Question 1

The onset of an unpleasant event that reduces a target behavior is referred to as a negative punishment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The onset of an unpleasant event that...

Question 2

Often influencing human behaviors are learned desires for attention and approval, which are considered secondary reinforcers, and are called __________ reinforcers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Often influencing human behaviors are learned desires...

Question 3

Describe three problems that occur as punishment increases in severity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe three problems that occur as punishment...

Question 4

Frequent spankings tend to decrease aggression and reduce problem behaviors.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that frequent spankings are associated with increased aggression and negative behavioral outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and delinquency. Positive behavioral reinforcement and alternative discipline strategies have been found to be more effective in reducing problem behaviors.

Question 5

Tyler is a 12-year-old child who is frequently punished by his father, often lies about his whereabouts, and stays at a friend's house rather than going home. Tyler is demonstrating avoidance learning.

Accepted Answer

Tyler is demonstrating avoidance learning by lying about his whereabouts and staying at a friend's house to avoid the negative consequence of being punished by his father.

Question 6

Mild punishment only temporarily suppresses a response.

Accepted Answer

Mild punishment does not address the underlying behavior or motivation, so the response will likely resurface in the future unless the root cause is addressed.

Question 7

Explain the difference between primary and secondary reinforcers, including how secondary reinforcers develop, and give two examples of each type of reinforcer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the difference between primary and secondary...

Question 8

You have just broken up with your boyfriend. You are sitting at a table with friends when you see him enter the restaurant. He has not seen you yet, so you duck into the restroom. You are exhibiting __________ learning.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You have just broken up with your...

Question 9

Annie is being noisy and disrespectful, and her mother gives her a "swat" on her rear end. Annie immediately gets quiet. The next time Annie is being noisy and disrespectful, her mother is most likely to use punishment again. According to research, which of the following is a FALSE statement regarding the use of punishment?

Accepted Answer

Punishment can stop undesirable behaviors temporarily, but it doesn't guarantee positive behavior development or prevent a child from becoming "spoiled." The effectiveness of punishment versus positive reinforcement varies, and the statement that sparing punishment would result in a spoiled child is overly simplistic and not supported by comprehensive research.

Question 10

In behavioral self-management, the activity you want to change is called the

Accepted Answer

In behavioral self-management, the activity you want to change or improve is referred to as the target behavior. The other options are not specific to the activity being targeted for change.

Question 11

Jamal works for a department store that pays him $50 for every three bicycles he assembles; thus, Jamal is on a variable interval schedule of reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

Jamal is on a piece-rate pay system, which is a type of fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement, as he is paid based on the number of bicycles assembled, not on the passage of time.

Question 12

Sally, who has a habit of taking toys from her sister, is reprimanded for this behavior and is rewarded for displaying the opposite behavior of sharing toys with her sister or other children. This is referred to as __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sally, who has a habit of taking...

Question 13

Food, water, pain reduction, sex, and brain stimulation are all considered to be primary reinforcers.

Accepted Answer

These are all basic needs and desires that are necessary for survival and/or pleasure, making them primary reinforcers.

Question 14

Continuous reinforcement is more resistant to extinction than partial reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

Partial reinforcement schedules result in slower acquisition but more resistance to extinction compared to continuous reinforcement.

Question 15

The direct activation of "pleasure centers" in the brain through intracranial self-stimulation would be considered a(n) __________ reinforcer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The direct activation of "pleasure centers" in...

Question 16

Whenever Aria is angry with her son and daughter, she slaps them in the face. She has been using this type of harsh punishment excessively for the last two years. This type of punishment

Accepted Answer

This type of harsh physical punishment is known to cause long-term mental health problems in children, including anxiety, depression, and aggression. It can also damage the parent-child relationship and lead to more behavioral problems in the future. It is important for parents to use positive, non-physical forms of discipline and seek help if they are struggling with their child's behavior.

Question 17

If you cannot punish an animal or young child immediately,

Accepted Answer

Punishing an animal or young child after a delay will not help them associate their behavior with the punishment. Therefore, the best choice is to wait for the next instance of misbehavior and then administer the punishment. This way, the animal or young child will associate the punishment with their behavior and be more likely to avoid repeating it in the future.

Question 18

In a psychology class, the students have to turn in a topic report every two weeks. Typically, they get in a writing frenzy a couple of days before the report is due; then they do not write anything until right before the next due date. This pattern of responding illustrates the partial reinforcement schedule known as __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a psychology class, the students have...

Question 19

Time-out is an example of negative punishment, which is also called __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Time-out is an example of negative punishment,...

Question 20

A tangible secondary reinforcer, such as money, gold stars, or poker chips, that can be exchanged for food, lodgings, and other necessities is referred to as a(n) __________ reinforcer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A tangible secondary reinforcer, such as money,...

Quiz 6: Conditioning and Learning