforcement is associated with

A) slower acquisition and faster extinction.
B) faster acquisition and slower extinction.
C) faster acquisition and faster extinction.
D) slower acquisition and slower extinction.

Question 30

Every time he drinks,Boris has a painful hangover the morning after.But he continues to drink because just a single drink reduces his anxiety.Boris' continued drinking illustrates the power of

A) generalization.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) extinction.
D) immediate reinforcement.

Question 31

A trainer wants a pigeon to quickly learn to peck a button to obtain food.She also wants to be sure the behavior is resistant to extinction.So,she should use ________ reinforcement until the response is mastered followed by ________ reinforcement.

A) positive;negative
B) negative;positive
C) continuous;partial
D) partial;continuous

Question 32

After his mother smiles,Jimmy's request for a snack is reinforced.But if his mother is not smiling,his subsequent request for a snack is not reinforced.By indicating that Jimmy's request for a snack will be reinforced,the mother's smile is a(n)

A) primary reinforcer.
B) discriminative stimulus.
C) respondent behavior.
D) unconditioned response.

Question 33

The more often Matthew is scolded following a temper tantrum,the more frequently he loses his temper.In this case,the scolding serves as a ________ for Matthew's temper tantrums.

A) negative reinforcer
B) conditioned stimulus
C) positive reinforcer
D) punishment

Question 34

A mother frequently picks up her crying infant boy because the baby typically stops crying as soon as he is held.In this case,the mother is ________ when her son stops crying.

A) positively punished
B) negatively reinforced
C) negatively punished
D) positively reinforced

Question 35

Money is to food as ________ is to ________.

A) delayed reinforcer;immediate reinforcer
B) secondary reinforcer;primary reinforcer
C) discrimination;generalization
D) partial reinforcement;continuous reinforcement

Question 36

Escape from a punishing event is a ________ reinforcer.

A) positive
B) negative
C) partial
D) delayed

Question 37

Receiving money as a reward and having a monetary fine suspended are both ________ reinforcers.

A) partial
B) primary
C) conditioned
D) positive

Question 38

A conditioned reinforcer gains its reinforcing power through its link with a

A) discriminative stimulus.
B) primary reinforcer.
C) delayed reinforcer.
D) respondent behavior.

Question 39

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

A) applause for an excellent trumpet solo
B) a grade of "A" for an excellent essay
C) $5.00 for washing the car
D) a cold lemonade for pulling weeds on a hot day

Question 40

Jacinda has a glass of wine after work because it relieves her anxiety.Her wine drinking is likely to continue because it serves as a ________ reinforcer.

A) secondary
B) partial
C) negative
D) positive

Question 41

When children misbehave,some parents use a time-out,removing the children from their reinforcing surroundings.This practice best illustrates

A) negative reinforcement.
B) discrimination.
C) negative punishment.
D) positive punishment.

Question 42

Punishment is a potentially hazardous way for teachers to control young children's behaviors because

A) the more severely children are punished for undesirable behaviors,the more likely they will exhibit those behaviors.
B) children will forget how to perform punished behaviors even when the behaviors may be justified and necessary.
C) the use of punishment could condition children to fear the teachers and avoid school.
D) punishment cannot even temporarily restrain undesirable behaviors.

Question 43

A teenage driver who has a fender bender while texting learns to discontinue his habit of texting while driving.In this case,his fender bender is a

A) positive reinforcer.
B) positive punishment.
C) negative reinforcer.
D) negative punishment.

Question 44

Glancing at the television in the next room in hopes of seeing the beginning of the 6 o'clock evening news is likely to be reinforced on a ________ schedule.

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

Question 45

A small-town radio disc jockey frequently announces how much money is currently in a jackpot.Every day several randomly selected residents are called and asked to identify the amount,and thereby win it.Those who keep track of the jackpot amount are most likely to be reinforced on a ________ schedule.

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

Question 46

Which of the following behaviors is typically reinforced on a variable-ratio schedule?

A) studying to be prepared for unexpected quizzes
B) inserting coins into a slot machine
C) paying a cashier for a candy bar
D) checking the mailbox to see if the mail has arrived

Question 47

A child learns to stop fighting with his brother after the fight leads to suspension of the child's video gaming privileges.In this case,the suspension of video gaming privileges is a

A) positive reinforcer.
B) negative reinforcer.
C) positive punishment.
D) negative punishment.

Question 48

Withdrawing a desirable stimulus following an operant response is

A) negative punishment.
B) negative reinforcement.
C) positive punishment.
D) positive reinforcement.

Question 49

A slow but steady rate of operant responding is associated with the ________ schedule of reinforcement.

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

Question 50

Luana edits manuscripts for a publisher and is paid $25 for every three pages she edits.Luana is reinforced on a ________ schedule.

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

Question 51

A partial reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after a specified number of responses is called a ________ schedule.

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

Question 52

A variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement is one in which a response is reinforced only after a(n)

A) specified time period has elapsed.
B) unpredictable time period has elapsed.
C) specified number of responses have been made.
D) unpredictable number of responses have been made.

Question 53

The introduction of an unpleasant stimulus is to ________ as the withdrawal of an unpleasant stimulus is to ________.

A) acquisition;extinction
B) negative reinforcer;positive reinforcer
C) primary reinforcer;secondary reinforcer
D) punishment;reinforcement

Question 54

A partial reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response that occurs after a specified time has elapsed is a ________ schedule.

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

Question 55

After receiving a couple of traffic tickets for speeding,Masako no longer drives faster than the legal speed limit.This best illustrates the impact of

A) classical conditioning.
B) negative reinforcement.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) punishment.

Question 56

Sandwich shops that reward customers with a free sandwich after every 10 sandwich purchases are using a ________ reinforcement schedule.

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

Question 57

A choppy stop-start pattern of operant responding is associated with the ________ schedule of reinforcement.

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

Question 58

Positive punishment ________ the rate of operant responding,and negative punishment ________ the rate of operant responding.

A) increases;decreases
B) decreases;increases
C) decreases;decreases
D) has no effect on;decreases

Question 59

A variable-interval schedule of reinforcement is one in which a response is reinforced only after a(n)

A) specified time period has elapsed.
B) unpredictable number of responses has been made.
C) specified number of responses has been made.
D) unpredictable time period has elapsed.

Question 60

An event that decreases the frequency of the behavior that it follows is a

A) negative reinforcer.
B) punishment.
C) conditioned stimulus.
D) secondary reinforcer.

Question 61

Operant conditioning involves a learned association between

A) two responses.
B) two stimuli.
C) two reinforcers.
D) behaviors and their consequences.

Question 62

In explaining why people demonstrate character strengths such as self-control,B.F.Skinner would most likely have emphasized

A) genetic influences.
B) unconscious desires for social approval.
C) the internalization of moral values.
D) the beneficial consequences of self-control.

Question 63

Respondent behavior is a(n)________ response,whereas operant behavior is a(n)________ response.

A) conditioned;unconditioned
B) conscious;unconscious
C) punishing;rewarding
D) automatic;voluntary

Question 64

Which of the following is NOT true of classical and operant conditioning?

A) Both are forms of associative learning.
B) Both involve acquisition,extinction,and generalization.
C) Classical conditioning,but not operant conditioning,involves spontaneous recovery.
D) Through operant conditioning,we associate our own behaviors with consequences.

Question 65

Classical conditioning involves a learned association between

A) two stimuli.
B) two responses.
C) two reinforcers.
D) behaviors and their consequences.

Question 66

Mr.Schlenker has improved worker productivity at his furniture manufacturing plant by occasionally sending notes of appreciation to his hard-working employees.Mr.Schlenker has improved productivity by means of

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

Question 67

Children can learn to fear the persons and places associated with their punishment.This best illustrates

A) extinction.
B) the law of effect.
C) shaping.
D) classical conditioning.

Question 68

Individually paced instruction that provides students with immediate positive feedback following their correct responses best illustrates an application of

A) spontaneous recovery.
B) classical conditioning.
C) discrimination.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 69

To modify your own behavior using operant conditioning principles,you should

A) monitor and record the actual frequency of the operant behavior you wish to promote.
B) formulate goals for behavior change that are a bit more ambitious than what you can actually accomplish.
C) carefully observe and imitate the specific behaviors practiced by others who have successfully achieved your goals.
D) systematically reinforce the operant behavior you wish to promote with delayed rather than immediate reinforcers.

Question 70

In classical conditioning,an organism forms associations between

A) immediate and delayed reinforcers.
B) events that it does not control.
C) primary and secondary reinforcers.
D) its own behavior and resulting outcomes.

Question 71

If children get attention from their parents for doing cartwheels,they will repeat the trick in anticipation of more attention.This best illustrates

A) spontaneous recovery.
B) respondent behavior.
C) operant conditioning.
D) successive approximations.

Question 72

Although 5-year-old Katelyn is not really thirsty,she frequently begins whining for a glass of water about 10 minutes after being put to bed.Her parents would be best advised to

A) simply ignore her complaining.
B) provide her with a very small drink of water.
C) close her bedroom door to indicate that they disapprove of her whining.
D) read her a short story so she forgets about wanting a drink.

Question 73

Pavlov is to ________ as Skinner is to ________.

A) operant conditioning;classical conditioning
B) operant conditioning;shaping
C) shaping;operant conditioning
D) classical conditioning;operant conditioning

Question 74

A word of praise is to a soothing back rub as ________ is to ________.

A) delayed reinforcer;immediate reinforcer
B) operant conditioning;classical conditioning
C) partial reinforcement;continuous reinforcement
D) conditioned reinforcer;primary reinforcer

Question 75

B.F.Skinner recommended that we control behavior with ________ rather than with ________.

A) primary reinforcers;secondary reinforcers
B) delayed reinforcement;immediate reinforcement
C) modeling;conditioning
D) reinforcement;punishment

Question 76

Most psychologists think that the use of punishment is

A) ineffective in even temporarily restraining unwanted behavior.
B) more effective than negative reinforcers in shaping behavior.
C) the opposite of positive reinforcers and thus is its psychological equivalent in terms of changing behavior.
D) less effective than positive reinforcers in promoting desirable behavior.

Question 77

Associative learning is best illustrated by

A) immediate gratification.
B) unconditioned responses.
C) positive punishment.
D) classical and operant conditioning.

Question 78

Billy is 10 years old.When he misbehaves,his parents primarily use spanking to punish him.Which of the following is true regarding Billy?

A) Billy is at an increased risk of aggression because physical punishment models violence as a way to cope with problems.
B) Billy will forget to engage in the behavior that resulted in the spanking.
C) Billy will become fearless because physical punishment teaches children how to reduce generalizations among stimuli.
D) Billy will stop the behaviors that resulted in him being spanked.

Question 79

Matt regularly buckles his seat belt simply because it turns off the car's irritating warning buzzer.This best illustrates the value of

A) respondent behavior.
B) negative reinforcement.
C) secondary reinforcement.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 80

Tennis instruction that reinforces soft,short lobs over the net before attempting to reinforce hard,long,cross-court hits best illustrates the process of

A) shaping.
B) modeling.
C) discrimination.
D) delayed reinforcement.