Question 1

A shortcoming of continuous reinforcement is that it produces learning that is

Accepted Answer

Continuous reinforcement can lead to rapid extinction, meaning that the behavior may disappear quickly once the reinforcement is removed. This is a significant downfall of the method.

Question 2

Every response is reinforced in a __________ schedule.

Accepted Answer

In a continuous schedule of reinforcement, every response is reinforced. In a partial schedule, some but not all responses are reinforced. In a ratio schedule, reinforcement is delivered based on the number of responses, while in an interval schedule, reinforcement is delivered based on the amount of time elapsed.

Question 3

A schedule of reinforcement refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A schedule of reinforcement refers to the specific contingency between responses and reinforcements, such as continuous reinforcement (every response is reinforced) or intermittent reinforcement (only some responses are reinforced). It does not refer to the time of day, written record, or the difference between reinforcement and punishment.

Question 4

Staats developed a theory called

Accepted Answer

Staats is best known for his development of psychological behaviorism, which combines the principles of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. This theory emphasizes the importance of both environmental and cognitive factors in shaping behavior, and suggests that behavior can be best understood through the analysis of its underlying cognitive processes. Option A is incorrect because behavioral psychology refers to the study of observable behavior and its relationship to environmental stimuli. Option B is incorrect because repertory psychoanalysis is not a theory developed by Staats, nor is it a commonly recognized psychological theory. Option D is incorrect because tokenism refers to the practice of giving a token reward for a desired behavior, and is not a theory developed by Staats.

Question 5

Continuous reinforcement schedules generally produce __________ learning.

Accepted Answer

Continuous reinforcement schedules provide rapid learning because the behavior is reinforced every time it occurs. This leads to a strong association between the behavior and the consequence.

Question 6

Which statement best describes Skinner's attitude toward language?

Accepted Answer

Skinner believed that language could be explained in behavioral terms, as a collection of verbal behaviors that were learned through various environmental and social factors. He rejected the idea that language was innate or something that humans were biologically predisposed to acquire. Instead, he argued that language was a set of learned responses to particular stimuli.

Question 7

Skinner's utopian community was called

Accepted Answer

Skinner's utopian community was called Walden Two, as outlined in his novel of the same name.

Question 8

The first step in behavior modification is

Accepted Answer

Before starting behavior modification, it is important to understand the function of the behavior to be changed. This involves a functional analysis, which helps in identifying the antecedents and consequences of the behavior. Based on this analysis, an effective intervention plan can be developed. Therefore, making a functional analysis of the behavior to be changed is the first step in behavior modification.

Question 9

Which statement is true of a secondary negative reinforcerment?

Accepted Answer

Secondary negative reinforcement is a type of reinforcement that involves the removal of an aversive stimulus after a behavior is performed, which increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future. Therefore, it increases the frequency of behavior.

Question 10

Punishment will only reduce the frequency of behavior if

Accepted Answer

Punishment will only reduce the frequency of behavior if it is contingent on a response occurring, meaning that the punishment must follow the behavior consistently in order for the behavior to decrease. Predictability and explanation can help in the effectiveness of punishment, but without contingency, punishment will not be successful. The authority figure giving punishment can also affect its effectiveness to some extent, but it is not the most critical factor.

Question 11

Desirable behavior can be increased by using

Accepted Answer

All of the above options are effective ways to increase desirable behavior. Primary reinforcers such as food or water can be used to reward good behavior. Secondary reinforcers such as praise or tokens can be used to reinforce positive behavior as well. Schedules of reinforcement, such as intermittent reinforcement, can help to maintain desirable behavior over time.

Question 12

Skinner describes people as not

Accepted Answer

Skinner believed that people are not free to make choices and are instead controlled by external factors such as rewards and punishments. Therefore, D is the correct answer as it reflects Skinner's view that people do not have true freedom.

Question 13

A parent who wished to apply Skinnerian principles to teach a child to behave, even when the parent was no longer present to reward good behavior, should

Accepted Answer

Skinner believed that behavior is most resistant to extinction when it is learned under a partial reinforcement schedule. This means that the behavior is not reinforced every single time, but rather intermittently. Therefore, using a partial reinforcement schedule would be the best choice for a parent who wishes to teach their child to behave even when the parent is no longer present to reward good behavior.

Question 14

Critics accuse Skinner of ignoring

Accepted Answer

Critics of Skinner accuse him of ignoring uniquely human capacities, focusing too much on the environment and not enough on the person, and placing too much emphasis on situational control. Therefore, all of the above are valid criticisms.

Question 15

Sarah's mother wants her to learn to talk at the dinner table when only the family is present, but to keep quiet when there are guests. Which kind of learning would be appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Discrimination learning involves learning to distinguish between different stimuli or situations and respond differently based on those differences. In this case, Sarah would need to learn to discriminate between when only her family is present and when there are guests, and adjust her behavior accordingly.

Question 16

Skinner said that societies should be designed so that

Accepted Answer

Skinner believed in operant conditioning, which suggests that reinforcing certain behaviors will lead to their repetition. Therefore, he suggested that societies should be designed in a way where desirable behavior is reinforced, leading to a better-functioning society.

Question 17

Systematic application of learning principles in therapy is called

Accepted Answer

The systematic application of learning principles in therapy is called behavior modification. This approach emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior and uses techniques such as reinforcement, punishment, and extinction to modify maladaptive behaviors.

Question 18

Punishment

Accepted Answer

Punishment has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency of behavior. However, it can also have potential adverse effects such as increased aggression or fear, and it only influences the behavior that is punished, not necessarily changing the underlying cause of the behavior.

Question 19

Staats advanced behavioral theory by

Accepted Answer

Staats was known for his contributions to understanding personality through a behavioral perspective, by focusing on the individual's history of reinforcement and punishment and the resulting behavior patterns. While he did use innovative equipment in his research, such as the cumulative recorder, he did not develop a more advanced Skinner box. He also studied both animals and humans, so B and C are not accurate answers.

Question 20

If you hear music every time you scratch your forehead, and so you scratch your forehead more and more often, Skinner would conclude that the music was

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you hear music every time you...

Quiz 10: The Challenge of Behaviorism: Dollard and Miller, Skinner, and Staats