Question 1

The phase of classical conditioning in which the CS and the US are presented together is called:

Accepted Answer

The phase of classical conditioning in which the CS and the US are presented together is called acquisition. In this phase, the organism learns to associate the previously neutral CS with the US, resulting in a conditioned response. Habituation refers to a decrease in responsiveness to a stimulus that is repeatedly presented without reinforcement. Discrimination refers to the ability to distinguish between similar stimuli and respond differently to them. Generalization refers to the tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the CS.

Question 2

A conditioned compensatory response is a:

Accepted Answer

A conditioned compensatory response is a CR that opposes the UR. It is a learned response that occurs in anticipation of a drug's effects, and it helps to counteract the drug's effects. For example, a drug addict may experience a conditioned compensatory response of decreased heart rate in anticipation of the stimulating effects of a drug. This helps to counteract the drug's effects and prevent overdose.

Question 3

Most animals can adjust to slight variations in the conditioned stimulus, an adaptation known as:

Accepted Answer

Generalization refers to the ability of animals (and humans) to respond to not only the specific conditioned stimulus, but also to similar stimuli that share certain features with the conditioned stimulus. This adaptation allows animals to generalize what they have learned to new situations and contexts, and to respond appropriately to stimuli that are not identical to the conditioned stimulus. Discrimination, on the other hand, refers to the ability to distinguish between similar stimuli and to respond only to the specific conditioned stimulus. Extinction refers to the gradual reduction and eventual cessation of a learned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus. Second-order conditioning refers to the process by which a neutral stimulus that has never been directly associated with the unconditioned stimulus can become a conditioned stimulus through association with a previously established conditioned stimulus.

Question 4

Johnny hated going to the doctor because he always received vaccinations. When he entered the doctor's office, he would become anxious and his stomach would hurt. When Johnny reached the age of 8, he was finished with his immunizations. After many trips to the doctor's office with no injections, what should happen with Johnny's anxiety and stomachache?

Accepted Answer

Johnny's anxiety and stomachache were related to his fear of receiving vaccinations, which he no longer needed after completing them at age 8. Therefore, over time, his anxiety and physical symptoms should gradually become less severe and eventually fade away.

Question 5

In Pavlov's experiments on second-order conditioning, dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sight of a black square:

Accepted Answer

In second-order conditioning, the conditioned response (salivation) is produced by a conditioned stimulus (the black square) that is never directly associated with the unconditioned stimulus (food). Instead, the black square becomes associated with a previously conditioned stimulus (such as a tone) that was directly paired with food. The conditioned response is then transferred from the first conditioned stimulus to the second, even though the second has never been directly paired with the food. Therefore, in Pavlov's experiments, the dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sight of the black square even though it was never directly associated with food.

Question 6

When the veterinarian advised an owner to feed her dog in the morning instead of in the evening, it took several days for the dog to stop salivating late in the afternoon around its previous dinner time. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The dog's salivation around its previous dinner time was a conditioned response to the evening feeding schedule. The change in feeding schedule resulted in extinction of this conditioned response, which took several days for the dog to adjust to. Spontaneous recovery refers to the reappearance of a previously extinguished response after a period of time, generalization refers to the tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus, and second-order conditioning refers to the process of using a previously conditioned stimulus to condition a new stimulus. None of these apply to the scenario described.

Question 7

When a drug of abuse such as heroin is injected, the entire setting (the drug paraphernalia, the room, the lighting, etc.) can become a _____ and elicit responses _____ to the drug.

Accepted Answer

The setting becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) through repeated associations with drug use, and it can elicit conditioned responses that are in opposition to the drug's effects, as part of the body's compensatory response to maintain homeostasis.

Question 8

An animal trainer is conditioning an elephant to startle at the sound of a trombone. Every time she plays the trombone, she then shows the elephant a mouse, which startles the elephant. Eventually the elephant startles at just the sound of the trombone. However, after playing the trombone 10 more times, without a mouse appearing, the elephant exhibits no response. The trainer then gives the elephant an adequate rest period from the trombone. What is MOST likely to occur if the elephant hears the trombone again the following week?

Accepted Answer

The elephant was conditioned to startle at the sound of the trombone and then associate it with the appearance of the mouse. After several repetitions without the mouse, the elephant's response became extinct. However, after an adequate rest period, the elephant is likely to exhibit the conditioned response again upon hearing the trombone, as the association has been established in its memory. Therefore, the most likely option is that the elephant will startle upon hearing the sound.

Question 9

An animal trainer is conditioning an elephant to startle at the sound of a trombone. Every time she plays the trombone, she then shows the elephant a mouse, which startles the elephant. Eventually the elephant startles at just the sound of the trombone. However, after playing the trombone 10 more times, without a mouse appearing, the elephant exhibits no response. The result is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of extinction, as the behavior (startling at the sound of the trombone) has diminished and eventually disappeared after the reinforcement (showing the mouse) was no longer present. The lack of response after the 10 additional times indicates that the behavior has not spontaneously recovered, and is not an example of generalization. acquisition refers to the initial process of learning the behavior, which does not apply in this scenario.

Question 10

Lots of cash in hand always makes Charlie's heart race with excitement, due to the phenomenon known as:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Lots of cash in hand always makes...

Question 11

Which of these describes how the intensity of a CR changes during the acquisition phase of classical conditioning?

Accepted Answer

During the acquisition phase of classical conditioning, the intensity of the conditioned response typically starts low, increases rapidly as the association between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus is learned, and then tapers off as the association becomes stronger and the response becomes more stable.

Question 12

An experienced user who takes heroin in a new setting has an increased risk of overdose because:

Accepted Answer

The conditioned stimuli (CS) that normally trigger compensatory conditioned responses (CR) to counteract the drug's effects are absent in a new environment, leading to an increased risk of overdose.

Question 13

In Pavlov's experiments on second-order conditioning, dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sight of a black square by:

Accepted Answer

Second-order conditioning involves pairing a neutral stimulus (in this case, a black square) with a conditioned stimulus (in this case, a tone that had previously been associated with food). The dogs were first conditioned to salivate at the sound of the tone, after which the black square was presented together with the tone. Eventually, the black square alone was able to elicit salivation in the dogs, even without the presence of the original conditioned stimulus (the tone).

Question 14

The presence of a drug-related conditioned compensatory response produces:

Accepted Answer

The presence of a drug-related conditioned compensatory response is a form of behavioral tolerance, where the body learns to compensate for the effects of the drug. This means that the same amount of the drug will produce less of an effect over time, leading to the need for increased dosages to achieve the same effect.

Question 15

Pavlov conditioned dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell by following the bell with food. How could Pavlov use extinction to eliminate salivating to bells?

Accepted Answer

Extinction involves repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimulus (the bell) without the unconditioned stimulus (food). In this case, repeatedly ringing the bell but not following it with food would eventually lead to the elimination of the conditioned response (salivating). Choice A may inadvertently reinforce the conditioning, as food is still being presented. Choice C is unethical and could harm the dogs. Choice D may confuse the dogs and slow down the process of extinction.

Question 16

Spontaneous recovery demonstrates that:

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous recovery refers to the reappearance of a previously extinguished response after a period of time has passed. This demonstrates that extinction does not completely erase previous learning, as the response can re-emerge under certain conditions.

Question 17

In second-order conditioning, the CS is paired with a:

Accepted Answer

In second-order conditioning, a conditioned stimulus (CS) that has already been associated with an unconditioned stimulus (US) is used to condition a new neutral stimulus. Thus, the new neutral stimulus becomes a second CS by its association with the first CS, not directly with the US.

Question 18

The tendency of a previously extinguished behavior to reoccur following a rest period is called:

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of a previously extinguished behavior after a rest period. Sensitization refers to an increase in the strength of a response after exposure to a stimulus. Generalization refers to the tendency for a learned response to occur in the presence of stimuli similar to the original stimulus. Acquisition refers to the initial stage of learning, where a new response is learned.

Question 19

You watch a horror movie, and are scared. Running through the background music is a sustained, high-pitched note on a violin. The next day, you are watching a drama that also has background music featuring violin. Suddenly, you feel uneasy. Which process explains this effect?

Accepted Answer

Generalization is the process of applying a learned response to stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus. In this case, the sustained, high-pitched note on a violin became associated with fear in the context of the horror movie, and therefore the same note played in a different context (the drama) elicited a similar response of unease.

Question 20

Extinction of a CR involves:

Accepted Answer

Extinction of a CR involves repeatedly presenting the CS without the US, which leads to a decrease in the strength and frequency of the CR over time. Choosing B or D would be incorrect because they do not involve presenting the CS alone, and choosing C would be incorrect because it involves presenting the UR, which is not necessary for extinction.

Quiz 7: Section 2: Learning