Question 1

If a dog begins to salivate at the sight of its dog food dish, then the dish is called a conditioned stimulus.

Accepted Answer

The dog has learned to associate the dish with food, causing a physiological response (salivation) to occur upon seeing it. This is an example of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (the dish) becomes a conditioned stimulus through association with an unconditioned stimulus (food).

Question 2

Tim yells at his daughter Allison for soiling her pants. He also threatens to spank her if she ever does it again. Next week, she soils her pants again. According to studies on punishment, why did Tim's approach fail?

Accepted Answer

Tim's approach failed because his punishment did not tell Allison how to change her behavior. Threatening to spank her may have been a deterrent, but it didn't teach her what to do instead of soiling her pants. Punishment is most effective when it is paired with positive reinforcement of a desired behavior.

Question 3

Social-cognitive learning theorists argue that omitting mental processes from explanations of human learning is essential in maintaining a rigorous scientific approach.

Accepted Answer

Social-cognitive learning theorists emphasize the importance of considering mental processes in learning explanations, such as attention, perception, memory, and motivation. They argue that a complete understanding of human learning requires a focus on both observable behaviors and internal cognitive processes.

Question 4

The concept of latent learning was developed by:

Accepted Answer

The concept of latent learning was developed by Edward Tolman.

Question 5

A conditioned stimulus is an event or a thing that elicits a response automatically or reflexively.

Accepted Answer

A conditioned stimulus is an initially neutral stimulus that comes to elicit a response after being associated with an unconditioned stimulus, which naturally elicits that response.

Question 6

The social-cognitive learning theory accounts for behavior in terms of observable acts and events, without references to mental events.

Accepted Answer

The social-cognitive learning theory does take into account mental events such as thoughts, beliefs, and expectations in addition to observable acts and events.

Question 7

What is learning that has taken place but is not demonstrated called?

Accepted Answer

Latent learning refers to learning that has occurred but is not immediately demonstrated in behavior. This is different from observational learning (A), which involves learning by watching others, classical conditioning (C), which involves learning by association between two stimuli, and instinctive drift (D), which is when learned behaviors are replaced by innate behaviors.

Question 8

A reflexive response elicited by a stimulus in the absence of learning is called an unconditioned response.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of an unconditioned response in classical conditioning. It is an automatic, innate response to a specific stimulus, without any prior learning necessary.

Question 9

The automatic, involuntary responses involved in blood pressure and muscle contractions cannot be
classically conditioned.

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning can influence involuntary responses, including those related to blood pressure and muscle contractions, as demonstrated by experiments such as those by Ivan Pavlov.

Question 10

A conditioned response is a reflexive response elicited by a stimulus in the absence of learning.

Accepted Answer

A conditioned response is a learned response that is acquired through association with a particular stimulus.

Question 11

Extrinsic reinforcers are defined as reinforcers that:

Accepted Answer

Extrinsic reinforcers are external rewards such as praise or money that are not inherently related to the activity being reinforced. They are provided as a means of encouraging and motivating the individual to engage in the behavior.

Question 12

Learning is defined in the textbook as a relatively permanent change in behavior (or behavioral potential) due to experience.

Accepted Answer

The definition of learning provided in the textbook is as follows: "a relatively permanent change in behavior (or behavioral potential) due to experience."

Question 13

A reflexive response elicited by a stimulus in the absence of learning is called a conditioned response.

Accepted Answer

A reflexive response elicited by a stimulus in the absence of learning is called an unconditioned response, not a conditioned response. A conditioned response is a response that is learned or acquired through association with a particular stimulus.

Question 14

Social-cognitive theorists would argue that learning is not just a change in behavior, but it is also a change in knowledge that has the potential for affecting behavior.

Accepted Answer

Social-cognitive theorists believe that learning involves both a change in behavior and a development of new cognitive processes, such as knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes, that can influence future behavior.

Question 15

Which of the following is true about the use of extrinsic versus intrinsic rewards?

Accepted Answer

Extrinsic rewards can be effective in motivating behavior, but they should be used carefully and not overdone. Over-reliance on extrinsic rewards can actually decrease intrinsic motivation by leading individuals to focus too much on the reward rather than the enjoyment or satisfaction of the activity itself. Intrinsic rewards, such as personal satisfaction, pride, and a sense of accomplishment, should also be acknowledged and encouraged as they can lead to longer-term and more sustainable motivation. Therefore, a balanced and thoughtful approach to using both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards is important in creating a motivated and engaged workforce.

Question 16

Being severely physically punished in childhood is a risk factor for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Severe physical punishment in childhood has been linked to a range of negative outcomes, including depression, aggression, and low self-esteem. While ADHD has been associated with certain forms of childhood maltreatment, it is not commonly listed as a specific risk factor for physical punishment. Similarly, while there may be links between physical punishment and other conditions such as autism, this is not as well-established as the link between physical punishment and depression, aggression, and low self-esteem.

Question 17

After watching her father slide through pictures on his smartphone using his index finger, Laura, a 5-year- old, learns to use her finger to slide the screen on his smartphone. Laura acquired this behavior through ________.

Accepted Answer

Laura learned to use her finger to slide the screen on her father's smartphone through observational learning, which is when someone learns by watching the behaviors and consequences experienced by another person. Classical conditioning involves learning to associate two stimuli together (such as Pavlov's dogs associating the sound of a bell with getting fed), while operant conditioning involves learning by experiencing the consequences of one's own behavior (such as receiving a sticker for getting an answer right in class). Counterconditioning is a therapy technique that involves pairing a negative stimulus with a positive one to change an individual's emotional response to a particular stimulus.

Question 18

Extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Accepted Answer

Extinction is the process of gradually eliminating the conditioned response by withholding the reinforcement (unconditioned stimulus), which causes the conditioned stimulus to lose its ability to elicit the response. Therefore, when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus, extinction occurs.

Question 19

Counterconditioning occurs when a learned response reoccurs after its apparent extinction.

Accepted Answer

Counterconditioning is the process of replacing a learned response with a different response, typically an opposite one. It is unlikely for the original response to reoccur after its apparent extinction through counterconditioning.

Question 20

Which of the following portrays an intrinsic reinforcer?

Accepted Answer

Intrinsic reinforcers come from within a person and are enjoyable or satisfying for their own sake. John enjoys planning and designing buildings, which is an intrinsically rewarding activity, making it an example of an intrinsic reinforcer. The other options involve external rewards or praise, which are extrinsic reinforcers.

Quiz 7: Learning and Conditioning