Deck 21: A: Operant Conditioning

Question 1

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

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

Answer 1

primary

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

shaping.

Question 3

A negative reinforcer ________ the behavior it follows.

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

Answer 3

strengthens

Question 4

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

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

Question 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

Escape from a punishing event is a ________ reinforcer.

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

Question 16

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) unconditioned reinforcer.

Question 17

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) puzzle box

Question 18

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 19

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 20

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 21

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 22

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 23

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 24

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 25

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 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 variable-interval schedule.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question 27

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

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

Question 28

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 29

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 30

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 31

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

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

Question 32

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 33

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 34

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 35

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 36

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 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

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 39

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

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

Question 40

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 41

Associative learning is best illustrated by

A) cognitive learning.
B) unconditioned responses.
C) modeling.
D) classical and operant conditioning.

Question 42

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.

Question 43

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 44

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 45

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) observational learning.
B) negative reinforcement.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) punishment.

Question 46

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 47

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

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

Question 48

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

A) negative reinforcement.
B) higher-order conditioning.
C) negative punishment.
D) extinction.

Question 49

A young child who is spanked after running into the street learns not to repeat this behavior. In this case, the spanking is a

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

Question 50

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

A) negative reinforcement.
B) the law of effect.
C) latent learning.
D) classical conditioning.

Question 51

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 52

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

Question 53

An event that decreases the behavior that precedes it is a

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

Question 54

Withdrawing a desirable stimulus following an operant response is

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

Question 55

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 56

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) latent learning.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 57

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 58

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 59

In explaining prosocial behavior, B. F. Skinner would most likely have emphasized

A) genetic influences.
B) an unconscious need for social approval.
C) the internalization of moral values.
D) the beneficial consequences of prosocial behavior.

Question 60

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 61

An automatic response to some stimulus is called

A) associative learning.
B) respondent behavior.
C) observational learning.
D) operant behavior.

Question 62

Classical conditioning involves a learned association between

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

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 most clearly an operant behavior?

A) blinking
B) salivating
C) whining
D) blushing

Question 65

Operant conditioning involves a learned association between

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

Question 66

In classical conditioning, an organism forms associations between

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