As an example of preparedness in operant conditioning, it is easier for a rat to learn to press a lever to _____ than to _____.
a) avoid shock; obtain food
b) obtain food; avoid a shock
c) avoid shock; escape shock
d) escape shock; avoid shock
Answer: B
Learning and Conditioning
- According to Guthrie, if I wish to acquire the habit of leaving my keys on the hallway table when I enter the house, I should
- Which procedure is most likely to produce an inflexible behavior pattern that will be difficult to alter at a later point in time?
- When Rachel finds that she will soon lose her job due to cutbacks, the tasks involved suddenly become more interesting. This is best described as an example of
- On which of the following schedules (chained or multiple) could a rat earn the most food during a two-hour session?
- A rat receives food when it emits lever presses in the presence of a 900 Hz tone, but not in the presence of a 1300 Hz tone. In a subsequent test of generalization, which of the following tones would likely produce the highest rate of lever pressing?
- Robert always looks downward in the presence of a police officer. This is most clearly an example of
- Which of the following most clearly reflects the need to be persistent in order to eliminate a behavior pattern?
- Zakir's mother tells him that he will no longer receive extra money (over and above his allowance) when he asks for it. Nevertheless, each day for the next three weeks, Zakir asks for extra money. What is the most likely reason for this persistence?
- Mihaly is feeling quite depressed these days. From a behavioral perspective, he may be suffering the effects of
- An initial increase in the frequency of key pecking by pigeons when extinction is first implemented is called
- According to the behavioral bliss point approach, most people
- "Save the most enjoyable tasks for last." Which of the following approaches would be most supportive of this advice?
- Tran often drinks diet soft drinks. This is best described as an example of
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- What motivates a pigeon in an operant conditioning experiment to continue to respond throughout the early links in a chained schedule?
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- In a hot dog eating contest, eating is being reinforced on a ________ schedule.
- When Battu is practicing piano, his mother rewards him by occasionally giving him a hug. This is best described as an example of a ________ schedule.
- Horst desperately wanted to be a writer. He sent out hundreds of short-story manuscripts but sold only two. He no longer tries to be a writer. This is best described as an example of
- What type of schedule is most likely to produce the following pattern of behavior in a pigeon: 10 pecks, eat, 10 pecks, eat, 10 pecks, eat, etc.?
- Which of the following is an example of shaping?
- Suzie notices that her daughter Nina loves to play piano. Suzie decides to encourage her further by promising to pay her a dollar for every extra hour of piano practice in the evening. Chances are that Nina's intrinsic interest in playing the piano will likely
- When Sean doesn't cry, he doesn't get an extra helping of dessert. As a result, he always cries at the dinner table. This is best interpreted as an example of
- Jim compliments his secretary on her sexy new outfit when she offers to bring him coffee one morning. She never again offers to bring him coffee. Out of the following, this is an example of which type of process?
- "I'll do anything to avoid housework." This statement speaks to the power of