Learning & Behavior Exam 2

Pigeon's autoshaped responses for water and grain differed. Researchers argue that such differences were motivated by... A) R-O Associations B) S-R Associations C) a response deprivation D) an incentive

A) R-O Associations

Raul's parents make certain that they thank Raul every time he clears the dishes from the table without being asked. Sophie's parents thank her (on average) about every four times she clears the table without being asked. Based on the principles of operant conditioning, you could predict that... A) Sophie's table clearing would be more resistant to extinction than Raul's B) both children's table clearing would be resistant to extinction C) Raul's table clearing would be more resistant to extinction than Sophie's D) both children would vary in their table clearing

A) Sophie's table clearing would be more resistant to extinction than Raul's

The study of choice behavior involves the use of multiple schedules of reinforcement. A choice procedure that requires a subject to make one response on one schedule and then another subsequent schedule is called... A) a chained schedule B) a molar schedule C) a concurrent schedule D) a molecular schedule

A) a chained schedule

According to behaviorists, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder results from a contextual stimuli eliciting a fear or anxiety as well as... A) an expectation that an instrumental responses will decrease the fear or anxiety B) a conditioned response that cannot be stopped until it is completed C) an obsession that causes a compulsive behavior D) a compulsive behavior that results in frequent obsessions

A) an expectation that an instrumental responses will decrease the fear or anxiety

According to Premack's experiment with individuals playing pinball and eating candy, people who... A) ate more candy could be reinforced with candy to play pinball B) ate more candy could be reinforced with pinball to eat candy C) played pinball could be reinforced only with playing pinball D) ate candy were reducing a biological need as well as incentive

A) ate more candy could be reinforced with candy to play pinball

In light of our discussion of risk-sensitivity and the daily energy budget rule, we could predict that an individual who had a large credit card debt would... A) be risk prone B) be indifferent C) choose in a self controlled manner D) be risk averse

A) be risk prone

Steve has always been a good student. He is sure to go to class, study hard for tests in order to avoid getting bad grades. Similarly, Lucia has always been a good student, and she is always sure to go to class, study hard and get good grades. However, Lucia attends class and studies hard because she enjoys school and doing school work. This illustrates that... A) behaviors and their consequences might be the same, but what motivates individuals could be different B) positive and negative reinforcement are different types of reinforcement with different results C) punishment is not as effective as other forms of reinforcement D) certain types of reinforcement and schedules of reinforcement are more resistant to extinction

A) behaviors and their consequences might be the same, but what motivates individuals could be different

As a snake waits for prey along a path, the Marginal Value Theorem could be used to make predictions about when the snake would... A) continue foraging on the path or leave for another location B) seek to consume certain types of prey (ex: large or small prey) C) choose a variable over a constant reward D) choose in a self controlled or impulsive manner

A) continue foraging on the path or leave for another location

Which of the following reinforcement schedules is the least resistant to extinction? A) fixed ratio B) variable ratio C) fixed interval D) variable interval

A) fixed ratio

Maria is so excited because she just got a new job at the mall. One of the perks of her job is that, if she sells over fifty items, she receives an extra 5% off items in the store. Maria's behavior is being reinforced using a ... A) fixed ratio scale B) variable ratio scale C) fixed interval scale D) variable interval scale

A) fixed ratio scale

Timberlake's Behavior Regulation approach suggests that all behaviors... A) have a bliss point or homeostasis B) are biologically prepared C) have a specific need or drive D) can reinforce S-R Associations

A) have a bliss point or homeostasis

In studies of risk-sensitive foraging, subjects such as shrews or hummingbirds are often seen to change choices. One explanation for their sensitivity to risk is that these species... A) have a high metabolism and will die without reaching a specific caloric requirement B) have a low metabolism and can continue foraging despite changes in return C) are able to detect subtle changes in delay to reward D) have a higher discounting rate than other species

A) have a high metabolism and will die without reaching a specific caloric requirement

The Differential Probability Theory states that... A) high probability events can be used to reinforce low probability events B) low probability events can be used to reinforce high probability events C) high probability events can be used to punish low probability events D) low probability events can be deprived and punish low probability events

A) high probability events can be used to reinforce low probability events

A key distinction between ratio and interval schedules is... A) interval only require one response whereas ratio can require many responses B) ratio require a particular amount of time to pass before reinforcement will be delivered C) interval require that numerous responses must be made before reinforcement is delivered D) ratio deliver many reinforcers whereas interval only deliver one reinforcer

A) interval only require one response whereas ratio can require many responses

Evidence suggests that extinction is... A) new learning B) unlearning of a CS-US relationship C) the opposite of suppression D) unlearning of a conditioned response

A) new learning

In using learned helplessness as a model to treat depression, Abramson and Seligman argue that it is important to... A) provide individuals with positive reinforcement for successes B) help clients focus on understanding deep psychological trauma C) change clients sense of self from being optimistic to flexible D) provide unconditional positive regard

A) provide individuals with positive reinforcement for successes

Dr. Craft goes to a coffee shop with a friend and despite the fact that he has already had several cups of coffee and has the shakes, he still buys a cup of coffee; however, he doesn't even drink it. In this situation, what theory could best explain Dr. Crafts coffee purchase? A) the S-R Association B) the S-O Association C) Premack's Principle D) the drive reduction hypothesis

A) the S-R Association

The two-factor theory describes that responding is the result of all of the following except... A) contextual stimuli B) an escape response C) an emotional response D) an instrumental response

B) an escape response

In the risk sensitive foraging experiment with Dark-eyed Juncos, optimal foraging theory would predict that these birds should have... A) been risk averse B) been indifferent C) been risk prone D) chosen in an impulsive manner

B) been indifferent

With some difficulty, a raccoon was trained to place coins in a piggy bank, but over time, the raccoon started rubbing the coins together for minutes on end, would drop the coins on the ground, pick them up, and then dip the coins with its hands. This is an example of... A) differential variability B) instinctive drift C) sensitization D) stereotype

B) instinctive drift

Joey has taken a marker and colored all over the new LED HDTV. As a result, his parents have taken the marker away and put him in a chair at the kitchen table where he has to remain for the next 20 minutes. Joey's parents are using... A) punishment B) omission C) positive reinforcement D) negative reinforcement

B) omission

In experiments investigating the Response Deprivation Hypothesis, rats that spent more time drinking water than running in a wheel could be reinforced with access to water. However, if deprived of running in a wheel... A) rats would seek to reduce that drive or need B) rats would drink water to gain access to the running wheel C) rats were punished by drinking water D) rats water drinking behaviors were still the most motivating behaviors

B) rats would drink water to gain access to the running wheel

Sammy plays video games most of his free time; however, he rarely reads books. As a child psychologist trained in behavioral methods, you know that... A) reading is always punishing B) reading can be motivated by access to playing video games C) reading books doesn't carry the same value as playing video games D) playing video games is always reinforcing

B) reading can be motivated by access to playing video games

More response suppression will be achieved if the reinforcement that is administered in a punishment situation is... A) response noncontingent, mild, and delivered immediately B) response contingent, harsh, and delivered immediately C) response contingent, mild, and of short duration D) response noncontingent, harsh, and of long duration

B) response contingent, harsh, and delivered immediately

The law of effect states that ______ lead to ______ the relationship between a response and a reinforcer. A) dissatisfying events; slight changes in B) satisfying events; strengthening of C) reinforcers; a weakening in D) unconditioned stimuli; conditioning of

B) satisfying events; strengthening of

In the triadic design of learned helplessness experiments, subjects in group Y that receive inescapable shock and are yoked to the E (escape) group show ______ avoidance learning after the conditioning phase. A) conditioned B) slow C) unpredictable D) rapid

B) slow

Instinctual Drift is the result of all the following except... A) the type of reinforcement used B) the amount of training or shaping used C) an organism's biological history or preparedness D) the relationship between a response and a reinforcement

B) the amount of training or shaping used

Brandon wants to hangout with his friends, but before he does that, he drives to get a few slices of pizza. Hull and other Drive Reduction Theorists would argue that Brandon's behavior was motivated by... A) because the demand for pizza was elastic B) the need to reduce a biological drive C) the fact that eating pizza is a consummatory response D) the fact that Brandon hasn't had pizza in a really long time

B) the need to reduce a biological drive

People stop putting money into soda machines after one or to non-reinforced trials, but will put money into slot machines over and over without any payoff. A likely explanation is... A) the extinction burst B) the partial reinforcement extinction effect C) the partial extinction burst D) frustrative aggression

B) the partial reinforcement extinction effect

Bob successfully completed an in-patient treatment program for smoking. In fact, he had not had a craving for over two weeks. However, on his way to the office, he passed a group of teenagers smoking on the corner. When he smelled the smoke, he immediately went to buy a pack of cigarettes. Why? A) the frustration effect B) the reinstatement effect C) the spontaneous recovery effect D) the restoration of extinction effect

B) the reinstatement effect

Foraging can be defined as... A) the effects of changes in caloric return on choice behavior B) the search to procure scarce or valuable resources C) a predators search for prey D) the use of multiple schedules of reinforcement to determine responses that resemble choices

B) the search to procure scarce or valuable resources

The initial stages of shaping or successive approximation require all of the following except... A) the reinforcement of some approximation of the desired behavior B) the use of positive reinforcement only C) the reinforcement of existing behaviors D) the initial use of a continuous reinforcement schedule

B) the use of positive reinforcement only

When given the choice between $100 now or $10 now, Felix took the $100, but when given the choice between $100 in 2 years or $10 now, he took the $10. In this situation, the Delay Discounting Hypothesis would describe Felix's choice as being the result of... A) an increase in the variability of return B) a reward decreasing in value due to inflation C) $100 being discounted to a value less than $10 due to an increase in delay D) $10 being worth more now than later

C) $100 being discounted to a value less than $10 due to an increase in delay

A fundamental question in the study of avoidance is: A) How do avoidance trials lead to escape behaviors? B) Why does punishment have to be discriminated to be effective? C) How can the absence of reinforcement be reinforcing? D) Why does the drive to respond decrease?

C) How can the absence of reinforcement be reinforcing?

A subject in a choice experiment that can make a response on two different schedules of reinforcement is operating under... A) a chained schedule B) a molar schedule C) a concurrent schedule D) a molecular schedule

C) a concurrent schedule

Primary reinforcers ______, while secondary reinforcers ______. A) depend on learning; are naturally satisfying B) depend on immediate delivery; can be long-term or delayed C) are unlearned; are learned D) are associated with unconditioned stimuli; are naturally occurring

C) are unlearned; are learned

Researchers that rely on experience or biology to describe and explain choice argue that choices are... A) both causal and determined B) causal but not determined C) causal and possibly determined D) neither causal nor determined

C) causal and possibly determined

The first component of the two-process theory of avoidance is... A) conditioning fear to the US B) punishment of the CR C) conditioning fear to the CS D) punishment of the CS

C) conditioning fear to the CS

The daily energy budget rule has been used to predict changes in forager's risk-sensitive choice bias. Along these lines, research by Dr. Craft has shown that changes in choice in a risk-sensitive foraging procedure can result from changes... A) across species (ex: high vs low metabolism species) B) in delay to reward C) in reward quality or caloric return D) in the reward amount

C) in reward quality or caloric return

Sarah adds Splenda to her tea because she likes the sweet taste. This behavior causes problems for a drive or need based theory, but can be explained by... A) response deprivation hypothesis B) the Premack principle C) incentive theory D) behavioral economics

C) incentive theory

According to Optimal Foraging Theory, an individual with a negative energy budget would be most likely to be ______ in a risk-sensitive procedure. A) maximizing at a molar level B) risk-prone C) indifferent D) maximizing at a molecular level

C) indifferent

In Papini's work with dogs, researchers observed dogs decreased responding for an unfavorable reward (dry dog food) because of prior experience with a better reward (liver treats). This decrease in responding is called... A) positive contrast B) impulsivity C) negative contrast D) optimal foraging

C) negative contrast

In the R-O Association, instrumental responses are contingent on specific outcomes. In other words, behaviors are motivated by specific rewards. In the Latent Learning experiment, Tolman and Honzik reinforced rats and saw a decrease in runway times... A) only after rats were reinforced with an incentive B) despite not reinforcing rats C) only after rats were reinforced after trial 11 of the experiment D) despite receiving a reward that did not reduce a drive or biological need

C) only after rats were reinforced after trial 11 of the experiment

According to behavioral systems theory, the periodic occurrence of interim responses in an operant conditioning chamber is best explained by... A) superstitious behaviors B) species-typical responses that reflect other sources of motivation when food is unlikely C) the activation of general search mode behaviors within a predatory subsystem D) the presence of handle or consummatory behaviors

C) the activation of general search mode behaviors within a predatory subsystem

The difference between an escape trial and an avoidance is that... A) escape is active avoidance and avoidance trials are passive avoidance B) escape trials are passive avoidance and avoidance trials are active C) the aversive US is delivered during an escape trial but not experienced during an avoidance trial D) the aversive US is delivered during and avoidance trial but not in an escape trial

C) the aversive US is delivered during an escape trial but not experienced during an avoidance trial

The difference between an escape trial and an avoidance trial is that... A) escape trials is active avoidance and avoidance trials are passive avoidance B) escape trials are passive avoidance and avoidance trials are active C) the aversive US is delivered during an escape trial but not experienced during an avoidance trial D) the aversive US is delivered during an avoidance trial but not in an escape trial

C) the aversive US is delivered during an escape trial but not experienced during an avoidance trial

If Steve (a college freshman) has to decide to get up at 6am, he is likely to continue sleeping. However, if he sets an alarm and makes plans to meet someone for breakfast at 7am, he is likely to get up. Steve's ability to get up with an alarm and breakfast plans is an example of... A) a self controlled choice B) an impulsive choice C) the effects of precommitment D) the effects of a risky choice

C) the effects of precommitment

Matching Law describes choices as being based primarily on... A) the delay to reward B) the variability in reward C) the relative reward amount D) the quality of the reward

C) the relative reward amount

A child who chewed very little gum was fitted with braces and cannot chew gum at all. Now, the child's friends can reward mischievous behavior in the child by sneaking the child pieces of gum. Which of the following theories best accounts for the ability of gum chewing to reinforce other behaviors in this child? A) drive reduction theory B) the Premack principle C) the response deprivation hypothesis D) the differential probability theory

C) the response deprivation hypothesis

Walter Mischels study of self-regulation in children using the marshmallow task has shown that self-regulation becomes increasingly difficult when kids are asked to think certain thoughts. In the marshmallow experiment, all of the following would be considered hot thoughts except... A) the taste of the marshmallow B) the smell of the marshmallow C) the shape of the marshmallow D) the sweetness of the marshmallow

C) the shape of the marshmallow

Researchers in the area of choice behavior rely on one of two overarching perspectives to explain the development and maintenance of choice biases. Baumeister's research on changes in self-regulation could best be grouped into which perspective... A) experience-based B) biological C) willpower D) behavioral

C) willpower

Antonio's parents are trying to potty train him. In order to do this, his parents are giving him a piece of chocolate every time he uses the toilet. This is an example of... A) A fixed interval schedule B) negative reinforcement and a variable ratio schedule C) shaping D) a fixed ratio schedule and positive reinforcement

D) a fixed ratio schedule and positive reinforcement

When comparing learned helplessness with depression, Seligman argued that you see all of the following in both learned helplessness and depression except... A) reduced initiation of responses B) difficulty learning that responses produce outcomes C) lower level of aggression and fear D) an increase in appetite

D) an increase in appetite

According to B.F. Skinner and other behaviorists, we are motivated by an associative network. This network includes all of the following except: A) the response B) the environment C) the reinforcement D) biology

D) biology

B.F Skinner proposed that psychologists should avoid all uses of theories and explain behavior based on the three-term contingency which includes all of the following except... A) the environment or discriminative stimuli B) the response C) the reinforcement D) biology

D) biology

In a typical self control vs impulsivity experiment, matching law would predict that individuals would... A) be risk prone B) be risk averse C) be indifferent D) choose in an impulsive manner

D) choose in an impulsive manner

While punishment has been shown to be effective in suppressing behavior, it has also been shown to be problematic. All of the following are examples of problems that arise using punishment except... A) displays of fearful and aggressive responding B) escape of avoidance responses C) difficulty establishing the contingency between response and reinforcement D) rapid rate of extinction

D) rapid rate of extinction

Studies of self control have found that people will become more self controlled under all of the following conditions except if... A) choices are linked or bundled together B) a distractor is provided C) the reinforcement is removed from the persons sight D) reinforcement is of greater value or quality

D) reinforcement is of greater value of quality

Harry Harlow's work with infant rhesus monkey's reveals many aspects about our psychology. From a learning and behavior perspective, this study shows that not all reinforcers are created equal. This is evident in that infants spent more time on... A) the wire mesh mother than the cloth mother B) the cloth mother than the wire mesh mother C) the wire mother when the infant was fed on the wire mesh mother D) the cloth mother even when the infant was fed on the wire mesh mother

D) the cloth mother even when the infant was fed on the wire mesh mother

According to the Marginal Value Theorem, foraging is determined by all of the following except... A) the rate of return from a particular food patch or choice B) the knowledge (either learned or innate) about the average rate of return from a food patch or choice C) the comparison between the actual rate of return and the expected average rate of return D) the delay associated with a particular reward relative to the reward amount

D) the delay associated with a particular reward relative to the reward amount

The difference in the amount of impulsivity observed in a control group and an opioid (heroin) dependent group can be best described by... A) the marginal value theorem B) matching law C) optimal foraging theory D) the delay discounting hypothesis

D) the delay discounting hypothesis

In studies of self control, researchers have found that small avian and mammalian species such as pigeons and rats are more likely to choose a small reward over a large reward if... A) there is a long delay for the small reward and a short delay for the large reward B) there is a delay only for the small reward C) there is a long delay for both the small and large rewards D) there is no delay for the small reward and a short delay for the large reward

D) there is no delay for the small reward and a short delay for the large reward

In your experiment, a pigeon is pecking at key "A" with a relative rate of reinforcement of 0.5 or 50% and pecking at key "B" with a relative rate of reinforcement of 0.2 or 20%. Using Hernstein's Matching Law you would predict... A) there should be a response bias for the reinforcer provided by key "B" B) there should be responses or shifting consistent with the Marginal Value Theorem C) the generalized form of the matching law is incorrect D) there should be a response bias for the reinforcer provided by key "A"

D) there should be a response bias for the reinforcer provided by key "A"

Punishment can be advantageous in all of the following ways except... A) when there is a dangerous situation B) to rapidly suppress behavior C) to generalize from a target to non-target behavior D) when persistent drug abuse occurs

D) when persistent drug abuse occurs

What is the difference between escape and avoidance. Give example of each.

Escape: behaviors are used to get rid of the aversive stimulus; dogs learning how to stay with their owners by using shock collars. If they would run away, their owners would call for them to come back and administer a shock. Once the dog would return, the shock would be turned off. Dogs learned that they could escape the shock by returning to their owner (adding in another behavior to get rid of the stimulus) Avoidance: behaviors occurring to prevent the presentation of the aversive stimulus; dogs not moving at all when they hear the start of the shock collar in order to avoid the shock all together (performing a behavior that doesn't allow the stimulus to be presented)

Compare and contrast Molar, Molecular, and the Melioration theories. Be sure to provide examples of research to support your discussion.

Similarities: All three deal with maximizing response rates. Differences: Molar looks at the rate of responding overall. It is a bigger picture, continuous affair. Molecular looks at the rate of responding locally. It is a here and now focus. Melioration is the combination of both molar & molecular. The main area of focus in responding is what makes all three different. Examples: Molar: Molecular: the delay or value discounting hypothesis; the longer there is a delay in rewards, the value will start to decrease, even if the overall value is larger. (receiving a choice of either $10 now or $100 in 2 weeks. If the delay continues to grow, the $100 will soon have a value less than $10) Melioration: looking at the rate of questions being answered. There a 50 questions and the individual has 1 hour to complete them. The local rate would be taking 15min to complete all 50 and then spending the rest of the 45min doing something else. The overall rate would be looking at how fast it takes to complete the 50 questions and then maximizing the number of questions the individual can answer in 1hr (200/hr)

Compare and contrast the Learned Helplessness Effect and depression.

Similarities: Both LH and depression have the same "symptoms," such as loss in appetite, lowered fear & aggression, reduced initiation of instrumental responses, difficulty learning that responses produce outcomes, and other physiological changes Differences: Depression can be linked to biological influences whereas LH is a conditioned response to environmental factors.

Jane is a sophomore in college. Recently, she has stopped spending time with the friends she made during her freshman year, and she has stopped going to class. In addition, she has started to hang out with a new group of friends as well as using both legal and illegal substances. Using behavioral economics, describe the changes in Jane's behavior.

Since substance abusers tend to be driven to abuse through the lack of social connections they have, Jane could have been feeling like the friends she made her freshman year were not there for her when she most needed them. This could be due to a shift in the time & energy (income) she has to invest in friendships. Because of this, she may feel that her old friends are unwilling to support her and she is, in the long run, spending more energy (unit price) trying to adjust her lifestyle. When she gets to the point of not wanting to put in the time & energy, and feels like her old friends do not want anything to do with her, she changes the way in which she behaves (elasticity of demand) to fit the mold of new friends who accept her.

Describe how Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder could be explained using the two-factor theory.

The two-factor theory first elicits an emotional response caused by the stimuli presented (factor 1). Second, an expectation of an outcome is elicited (factor 2). For OCD, this looks like an event occurring, such as dirty objects, that elicits fear (factor 1). Because of this fear, the individual engages in events that is expected to decrease the fear, such as cleaning until there is no dirt in sight or continually washing hands until they feel there is no more dirt (factor 2).