Question 1

A fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement involves giving reinforcement

Accepted Answer

In a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement, reinforcement is given after a specific number of responses have been completed. For example, a rat may receive a food pellet after every 10 lever presses. This creates a high rate of responding, as the subject knows that reinforcement is coming after a specific number of responses.

Question 2

An animal trainer is trying to teach a lion to perform tricks for the circus.First,the lion is given food if he sits quietly on a chair.Next,the lion is given food if he raises one paw.Finally,the lion is given food if he gives the trainer a "high-five." In this example,the lion is being trained by

Accepted Answer

The lion is being trained through shaping, as the trainer is gradually rewarding desired behaviors (sitting quietly, raising a paw, giving a high-five) through positive reinforcement, and gradually guiding the animal towards more complex behaviors.

Question 3

Julie is expected to cut the lawn weekly.Her parents only give her money once in a while after she cuts the lawn.Julie is being reinforced using a _____________ schedule of reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

A partial schedule of reinforcement is when the desired behavior is only reinforced sometimes, and not every time it occurs. In Julie's case, she is only given money after cutting the lawn sometimes, rather than every time she cuts the lawn. This makes it a partial schedule of reinforcement.

Question 4

Extinction in operant conditioning involves

Accepted Answer

Extinction in operant conditioning involves withholding reinforcement, meaning that the behavior that was previously reinforced no longer results in a desired consequence. This can lead to a reduction or eventual cessation of the behavior over time. Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior, positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior, and punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Question 5

Your dog,Zeus,learns to roll over every time you blow a whistle.One day,you take Zeus to a soccer match and he rolls over every time the referee blows the whistle.This illustrates the concept of

Accepted Answer

Generalization is the tendency for a learned behavior to occur in response to a similar stimulus as the original learned stimulus. In this scenario, Zeus learned to roll over in response to a whistle and is now rolling over in response to a similar stimulus (the referee's whistle) at the soccer match. This demonstrates generalization.

Question 6

What kind of reinforcement is used if Munirah's parents give her $10 every time she receives six A's on her report card?

Accepted Answer

The reinforcement schedule in this scenario is a fixed-ratio schedule because the reward is given after a set number of behaviors (receiving six A's on the report card).

Question 7

Lim has learned that he can usually get what he wants from his parents if he keeps whining for something.One day,Lim starts whining in the toy store because he wants an action figure.His father refuses to give it to him and ignores his whining.What process is likely to happen as a result?

Accepted Answer

Extinction is a process in which a behavior decreases or disappears because it is no longer reinforced. In this scenario, Lim's whining behavior is no longer reinforced by his father giving in to his demands, so it is likely that the behavior will decrease or disappear over time.

Question 8

The broken vending machine in Cathy's office dispenses sodas inconsistently.Sometimes Cathy gets a soda after putting in two quarters,but sometimes she only gets a soda after putting in five or six quarters.In operant conditioning terms,Cathy is being reinforced on a ________________ schedule.

Accepted Answer

Cathy is being reinforced on a variable-ratio schedule because the number of quarters she has to put in to get a soda varies. It is not a fixed-ratio schedule because the number of quarters required is not consistent. It is not a fixed-interval schedule because the time interval between reinforcements (getting a soda) is not fixed. Finally, it is not a variable-interval schedule because the time interval between reinforcements (getting a soda) is not relevant in this scenario.

Question 9

When the number of responses is important to a schedule of reinforcement,that schedule is called a _____________ schedule.

Accepted Answer

A ratio schedule of reinforcement is based on the number of responses that are required before reinforcement is given. This can be either a fixed ratio, where the number of responses required is the same for each reinforcement, or a variable ratio, where the number of responses required varies between each reinforcement. In either case, the number of responses is important to the reinforcement schedule, making this the best option among the given choices.

Question 10

______________ is an operant conditioning procedure in which successive approximations of a desired response are reinforced.

Accepted Answer

Shaping is a process of reinforcing behavior that is increasingly similar to a certain target behavior. Successive approximations of the desired response are reinforced until the target behavior is achieved. This method is commonly used to train animals or teach new skills to individuals with developmental disabilities. Positive punishment (B) involves the addition of an aversive stimulus after a behavior is exhibited to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. Primary reinforcement (C) involves reinforcing a behavior with a stimulus that satisfies a basic human need, such as food, water, or sleep. Discrimination (D) is the ability to differentiate between two or more similar stimuli and respond differently to each.

Question 11

A child receives one homework pass-a coupon that allows her to skip a homework assignment-for every 10 word problems she completes during class.This is an example of both ___________ reinforcement and a ___________ schedule of reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of negative reinforcement because the child is allowed to skip a homework assignment (removal of an aversive stimulus) and a fixed-ratio schedule because the reinforcement (homework pass) is given after a set number of responses (10 word problems).

Question 12

Swatting a dog with a newspaper when it urinates on the floor,in an attempt to teach the dog not to urinate on the floor,is an example of

Accepted Answer

Swatting a dog with a newspaper is an aversive action/intervention, which involves adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior (urinating on the floor). Therefore, it is an example of positive punishment.

Question 13

__________ is an example of a primary reinforcer,whereas __________ is an example of a secondary reinforcer.

Accepted Answer

A cupcake is an example of a primary reinforcer because it is something that is naturally pleasurable and satisfying. A certificate of achievement is an example of a secondary reinforcer because it only gains value or significance when it is associated with a primary reinforcer, such as praise or recognition.

Question 14

Which of the following will decrease the likelihood of behaviour reoccurring?

Accepted Answer

Negative punishment involves removing something desirable or adding something aversive in response to a behavior, which decreases the likelihood of that behavior reoccurring.

Question 15

The rewarding property of reinforcing stimuli like food and sex is believed to be related to the activity of which brain structure?

Accepted Answer

The nucleus accumbens is a key structure in the brain's reward system and is believed to play a role in the processing of reinforcing stimuli such as food and sex. Studies have shown that the activation of the nucleus accumbens is associated with feelings of pleasure and motivation.

Question 16

A pigeon learns to peck only at a red disc.It will not peck at another disc that is identical in shape and size but a different colour.This illustrates the concept of

Accepted Answer

The pigeon is able to differentiate between different stimuli and respond only to the red disc. This is an example of discrimination, which is the process of learning to distinguish between similar stimuli and respond only to the relevant one. Extinction refers to the gradual disappearance of a learned behavior due to the removal of reinforcement. Avoidance training involves teaching an organism to avoid a certain behavior or stimulus to avoid negative consequences. Desensitization is a type of therapy that involves gradually exposing an individual to a stimulus that causes anxiety or fear in order to reduce their sensitivity to it. None of these concepts apply to the scenario presented.

Question 17

When a stimulus is removed from a person or animal resulting in a decrease in the probability of a response,it is known as

Accepted Answer

The scenario described fits the definition of negative punishment, which involves removing a stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior recurring.

Question 18

A _____________ reinforcer is any reward that satisfies a basic motivational need to survive (e.g. ,hunger,thirst).

Accepted Answer

A primary reinforcer is a reward that satisfies a basic need, such as food or water, that is essential to survival. Hunger and thirst are both examples of these basic needs. Negative reinforcers increase the likelihood of a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus, token reinforcers are artificial rewards that have no inherent value, and secondary reinforcers are rewards that are associated with primary reinforcers and gain value through learned associations.

Question 19

Which of the following is a secondary reinforcer?

Accepted Answer

Money is a secondary reinforcer because it has no inherent value, but it can be exchanged for primary reinforcers (such as food, water, or other necessities). People are motivated to obtain money because of what they can do with it, not because money itself is inherently rewarding.

Question 20

A rat learns that pressing the lever in the operant chamber will only deliver food if a red light above the lever is on.In this scenario,the red light is acting as a

Accepted Answer

The red light above the lever is serving as a discriminative stimulus because it signals to the rat that pressing the lever will result in receiving food only when the red light is on.

Quiz 6: C: Learning