Question 1

Which is NOT true about discriminative stimuli?

Accepted Answer

Discriminative stimuli are not exclusive to humans; they are also used by other animals to signal the consequences of specific behaviors, indicating that these stimuli play a role in learning and behavior modification across various species.

Question 2

A contingency is exemplified by which statement?

Accepted Answer

A contingency refers to a future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty. Statement B ("If I set my alarm clock 10 minutes fast, then I am on time for my meetings.") exemplifies a contingency because it describes a condition (setting the alarm clock 10 minutes fast) that leads to a specific outcome (being on time for meetings), indicating a conditional relationship between an action and its outcome.

Question 3

_____ neurons are activated when a person performs or observes a particular behavior.

Accepted Answer

Mirror neurons are activated both when a person performs an action and when they observe someone else performing the same action, hence playing a crucial role in learning through imitation and understanding the actions of others.

Question 4

In the middle of Pavlov's studies, the dogs started salivating when the bell sounded rather than just when food was in their mouths. At this point, the bell became a(n):

Accepted Answer

The bell, originally a neutral stimulus, became a conditioned stimulus when the dogs learned to associate it with the presentation of food, leading them to salivate in anticipation of food whenever they heard the bell.

Question 5

Classical conditioning occurs when there is a connection between two _____ that occur together such that one predicts the other.

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning involves the association between two stimuli, where one stimulus (the conditioned stimulus) comes to signal the occurrence of a second stimulus (the unconditioned stimulus), leading to a learned response.

Question 6

_____ neurons may underlie empathy and imitation.

Accepted Answer

Mirror neurons are believed to be a key element in the processes of empathy and imitation, as they fire both when an individual performs an action and when they observe someone else performing the same action, suggesting a role in understanding others' actions and intentions.

Question 7

An example of secondary reinforcement is:

Accepted Answer

Secondary reinforcers, unlike primary reinforcers such as food and water, do not satisfy biological needs. Money is an example of a secondary reinforcer because it can be used to acquire primary reinforcers and other secondary reinforcers, making it valuable through its association with these needs and desires.

Question 8

Which physiologist is MOST associated with experimentally establishing the concept of classical conditioning?

Accepted Answer

Ivan Pavlov is most associated with classical conditioning, having conducted experiments with dogs that demonstrated the process of learning through association.

Question 9

Classical conditioning is a form of learning in which:

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning involves learning through association, where an organism learns to connect two stimuli, with one predicting the other, as famously demonstrated in Pavlov's experiments with dogs.

Question 10

A dog trainer gives a dog a treat every third time the dog sits after the trainer says "sit." What BEST describes the schedule of reinforcement the trainer is using to control the dog's behavior?

Accepted Answer

The trainer is using a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement, as the dog receives a treat after a specific number of behaviors (every third time the dog sits), making the reinforcement predictable after a set number of responses.

Question 11

When Liam started training for a marathon, he twisted his ankle. Now every time he tries to run, his ankle hurts. Thus, he has decided to stop running for now, though he hopes to try for the marathon next year. Liam's injury is serving as a:

Accepted Answer

Liam's injury acts as a positive punisher because it introduces an unpleasant stimulus (ankle pain) in response to a behavior (running), which decreases the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. Positive punishment involves adding something unpleasant in response to a behavior to reduce the likelihood of that behavior happening in the future.

Question 12

Which example BEST reflects a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

A variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement is one in which a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses. This unpredictability makes the reinforcement highly effective at maintaining consistent behavior. Playing a slot machine is a classic example of this schedule, as the player is rewarded with a jackpot after an unpredictable number of plays.

Question 13

Which psychologist is MOST associated with observational learning studies?

Accepted Answer

Albert Bandura is most associated with observational learning, particularly through his work on the social learning theory, which emphasizes learning through observing others.

Question 14

Which behavior BEST exemplifies a conditioned response?

Accepted Answer

Salivating after hearing a soda can open is a conditioned response because it is a learned reaction to a stimulus (the sound of the can opening) that is associated with eating or drinking, similar to Pavlov's experiments with dogs.

Question 15

In which scenario would acquisition of a classically conditioned response be MOST likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning is most likely to occur when a neutral stimulus (high-heeled shoes) is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus (the presence of an attractive woman) that elicits an unconditioned response (perhaps a feeling of attraction or pleasure). Over time, the neutral stimulus alone can elicit a conditioned response similar to the unconditioned response. In option D, the consistent pairing of high-heeled shoes with attractive women can lead to the shoes alone eliciting a positive response, making it the scenario where classical conditioning is most likely to occur.

Question 16

Fatema grew up in Iraq and often heard gunfire and explosions near her home, which caused her alarm and anxiety. She moved to the United States, and during her first Fourth of July celebration, she was very startled by the loud booming and explosive sound of the fireworks. Fatema's startled reaction in response to the sound of the fireworks is BEST described as an example of:

Accepted Answer

Fatema's reaction is an example of generalization because she is responding in a similar way (startled and anxious) to a new but similar stimulus (fireworks) as she did to the original stimulus (gunfire and explosions). This indicates that she has generalized her response from the specific sounds of conflict to similar loud, explosive sounds.

Question 17

When Sarita stayed out past her curfew, her mother took away her cell phone. Now Sarita makes sure to never stay out past curfew. Sarita's change in behavior is MOST influenced by:

Accepted Answer

Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus after a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. In this case, taking away Sarita's cell phone (a desirable stimulus) after she stayed out past her curfew is an example of negative punishment, as it aims to decrease the behavior of staying out late.

Question 18

Madita, who teaches third graders, puts a sticker on each of her students' papers every time their work earns an A. This is BEST described as a(n) _____ schedule of reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

A continuous schedule of reinforcement involves providing a reward every time a desired behavior occurs, which is what Madita is doing by giving a sticker each time a student earns an A.

Question 19

Which situation BEST exemplifies a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

In a variable-interval schedule, reinforcement is given after an unpredictable amount of time has passed. Checking your phone for voicemail fits this schedule because messages can arrive at any time, and checking is reinforced by the possibility of a new message.

Question 20

Which statement is FALSE about learning?

Accepted Answer

Learning is considered the "nurture" part of the "nature-nurture" debate, as it involves experiences and environmental influences rather than innate or genetic factors.

Quiz 6: Learning