Question 1

In which form of learning is behavior influenced by its consequences?

Accepted Answer

In operant conditioning, behavior is influenced by its consequences. This means that if a behavior is rewarded, it is more likely to be repeated, and if a behavior is punished or ignored, it is less likely to be repeated. Primary conditioning and delayed conditioning are not recognized forms of learning. Classical conditioning involves learning associations between two stimuli.

Question 2

Pavlov's studies of classical conditioning were most clearly valuable because they provided the young discipline of psychology with a model of:

Accepted Answer

Pavlov's studies of classical conditioning were valuable because they demonstrated the principles of scientific methodology, which involves using controlled experiments to test hypotheses and draw conclusions based on objective data.

Question 3

Watson and Rayner's study of Little Albert demonstrated how specific fears:

Accepted Answer

Watson and Rayner's study of Little Albert demonstrated how a specific fear (in this case, fear of rats) could be produced through classical conditioning.

Question 4

After he was spanked on several occasions for spilling his milk at a restaurant,Colin became afraid to go to the restaurant.In this case,spanking was a(n)________ for Colin's fear.

Accepted Answer

The answer of After he was spanked on several occasions...

Question 5

Two-year-old Philip was recently clawed by the neighbor's cat.Philip now fears all small animals.His fear demonstrates the process of:

Accepted Answer

Generalization occurs when a person responds to a similar stimulus in the same way they would respond to the original stimulus. In this case, Philip's fear of all small animals is a generalization of his fear of the specific cat that clawed him.

Question 6

Compared with nonabused children,those children who have experienced a history of abuse show a stronger brain-wave response to an angry face.This best illustrates:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compared with nonabused children,those children who have...

Question 7

Dogs conditioned to salivate to stimulation of the thigh also begin to salivate when stimulated on other body parts.This best illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Generalization occurs when an organism responds to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus. In this case, the dog responds to stimulation on other body parts, indicating generalization has occurred.

Question 8

After learning to fear a white rat,Little Albert responded with fear to the sight of a rabbit.This best illustrates the process of:

Accepted Answer

Generalization occurs when stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus also elicit a conditioned response. In this case, the white rat and the rabbit have similar features, so Little Albert generalized his fear response from the rat to the rabbit. Observational learning involves acquiring new behaviors by watching others, operant conditioning involves learning through consequences, and spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of a conditioned response after it has been extinguished.

Question 9

Because of the discomfort and embarrassment associated with his childhood bed-wetting,Andrew becomes nervous whenever he senses an urge to urinate.If genital arousal subsequently makes Andrew unusually anxious,this would best illustrate:

Accepted Answer

Generalization refers to the tendency to respond in similar ways to stimuli that resemble the original conditioned stimulus. In this case, Andrew's anxiety about genital arousal is a response that has generalized from the anxiety he experiences in relation to his childhood bed-wetting.

Question 10

Voluntary behaviors that become more frequent when followed by reinforcers are called:

Accepted Answer

Voluntary behaviors that become more frequent when followed by reinforcers are called operant behaviors. Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which behaviors are shaped and strengthened by the consequences that follow them, such as rewards or punishments. Associative behaviors refer to the connection or association between two stimuli or events, while respondent behaviors are reflexive responses to specific stimuli. Unconditioned responses are automatic responses to certain stimuli that do not require prior learning.

Question 11

Jacqueline is sexually aroused by the sight of her handsome boyfriend but not by the sight of her equally handsome brother.This best illustrates the value of:

Accepted Answer

Discrimination is the ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond differently to each one. In this case, Jacqueline is able to discriminate between her boyfriend and brother as sexual stimuli, and only feels arousal in response to one of them.

Question 12

To assess whether Mrs.Webster had suffered a brain injury,researchers conditioned her to blink in response to a sound that signaled the delivery of a puff of air directed toward her face.In this application of classical conditioning,the sound was a:

Accepted Answer

In classical conditioning, the conditioned stimulus (CS) is the neutral stimulus that is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US) to eventually elicit a conditioned response (CR). In this case, the sound is initially a neutral stimulus but becomes the CS after it is repeatedly paired with the puff of air (US). Thus, the correct answer is C, the CS.

Question 13

Monica's psychotherapist reminds her so much of her own father that she has many of the same mixed emotional reactions to him that she has to her own dad.Her reactions to her therapist best illustrate the importance of:

Accepted Answer

Monica is exhibiting generalization, as she is transferring her emotional reactions (previously conditioned to her own father) onto her therapist who has similar characteristics to her father.

Question 14

The ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus is called:

Accepted Answer

Discrimination refers to the ability to differentiate between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 15

Pavlov's research on classical conditioning was important because:

Accepted Answer

Pavlov's research on classical conditioning demonstrated that many different species of animals, including humans, could be classically conditioned, which helped to establish the foundation for the study of behavior and learning across multiple species.

Question 16

Just after they taste a sweet liquid,mice are injected with a drug that produces an immune response.Later,the taste of the sweet liquid by itself triggers an immune response.This best illustrates:

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (the taste of the sweet liquid) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (the drug that produces an immune response) and eventually elicits the same response (an immune response) on its own.

Question 17

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely,and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.This principle is called:

Accepted Answer

The statement describes the Law of Effect, which states that behaviors that are followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by negative consequences are less likely to be repeated.

Question 18

Laurie's thumbsucking has become habitual because she feels less anxious when she sucks her thumb.This best illustrates the process of:

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is a process where behavior is strengthened or weakened based on the consequences that follow it. In this case, Laurie's thumbsucking behavior is reinforced because it reduces her anxiety, therefore increasing the likelihood of her repeating the behavior in the future.

Question 19

Your heart may race when you are confronted by a lion but not when you are approached by a kitten.This best illustrates the adaptive value of:

Accepted Answer

Discrimination refers to the ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond differently to them. In this case, our ability to differentiate between a lion and a kitten allows us to respond with fear to the potentially dangerous lion and not to the harmless kitten. This adaptive value helps us to survive and avoid potential threats.

Question 20

A type of learning in which behavior is diminished if followed by a punisher is called:

Accepted Answer

The term "punisher" indicates that this is referring to operant conditioning, which involves modifying behavior based on the consequences that follow that behavior. In this case, the consequence is a punisher, which serves to diminish the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. Delayed conditioning and classical conditioning refer specifically to forms of learning that involves pairing stimuli together, while secondary conditioning is not a commonly used term in psychology.

Quiz 7: Learning