Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A variable-ratio schedule reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses. This is a powerful schedule of reinforcement since it results in high and steady rates of responding.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The behavior of studying hard at the beginning of the semester is influenced by the expectation of receiving good final grades, which are delayed reinforcers. The reinforcement of getting good grades comes after a delay, which motivates the students to work hard early on. Therefore, the correct answer is option D, delayed reinforcers.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A partial reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response that occurs after an unpredictable period of time is a variable-interval schedule. The other options are different types of partial reinforcement schedules but do not fit the description of reinforcing a response after an unpredictable period of time.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Using immediate reinforcers (such as treats or praise) right after the dog performs the desired behavior (rolling over) will reinforce and strengthen the behavior more quickly. Delayed reinforcers may not have as strong of an effect. Classical vs. operant conditioning and negative vs. positive reinforcers are not relevant factors in teaching a dog to roll over. Partial reinforcement may be effective, but immediate reinforcement is more essential for quickly teaching a behavior.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Continuous reinforcement involves rewarding a behavior every time it occurs, which typically leads to rapid learning of the behavior. Partial reinforcement involves only occasionally rewarding the behavior, which can lead to slower learning but greater resistance to extinction. However, if a behavior is first learned under conditions of continuous reinforcement before switching to partial reinforcement, it is more resistant to extinction. This is known as the partial-reinforcement extinction effect, and it is why choice A is the best answer. Primary and secondary reinforcement do not have as much to do with the speed of learning or resistance to extinction as the type of reinforcement schedule used.

Question 6

Resistance to extinction is most strongly encouraged by ________ reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

Intermittent reinforcement means that reinforcement is not given after every response, but rather after some responses. This type of reinforcement schedule leads to more resistance to extinction because the individual has learned that sometimes their behavior will be reinforced even if it is not every time. This makes the individual more likely to continue performing the behavior even if reinforcement is not consistently given.

Question 7

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.

Accepted Answer

In a fixed-interval schedule, reinforcement is provided after a certain fixed amount of time has passed. In this scenario, the executive opens his door at the same time every hour, which is a fixed interval. The employees have learned to work hard during the brief window of time when the door is open because they know that's when they might receive reinforcement. This behavior is consistent with a fixed-interval schedule.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Variable-interval schedule involves reinforcement after an unpredictable amount of time has elapsed. In this scenario, there is no fixed pattern with which shooting stars appear in the night sky. Therefore, reinforcement (seeing a shooting star) is unpredictable and occurs randomly. This is similar to the variable-interval schedule where response (looking at the sky) is reinforced after an unpredictable amount of time has elapsed. Therefore, watching the night sky for shooting stars is likely to be reinforced on a variable-interval schedule.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

In a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement, a response is reinforced only after a specified time period has elapsed. This is in contrast to a variable-interval schedule in which the time period between reinforcements varies unpredictably.

Question 10

The way slot machines reward gamblers with money best illustrates

Accepted Answer

Slot machines often use partial reinforcement, where the gambler is only rewarded with money some of the time. This type of reinforcement can be more addictive than continuous reinforcement, and the unpredictability of the reward (money) keeps the gambler coming back for more.

Question 11

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.

Accepted Answer

Paul's reinforcement is based on the number of calls he makes (fixed-ratio), while Michael's reinforcement is based on the number of subscriptions he sells (variable-ratio).

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Four-year-old Della asks her mother for a...

Question 13

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Operant response rates tend to be ________...

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

A variable-ratio reinforcement schedule is the most effective for maintaining a behavior. In this case, asking women for dates is the behavior being reinforced, and the variable-ratio schedule refers to an unpredictable number of attempts before receiving reinforcement (i.e. getting a date). This is similar to a slot machine where a variable number of attempts is required before winning. The unpredictability of reinforcement tends to increase the persistence of the behavior.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement is one in which a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses have been made.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Myron quitting gambling after losing money is an example of punishment, which is a consequence that decreases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future. Losing money is a punishment that likely discouraged Myron from continuing to gamble.

Question 17

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.

Accepted Answer

A variable-interval schedule is one in which reinforcement is delivered after an unpredictable amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement. This is the best fit for the scenario described in the question, as the students are not given a set schedule for when the pop quizzes will be administered.

Question 18

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.

Accepted Answer

The fact that Janet is increasingly unlikely to quit painting as she nears completion of the job demonstrates the influence of immediate reinforcers. The immediate reward of receiving $2000 after completing the job serves as a strong reinforcer that encourages her to continue painting. This is an example of positive reinforcement, where the addition of a stimulus (money) strengthens the behavior (painting). The other options (A, B, and D) do not sufficiently explain why Janet is motivated to continue painting as she nears completion of the job.

Question 19

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.

Accepted Answer

In a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement, a specific number of responses must be made before reinforcement is given. In Blake's case, he wants to be paid for each square foot of carpet he lays, which means that reinforcement (payment) is given after a fixed number of responses (square feet of carpet laid). Therefore, a fixed-ratio schedule is the most appropriate for Blake's desired payment method.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Purchasing state lottery tickets is reinforced with monetary winnings on a variable-ratio schedule, as the reinforcement is based on the number of tickets purchased, and the payoff occurs randomly after a certain number of purchases.

Quiz 21: Operant Conditioning