Deck 7: Learning

Question 1

John B. Watson emphasized that

A) learning depends on how predictably rather than how frequently events are associated.
B) unlike lower animals, humans learn through a process of cognition.
C) both humans and lower animals learn to expect that a CS will be followed by a US.
D) learning should be explained without any reference to mental processes.

Answer 1

learning should be explained without any reference to mental processes.

Question 2

By directly experiencing a thunderstorm, we learn that a flash of lightning signals an impending crash of thunder. This best illustrates

A) operant conditioning.
B) the law of effect.
C) observational learning.
D) classical conditioning.

Answer 2

classical conditioning.

Question 3

One form of cognitive learning is called

A) observational learning.
B) positive reinforcement.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) conditioning.

Answer 3

observational learning.

Question 4

An event that one of Pavlov's dogs could see or hear but did not associate with food was called a(n)

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

Question 5

Which of the following is an unconditioned response?

A) salivating at the sight of a lemon
B) raising your hand to ask a question
C) jerking your hand off a very hot stove
D) walking into a restaurant to eat

Question 6

In Pavlov's experiments, the taste of food triggered salivation in a dog. The food in the dog's mouth was the

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

Question 7

Seals in an aquarium will repeat behaviors, such as slapping and barking, that prompt people to toss them a herring. This best illustrates

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

Question 8

Which of the following did Pavlov use as a neutral stimulus in his studies of salivation?

A) a touch on the leg
B) the sight of a light
C) the sound of a tone
D) He used all of these stimuli.

Question 9

If the sound of an electric can opener causes a child to salivate because it has previously been associated with the presentation of food, the child's salivation to the sound of the can opener is a(n)

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

Question 10

If a ringing bell causes a dog to salivate because the bell has been regularly associated with food in the mouth, the UR is the

A) ringing bell.
B) salivation to the ringing bell.
C) food in the mouth.
D) salivation to the food in the mouth.

Question 11

Through language we often learn things that we ourselves have neither personally experienced nor directly observed. This best illustrates the importance of

A) intrinsic motivation.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) cognitive learning.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 12

The process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors is called

A) reinforcement.
B) learning.
C) modeling.
D) shaping.

Question 13

The researcher most closely associated with the study of classical conditioning is

A) Edward L. Thorndike.
B) B. F. Skinner.
C) Albert Bandura.
D) Ivan Pavlov.

Question 14

Learning that certain events occur together is called

A) shaping.
B) latent learning.
C) observational learning.
D) associative learning.

Question 15

A dog's salivation at the sight of a food dish is a(n)

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

Question 16

Who introduced the term behaviorism?

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

Question 17

A neural stimulus is an event or situation that

A) evokes an unconditioned response.
B) signals that an operant response will be reinforced.
C) triggers a conditioned response.
D) elicits no response prior to classical conditioning.

Question 18

Any event or situation that evokes a response is a

A) positive reinforcer.
B) cognitive map.
C) stimulus.
D) model.

Question 19

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

A) salivation to the sound of a tone.
B) salivation to the taste of food.
C) the sound of a tone.
D) the taste of food.

Question 20

After Betty noticed that her best girlfriend often received praise from adults for good manners like saying thank you, Betty began doing the same in hopes of receiving praise from adults. This best illustrates

A) respondent behavior.
B) intrinsic motivation.
C) observational learning.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 21

In classical conditioning, discrimination refers to the learned ability to distinguish between a ________ and other irrelevant stimuli.

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

Question 22

Spontaneous recovery refers to the

A) expression of learning that had occurred earlier but had not been expressed because of lack of incentive.
B) organism's tendency to respond spontaneously to stimuli similar to the CS as though they were the CS.
C) return of a response after punishment has been terminated.
D) reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response.

Question 23

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

A) the taste of food.
B) salivation to the taste of food.
C) the sound of a tone.
D) salivation to the sound of a tone.

Question 24

After receiving a painful shot from a female nurse in a white uniform, 3-year-old Vaclav is fearful of any woman wearing a white dress. Vaclav's reaction best illustrates

A) shaping.
B) generalization.
C) latent learning.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 25

The tendency for a CR to be evoked by stimuli similar to the CS is called

A) spontaneous recovery.
B) conditioned reinforcement.
C) latent learning.
D) generalization.

Question 26

Male Japanese quail became sexually aroused by a red light that had previously been associated with the presentation of a female quail. In this instance, the female quail is a

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

Question 27

Two-year-old Philip was recently clawed by the neighbor's cat. Philip's newly developed tendency to fear all small animals demonstrates the process of

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

Question 28

For the most rapid acquisition of a CR, the CS should be presented

A) shortly after the CR.
B) shortly after the US.
C) shortly before the US.
D) at the same time as the US.

Question 29

When a CS is not paired with a US, the subsequent fading of a CR is called

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

Question 30

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 31

The smell of an odor that repeatedly precedes the experience of a painful medical procedure first begins to trigger a conditioned anxiety response during the process of

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

Question 32

After Pavlov had conditioned a dog to salivate to a tone, he repeatedly sounded the tone without presenting the food. As a result, ________ occurred.

A) generalization
B) negative reinforcement
C) latent learning
D) extinction

Question 33

Which of the following provides evidence that a CR is not completely eliminated during extinction?

A) partial reinforcement
B) spontaneous recovery
C) generalization
D) discrimination

Question 34

Some of Pavlov's dogs learned to salivate to the sound of one particular tone and not to other tones. This illustrates the process of

A) shaping.
B) latent learning.
C) secondary reinforcement.
D) discrimination.

Question 35

After getting a slight burn from the spark of a flickering campfire, Julie became afraid of getting close to lighted gas stoves. This best illustrates the adaptive value of

A) latent learning.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) generalization.
D) shaping.

Question 36

An experimenter plans to condition a dog to salivate to a light by pairing the light with food. The dog will learn to salivate to the light most quickly if the experimenter presents the light

A) five seconds before the food.
B) half a second before the food.
C) at precisely the same time as the food.
D) a half-second after the food.

Question 37

Long after being bitten by a stray dog, Alonzo found that his fear of dogs seemed to have disappeared. To his surprise, however, when he was recently confronted by a stray dog, he experienced a sudden twinge of anxiety. This sudden anxiety best illustrates

A) delayed reinforcement.
B) latent learning.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) shaping.

Question 38

The stage of classical conditioning when a neutral stimulus first begins triggering a conditioned response is called

A) association.
B) acquisition.
C) observational learning.
D) shaping.

Question 39

An allergy attack triggered by the sight of plastic flowers best illustrates the process of

A) latent learning.
B) delayed reinforcement.
C) generalization.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 40

In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, infants develop a fear of roses after roses are presented with electric shock. In this fictional example, the presentation of the roses is the

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

Question 41

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) latent learning.
C) generalization.
D) shaping.

Question 42

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

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

Question 43

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

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

Question 44

Pavlov's research on classical conditioning was important because

A) so many different species of animals, including humans, can be classically conditioned.
B) so many different behaviors can be classically conditioned.
C) it demonstrated that a psychological process could be studied objectively.
D) of all of these reasons.

Question 45

A reinforcement is any event that

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

Question 46

Pavlov is to ________ as Skinner is to ________.

A) operant conditioning; classical conditioning
B) latent learning; observational learning
C) observational learning; operant conditioning
D) respondent behavior; operant behavior

Question 47

After recovering from a serious motorcycle accident, Gina was afraid to ride a motorcycle but not a bicycle. Gina's pattern of fear best illustrates

A) shaping.
B) conditioned reinforcement.
C) discrimination.
D) negative reinforcement.

Question 48

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

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

Question 49

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) cognitive map

Question 50

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 51

Little Albert developed a fear of rats after a white rat was paired with a loud noise. In this case, the loud noise was the

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

Question 52

Former crack cocaine users often feel a drug craving when they are again in places they associate with previous highs. Their reactions are best explained in terms of

A) operant conditioning.
B) latent learning.
C) classical conditioning.
D) modeling.

Question 53

A patient who had long feared going into elevators was told by his therapist to force himself to enter 20 elevators a day. The therapist most likely wanted to encourage the ________ of the patient's fear.

A) generalization
B) latent learning
C) shaping
D) extinction

Question 54

The law of effect refers to the tendency to

A) learn associations between consecutive stimuli.
B) learn in the absence of reinforcement.
C) repeat behaviors that are rewarded.
D) lose intrinsic interest in an over-rewarded activity.

Question 55

Antonio's football coach frequently yells at him for swearing. As a result, Antonio now experiences anxiety when he's near his coach. The coach is a(n) ________ for Antonio's anxiety.

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

Question 56

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) partial reinforcement.
C) shaping.
D) modeling.

Question 57

Golf instruction that reinforces short putts before attempting to reinforce long putts best illustrates the process of

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

Question 58

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 59

Alexis is addicted to drugs. The room in which she usually takes them is likely to become a(n) ________ for drug cravings.

A) primary reinforcer
B) operant chamber
C) US
D) CS

Question 60

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 61

Because Mandisa always picked up her newborn daughter when she cried, her daughter is now a real crybaby. In this case, picking up the infant served as a(n) ________ for crying.

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

Question 62

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

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

Question 63

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 64

A negative reinforcer ________ the behavior it follows.

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

Question 65

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

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

Question 66

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

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

Question 67

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 variable-interval schedule.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 68

Coffee shops that reward customers with a free cup of coffee after every 10 coffee purchases are using a ________ reinforcement schedule.

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

Question 69

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 70

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 71

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

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

Question 72

Escape from a punishing event is a ________ reinforcer.

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

Question 73

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

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

Question 74

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 75

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

A) mirror neuron.
B) primary reinforcer.
C) cognitive map.
D) respondent behavior.

Question 76

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 77

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 78

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 79

Intermittent reinforcement is associated with ________ acquisition and ________ extinction than continuous reinforcement.

A) slower; faster
B) faster; slower
C) faster; faster
D) slower; slower

Question 80

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