Question 1

Resurgence happens when:

Accepted Answer

Resurgence occurs when a previously reinforced behavior reappears after a more recently reinforced behavior is extinguished. This typically happens when the new behavior no longer produces the expected outcomes, leading the individual to revert to older behaviors in an attempt to obtain reinforcement.

Question 2

When analyzing response patterns during extinction, if there are increasing periods of pausing followed by high rates of response, the organism's behavior is in a ______ pattern.

Accepted Answer

The correct pattern is referred to as "break-and-run." This pattern is characterized by periods of no responding (break) followed by a sudden, high rate of responding (run), which is typical in schedules of reinforcement when an organism is experiencing extinction.

Question 3

If food is presented every time a pigeon pecks a key, then the behavior is on a ______ schedule of reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

Continuous reinforcement occurs when a behavior is reinforced every time it occurs, which matches the scenario described.

Question 4

Mechner notation describes:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mechner notation describes:
...

Question 5

Schedules that generate predictable stair-step patterns are:

Accepted Answer

Fixed ratio schedules produce a predictable stair-step pattern because the reinforcement is given after a set number of responses, leading to a brief pause after reinforcement followed by a high rate of responding.

Question 6

What is the relationship between the experimental analysis of behavior and the organism's memories and thought processes?

Accepted Answer

The experimental analysis of behavior, particularly within the behaviorist tradition, focuses on observable behaviors and the conditions under which these behaviors occur, rather than speculating about internal states such as memories and thought processes.

Question 7

Human performance on FI varies from animal data due to ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Human performance on FI varies from animal...

Question 8

Variable-ratio schedules generate:

Accepted Answer

Variable-ratio schedules are known for generating high rates of response because the reinforcement is based on a varying number of responses, which encourages continuous responding.

Question 9

Schedules of reinforcement were first described by:

Accepted Answer

B. F. Skinner is credited with describing schedules of reinforcement as part of his work on operant conditioning.

Question 10

The major conclusion of Cohen, Richardson, Klebez, Febbo, and Tucker's (2001) study investigating forearm-muscle tension and feedback on five different schedules is that:

Accepted Answer

Cohen et al.'s study concluded that changes in physiological responses during biofeedback demonstrate that internal responses can be considered operant behaviors, which can be modified or controlled through external reinforcement.

Question 11

The shape of the response pattern generated by an FI is called a ______.

Accepted Answer

The shape of the response pattern generated by a Fixed Interval (FI) schedule is called a "scallop." This pattern is characterized by a pause after reinforcement, followed by a gradual increase in response rate as the time for the next reinforcement approaches.

Question 12

Infrequent reinforcement generates responding that is persistent, which is called the:

Accepted Answer

The partial reinforcement effect refers to the phenomenon where behaviors are more resistant to extinction when they are reinforced intermittently, rather than continuously. This means that when reinforcement is given only some of the time (infrequently), the behavior tends to persist longer, even when reinforcement stops.

Question 13

Behavior is said to be in transition when it is between:

Accepted Answer

Behavior is in transition when it is moving between stable states, indicating a change or shift in behavior patterns.

Question 14

A rat receives a pellet for the first response after 5 minutes regardless of how often they press the lever. This is an example of a(n) _____ schedule.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an interval schedule because the reward (pellet) is given after a specific interval of time (5 minutes) has passed, regardless of how many responses (lever presses) are made.

Question 15

Organisms become _______ in their responding as reinforcement becomes less frequent or predictable.

Accepted Answer

Organisms tend to exhibit more variability in their responses when reinforcement is less frequent or predictable, as they try different strategies to obtain the reinforcement.

Question 16

Schedules that combine time and responses are called:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Schedules that combine time and responses are...

Question 17

_______ is the increase in topographic variability during extinction after a period of reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

Resurgence is the correct term for the increase in topographic variability during extinction after a period of reinforcement. This phenomenon occurs when a previously reinforced behavior returns after a new behavior has been reinforced and then extinguished.

Question 18

Mechner notation used in behavioral analysis describes ___________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mechner notation used in behavioral analysis describes...

Question 19

From a behavior analysis perspective, peoples' stable dispositions and personality traits can be viewed as:

Accepted Answer

Behavior analysis emphasizes the role of environmental factors, including reinforcement schedules, in shaping behavior, suggesting that what might be seen as stable dispositions or personality traits are actually the result of consistent patterns of reinforcement over time.

Question 20

From a behavioral analysis standpoint, a child working hard to achieve good grades is caused by _______.

Accepted Answer

Environmental contingencies refer to the external factors and conditions that influence behavior, such as rewards or consequences, which can motivate a child to work hard for good grades.

Quiz 5: Schedules of Reinforcement