Question 1

Which of the following is a stimulus that is a conditioned reinforcer (i.e., associated with more powerful reinforcers)but is not a token?
A)gold stars on an improvement chart
B)coupons for food products
C)the sight of a loved one
D)money

Accepted Answer

The sight of a loved one is a conditioned reinforcer because it becomes reinforcing through its association with other reinforcing stimuli (such as affection, support, or positive interactions), but it is not a token. Tokens are tangible objects or symbols that are exchanged for other reinforcers, whereas the sight of a loved one does not fit this description.

Question 2

A dollar bill may not be reinforcing for a young child who has had no experience with money.However, after the dollar bill is paired with a variety of back-up reinforcers while making various purchases in the store, the dollar bill becomes a powerful reinforcer.This is an example of the development of a:
A)extrinsic reinforcer
B)generalized conditioned reinforcer
C)simple conditioned reinforcer
D)primary reinforce

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes how the dollar bill acquires value as a reinforcer through pairing with various other reinforcers (such as toys or sweets), allowing it to become a generalized conditioned reinforcer that can be used to obtain a variety of other reinforcers in the future. This process is inherent in the development of a generalized conditioned reinforcer.

Question 3

A reinforcer for which tokens can be exchanged in order to maintain their reinforcing power is called a(n):
A)secondary reinforcer
B)conditioned reinforcer
C)back-up reinforcer
D)primary reinforce

Accepted Answer

A back-up reinforcer is what maintains the reinforcing power of tokens in a token economy system, where tokens are exchanged for other reinforcing items or privileges.

Question 4

Giving a child her favorite candy following a desirable behavior is an example of a motivating operation.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of positive reinforcement, where a desirable stimulus (candy) is presented after a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. A motivating operation, on the other hand, alters the effectiveness of a reinforcer.

Question 5

Unprogrammed reinforcers that occur in the normal course of everyday living are called arbitrary reinforcers.

Accepted Answer

Unprogrammed reinforcers that occur in the normal course of everyday living are called natural reinforcers. Arbitrary reinforcers are deliberately chosen and assigned by someone in authority as rewards for specific behavior.

Question 6

Conditioned reinforcers that can be accumulated and exchanged for other reinforcers are known as:
A)adventitious reinforcers
B)tokens
C)back-up reinforcers
D)extrinsic reinforcers

Accepted Answer

Tokens are conditioned reinforcers that can be accumulated and exchanged for other reinforcers. Adventitious reinforcers refer to naturally occurring reinforcing stimuli that are not associated with a particular behavior. Back-up reinforcers are the actual reinforcers that the tokens can be exchanged for. Extrinsic reinforcers refer to external rewards that are separate from the activity or behavior being reinforced.

Question 7

The increased frequency of a response because of its immediate reinforcing consequences is referred to as the indirect-acting effect of reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

The increased frequency of a response because of its immediate reinforcing consequences is referred to as the direct-acting effect of reinforcement.

Question 8

Animals can learn even though they are not able to verbalize an understanding or an awareness of their behavior.

Accepted Answer

Animals can learn through conditioning, observation, and experience even without the ability to communicate verbally.

Question 9

Stimuli which are reinforcing without prior learning are called:
A)conditioned reinforcers
B)back-up reinforcers
C)intrinsic reinforcers
D)primary reinforcers

Accepted Answer

Primary reinforcers are naturally reinforcing stimuli that do not require prior learning or conditioning. Examples include food, water, and other basic biological needs.

Question 10

A stimulus which is not originally punishing but which acquires punishing power through association with a stimulus that is punishing is called a(n):
A)conditioned punisher
B)warning stimulus
C)unconditioned punisher
D)conditioned stimulus

Accepted Answer

A stimulus that is not originally punishing but acquires punishing power through association with a stimulus that is punishing is called a conditioned punisher. This process is known as punishment by contingency. The contingency is created when the conditioned punisher is presented immediately before or after a behavior that has been punished by an unconditioned punisher. Over time, the conditioned punisher will come to evoke the same response as the unconditioned punisher.

Question 11

For someone who has not eaten for several hours, food would be a______- reinforcer, as it is naturally reinforcing in and of itself.
A)primary
B)conditioned
C)back-up
D)secondary

Accepted Answer

A primary reinforcer is something that is naturally rewarding or satisfying, such as food, water, or comfort. In this scenario, food is naturally reinforcing because it satisfies the basic need of hunger. Conditioned reinforcers, also known as secondary reinforcers, are stimuli that have become reinforcing through association with other reinforcers. Back-up reinforcers are stimuli that are only reinforcing because they are associated with other reinforcers that are reinforcing. Therefore, the best choice for this scenario is A - primary reinforcer.

Question 12

A stimulus which is not originally reinforcing but which acquires reinforcing power through association with a stimulus that is reinforcing is called:
A)a conditioned reinforcer
B)a conditioned stimulus
C)a natural reinforcer
D)a back-up reinforce

Accepted Answer

A stimulus that acquires reinforcing power through association with a stimulus that is already reinforcing is called a conditioned reinforcer. It is also known as secondary reinforcer or reward.

Question 13

When a behavior must occur before a reinforcer will be presented, we say that the reinforcer is contingent upon that behavior.

Accepted Answer

When a behavior is contingent upon a reinforcer, it means that the behavior has to happen first before the reinforcer can be presented.

Question 14

In a behavior modification token system, tokens can be exchanged for more powerful reinforcers called:
A)extrinsic reinforcers
B)primary reinforcers
C)intrinsic reinforcers
D)back-up reinforcers

Accepted Answer

Back-up reinforcers are more powerful reinforcers that are only available once a certain amount of tokens have been accumulated. This helps to maintain the value and effectiveness of the token system as the individual has to work towards earning the more significant rewards. Extrinsic and intrinsic reinforcers do not necessarily have a higher value than tokens, and primary reinforcers are basic needs such as food or water that are not usually used in a token system.

Question 15

A behavior change is likely due to indirect acting effects of positive reinforcement if the behavior that is measured shows some increase in strength prior to the first occurrence of the consequence.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Indirect acting effects of positive reinforcement refer to the strengthening of behavior that occurs before the actual reinforcement is delivered - this can happen because of cues or signals that the reinforcement is about to occur. If behavior shows an increase in strength prior to the delivery of the consequence (reinforcement), then it is likely due to these indirect acting effects.

Question 16

Consumable, activity, manipulative, possessional, and social are categories of
reinforcers.

Accepted Answer

These are indeed categories of reinforcers. Consumable reinforcers are things that can be consumed such as food or drink, activity reinforcers involve engaging in a preferred activity like playing a game, manipulative reinforcers are objects that can be manipulated like toys or puzzles, possessional reinforcers are objects that can be owned like a new phone or clothing, and social reinforcers involve interaction with others such as receiving praise or compliments.

Question 17

Food deprivation is a type of motivating operation.

Accepted Answer

Food deprivation is a motivating operation because it increases the value of food as a reinforcer, making an individual more motivated to obtain and consume food.

Question 18

The terms positive reinforcement and reinforcement are often used interchangeably.

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement and reinforcement are closely related concepts, but technically positive reinforcement refers specifically to the use of rewards or incentives to strengthen a behavior, while reinforcement can refer to any consequence or event that increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. However, in everyday usage these terms are often used interchangeably.

Question 19

A reinforcer that is based on a number of different back-up reinforcers is called a(n):
A)natural reinforcer
B)generalized reinforcer
C)intrinsic reinforcer
D)extrinsic reinforce

Accepted Answer

A generalized reinforcer is a type of reinforcer that is based on a variety of different back-up reinforcers. These back-up reinforcers can include natural reinforcers such as food, water, and shelter, as well as social reinforcers such as praise and attention. Generalized reinforcers are often used in applied behavior analysis (ABA) to increase the frequency or intensity of a desired behavior.

Question 20

At the end of a poker game, poker chips that you have obtained can be exchanged for money.In this case, money can best be described as a(n):
A)back-up reinforcer
B)unconditioned reinforcer
C)natural reinforcer
D)conditioned reinforce

Accepted Answer

Money is a back-up reinforcer because it can be exchanged for a variety of other reinforcers.

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

Which of the following is a stimulus that is a conditioned reinforcer (i.e., associated with more powerful reinforcers) but is not a token?

A reinforcer for which tokens can be exchanged in order to maintain their reinforcing power is called a(n) :

Giving a child her favorite candy following a desirable behavior is an example of a motivating operation.

Unprogrammed reinforcers that occur in the normal course of everyday living are called arbitrary reinforcers.

Conditioned reinforcers that can be accumulated and exchanged for other reinforcers are known as:

The increased frequency of a response because of its immediate reinforcing consequences is referred to as the indirect-acting effect of reinforcement.

Animals can learn even though they are not able to verbalize an understanding or an awareness of their behavior.

Stimuli which are reinforcing without prior learning are called:

A stimulus which is not originally punishing but which acquires punishing power through association with a stimulus that is punishing is called a(n) :

For someone who has not eaten for several hours, food would be a______- reinforcer, as it is naturally reinforcing in and of itself.

A stimulus which is not originally reinforcing but which acquires reinforcing power through association with a stimulus that is reinforcing is called:

When a behavior must occur before a reinforcer will be presented, we say that the reinforcer is contingent upon that behavior.

In a behavior modification token system, tokens can be exchanged for more powerful reinforcers called:

A behavior change is likely due to indirect acting effects of positive reinforcement if the behavior that is measured shows some increase in strength prior to the first occurrence of the consequence.

Consumable, activity, manipulative, possessional, and social are categories of reinforcers.

Food deprivation is a type of motivating operation.

The terms positive reinforcement and reinforcement are often used interchangeably.

A reinforcer that is based on a number of different back-up reinforcers is called a(n) :

At the end of a poker game, poker chips that you have obtained can be exchanged for money.In this case, money can best be described as a(n) :