Question 1

Recall what you have learned about classical and operational conditioning. Which of the following is descriptive of operant conditioning?

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is a type of learning where behavior is shaped by its consequences. In other words, an association is formed between a response (behavior) and its consequence (reward or punishment). This type of conditioning differs from classical conditioning in which an association is formed between a stimulus and a response. Options B, C, and D describe classical conditioning.

Question 2

One problem with token economies is that

Accepted Answer

Learned behavior in token economies often stops once the tokens are discontinued because the reinforcement that maintained the behavior is no longer present.

Question 3

Learning to perform a behaviour because it terminates an aversive event is called ________ learning, and it reflects the power of ________ reinforcement

Accepted Answer

Escape learning involves performing a behavior in order to terminate an aversive event (e.g. turning off a loud alarm to stop the aversive noise). This type of learning reflects the power of negative reinforcement, in which an aversive stimulus is removed after a behavior is performed, increasing the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. The other choices do not accurately describe this type of learning or the reinforcement involved.

Question 4

Which of the following is not true of a token economy?

Accepted Answer

People in a token economy must know in advance what behavior will be reinforced and what token will be given as reinforcement, otherwise the system would not work effectively.

Question 5

The systematic use of learning principles to change behaviour is called

Accepted Answer

Behaviour modification refers to the systematic use of learning principles, such as positive reinforcement or punishment, to change specific target behaviours. Counselling and education may involve behaviour modification techniques, but they are not synonymous with it. Biofeedback involves providing individuals with information about their bodily functions, such as heart rate or muscle tension, and teaching them to regulate those functions. While biofeedback may also involve learning principles, it is not the same as behaviour modification.

Question 6

The purpose of a time out, in behaviour modification programs is to

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a time out is to remove the child from sources of positive reinforcement, such as attention from others, toys, or privileges, as a consequence for their behavior. This can decrease the likelihood of the behavior happening again in the future. A time out is not primarily to give other children a break, to allow the child to consider their behavior, or to give the teacher time to think.

Question 7

Observational learning can be used for all of the following except

Accepted Answer

Observational learning is the process of acquiring new behaviors or modifying existing ones by observing the behaviors of others. It can be used to strengthen existing responses, weaken existing responses, and acquire new responses. However, it cannot be used to monitor internal responses as it involves external observations of behavior.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the token economy is not true?

Accepted Answer

The token economy is based on operant conditioning principles, not classical conditioning principles. Classical conditioning involves pairing an unconditioned stimulus with a neutral stimulus to create a conditioned response, while operant conditioning involves reinforcing or punishing a behavior to increase or decrease its future occurrence.

Question 9

One account of why poverty is so difficult to overcome suggests that people living in poverty have given up, perceiving that their condition is inescapable. This explanation sounds most like

Accepted Answer

This describes learned helplessness, which is the belief that one's actions cannot change their situation.

Question 10

The passive resignation to aversive conditions learned by repeated exposure to inescapable aversive events is called

Accepted Answer

The passive resignation to aversive conditions learned by repeated exposure to inescapable aversive events is called learned helplessness.

Question 11

In observational learning the person who demonstrates a behaviour or whose behaviour is imitated is called the

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the person whose behavior is being observed and imitated is the model.

Question 12

Acquiring new forms of behaviour by watching and imitating others is called observational learning or

Accepted Answer

Observational learning is also called modelling, where an individual learns by watching and imitating the behavior of others. Operant conditioning refers to learning by consequences, while latent learning involves the acquisition of knowledge and skills without immediate reinforcement. "Learning by sight" is not a commonly used term in psychology.

Question 13

In Overmeier and Seligman's experiment on learned helplessness, the dogs in the control group

Accepted Answer

The control group in Overmeier and Seligman's experiment on learned helplessness consisted of dogs who were not exposed to any shocks and were able to jump over the barrier to reach the safe area of the cage.

Question 14

What did the observational learning psychologists add to Skinner's learning theory?

Accepted Answer

The observational learning psychologists (such as Albert Bandura) added the influence of cognitive processes to Skinner's learning theory. They emphasized that individuals can learn new behaviors and attitudes by observing others and the consequences of their actions, without necessarily experiencing reinforcement or punishment directly. This involved cognitive processes like attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation, which interact with the environment and shape behavior. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer.

Question 15

Josie grew up in an abusive home, with a very domineering father, who punished her severely whenever she tried to argue with him. As an adult in a relationship, she finds it impossible to disagree with her partner. She may be experiencing

Accepted Answer

Josie's experiences in her childhood may have led to the development of learned helplessness, which is a phenomenon where individuals feel helpless and unable to control their environment due to repeated exposure to uncontrollable aversive stimuli. This could explain her difficulty in disagreeing with her partner, as she may feel that her efforts to argue or assert herself will be futile and lead to negative consequences.

Question 16

A negative impact of a token economy program could be

Accepted Answer

The negative impact of a token economy program could be that when the reward is no longer given, the behavior may simply disappear. This is because the behavior was originally performed only to receive the reward and not because of any inherent motivation or intrinsic reward. Once the external reward is removed, there may be no reason for the behavior to continue.

Question 17

Classical conditioning is to ________ responses as operant conditioning is to ________ responses.

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning involves involuntary responses, as it pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a reflexive response. Operant conditioning involves voluntary responses, as it uses reinforcement or punishment to increase or decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Question 18

Which researcher is associated with the subject of observational learning?

Accepted Answer

Albert Bandura is the researcher who is best associated with the subject of observational learning. He conducted numerous studies on how individuals learn by observing others, which has been widely influential in the field of psychology.

Question 19

Operant conditioning is to ________ subjects as classical conditioning is to ________ subjects.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning involves active behavior on the part of the subject, who operates on the environment to obtain a reward or avoid a punishment. In contrast, classical conditioning involves passive behavior on the part of the subject, who learns to associate two stimuli without actively doing anything. Therefore, the best choice is D, which correctly pairs operant conditioning with active subjects and classical conditioning with passive subjects.

Question 20

A system of behaviour change that reinforces desirable behaviour with coupons that can be exchanged at a later time for goods or privileges is known as

Accepted Answer

This system is known as a token economy, where desirable behaviour is reinforced with tokens (such as coupons) that can be exchanged for goods or privileges later on. Option A (the prison system) is not relevant to this type of behaviour change system. Option B (instrumental conditioning) is a general term for using rewards and punishments to shape behaviour, but does not specifically involve tokens or coupons. Option D (time out) is a punishment technique where a person is temporarily removed from a situation, and is not related to the use of tokens or coupons as rewards.

Quiz 5: Learning