Question 1

B. F. Skinner's name for the law of effect is ____.

Accepted Answer

The law of effect refers to the principle that behaviors followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by negative consequences are less likely to be repeated. This principle is the basis of operant conditioning, a type of learning that B.F. Skinner was known for studying and developing.

Question 2

A researcher who uses a Skinner box to study behavior is probably studying ____.

Accepted Answer

A Skinner box, also known as an operant conditioning chamber, is specifically designed to study operant conditioning. Therefore, a researcher using a Skinner box is likely studying behavior that is shaped by consequences and rewards.

Question 3

Frank buys his daughter a computerized toy that is teaching her to read. As she reads the text of a book, the computer asks her questions, which she answers by pointing to the answers with a specialized stylus. If she gets the answers correct, the computer applauds. If she gets the answer wrong, the computer requests another answer. This toy is analogous to ____.

Accepted Answer

The computerized toy is teaching through a form of operant conditioning, where the correct answers are reinforced with praise. This is similar to a Skinner box, which is a controlled environment where animals learn through operant conditioning. It is not similar to Pavlov's classical conditioning with dogs or Watson's experiment on little Albert, where they both used classical conditioning techniques. Taste aversion with disulfiram is a different type of learning, where a negative experience with a particular stimulus (in this case, a medication that causes unpleasant side effects when combined with alcohol) leads to an aversion or avoidance of that stimulus in the future.

Question 4

Joseph tells his buddies at work a joke that makes fun of women. To his surprise, his friends ignore him for several days. As a result, Joseph decides never again to tell a joke like that at work. Joseph's experience is an example of what type of consequence?

Accepted Answer

Joseph's friends ignoring him after telling the joke is an example of negative punishment, as it involves removing a desirable stimulus (in this case, social interaction and acceptance) in response to his behavior (telling an offensive joke).

Question 5

Skinner referred to the type of behavior learned from classical conditioning as ____, and the type of behavior learned from operant conditioning as ____.

Accepted Answer

Skinner referred to the type of behavior learned from classical conditioning as respondent behavior, which is an automatic response to a stimulus. The type of behavior learned from operant conditioning is referred to as operant behavior, which is behavior that is influenced by consequences such as reinforcement or punishment.

Question 6

Teresa had a bad experience at the dentist's office when she had a painful root canal. As a result, Teresa has not been to the dentist in five years. Which type of learning best explains Teresa's failure to go to the dentist in the last five years?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Teresa had a bad experience at the...

Question 7

Classical conditioning is to____ as operant conditioning is to ____.

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning involves learning through association, typically of simple, automatic responses to stimuli (e.g., Pavlov's dogs salivating at the sound of a bell). Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavior, which can shape more complex behaviors (e.g., a rat learning to press a lever to receive food).

Question 8

According to the views of B. F. Skinner, if a behavior is commonly exhibited, you can be assured that it ____.

Accepted Answer

According to Skinner's theory of operant conditioning, behavior that is commonly exhibited has been reinforced, meaning it has been followed by a positive consequence in the past. This reinforcement increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 9

Operant conditioning is to ____ as classical conditioning is to ____.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning involves active behavior that operates on the environment to produce rewarding or punishing stimuli (active), whereas classical conditioning involves learning through association, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, eliciting a similar response (passive).

Question 10

Which statement is TRUE regarding acquisition and extinction?

Accepted Answer

Both acquisition and extinction apply to both classical and operant conditioning. Acquisition is the process of learning and developing a new behavior, while extinction is the process of unlearning and eliminating a previously learned behavior. Both of these terms can occur in both types of conditioning.

Question 11

Traditionally, in a Skinner box, ____.

Accepted Answer

Traditionally, in a Skinner box, animals learn to hit a bar in order to receive a reward. This process is known as operant conditioning, and it was first studied by psychologist B.F. Skinner using rats in the 1930s. The Skinner box is designed as a controlled environment in which stimuli can be systematically given to the animal, and their responses can be observed and recorded. By manipulating the rewards and punishments, Skinner demonstrated how animals (and humans) can learn and modify their behavior based on the consequences of their actions.

Question 12

Joseph tells his buddies at work a joke that makes fun of women. To his surprise, his friends scolded him. As a result, Joseph decides never again to tell a joke like that at work. Joseph's experience is an example of what type of consequence?

Accepted Answer

Joseph's friends scolding him for the joke is an example of positive punishment, as it introduces a negative response (scolding) to discourage a behavior (telling offensive jokes).

Question 13

When reinforcement for a behavior is withheld, an extinction burst is common. This extinction burst is a(n) ____.

Accepted Answer

An extinction burst refers to a temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, or duration of a behavior that has previously been reinforced, but is no longer receiving reinforcement. This burst occurs because the organism is trying harder to obtain the reinforcement that was previously received.

Question 14

According to Skinner, in classical conditioning, behavior is ____, but in operant conditioning, behavior is ____.

Accepted Answer

In Skinner's view, classical conditioning involves a more automatic or "forced" response to stimuli, whereas operant conditioning involves behavior that is "chosen" or emitted by the organism in order to obtain a desired outcome or avoid an undesired one.

Question 15

Compared to classical conditioning, operant conditioning is more likely to result in ____.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is based on the idea of reinforcement, either positive or negative, which means that behaviors are more likely to occur if they are followed by a rewarding consequence. Therefore, operant conditioning is more likely to result in a chosen response because the individual is motivated to repeat the behavior that leads to the reward. In classical conditioning, the response is automatic and not chosen by the individual.

Question 16

Extinction in operant conditioning occurs when the ____.

Accepted Answer

Extinction in operant conditioning occurs when the behavior is no longer reinforced. This means that the individual no longer receives a reward or punishment for the behavior, which leads to a decrease in the frequency of the behavior over time. A, B, and D do not accurately describe the process of extinction in operant conditioning.

Question 17

When an extinction burst occurs, it suggests that the organism ____.

Accepted Answer

An extinction burst occurs when behavior that was previously reinforced no longer produces a reward. During the extinction phase, the organism may engage in a temporary increase in the behavior, sometimes called an extinction burst, in an attempt to receive the previously expected reward. This suggests that the organism has learned to expect a reward and is attempting to obtain it through increased behavior.

Question 18

Classical conditioning is to ____ as operant conditioning is to ____.

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning is all about associating two stimuli together to create a learned response, while operant conditioning is focused more on the consequences that follow a behavior and how those consequences can reinforce or discourage the behavior being exhibited. So, choice A captures this distinction perfectly.

Question 19

B. F. Skinner introduced what concept related to Thorndike's law of effect?

Accepted Answer

B. F. Skinner introduced the concept of operant conditioning, which builds upon Thorndike's law of effect. Operant conditioning involves the use of consequences, such as rewards or punishments, to strengthen or weaken a behavior.

Question 20

Thorndike is to ____ as Skinner is to ____.

Accepted Answer

Thorndike is known for his law of effect, which states that behavior that is followed by a satisfying outcome is more likely to be repeated, while behavior that is followed by an unsatisfying outcome is less likely to be repeated. Skinner, on the other hand, is known for his research on operant conditioning, which involves learning through the consequences of behavior. Therefore, choice B is the best answer as it correctly pairs the two psychologists with their respective areas of study.

Quiz 6: Learning