Question 1

Which statement below about the theoretical construct called "Drive" is correct?

Accepted Answer

Drive is still used today as a theoretical construct, but it has evolved beyond the idea that it is solely about reducing biological needs.

Question 2

Premack's principle asserts that

Accepted Answer

Premack's principle, also known as the "Premack Principle," suggests that a more probable behavior can serve as a reinforcer for a less probable behavior. This means that engaging in a preferred activity can be used as a reward to increase the frequency of a less preferred activity.

Question 3

Which scenario best illustrates the Premack principle?

Accepted Answer

The Premack principle suggests that more probable behaviors (those an individual is more likely to do) can reinforce less probable behaviors. In choice B, playing with its favorite toy (a more probable behavior for the dog) is used as a reward for finding concealed drugs (a less probable behavior), illustrating the Premack principle.

Question 4

Premack assumed that preferred behaviors

Accepted Answer

Premack's principle suggests that more probable behaviors (preferred behaviors) can reinforce less probable behaviors. This is reflected in choice C, as it indicates that preferred behaviors are those that individuals engage in more frequently or for longer durations compared to other behaviors.

Question 5

Johnny earns some money for reporting video game bugs to developers. He spends 45% of his day playing video games, 25% of his day chatting with friends, 20% of his day working on academics, and the rest of the time taking care of basic needs. Unbeknownst to him, his girlfriend (a double major in psychology and electrical engineering) has surreptitiously jammed his cell phone's chat app and unblocks it and sends him chat messages only when he is playing video games. From the perspective of learning theory, what is she trying to accomplish?

Accepted Answer

She is trying to condition Johnny to associate playing video games with the opportunity to chat with friends, likely aiming to reduce the time he spends on games by making chat time contingent on game time, thus potentially decreasing his overall gaming time.

Question 6

The observation that reinforcement contingencies always deprive an organism of the chance to engage in a behavior was fundamental in the development of

Accepted Answer

The answer of The observation that reinforcement contingencies always deprive...

Question 7

A "bliss point" is said to occur when two behaviors

Accepted Answer

The "bliss point" refers to the optimal state of balance or satisfaction where two behaviors are produced at their preferred rate or duration, maximizing pleasure or utility for an individual.

Question 8

Which statement about the minimum distance model and the matching law is accurate?

Accepted Answer

The minimum distance model is more effective in predicting response rates on ratio schedules, which are based on the number of responses, while the matching law, which states that the proportion of responses on a choice alternative matches the proportion of reinforcements obtained from that alternative, is more accurate for interval schedules, where reinforcement is based on time intervals.

Question 9

As the response requirement for a behavior is increased steadily,

Accepted Answer

The answer of As the response requirement for a behavior...

Question 10

Which statement about "selection by consequences" is false?

Accepted Answer

The statement C is false because the "behavioral selection by consequences" approach does not replace traditional notions of reinforcement but rather complements them by explaining how behaviors can be shaped and maintained over time through consequences. Traditional reinforcement principles are still fundamental to understanding behavior within the framework of behavioral psychology.

Question 11

Compare and contrast the theoretical approaches to reinforcement developed by Edward Thorndike and Edwin Guthrie.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast the theoretical approaches to...

Question 12

From the perspective of Thorndike, why would a student continue to attend the lectures in a course in which the student is doing poorly?

Accepted Answer

The answer of From the perspective of Thorndike, why would...

Question 13

What are the three important conclusions about instrumental learning that were suggested by Tolman's latent-learning experiment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the three important conclusions about...

Question 14

Explain what researchers mean by the "learning/performance" distinction in instrumental learning and the role of reinforcement in those processes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain what researchers mean by the "learning/performance"...

Question 15

Doctors and radiology technicians must be able to recognize cancer cells among other tissue structures in X-rays. Describe how you might use errorless discrimination learning to help teach medical professional the difference between scans with and without cancer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Doctors and radiology technicians must be able...

Question 16

Compare and contrast a primary reinforcer and a conditioned reinforcer. Since primary reinforcers can produce effective learning the very first time they are used, explain why conditioned reinforcers are still important or useful.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast a primary reinforcer and...

Question 17

You have used your mother's brownies to shape your roommate to do the dishes. Your brownie supply is getting low. How can you reinforce your roommate to continue to clean the dishes after every meal with this limited suppy, and why will you do it that way?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You have used your mother's brownies to...

Question 18

Identify and explain a behavior chain that leads to a primary reinforcer in your life, including at least three links. Clearly identify the responses (R) and the consequences (C).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify and explain a behavior chain that...

Question 19

A behavior analyst states that cheating behavior in romantic relationships is predicted by the matching law. Therefore, this analyst predicts that as the ratio of reinforcement received from you by your partner decreases relative to the reinforcement received from another person, the amount of time your partner spends with the other person will increase. What important assumptions must the behavior analyst be making?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A behavior analyst states that cheating behavior...

Question 20

How is the tendency to choose a small immediate reward over a larger delayed reward explained?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How is the tendency to choose a...

Quiz 7: Behavior and Its Consequences