Question 1

A teenager who wants to go out with friends tells his parents that his homework is finished even though it is not, and the teenager is allowed to go out.This behavioral excess of lying occurs because:
A)the controlling consequences are highly improbable
B)of immediate reinforcers versus delayed punishers for the behavioral excess
C)the consequences are only cumulatively significant
D)of immediate small punishers versus delayed larger punishers

Accepted Answer

The immediate reinforcer of going out with friends is more salient to the teenager than the delayed punishment of potentially getting caught and punished for lying or not completing homework.

Question 2

A behavioral model of self-control involves:
A)controlling the controlling behavior
B)emitting a controlling behavior to effect a change in a behavior to be controlled
C)emitting a controlled behavior through self-reinforcement
D)reinforcing yourself for having self-control

Accepted Answer

Emitting a controlling behavior to effect a change in a behavior to be controlled is a fundamental aspect of a behavioral model of self-control. This involves an individual taking deliberate actions to modify their own behavior in a desired direction.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a major class of antecedent stimuli that control our behavior?
A)instructions
B)reinforcers
C)modeling
D)other people

Accepted Answer

Reinforcers are the consequences that follow behavior, not the antecedent stimuli that precede behavior. The other options (instructions, modeling, and other people) are all major classes of antecedent stimuli that can influence behavior.

Question 4

In a behavioral model of self-control, an individual emits controlling behavior that manages antecedents or consequences for a behavior to be controlled.But what controls the controlling behavior?
A)lots of willpower
B)natural consequences in the society in which we live
C)lots of commitment
D)our religious beliefs

Accepted Answer

The controlling behavior in a behavioral model of self-control is determined by natural consequences in the society in which we live. This means that individuals learn to emit controlling behavior through the consequences they experience from their environment. For example, a child may learn to control their impulses to eat junk food if they receive praise and rewards for making healthy food choices. The natural consequences in society act as a reinforcement for the controlling behavior.

Question 5

Many self-control problems are caused by:
A)a lack of willpower
B)temptations that are too strong to resist
C)immediate reinforcement for the problem behavior vs.delayed reinforcement for alternative self-control behavior
D)lack of reinforcement for showing self-control

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that one of the main causes of self-control problems is the immediate reinforcement of problem behavior compared to delayed reinforcement for alternative self-control behavior. This means that people tend to choose behaviors that provide immediate satisfaction instead of waiting for a long-term reward. Strong temptations and lack of willpower may also contribute to self-control problems, but the delayed reinforcement is the main cause. Lack of reinforcement for showing self-control is less likely to be a cause because self-control itself is usually rewarding, and it provides personal satisfaction and benefits.

Question 6

A commitment to change refers to:
A)the willpower needed to change
B)clear identification of a self-control goal
C)a high frequency of thoughts about the benefits of changing
D)a rule that you state that it is important to change your behavior, that you will work toward doing so and that you recognize the benefits of doing so

Accepted Answer

A commitment to change involves a firm decision or rule that one sets for oneself to change their behavior, recognizing the benefits of doing so. It goes beyond mere willpower and thoughts about the benefits of changing, by providing a clear idea of what one wants to achieve and setting a plan of action towards achieving it. Hence, option D is the correct answer.

Question 7

In classroom mini-economies, teachers use play money to teach children basic principles of economics and personal finances.

Accepted Answer

This is correct. Classroom mini-economies use play money to teach children about basic principles of economics, budgeting, and personal finance skills. Students can earn, save and spend this play money in the classroom environment to learn about responsible financial decision-making.

Question 8

In the Simek and O'Brien study, a novice golfer had to sink four consecutive putts before going to the next step.This exemplifies:
A)mastery criterion
B)willpower
C)self-control
D)a behavioral contract

Accepted Answer

The requirement to sink four consecutive putts before moving on is an example of a mastery criterion, which is a specific standard of performance that must be met before progressing to a new level or stage. It is often used in skill acquisition to ensure that the individual has achieved a certain level of proficiency before advancing.

Question 9

Recent studies indicate that the recidivism rates of pre-delinquents who had been in token programs using the teaching family model is about the same as pre-delinquents who had been in traditional programs.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Recent studies have actually shown that the recidivism rates of pre-delinquents who had been in token programs using the teaching family model are lower than those who had been in traditional programs.

Question 10

In a sheltered workshop program for individuals with developmental disabilities, Rae et al.(1990)taught the workers with developmental disabilities to self-administer tokens for appropriate on-task performance.

Accepted Answer

Rae et al. (1990) did teach workers with developmental disabilities to self-administer tokens for appropriate on-task performance in a sheltered workshop program.

Question 11

Many people play racquetball without wearing protective goggles.This is because:
A)the negative consequences are very delayed
B)they want to look macho
C)the negative consequences are highly improbable
D)the negative consequences are only cumulatively significant

Accepted Answer

Many people perceive the likelihood of getting hit in the eye by a racquetball as very low, and therefore do not see the need for protective goggles.

Question 12

Which of the following is not one of the steps proposed by Mager for clarifying a vague "fuzzy" goal?
A)Make a commitment to change.
B)Write out the goal.
C)Make a list of the things that you should say or do that clearly indicate that you've met the goal.
D)Given a number of people with the same goal, indicate how you would decide who had met the goal and who hadn't.

Accepted Answer

Mager's steps for clarifying a vague "fuzzy" goal are: writing out the goal, identifying how you would know when you've achieved the goal, stating the goal in a way that is measurable or observable, identifying any obstacles or limiting factors, and given a number of people with the same goal, indicating how you would decide who had met the goal and who hadn't. Making a commitment to change is not one of his steps.

Question 13

Which of the following is not a cause of relapse in self-control programs?
A)unavoidable setback situations
B)counterproductive self-talk
C)incorporating everyday rewards into the program
D)trying too much too soon

Accepted Answer

Incorporating everyday rewards into the program is not a cause of relapse, but can actually be a helpful strategy in maintaining self-control. The other options (unavoidable setback situations, counterproductive self-talk, and trying too much too soon) can all contribute to relapse in self-control programs.

Question 14

Which of the following is not a major class of antecedent stimuli that control our behavior?
A)physical guidance
B)our immediate surroundings
C)the time of day
D)willpower

Accepted Answer

Physical guidance, our immediate surroundings, and the time of day are all major classes of antecedent stimuli that can influence our behavior. Willpower, however, is not an antecedent stimulus, but rather a cognitive process related to self-control and the ability to resist temptation or distraction.

Question 15

Which of the following is not one of the steps in a self-control program?
A)specify the problem and set goals
B)select delayed reinforcers
C)make a commitment to change
D)take data and analyze causes

Accepted Answer

Selecting delayed reinforcers is not a step in a self-control program. The other options (specifying the problem and setting goals, making a commitment to change, and taking data and analyzing causes) are all important steps in the process of developing self-control.

Question 16

Many people are aware of the health hazards of being overweight, and yet many people have difficulty resisting an extra dessert.That is because:
A)the consequences of a single such action are too small to be noticed and are only of cumulative significance
B)the consequences for doing so are highly probable
C)the consequences for doing so are very delayed
D)there are no consequences for doing so

Accepted Answer

The consequences of a single such action are too small to be noticed and are only of cumulative significance

Question 17

Which of the following is not one of the strategies recommended for managing consequences in a self-control program?
A)Eliminate certain reinforcers that may strengthen a problem behavior that you would like to decrease.
B)Provide reinforcement for showing increased willpower.
C)Self-record and self-graph the target behavior.
D)Arrange for reinforcers to be earned for showing improvement.

Accepted Answer

Providing reinforcement for showing increased willpower is not a recommended strategy for managing consequences in a self-control program. The other three options are strategies that are commonly recommended: eliminating certain reinforcers that may strengthen a problem behavior, self-recording and self-graphing the target behavior, and arranging for reinforcers to be earned for showing improvement.

Question 18

A clear written statement of what behaviors of which individuals will produce what reinforcers and who will deliver those reinforcers defines:
A)mastery criterion
B)a commitment to change
C)a behavioral contract
D)the Premack Principle

Accepted Answer

A behavioral contract clearly outlines the behaviors that are expected from an individual as well as the reinforcers that they will receive upon successful completion of those behaviors. It also outlines who will deliver those reinforcers. Therefore, a clear written statement of what behaviors of which individuals will produce what reinforcers and who will deliver those reinforcers defines a behavioral contract.

Question 19

Consider the self-control problem of eating too many sweets.This is likely due to:
A)immediate reinforcers (for problem behavior)vs.delayed reinforcers (for alternative behavior)
B)immediate reinforcers vs.delayed punishers for a behavior
C)immediate reinforcers vs.cumulatively significant punishers for a behavior
D)immediate small punishers for a behavior vs.reinforcers that are cumulatively significant

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider the self-control problem of eating too...

Question 20

Emitting a controlling behavior to effect a change in a behavior to be controlled is the model of self-management originally proposed by:
A)Mager
B)Premack
C)Goldiamond
D)Skinner

Accepted Answer

B.F. Skinner proposed the model of self-management where controlling behavior is used to influence the behavior to be controlled, as part of his work on operant conditioning and behavior modification.

Quiz 31: Shaping and Schedules of Reinforcement: A Comprehensive Guide

A teenager who wants to go out with friends tells his parents that his homework is finished even though it is not, and the teenager is allowed to go out.This behavioral excess of lying occurs because:

A behavioral model of self-control involves:

Which of the following is not a major class of antecedent stimuli that control our behavior?

In a behavioral model of self-control, an individual emits controlling behavior that manages antecedents or consequences for a behavior to be controlled.But what controls the controlling behavior?

Many self-control problems are caused by:

A commitment to change refers to:

In classroom mini-economies, teachers use play money to teach children basic principles of economics and personal finances.

In the Simek and O'Brien study, a novice golfer had to sink four consecutive putts before going to the next step.This exemplifies:

Recent studies indicate that the recidivism rates of pre-delinquents who had been in token programs using the teaching family model is about the same as pre-delinquents who had been in traditional programs.

In a sheltered workshop program for individuals with developmental disabilities, Rae et al.(1990)taught the workers with developmental disabilities to self-administer tokens for appropriate on-task performance.

Many people play racquetball without wearing protective goggles.This is because:

Which of the following is not one of the steps proposed by Mager for clarifying a vague "fuzzy" goal?

Which of the following is not a cause of relapse in self-control programs?

Which of the following is not a major class of antecedent stimuli that control our behavior?

Which of the following is not one of the steps in a self-control program?

Many people are aware of the health hazards of being overweight, and yet many people have difficulty resisting an extra dessert.That is because:

Which of the following is not one of the strategies recommended for managing consequences in a self-control program?

A clear written statement of what behaviors of which individuals will produce what reinforcers and who will deliver those reinforcers defines:

Consider the self-control problem of eating too many sweets.This is likely due to:

Emitting a controlling behavior to effect a change in a behavior to be controlled is the model of self-management originally proposed by: