Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a reflex and an instinct?

Accepted Answer

A reflex is a simple, automatic response to a specific stimulus, while an instinct is a more complex behavior triggered by a broader range of events.

Question 2

In Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiment, what is the conditioned stimulus (CS) after conditioning has occurred?

Accepted Answer

The bell

Question 3

Which process is illustrated when a dog stops salivating to a bell after the bell is repeatedly presented without food?

Accepted Answer

Extinction

Question 4

A child learns to fear all dogs after being bitten by one. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Stimulus generalization

Question 5

Which reinforcement schedule is most likely to produce a high, steady rate of responding with little pause after reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

Variable ratio

Question 6

A student receives praise from a teacher every time they answer a question correctly. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement

Question 7

Which of the following best illustrates negative punishment?

Accepted Answer

Taking away a teenager’s video game privileges for breaking curfew

Question 8

In operant conditioning, what is the main difference between reinforcement and punishment?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior, while punishment decreases it.

Question 9

A rat in a Skinner box receives a food pellet every 5th time it presses a lever. This is an example of which reinforcement schedule?

Accepted Answer

Fixed ratio

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of shaping?

Accepted Answer

Rewarding a dog first for approaching, then for sitting, and finally for lying down

Question 11

Which of the following is a primary reinforcer?

Accepted Answer

Food

Question 12

A child learns to tie their shoes by watching their parent do it. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Observational learning

Question 13

According to Bandura’s social learning theory, which of the following is NOT a step in the modeling process?

Accepted Answer

Acquisition

Question 14

In the Bobo doll experiment, children who saw the adult model punished for aggressive behavior were:

Accepted Answer

Less likely to imitate the aggressive behavior

Question 15

Which of the following best describes latent learning?

Accepted Answer

Learning that occurs but is not demonstrated until there is motivation to do so

Question 16

A person checks their email at random times and sometimes finds a new message. This is an example of which reinforcement schedule?

Accepted Answer

Variable interval

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of vicarious reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

A child sees another child praised for sharing and is more likely to share

Question 18

Which of the following best illustrates stimulus discrimination?

Accepted Answer

A dog salivates only to the specific bell that signals food, not to other similar sounds

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of habituation?

Accepted Answer

A person stops noticing the sound of the air conditioner after a while

Question 20

Which of the following is a secondary reinforcer?

Accepted Answer

Money

Learning: Mechanisms and Theories in Psychology

Study Guide - Practice Questions