Deck 21: Operant Conditioning

Question 1

Shaping is a(n) ________ technique for ________ a behavior.

A) operant; establishing
B) operant; suppressing
C) respondent; establishing
D) respondent; suppressing

Answer 1

operant; establishing

Question 2

For operant conditioning to be most effective, when should the reinforcers be presented in relation to the desired response?

A) immediately before
B) immediately after
C) at the same time as
D) at least a half-hour before

Answer 2

immediately after

Question 3

A pigeon receives food for pecking a key, but only rarely and on unpredictable occasions. This best illustrates

A) generalization.
B) latent learning.
C) partial reinforcement.
D) higher-order conditioning.

Answer 3

partial reinforcement.

Question 4

Learning is best defined as

A) any behavior produced by an organism without being provoked.
B) a change in the behavior of an organism.
C) a relatively permanent change in the behavior of an organism due to experience.
D) behavior based on operant rather than respondent conditioning.

Question 5

Which of the following statements concerning reinforcement is correct?

A) Learning is most rapid with intermittent reinforcement, but continuous reinforcement produces the greatest resistance to extinction.
B) Learning is most rapid with continuous reinforcement, but intermittent reinforcement produces the greatest resistance to extinction.
C) Learning is fastest and resistance to extinction is greatest after continuous reinforcement.
D) Learning is fastest and resistance to extinction is greatest following intermittent reinforcement.

Question 6

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 7

The law of effect was most clearly highlighted by

A) Pavlov's studies of conditioned salivation.
B) Garcia and Koelling's research on taste aversion.
C) Skinner's experiments on reinforcement.
D) Watson and Rayner's findings on fear conditioning.

Question 8

Airline frequent flyer programs that reward customers with a free flight after every 50,000 miles of travel illustrate the use of a ________ schedule of reinforcement.

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

Question 9

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 10

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) latent learning.

Question 11

A response that leads to the removal of an unpleasant stimulus is one being

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

Question 12

For professional baseball players, swinging at a pitched ball is reinforced with a home run on a ________ schedule.

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

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of reinforcement?

A) presenting a positive stimulus after a response
B) removing an unpleasant stimulus after a response
C) being told that you have done a good job
D) All of these are examples.

Question 14

Punishment is a controversial way of controlling behavior because

A) behavior is not forgotten and may return.
B) punishing stimuli often create fear.
C) punishment often increases aggressiveness.
D) of all of these reasons.

Question 15

In distinguishing between negative reinforcers and punishment, we note that

A) punishment, but not negative reinforcement, involves use of an aversive stimulus.
B) in contrast to punishment, negative reinforcement decreases the likelihood of a response by the presentation of an aversive stimulus.
C) in contrast to punishment, negative reinforcement increases the likelihood of a response by the presentation of an aversive stimulus.
D) in contrast to punishment, negative reinforcement increases the likelihood of a response by the termination of an aversive stimulus.

Question 16

The highest and most consistent rate of response is produced by a ________ schedule.

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

Question 17

If the onset of a light reliably signals the onset of food, a rat in a Skinner box will work to turn on the light. In this case, the light is a ________ reinforcer.

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

Question 18

In teaching her son to play basketball, Mrs. Richards initially reinforces him with praise for simply dribbling while standing still, then only for walking while dribbling, and finally only for running while dribbling. She is using a procedure known as

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

Question 19

One difference between classical and operant conditioning is that

A) in classical conditioning the responses operate on the environment to produce rewarding or punishing stimuli.
B) in operant conditioning the responses are triggered by preceding stimuli.
C) in classical conditioning the responses are automatically triggered by stimuli.
D) in operant conditioning the responses are reflexive.

Question 20

Punishment ________ the rate of operant responding, and negative reinforcement ________ the rate of operant responding.

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

Question 21

Operant conditioning is to ________ as classical conditioning is to ________.

A) Pavlov; Watson
B) Skinner; Bandura
C) Pavlov; Skinner
D) Skinner; Pavlov

Question 22

Skinner developed a behavioral technology that included a procedure known as

A) shaping.
B) modeling.
C) latent learning.
D) intrinsic motivation.

Question 23

Jordan is frightened by the sound of a train whistle. The sound is a(n)

A) intermittent reinforcement.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) operant chamber.
D) stimulus.

Question 24

You teach your dog to fetch the paper by giving him a cookie each time he does so. This is an example of

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

Question 25

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

A) putting on a coat on a cold day
B) relief from pain after the dentist stops drilling your teeth
C) receiving a cool drink after washing your mother's car on a hot day
D) receiving an approving nod from the boss for a job well done

Question 26

Putting on your coat when it is cold outside is a behavior that is maintained by

A) discrimination learning.
B) punishment.
C) negative reinforcement.
D) classical conditioning.

Question 27

Cats received a fish reward whenever they maneuvered themselves out of an enclosed puzzle box. With successive trials, the cats escaped from the box with increasing speed. This illustrates

A) latent learning.
B) the law of effect.
C) respondent behavior.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 28

The "piecework," or commission, method or payment is an example of which reinforcement schedule?

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

Question 29

On an intermittent reinforcement schedule, reinforcement is given

A) in very small amounts.
B) randomly.
C) for successive approximations of a desired behavior.
D) only some of the time.

Question 30

Psychologists define learning as the process of

A) adapting to the environment.
B) responding to external stimuli.
C) reinforcing behavioral responses.
D) acquiring new information or relatively enduring behaviors.

Question 31

In which form of learning is behavior influenced by its consequences?

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

Question 32

An event that strengthens the behavior it follows is a(n)

A) conditioned stimulus.
B) unconditioned stimulus.
C) reinforcement.
D) operant behavior.

Question 33

Shaping is a(n) ________ procedure.

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

Question 34

Acquiring new habits best illustrates the process of

A) extrinsic motivation.
B) instinctive drift.
C) learning.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 35

B. F. Skinner's work elaborated what E. L. Thorndike had called

A) shaping.
B) observational learning.
C) the law of effect.
D) latent learning.

Question 36

Leon's psychology instructor has scheduled an exam every third week of the term. Leon will probably study the most just before an exam and the least just after an exam. This is because the schedule of exams is reinforcing studying according to which schedule?

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

Question 37

A Skinner box is a(n)

A) aversive or punishing event that decreases the occurrence of certain undesirable behaviors.
B) "slot machine" used to study the effects of partial reinforcement on human gambling practices.
C) chamber containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a reward.
D) television projection device designed for use in laboratory studies of observational learning.

Question 38

Online testing systems and interactive software are applications of the operant conditioning principles of

A) shaping and immediate reinforcement.
B) immediate reinforcement and punishment.
C) shaping and primary reinforcement.
D) continuous reinforcement and punishment.

Question 39

Laurie's thumbsucking has become habitual because she feels less anxious when she sucks her thumb. This best illustrates the process of

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

Question 40

If a sea slug on repeated occasions receives an electric shock just after being squirted with water, its protective withdrawal response to a squirt of water grows stronger. This best illustrates

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

Question 41

Any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response is called a(n)

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

Question 42

Five-year-old Trevor is emotionally disturbed and refuses to communicate with anyone. To get him to speak, his teacher initially gives him candy for any utterance, then only for a clearly spoken word, and finally only for a complete sentence. The teacher is using the method of

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

Question 43

Receiving delicious food is to escaping electric shock as ________ is to ________.

A) positive reinforcer; negative reinforcer
B) primary reinforcer; secondary reinforcer
C) immediate reinforcer; delayed reinforcer
D) reinforcement; punishment

Question 44

Every Saturday morning, Arnold quickly washes the family's breakfast dishes so that his father will allow him to wash his car. In this instance, washing the car is a(n)

A) positive reinforcer.
B) unconditioned response.
C) conditioned response.
D) negative reinforcer.

Question 45

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

A) decrease; increase
B) increase; decrease
C) increase; increase
D) have no effect on; decrease

Question 46

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

A) applause for an excellent piano recital
B) a spanking for eating cookies before dinner
C) a cold root beer for mowing the lawn on a hot day
D) termination of shock after removing one's finger from a live electric wire

Question 47

A psychologist would be most likely to use ________ to determine whether nonverbal organisms can perceive different colors.

A) delayed reinforcement
B) generalization
C) modeling
D) shaping

Question 48

Because Mr. Baron demonstrates appreciation only for very good classroom answers, his students have stopped participating in class. Mr. Baron most clearly needs to be informed of the value of

A) generalization.
B) modeling.
C) shaping.
D) latent learning.

Question 49

A stimulus that acquires reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer is called a ________ reinforcer.

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

Question 50

An animal trainer is teaching a miniature poodle to balance on a ball. Initially, he gives the poodle a treat for approaching the ball, then only for placing its front paws on the ball, and finally only for climbing on the ball. The trainer is using the method of

A) successive approximations.
B) delayed reinforcement.
C) classical conditioning.
D) secondary reinforcement.

Question 51

Mason, a stockbroker, runs two miles every day after work because it reduces his level of stress. Mason's running habit is maintained by a ________ reinforcer.

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

Question 52

A pigeon is consistently reinforced with food for pecking a key after seeing an image of a human face, but not reinforced for pecking after seeing other images. By signaling that a pecking response will be reinforced, the image of a human face is a(n)

A) unconditioned stimulus.
B) partial reinforcement.
C) discriminative stimulus.
D) primary reinforcer.

Question 53

An event or situation signaling that an operant response will be reinforced is called a(n)

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

Question 54

Alex was paid $100 for eight hours of work. The money was a(n)

A) primary reinforcer.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) conditioned reinforcer.
D) operant behavior.

Question 55

Primary reinforcers could best be described as

A) cognitive maps.
B) conditioned stimuli.
C) conditioned reinforcers.
D) innately satisfying stimuli.

Question 56

Giving a hungry rat food for pressing a bar before the rat has a chance to engage in other incidental behaviors like running or scratching best illustrates

A) respondent behavior.
B) secondary reinforcement.
C) intermittent reinforcement.
D) immediate reinforcement.

Question 57

Any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response is called a(n)

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

Question 58

The taste of food and relief from a headache are both ________ reinforcers.

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

Question 59

The removal of electric shock is to the receipt of money as ________ is to ________.

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

Question 60

You would be most likely to use operant conditioning to teach a dog to

A) fear cars in the street.
B) dislike the taste of dead birds.
C) wag its tail whenever it is emotionally excited.
D) retrieve sticks and balls.

Question 61

A partial schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses is a ________ schedule.

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

Question 62

Some students study hard beginning with the first couple of weeks of a semester because they subsequently receive very good final course grades. This best illustrates that human behavior is influenced by

A) classical conditioning.
B) primary reinforcers.
C) latent learning.
D) delayed reinforcers.

Question 63

A partial reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response that occurs after an unpredictable period of time is a ________ schedule.

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

Question 64

To quickly teach a dog to roll over on command, you would be best advised to use

A) classical conditioning rather than operant conditioning.
B) partial reinforcement rather than continuous reinforcement.
C) immediate reinforcers rather than delayed reinforcers.
D) negative reinforcers rather than positive reinforcers.

Question 65

A response is learned most rapidly and is most resistant to extinction if it is acquired under conditions of

A) continuous reinforcement followed by partial reinforcement.
B) primary reinforcement followed by secondary reinforcement.
C) partial reinforcement followed by continuous reinforcement.
D) secondary reinforcement followed by primary reinforcement.

Question 66

Resistance to extinction is most strongly encouraged by ________ reinforcement.

A) delayed
B) intermittent
C) conditioned
D) negative

Question 67

An executive in a computer software firm works with his office door closed. At the same time every hour, he opens the door to see what his employees are doing. The employees have learned to work especially hard during the five minutes before and while the door is open. Their work pattern is typical of responses that are reinforced on a ________ schedule.

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

Question 68

Watching the night sky for shooting stars is likely to be reinforced on a ________ schedule.

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

Question 69

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

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

Question 70

The way slot machines reward gamblers with money best illustrates

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

Question 71

Paul and Michael sell magazine subscriptions by telephone. Paul is paid $1.00 for every five calls he makes, while Michael is paid $1.00 for every subscription he sells, regardless of the number of calls he makes. Paul's telephoning is reinforced on a ________ schedule, whereas Michael's is reinforced on a ________ schedule.

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

Question 72

Four-year-old Della asks her mother for a special treat every time they go to the grocery store. At first her mother granted every request, but now she does so less consistently. Research suggests that Della will

A) soon give up asking for a treat entirely.
B) come to ask for a treat only occasionally.
C) continue to ask for a treat nearly every time she goes to the store.
D) ask for a treat every time her mother takes her out, even if they don't go to the grocery store.

Question 73

Operant response rates tend to be ________ when linked to a ratio schedule rather than an interval schedule. Operant response rates tend to be ________ consistent when linked to a variable schedule rather than a fixed schedule.

A) higher; less
B) lower; more
C) higher; more
D) lower; less

Question 74

Asking women for dates is most likely to be reinforced on a ________ schedule.

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

Question 75

A fixed-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 76

Myron quit gambling after he lost over a thousand dollars betting on horse races. This best illustrates the effects of

A) negative reinforcers.
B) generalization.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) punishment.

Question 77

On the first day of class, Professor Wallace tells her geography students that pop quizzes will be given at unpredictable times throughout the semester. Clearly, studying for Professor Wallace's surprise quizzes will be reinforced on a ________ schedule.

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

Question 78

Janet has almost finished painting a neighbor's house, at which time she'll be paid $2000. The fact that she is increasingly unlikely to quit painting as she nears completion of the job best illustrates that operant behavior is strongly influenced by ________ reinforcers.

A) primary
B) negative
C) immediate
D) partial

Question 79

Blake is a carpet installer who wants to be paid for each square foot of carpet he lays rather than with an hourly wage. Blake prefers working on a ________ schedule of reinforcement.

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

Question 80

Purchasing state lottery tickets is reinforced with monetary winnings on a ________ schedule.

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