Psychology Module 21 Quiz

Questions and Answers

Classical conditioning focuses on behavior, whereas operant conditioning focuses on behavior.

respondent; operant

Jack finds it extremely difficult to pull himself away from the blackjack table. This is a ________ schedule.

variable-ratio

Gamblers and fishermen have a difficult time controlling their need to gamble and fish because of the _____________ schedule of reinforcement.

variable-ratio

Shaping is a method used by Skinner to ______________.

guide an organism to exhibit a complex behavior using successive approximations. Signup and view all the answers

Michael's whining best illustrates:

negative reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following arguments should Irene use to support her position against spanking?

All of these arguments support her position to avoid spanking. Signup and view all the answers

This best illustrates the value of positive reinforcement:

bonus check after hard work Signup and view all the answers

One main difference between punishment and reinforcement is that the goal of reinforcement is to a behavior, while the goal of punishment is to a behavior.

increase; decrease Signup and view all the answers

Nannette's response to her daughter's behavior is an example of:

negative punishment Signup and view all the answers

__ behavior operates on the environment, whereas behavior involves actions that are automatic responses to a stimulus.

Operant; respondent Signup and view all the answers

For professional baseball players, swinging at a pitched ball is reinforced with a home run on a _____________ schedule.

variable-ratio Signup and view all the answers

If children get attention for doing cartwheels, they will repeat the trick if they find this attention to be enjoyable. This best illustrates:

operant conditioning Signup and view all the answers

Rhonda is likely to be reinforced with positive responses to her inquiries on a ______________ schedule.

variable interval Signup and view all the answers

_______________________ involves any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.

positive reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

Colin's clock-checking behavior is reinforced on a ________ schedule.

fixed-interval Signup and view all the answers

The law of effect states that rewarded behavior is likely to recur and is this psychologist's principle.

Thorndike Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a secondary reinforcer?

Food Signup and view all the answers

These findings provide support for the role of _________________ in operant behavior.

cognitive processes Signup and view all the answers

A word of praise is to a delicious meal as is to .

conditioned reinforcer; primary reinforcer Signup and view all the answers

_______________________ involves an aversive stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response.

negative reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

The squirt of water is a:

positive punishment Signup and view all the answers

The law of effect laid the foundation for:

Skinner's experiments on reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

With continuous reinforcement, an organism is reinforced . With intermittent reinforcement, an organism is reinforced .

every time the desired behavior occurs; sporadically when the desired behavior occurs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes does NOT apply commonly to both types of learning?

Involuntary responses Signup and view all the answers

Critics of B.F. Skinner were concerned that:

he dehumanized people because he ignored the existence of personal freedom and dignity. Signup and view all the answers

According to B.F. Skinner, environmental factors determine a person's behavior.

true Signup and view all the answers

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

True Signup and view all the answers

B.F. Skinner's critics have claimed that he neglected the importance of the individual's:

personal freedom. Signup and view all the answers

B.F. Skinner believed that teaching machines could promote effective learning because they allow for both:

shaping and immediate reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is LEAST likely to be considered an important component of effective student instruction involving the use of interactive software?

Respondent behavior Signup and view all the answers

Kendra learned how to make 3-point basketball shots by successfully making very short shots before shooting from increasingly longer distances from the hoop. This learning strategy best illustrates the process of:

shaping. Signup and view all the answers

According to operant conditioning principles, which of the following would NOT be recommended when dealing with a young girl who is resistant to going to school every morning?

Parents should express their anger by yelling at the girl. Signup and view all the answers

Four years ago, the Acme Tool and Dye manufacturers included its employees in a profit-sharing plan. This productivity increase is best explained in terms of:

operant conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

When grocery shopping with his mother, 3-year-old Dre sometimes throws temper tantrums if his mother refuses his requests for a particular cereal. Parent-training experts would suggest that his mother should:

continue shopping while ignoring Dre's tantrums. Signup and view all the answers

Both classical and operant conditioning are forms of:

associative learning. Signup and view all the answers

Classical conditioning is to operant conditioning as _ are to _.

involuntary responses; voluntary responses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a respondent behavior?

blushing when embarrassed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical vs. Operant Conditioning

Classical conditioning deals with respondent behavior, which includes automatic responses to stimuli.
Operant conditioning involves operant behavior, focusing on actions that operate on the environment.

Schedules of Reinforcement

A variable-ratio schedule is exemplified by gamblers, as their reinforcement is unpredictable, sustaining the behavior.
Positive reinforcement occurs when a desired behavior is strengthened by presenting a stimulus after the response.
Negative reinforcement strengthens a response by removing an aversive stimulus.
A fixed-interval schedule involves reinforcement after a set period, while a variable-interval schedule has unpredictable reinforcement timing.

Principles of Behavior Modification

Shaping is a technique of guiding behavior toward a complex task using successive approximations.
The law of effect, established by Thorndike, states that behaviors followed by rewards are more likely to be repeated.
Negative punishment involves removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Applications in Parenting and Education

Effective behavior management can include ignoring undesirable behaviors, such as temper tantrums.
Using shaping and immediate reinforcement in teaching machines can enhance the learning process.
Arguments against spanking emphasize that it may not effectively control behavior, suggesting alternative methods for discipline.

Behavioral Insights

Secondary reinforcers gain power through association with primary reinforcers (e.g., food).
Children may behave more positively when they receive rewards, illustrating the role of cognitive processes in learning.

Criticism of Learning Theories

Critics of B.F. Skinner argue that his approach neglects personal freedom and dignity, viewing behavior as solely determined by environmental factors.
Skinner maintained that behaviors are shaped by consequences rather than individual choices.

Associative Learning

Both classical and operant conditioning involve associative learning, whereby connections are made between behaviors and responses.
An example of respondent behavior is blushing in response to embarrassment, as it is an involuntary reaction.

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Description

Test your knowledge on classical and operant conditioning with this quiz based on Module 21. Focus on core concepts like respondent behavior and variable-ratio schedules, highlighting key differences and examples. Perfect for psychology students looking to reinforce their understanding of these conditioning types.