Question 1

According to the box entitled "Changing the Behavior of Others: Alternatives to Punishment," which of the following is NOT an effective way to change the behavior of others?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the frequency of reinforcement once the desired behavior is well established is not effective because it can lead to dependency on reinforcement rather than maintaining the behavior independently.

Question 2

Martina is an animal trainer at Sea World. To teach a new dolphin to jump through a hoop high above the water, Martina first reinforces the dolphin for approaching the hoop while it is under the water. Then, she reinforces the dolphin for swimming through the hoop under water. Gradually raising the hoop, Martina progressively reinforces each small step toward the goal behavior. Martina is using the process of _____ to train the dolphin.

Accepted Answer

Martina is using shaping to train the dolphin, which involves reinforcing successive approximations to the desired behavior. She first reinforces approaching the hoop under water and then reinforces swimming through the hoop under water, gradually raising the hoop until the dolphin is able to jump through it high above the water. This is a classic example of shaping in action.

Question 3

B. F. Skinner extended his ideas regarding operant conditioning to human behavior and social problems. He wrote about these views in his book, Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects Skinner's views as asserted in his book?

Accepted Answer

Skinner believed that behavior is determined by environmental factors and that the environment acts upon the individual, shaping behavior through reinforcement and punishment, as reflected in his book "Beyond Freedom and Dignity."

Question 4

Which of the following alternatives to punishment represents the BEST method for reducing a problem behavior?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement is the most effective alternative to punishment because it actively encourages the replacement of a problem behavior with a desired behavior. In this case, Jose is being reinforced for working quietly, which may lead to him continuing to exhibit that behavior. Cuddling (B) and staying after school (C) may not necessarily address the underlying cause of the problem behavior and may not lead to long-term change. Withholding rewards (D) may not have a strong enough impact to change the behavior.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about B. F. Skinner's view is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Skinner did not advocate for the greater use of punishment, but rather for the use of positive reinforcement and shaping to encourage desired behaviors.

Question 6

Standing at the curb, you wait for the Don't Walk crossing signal to change to Walk. Using operant conditioning terms, the Don't Walk/Walk crossing signal is a(n) _____ in this situation.

Accepted Answer

The Don't Walk/Walk crossing signal is a discriminative stimulus as it signals the appropriate behavior (walking) and the consequence of following that behavior (reaching the other side of the road safely).

Question 7

Which of the following statements about B. F. Skinner is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Skinner believed that human behavior is determined by environmental consequences, not by individual choice or free will. This is reflected in his theory of operant conditioning, which posits that behavior is shaped by the consequences (reinforcement or punishment) that follow it. Skinner did not advocate for greater use of punishment, but rather believed that positive reinforcement was a more effective means of behavior change. Additionally, Skinner did not believe in studying mental processes, but rather focused on observable behavior. Finally, Skinner did express concern about the potential misuse of his ideas in creating a totalitarian society, but this does not mean that he believed that his scientific analysis of behavior would inevitably lead to such a society.

Question 8

Howard's cat meows incessantly, and Howard frequently, but not always, gives in and feeds her. Howard decides to stop reinforcing this problem behavior, so he ignores his cat whenever the cat starts meowing. When Howard initiates this extinction procedure, what is likely to happen?

Accepted Answer

When an extinction procedure is initiated, there is often an initial increase in the behavior (extinction burst) before it eventually decreases.

Question 9

The textbook describes a movement called gamification that advocates turning daily life into a kind of virtual reality game, in which points or other conditioned reinforcers are awarded to reward healthy or productive behaviors. What is a potential danger of gamification according to the textbook?

Accepted Answer

The potential danger of gamification according to the textbook is that marketing professionals are already studying ways to use gamification to influence consumer preferences and buying decisions. This could lead to manipulative and unethical tactics being used to encourage people to buy products or services.

Question 10

In operant conditioning, a discriminative stimulus is defined as a(n):

Accepted Answer

A discriminative stimulus is a specific stimulus or set of stimuli that signals to an organism that a specific behavior will be reinforced (or punished). For example, in a pigeon experiment, a red light may signal to the pigeon that pecking a button will result in food reinforcement, whereas a green light may signal that pecking the button will result in no reinforcement.

Question 11

A Skinner box, or operant chamber, is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A Skinner box, or operant chamber, is an experimental apparatus used to study the relationship between active behaviors and their consequences. It involves a controlled environment in which an animal can perform specific behaviors and receive reinforcement or punishment for those behaviors. This allows researchers to investigate the principles of operant conditioning, including reinforcement schedules and extinction. A is incorrect because a puzzle box is a different type of apparatus used to study problem-solving behavior. C is incorrect because a maze is typically used to study spatial learning, while a Skinner box is focused on operant conditioning. D is incorrect because one-way mirrors are not typically used in Skinner box studies, which usually involve direct observation of the animal's behavior.

Question 12

After Peter uses bad language to get a laugh from other children, his teacher sends him to a quiet area, free of distractions and social contact, for a short time. In the In Focus box "Changing the Behavior of Others," this strategy is called:

Accepted Answer

The strategy described in the scenario is called the time-out from positive reinforcement procedure. It involves removing the person from the situation where they receive positive reinforcement for their behavior, which in this case is the laughter from other children. By doing this, the person is less likely to repeat the behavior in the future. The Premack principle involves using a high-probability behavior to reinforce a low-probability behavior. The law of effect states that behaviors followed by positive consequences are more likely to occur in the future. The reinforcement of incompatible behavior strategy involves reinforcing a behavior that is incompatible with the problem behavior. None of these strategies match the scenario described.

Question 13

If you reinforce successively closer approximations of a behavior until the desired behavior is displayed, you are using the operant conditioning procedure called:

Accepted Answer

The operant conditioning procedure described is called shaping, which involves reinforcing behaviors that successively approximate the desired behavior until the desired behavior is achieved. Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior occurring, stimulus discrimination is the ability to differentiate between similar stimuli, and generalization training involves applying learned behaviors to new situations.

Question 14

Some businesses give reductions on health insurance premiums to employees who rack up enough points on a specially equipped pedometer that monitors their daily activity level. This is an example of a movement called _____ that is based on principles of operant conditioning.

Accepted Answer

Gamification is the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, which often involves using rewards and incentives to motivate desired behaviors, in this case, increased physical activity. The use of a special pedometer and rewards for reaching activity goals is a clear example of gamification. Positive psychology focuses on building positive emotions, relationships, and character strengths, while the token economy and the time-out procedure are both specific techniques used in applied behavior analysis, which is based on operant conditioning principles.

Question 15

Terry wants his young daughter, Lauren, to help him with the housework, so he tells her that she can play on his computer as soon as she finishes doing the dinner dishes and putting away the clean laundry. Terry is using a more preferred activity to reinforce a less preferred activity. According to the In Focus box "Changing the Behavior of Others," this behavioral strategy is called:

Accepted Answer

Terry is using the Premack principle by offering a more preferred activity (playing on his computer) as a reinforcement for a less preferred activity (doing the dinner dishes and putting away laundry). The Premack principle is a commonly used strategy in behavior modification, where a higher frequency behavior is used to reinforce a lower frequency behavior.

Question 16

Whenever the phone rings, young Daniel always runs over and answers it. In this situation the ringing phone is a _____ for Daniel's response.

Accepted Answer

The ringing phone is a discriminative stimulus, as it prompts Daniel's behavior of running over and answering it. A discriminative stimulus signals that a certain behavior will be reinforced, but it is not in itself a reinforcer.

Question 17

In 1971, B. F. Skinner published a book called Beyond Freedom and Dignity, which became a best-seller. How did the American public respond to the message of his book?

Accepted Answer

The American public responded negatively to Skinner's message in Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Critics were outraged by his assertion that traditional American values, such as individual freedom, self-determination, and self-reliance, were "traditional prescientific views." Many saw his ideas as a threat to personal freedom and human dignity.

Question 18

A movement called _____ advocates turning daily life into a kind of virtual reality game, in which points or other conditioned reinforcers are awarded to reward healthy or productive behaviors.

Accepted Answer

The movement that advocates turning daily life into a kind of virtual reality game, in which points or other conditioned reinforcers are awarded to reward healthy or productive behaviors is called gamification. Positive psychology focuses on promoting well-being and happiness, whereas the token economy and the time-out procedure are behavioral interventions used to modify behavior in specific settings.

Question 19

According to B. F. Skinner:

Accepted Answer

B. F. Skinner was a behaviorist who believed that environmental factors play a crucial role in determining human behavior. He felt that behavior can be shaped by reinforcement or punishment, and that individuals could be trained to behave in certain ways through conditioning. Therefore, choice C is the best answer.

Question 20

Whenever there is a knock on the front door, Rex the dog runs down the hallway and barks at the door. For Rex, a knock on the door is a _____ for running down the hallway and barking.

Accepted Answer

A discriminative stimulus is a cue that signals the availability of reinforcement or punishment, prompting a specific behavior. In this case, the knock on the door signals Rex to run and bark.

Quiz 5: Learning