Question 1

A procedure used to teach a whole behavior by first training its parts is called:

Accepted Answer

Shaping involves teaching a complex behavior by breaking it down into smaller parts and gradually building up to the whole behavior. The other options, higher order conditioning, modeling, and response generalization, do not accurately describe this procedure.

Question 2

Abigail is trying to figure out how she can BEST use employee pay to shape her employees' behavior. She is worried about consistent behavior, not speed. Therefore, she is interested in getting a slow but steady rate of response from her workers. According to reinforcement principles, she should probably use a ________ schedule.

Accepted Answer

A variable-interval schedule provides reinforcement at unpredictable time intervals, leading to a slow but steady rate of response, which aligns with Abigail's goal of consistent behavior.

Question 3

The idea that for classical conditioning to occur, the presentation of the conditioned stimulus must tell you something about whether the unconditioned stimulus is going to occur is called ________ theory.

Accepted Answer

The contingency theory proposes that classical conditioning occurs when the presentation of the conditioned stimulus is contingent upon the occurrence of the unconditioned stimulus. In other words, the conditioned stimulus must reliably predict the occurrence of the unconditioned stimulus for learning to take place.

Question 4

Emitted, voluntary behavior is BEST modified by ________.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is the process of modifying behavior by providing or withholding consequences based on the behavior, which can increase or decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future. This type of conditioning involves emitted, voluntary behavior because the individual is actively choosing to engage in the behavior. Trial and error is a more general process of learning through repeated attempts, but it may not necessarily involve the intentional modification of behavior. Classical conditioning involves learning through associations between stimuli, which may not apply to emitted, voluntary behavior. Extinction is the process of reducing a behavior by no longer reinforcing it, but it may not necessarily involve actively modifying behavior.

Question 5

Changing behavior through the reinforcement of partial responses is called _______.

Accepted Answer

Shaping involves reinforcing partial responses that gradually approach the desired behavior, ultimately leading to the desired behavior. Model involves learning by observing and imitating others' behavior. Negative reinforcement is the removal of an unpleasant stimulus following a desired behavior, increasing the likelihood of the behavior being repeated. Classical conditioning is a process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, resulting in a learned response.

Question 6

Which schedule of reinforcement reinforces the first correct response after a constant interval of time has elapsed?

Accepted Answer

With fixed interval reinforcement, the first correct response after a set amount of time has elapsed is reinforced. This schedule is effective for establishing behavior patterns that occur predictably and at a consistent rate.

Question 7

To teach a tiger to jump through a flaming hoop, the tiger is first reinforced for jumping up on a certain pedestal, then for leaping from that pedestal to another. Next the tiger has to jump through a hoop between the pedestals to get the reward. Finally, the hoop is set afire and the tiger must jump through it to get the reward. This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of shaping, which is the process of reinforcing small steps towards a desired behavior until the behavior is fully learned. In this case, the tiger is gradually shaped to jump through a flaming hoop by reinforcing smaller behaviors such as jumping on pedestals and through unlit hoops.

Question 8

The type of learning that involves a sudden coming together of the elements of a situation so that the solution to a problem is instantly clear is ________.

Accepted Answer

The sudden coming together of the elements of a situation so that the solution to a problem is instantly clear is called insight. The other options are different forms of learning, but do not involve this sudden realization of a solution.

Question 9

Operant conditioning assumes that:

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is based on the principle that behavior is shaped by its consequences. It assumes that events that follow behavior (such as rewards or punishments) affect whether the behavior is repeated in the future. The other options (B, C, and D) do not accurately describe operant conditioning.

Question 10

Learning that occurs but is not immediately reflected in a behavior change is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Latent learning refers to learning that occurs but is not immediately reflected in a behavior change. It is when a person learns something without showing evidence of learning at the time it occurs.

Question 11

Peggy wanted to teach her dog how to roll over. She tried giving him instructions, but it didn't work. She tried waiting for him to roll over so she could reinforce the behavior, but she had to go to bed before the dog rolled. Finally, she began reinforcing the dog when it made behaviors that more closely resembled rolling over. At last, using ________, she was able to teach the dog to do the trick.

Accepted Answer

Peggy's use of reinforcing behaviors that more closely resembled rolling over is an example of shaping. Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of the desired behavior until the behavior is fully learned. Positive reinforcement, positive reinforcers, and secondary reinforcers can all be used during the shaping process, but they are not the specific technique being described in the scenario.

Question 12

What do we call learning that has taken place but is not demonstrated?

Accepted Answer

Latent learning refers to the learning that has taken place but is not demonstrated until there is an incentive or motivation to do so.

Question 13

An example of a behavior that is learned through operant conditioning is ________.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of one's actions. Studying in order to get a teacher's approval is an example of behavior that is learned through operant conditioning, as the desire for approval is a reinforcing consequence that increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future.

Question 14

Which type of learning occurs when we observe other people act?

Accepted Answer

Observational learning occurs when we observe other people act and learn from their behavior. It involves attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. It is the process of acquiring information by watching and imitating others.

Question 15

In a study on learning, the psychologist conducting the study seeks to explain the inner needs and desires that made learners pursue their goals. She is interested in the inner processes that result in learning. She is studying ________.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive learning focuses on the internal mental processes involved in learning, such as attention, perception, memory, and problem-solving. This aligns with the psychologist's interest in the inner processes involved in learning. Neurophysiological learning would focus more on the physiological processes in the brain, while primary and secondary learning refer to different levels of reinforcement and conditioning.

Question 16

A young girl is just learning to dress herself. At first, the parents call her a "big girl" just for putting on her clothes "frontwards," even if they are not buttoned. Then, they call her a "big girl" if she tries to button them-even if the buttons are not in the right holes. Then, they call her a "big girl" only if she buttons them correctly. They have been using:

Accepted Answer

The parents are using successive approximation, which is a behavior shaping technique where behaviors that are closer and closer to the desired behavior are reinforced until the desired behavior is achieved. In this case, the desired behavior is correctly buttoning the clothes, and the parents are reinforcing the girl's progress towards that behavior by praising her for putting on the clothes and then for attempting to button them, even if not correctly. Eventually, the praise is only given when the behavior is correctly achieved.

Question 17

Abigail is trying to figure out how she can BEST use employee pay to shape her employees' behavior. She is interested in short-term productivity (speed), not consistency, long-term productivity, or employee turnover. According to reinforcement theory, she should probably use a ________ schedule.

Accepted Answer

A fixed-ratio schedule provides reinforcement after a set number of responses, which can increase short-term productivity and speed as employees work quickly to receive the reward.

Question 18

If Billy was praised every 4th time he collected rocks without throwing them, his behavior would be on which schedule of reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

A fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement is when a behavior is reinforced after a specific number of times it occurs, and in this case, Billy is reinforced every fourth time he collects rocks without throwing them. This differs from a variable ratio schedule, which involves reinforcement after a random number of occurrences, and fixed interval and variable interval schedules, which involve reinforcement based on the passage of time.

Question 19

Shaping is achieved through:

Accepted Answer

Shaping is achieved through successive approximations. This means that small steps that lead to the desired behavior are reinforced until the final behavior is achieved. The process involves rewarding behaviors that come closer and closer to the desired behavior over time.

Question 20

Reinforcing behaviors that more closely resemble a final, terminal behavior is called:

Accepted Answer

Shaping involves reinforcing behaviors that are closer and closer to the final desired behavior, ultimately leading to the terminal behavior. Positive reinforcement involves adding a stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive reinforcers are the specific types of stimuli added to increase behavior. Secondary reinforcers are previously neutral stimuli that have become reinforcing over time through association with other reinforcers.

Quiz 5: Learning