Question 1

Which of the following best describes associative learning?

Accepted Answer

Learning that certain events occur together, such as two stimuli or a response and its consequence.

Question 2

In classical conditioning, what is the unconditioned stimulus (US)?

Accepted Answer

A stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers an unconditioned response.

Question 3

A child learns to fear white rats after a white rat is paired with a loud noise. Later, the child also fears white rabbits. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Generalization

Question 4

Which process involves the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response?

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous recovery

Question 5

In operant conditioning, what is the effect of negative reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

It increases behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli.

Question 6

A rat receives a food pellet every 10th time it presses a lever. This is an example of which reinforcement schedule?

Accepted Answer

Fixed-ratio schedule

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of a conditioned (secondary) reinforcer?

Accepted Answer

Money

Question 8

According to the law of effect, behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely. Who formulated this principle?

Accepted Answer

Edward L. Thorndike

Question 9

A student receives praise immediately after answering a question correctly. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Immediate reinforcement

Question 10

Which of the following best illustrates shaping?

Accepted Answer

Rewarding successive approximations of a desired behavior

Question 11

A child loses TV privileges for hitting a sibling. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Negative punishment

Question 12

Which of the following is a drawback of physical punishment?

Accepted Answer

It may increase aggression by modeling violence as a way to cope with problems.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of observational learning?

Accepted Answer

A child learns to tie shoes by watching a parent.

Question 14

What did Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Children directly imitate adult behavior they observe.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes a fixed-interval reinforcement schedule?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcing a response only after a specified time has elapsed

Question 16

Which concept explains why taste aversion is more easily learned than other associations?

Accepted Answer

Biological constraints

Question 17

A rat runs a maze faster after receiving food at the end, demonstrating which concept?

Accepted Answer

Latent learning

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation?

Accepted Answer

Reading a book because you enjoy the story

Question 19

Mirror neurons are believed to provide a neural basis for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Imitation and empathy

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world application of operant conditioning in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

Using rewards to increase productivity and skill development

Learning: Classical and Operant Conditioning, Cognitive and Observational Learning

Study Guide - Practice Questions