Deck 8: The Adaptive Mind Learning

Question 1

Which process best illustrates the effect of developmental stages on the interaction between instinct and learning?

A) Imprinting
B) Facilitating
C) Conditioning
D) Engulfing

Answer 1

Imprinting

Question 2

Which of the following processes is defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience?

A) Learning
B) Fixed action pattern
C) Reflex
D) Variable action pattern

Answer 2

Learning

Question 3

Learning is traditionally divided into three categories: associative, nonassociative, and

A) classical.
B) operant.
C) conditioned.
D) observational.

Answer 3

observational.

Question 4

What distinguishes a reflex from an instinct?

A) In contrast to an instinct, a reflex does not depend on prior experience.
B) In contrast to a reflex, an instinct does not depend on prior experience.
C) An instinct is a more complex behavior than a reflex.
D) A behavior is a more complex behavior than an instinct.

Question 5

Why is the process of sensitization advantageous?

A) It improves fixed action patterns.
B) It improves reaction time.
C) It improves cognition.
D) It facilitates adaptation.

Question 6

The process of associating a behavior with its consequences is known as

A) habitual learning.
B) nonassociative learning.
C) classical conditioning.
D) operant conditioning.

Question 7

Learning that involves changes in the magnitude of responses to a specific stimulus without forming connections between stimuli is referred to as _____ learning.

A) nonassociative
B) associative
C) observational
D) operant

Question 8

An inborn pattern of behavior elicited by environmental stimuli is known as

A) associative learning.
B) an instinct.
C) a reflex.
D) imitation.

Question 9

Which of the following is a primary advantage of observational learning?

A) It synchronizes behaviors, particularly between two unacquainted individuals.
B) It creates imprinting in both human beings and lower animal species.
C) It transmits information across generations within families and cultures.
D) It provides rapid adaptation to situations beyond our control.

Question 10

An environmental cue or event whose significance is learned is referred to as a(n)

A) unconditioned stimulus.
B) conditioned stimulus.
C) characteristic stimulus.
D) uncharacteristic stimulus.

Question 11

Inevitable, involuntary responses to stimuli that are primarily controlled by circuits located in the spinal cord and brainstem are referred to as

A) behaviors.
B) habits.
C) instincts.
D) reflexes.

Question 12

The formation of associations between two stimuli, which occur sequentially in time, is referred to as

A) operant conditioning.
B) classical conditioning.
C) observational conditioning.
D) associative conditioning.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of nonassociative learning?

A) Andrea recently learned how to drive a car. At first she found merging into highway traffic stressful, but now can do it with ease.
B) As a child, Maxwell had a frightening experience with his neighbor's large dog. He now fears all large dogs.
C) Hoping to understand more about her parent's culture, Parvati carefully watches as her grandmother prepares a traditional South Indian meal.
D) Gabriel tells his 4-year-old daughter each night: "No dessert until you eat your dinner without complaining." To get the dessert, his daughter obeys.

Question 14

Sara allows her dog, Isabel, to run freely at a local dog park. When a truck drives by and its engine backfires loudly, Isabel quickly jumps up on her hind legs and barks loudly. Isabel's response illustrates

A) an instinct.
B) operant conditioning.
C) sensitization.
D) a reflex.

Question 15

Aiden and Rey live next to a busy highway. When they first moved, it was difficult to sleep with the noise of the traffic, but now they don't seem to notice, which is the result of

A) observational learning.
B) sensitization.
C) habituation.
D) imprinting.

Question 16

As Freddy speeds down Elm Street, he suddenly slams on his brakes to avoid a collision with another car. Freddy's response is an example of a(n)

A) reflex.
B) variable pattern response.
C) learned behavior.
D) instinct.

Question 17

If people are continuously exposed to an unchanging stimulus that they know will not cause them harm, they will be most likely to

A) tolerate the stimulus.
B) control their reflexes.
C) form an association with the stimulus.
D) habituate to the stimulus.

Question 18

Which of the following behavioral changes best illustrates the process of learning?

A) Evan, age 2 months, just started to smile at his parents.
B) Daniel, age 36, sees an attractive woman, which causes his pupils to dilate.
C) Claire, age 8, practices treading water so that she will be allowed to swim in her grandmother's swimming pool.
D) Nathan, age 11, quickly withdrawals his hand from the hot oven as the heat begins to burn his skin.

Question 19

Which process gives organisms the flexibility to survive in a changing world?

A) Learning
B) Instincts
C) Reflexes
D) Variable action patterns

Question 20

Why does associative learning provide an enormous survival advantage?

A) Organisms are able to instinctively and rapidly respond to threats.
B) Organisms can comprehend the complex relationship between environment and habitant.
C) Organisms can predict the future and thus are given time to prepare for future events.
D) Organisms can change their behaviors and unpredictably protects them from natural enemies.

Question 21

As a child, Jordan would jump excitedly when the Sponge Bob Square Pants theme song started playing on the television, receiving laughter and attention from adults for the excited jumping. Now that Jordan is a teenager, adults no longer direct laughter and attention at the excited jumping, and Jordan no longer reacts to the familiar theme song. This scenario illustrates the process of

A) latent inhibition.
B) discrimination.
C) extinction.
D) generalization.

Question 22

The recognition that two different stimuli call for two different responses is known as

A) generalization.
B) differentiation.
C) desensitization.
D) discrimination.

Question 23

The reappearance of conditioned responses after periods of rest between sessions of extinction training is called

A) dominant presentation.
B) reacquisition.
C) spontaneous recovery.
D) higher order conditioning.

Question 24

In which of the following scenarios is Roxie, the dog, most likely to rapidly learn to associate a conditioned stimulus with food?

A) When Roxie's owner gets home from work, sometimes she gives Roxie a food treat right away; other times, they go for a short walk before Roxie is given the treat.
B) During the week, Roxie gets treats for not scratching the furniture; during the weekend, she gets treats for performing complex tricks.
C) Roxie's owner has two sons: The older son teaches Roxie tricks and sometimes rewards her with a treat, and the younger son likes to play fetch with Roxie.
D) Each morning, Roxie's owner opens the squeaky kitchen cupboard, pours dog food into a bowl, and immediately puts the bowl of food on the floor for Roxie to eat.

Question 25

Eli is afraid of bees and has been ever since he was nearly stung by one a few months ago. Lately, his father has been very distressed to see that Eli is now afraid of any flying insect, even tiny ones like gnats. The fact that Eli gets terribly afraid and runs to another room whenever he sees a flying "bug" demonstrates

A) generalization.
B) inhibition.
C) acquisition.
D) discrimination.

Question 26

Which of the following would decrease the likelihood of acquisition?

A) The unconditioned stimulus is presented long after the conditioned stimulus.
B) The unconditioned stimulus is presented shortly after the conditioned stimulus.
C) The conditioned stimulus evokes an emotional response in the participant.
D) The unconditioned stimulus evokes a negative response in the participant.

Question 27

Greg, who mainly drank coffee when out with friends, recently quit drinking coffee. However, each time he visits a bar or restaurant with his friends, he has the strong urge to drink a cup of coffee. This is an example of

A) latent inhibition.
B) spontaneous recovery.
C) habituation.
D) observational learning.

Question 28

What type of stimulus elicits a response without prior experience-that is, without learning having taken place?

A) Classical
B) Unconditioned
C) Conditioned
D) Habitual

Question 29

Tim would like to stop drinking alcohol, but he is finding it difficult to resist the urge to drink when he meets up with friends. Tim's therapist reassures him that if he can resist the urge to drink during these social events, his cravings for alcohol will diminish even further, eventually fading away. What process is Tim's therapist describing?

A) Avoidance
B) Systematic desensitization
C) Spontaneous dissipation
D) Extinction

Question 30

Peter's mother normally arrives home from work in a terrible mood, causing Peter extreme anxiety. However, when Peter sees that his mother is wearing sweat pants, Peter feels at ease, knowing that she has been home from work for a while. Peter's recognition that the sweatpants indicate no reason to feel anxious illustrates

A) extinction.
B) latent inhibition.
C) higher order conditioning.
D) inhibition.

Question 31

When he was 9 years old, Mike tried shrimp for the first time but fell very ill shortly thereafter. Within a few hours he was vomiting and was sick for the rest of the night. Now, years later, Mike cannot bring himself to eat shrimp. This is an example of

A) nonassociative learning.
B) classical conditioning.
C) operant conditioning.
D) observational learning.

Question 32

A reaction to a given stimulus that is learned or acquired over time is referred to as a(n)

A) unconditioned response.
B) conditioned response.
C) characteristic response.
D) uncharacteristic response.

Question 33

Dr. Graham exposes rats to a vanilla scent prior to receiving a food pellet in the left corner of their cage, but provides no food after exposure to a lemon scent. After several trials, upon smelling a vanilla scent, the rats wait at the far-left corner of the cage regardless of whether a food pellet is present. However, they do not wait in the far-left corner when exposed to the lemon scent. What is the unconditioned stimulus in the experiment?

A) Vanilla scent
B) Food pellet
C) Left corner of cage
D) Lemon scent

Question 34

Jenna, who is recovering from drug addiction, attends counseling sessions so that she will no longer associate the sight of a needle and syringe with an expected drug effect. During the counseling sessions, Jenna handles a syringe without receiving any drugs as her counselor pairs a new signal with the sight of the syringe: a favorite song of Jenna's. The method used here illustrates the use of

A) extinction.
B) an inhibitory conditioned stimulus.
C) an excitatory unconditioned stimulus.
D) cognitive mapping.

Question 35

As Ronnie hears a song on the radio, she feels stressed: her heart races, her hands become clammy, and her breathing becomes rapid. The song is familiar because it was popular at a time when her parents were going through a divorce that caused Ronnie intense anxiety. In this scenario, identify, in order: the conditioned stimulus, the unconditioned stimulus, the conditioned response, and the unconditioned response.

A) Parents fighting; song; anxiety toward parents fighting; anxiety toward song
B) Parents fighting; anxiety toward parents fighting; song; anxiety toward song
C) Song; parents fighting; anxiety toward song; anxiety toward parents fighting
D) Song; anxiety toward song; parents fighting; anxiety toward parents fighting

Question 36

A reaction to a given stimulus that requires no previous experience is referred to as a(n)

A) unconditioned response.
B) conditioned response.
C) characteristic response.
D) uncharacteristic response.

Question 37

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to an original conditioned stimulus is called

A) generalization.
B) sensitization.
C) aggregation.
D) habituation.

Question 38

When a conditioned stimulus can predict the nonoccurrence of an unconditioned stimulus, it is referred to as

A) extinction.
B) inhibition.
C) latent inhibition.
D) discrimination.

Question 39

The development of a conditioned response is called

A) generalization.
B) higher order conditioning.
C) habituation.
D) acquisition.

Question 40

What mechanism is responsible for the process of extinction?

A) New learning overrides old learning.
B) The previously formed association is forgotten.
C) An aversion is formed in response to the association.
D) Spontaneous recovery replaces the association.

Question 41

As a gate creaks open, Oscar the puppy notices a cat heading into his yard. The cat hisses and scratches Oscar on the nose, causing Oscar to yelp in pain. Which outcome to this scenario portrays discrimination?

A) Now when Oscar sees the cat who scratched his nose he runs away, but he feels comfortable with the cat with whom he shares a home.
B) Now when Oscar sees a cat or small dog coming toward him, he immediately begins to yelp in pain.
C) Now whenever Oscar sees a cat, including the cat in his own home, he runs away.
D) Now when Oscar hears a gate creak, regardless of who is coming through it, he runs away.

Question 42

According to Rescorla and Wagner, the association between a conditioned stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus is strongest when the association is

A) consistent.
B) surprising.
C) familiar.
D) variable.

Question 43

Tim, who suffers from alcoholism, is prescribed disulfiram by his doctor to help halt his alcohol consumption. Disulfiram works by causing unpleasant physiological effects when even small amounts of alcohol are consumed. This type of treatment is best described as

A) counterconditioning.
B) flooding.
C) systematic desensitization.
D) inhibition.

Question 44

Jonah is playing on his tablet one evening, when his father asks him to finish up and get ready to take a bath. Jonah nods but completely ignores the request. After a few minutes his father repeats the request with a slightly sterner voice. Jonah says, "Okay, let me just finish this game." Ten minutes later, when Jonah has clearly played several more games, his father repeats the request but with a firm voice. Jonah, knowing that his father is getting angry, puts down the tablet, and goes to take a bath. Jonah's different responding to different "voices" from his father illustrates

A) acquisition.
B) inhibition.
C) discrimination.
D) generalization.

Question 45

Cliff has a problem where he tends to speak without thinking, and this has caused him to lose friends and damage relationships at work. To reduce the frequency of this behavior, Cliff wears a rubber band that fit loosely around his wrist. Whenever he begins to speak without thinking, he "snaps" himself with the rubber band just hard enough to sting a little bit. This is an example of _____ therapy.

A) systematic desensitizing
B) insight
C) aversion
D) flooding

Question 46

Thorndike's law of effect states that behavior is

A) based on a strong relationship between conditioned and unconditioned stimuli.
B) an adaptation based on imitation.
C) "stamped into" an animal relative to the consequences of the behavior.
D) predetermined by the type of organism.

Question 47

In order to demonstrate the extent to which classical conditioning can be a factor in the development of a serious phobia, John Watson and Rosalie Raynor conducted a study in which

A) a young boy was taught to fear a white rat.
B) a young adult male was taught to fear cashiers in the supermarket.
C) an adolescent girl was conditioned to fear her school teachers.
D) a middle-aged woman was conditioned to fear open windows.

Question 48

What is a key distinction between classical conditioning and operant conditioning?

A) Operant conditioning makes associations between two stimuli; classical conditioning associates a behavior with its consequence.
B) Classical conditioning makes associations between two stimuli; operant conditioning associates a behavior with its consequence.
C) In contrast to classical conditioning, operant conditioning leads to a relatively permanent behavioral change.
D) In contrast to operant conditioning, classical conditioning leads to a relatively permanent behavioral change.

Question 49

With which of the following behaviors would operant conditioning work best?

A) Riding a bicycle
B) Fearing an approaching thunderstorm
C) Salivating at the smell of cookies baking
D) Feeling nervous before speaking in public

Question 50

Which of the following is true regarding latent inhibition?

A) Learning associated with latent inhibition involves forgetting a response, resulting in relatively poor learning.
B) Learning associated with latent inhibition involves forgetting a response, resulting in very effective learning.
C) Learning associated with latent inhibition is slow, resulting in relatively poor learning.
D) Learning associated with latent inhibition is slow, resulting in very effective learning.

Question 51

In Garcia and Koelling's taste aversion study, why were the rats unable to associate a bright-noisy stimulus with feeling ill?

A) The rats lacked the cognitive ability to do so.
B) The rats enjoyed the bright-noisy stimulus enough to tolerate their illness.
C) The rats relied more on taste and smell rather than vision and hearing for identifying food.
D) The rats were so distracted or frightened by the bright-noisy stimulus they did not notice they were ill.

Question 52

What was a key implication of Garcia and Koelling's classic taste aversion studies?

A) The studies demonstrated the common traits of several species.
B) The studies confirmed the applicability of classical conditioning in species other than canines.
C) The studies demonstrated the relative interchangeability of stimuli.
D) The studies highlighted the unique biological predispositions of specific species.

Question 53

Which of the following statements describes a belief of the early behaviorists?

A) Behavior follows the same general rules across species.
B) Psychological research should focus on introspection.
C) Human subjects are preferable to animals because they replicate the complexity of real life.
D) Not all stimuli can be equally paired to form conditioned associations.

Question 54

Based on the findings of Garcia and Koelling, which type of stimuli would be most effective for training birds?

A) Visual stimuli
B) Aromatic stimuli
C) Tactile stimuli
D) Audible stimuli

Question 55

Counterconditioning in which people relax while being exposed to stimuli that elicit fear is referred to as

A) higher order conditioning.
B) habituation.
C) latent inhibition.
D) systematic desensitization.

Question 56

As a gate creaks open, Ollie the puppy notices a strange cat heading into the yard. The cat hisses and scratches Ollie on the nose, causing Ollie to yelp in pain. Which outcome to this scenario portrays higher order conditioning ?

A) Now when seeing the cat that scratched Ollie's nose, Ollie runs away, but Ollie still feels comfortable with the cat that lives in the same house with Ollie.
B) Now when seeing a cat or small dog approaching, Ollie immediately begins to yelp in pain .
C) Now seeing a cat, including the cat that lives in the same house, Ollie runs away .
D) Now when hearing a gate creak, regardless of who is coming through it, Ollie runs away .

Question 57

Acquiring a prejudice, being creative, and schizophrenia-based loosened associations may reflect which of the following?

A) Desensitization
B) Latent inhibition
C) Counterconditioning
D) Preparedness

Question 58

Learning in which stimuli associated with a conditioned stimulus also elicits conditioned responding is called

A) sensitization.
B) higher order conditioning.
C) habituation.
D) generalization.

Question 59

Which of the following is true regarding operant conditioning?

A) It involves either voluntary or involuntary behaviors depending on the response state.
B) It involves either voluntary or involuntary behaviors depending on the stimulus.
C) It generally involves involuntary behaviors.
D) It generally involves voluntary behaviors.

Question 60

At dinner Ming Yan eats several familiar foods (pasta, salad, bread) and an unfamiliar food (deep-fried cheese curds). Later that evening she suffers abdominal discomfort. She attributes this to the deep-fried cheese curds, but later learns that she had developed a sensitivity to gluten. Her misattribution of the problem to the deep-fried cheese curds is likely due to

A) latent inhibition.
B) discrimination.
C) habituation.
D) sensitization.

Question 61

Luca, who experiences extreme anxiety when taking an exam, practices meditation breathing to reduce her anxiety prior to taking a test. Her meditation breathing is an example of

A) negative punishment.
B) negative reinforcement.
C) positive punishment.
D) positive reinforcement.

Question 62

Three conditions must be met for punishment to have any observable effects on behavior:

A) application, explanation, and reinforcement.
B) selection, focus, and severity.
C) significance, immediacy, and consistency.
D) quality, quantity, and relevance.

Question 63

A reinforcer that gains value from being associated with other things that are valued is called a(n) _____ reinforcer.

A) unconditioned
B) primary
C) conditioned
D) associative

Question 64

Which of the following is an example of a conditioned reinforcer?

A) Food
B) Money
C) Sleep
D) Water

Question 65

Derek is frustrated that his 1½-year-old dog does not let him know when he needs to go outside to urinate. Sometimes he comes home to find a mess near the door. Which training method is most likely to be successful?

A) Derek takes his dog outside on a fixed schedule and gives him a treat when they return to the house, whether he urinated or not.
B) Derek takes his dog over to the mess, puts the dog's nose near it so he smells it, and tells him "bad dog, don't do this again!"
C) If Derek comes home and finds a mess by the door, he ignores his dog for an hour.
D) Derek takes his dog outside on a fixed schedule and promptly gives him a treat for urinating outside.

Question 66

Which of the following methods of behavior modification adheres to the Premack Principle?

A) Knowing his daughter loves to ride her bike, Miguel states: "You can ride your bike as soon as you clean your room."
B) Donna comes home to find that her dog has chewed her expensive new shoes and yells: "Bad dog."
C) Knowing his daughter loves to ride her bike, Miguel states: "You didn't clean your room today, so no bike riding for you this weekend."
D) Donna makes a loud noise each time her dog approaches her shoes; causing him to veer away.

Question 67

The method for increasing behaviors that allow an organism to escape or avoid an unpleasant consequence is referred to as

A) positive punishment.
B) positive reinforcement.
C) negative punishment.
D) negative reinforcement.

Question 68

A consequence that eliminates or reduces the frequency of a behavior by applying an aversive stimulus is referred to as

A) negative reinforcement.
B) positive punishment.
C) negative punishment.
D) positive reinforcement.

Question 69

Which of the following is likely to be the most effective form of punishment?

A) Marjorie promptly takes away her son Ben's crayons each time he refuses to share with his younger brother, causing Ben to cry.
B) Alice catches her daughter Debby smoking in the attic and shouts: "Just wait until your father gets home this weekend!"
C) Ken sometimes yells at his son Artie for coming home later than his curfew.
D) Jane sends her son Josh to bed without supper when he uses swear words at the dinner table; although hungry, Josh uses this time to read in his room.

Question 70

A modified cage containing levers or buttons that can be pressed or pecked by animals and is used to investigate operant conditioning is referred to as a

A) puzzle box.
B) sequential conditioning chamber.
C) Skinner box.
D) pigeon chamber.

Question 71

How can extinction be avoided with operant conditioning?

A) Establish a strong value for a conditioned stimulus.
B) Introduce variable reinforcement paradigms.
C) Merge classical conditioning with operant conditioning techniques.
D) Continuously reinforce a behavior, even after it is learned.

Question 72

Which of the following approaches would B. F. Skinner recommend to reduce an undesirable behavior?

A) Offering candy to persuade a child to stop having a tantrum in the grocery store
B) Standing by but ignoring a child who is having a tantrum in the grocery store
C) Immediately removing a child from the grocery store when he or she is having a tantrum
D) Threatening to leave the child behind at the grocery store when he or she is having a tantrum

Question 73

Sonia first trains her new dog by saying "good dog!" before giving him a food treat. She then trains her dog to sit and stay, saying "good dog!" when he provides the correct behavior, while continuing to periodically provide a food treat. Sonia is using which method(s)?

A) Operant conditioning only
B) Operant conditioning and observational learning
C) Classical conditioning and operant conditioning
D) Classical conditioning only

Question 74

Martha wants to teach her dog Max the command, "Get beer, Max." This involves going to the refrigerator and opening it by pulling on a dishtowel tied to the handle, taking out a can of beer with his mouth, and bringing it to her dinner guest. Which of the following training methods is likely to work best?

A) Chaining and positive reinforcement
B) Shaping and positive punishment
C) Chaining and negative punishment
D) Shaping and negative reinforcement

Question 75

Mrs. Collora teaches social studies to junior high school students. Two boys in her class often loudly make jokes about the material being discussed. She has tried several techniques without success: (1) ignoring them; (2) encouraging and rewarding them for contributing to the class discussion; (3) removing their opportunities to participate in field trips; and (4) requiring them each to write an essay on proper behavior. In the order presented, list the operant conditioning principles she has applied to the situation.

A) Extinction, positive reinforcement, negative punishment, positive punishment
B) Positive punishment, positive reinforcement, extinction, negative punishment
C) Negative punishment, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, extinction
D) Extinction, positive reinforcement, positive punishment, negative punishment

Question 76

Nick wants to encourage his 6-year-old daughter, Anna, to help with family chores. He makes an outline of a rainbow with seven bands so that Anna can color in a band each time she does a chore. If she does seven chores in a week, coloring in the full rainbow, she gets $1. Nick's technique demonstrates which methods?

A) Habituation, positive punishment, and a fixed interval schedule
B) Shaping, negative reinforcement, and a variable interval schedule
C) Chaining, negative punishment, and a variable ratio schedule
D) A token economy, positive reinforcement, and a fixed ratio schedule

Question 77

Determining whether an action constitutes reinforcement or punishment requires understanding of the

A) intrinsic quality of the consequence.
B) specific social and cultural norms associated with the action.
C) action's effect on behavior.
D) external stimulus driving the action.

Question 78

After a stressful day of work, Jamie often takes two aspirin, which she feels helps to relieve her stress and anxiety. This type of behavior is an example of

A) positive punishment.
B) negative reinforcement.
C) positive reinforcement.
D) negative punishment.

Question 79

Which of the following is likely to provide the most powerful method for managing behavior?

A) Positive punishment
B) Positive reinforcement
C) Negative punishment
D) Conditioned reinforcement

Question 80

Ivan, who is 16 years old, has been staying up all night playing online video games and his grades are dropping. As a result, he is grounded by his parents. He is not allowed to play video games, go to his friends' houses, or use his cellphone for one week. His parents' actions illustrate

A) negative reinforcement.
B) positive punishment.
C) positive reinforcement.
D) negative punishment.