Understanding Conditioning: A Quiz on Classical and Operant Conditioning

Who is most closely associated with the discovery of classical conditioning?

• B.F. Skinner

• Albert Bandura

• Ivan Pavlov

• John B. Watson

In operant conditioning, what is the term used to describe increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli?

• Negative reinforcement

• Punishment

• Positive reinforcement

• Extinction

Which of the following is an example of classical conditioning?

• A dog salivating to the sound of a bell because it has been associated with food.

• A rat pressing a lever to receive food.

• Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior.

• Giving a child a time-out for bad behavior.

In the context of training a dog, what does "negative reinforcement" mean?

• Adding a loud noise when the dog misbehaves to decrease that behavior.

• Removing the leash when the dog sits as commanded to increase sitting behavior.

• Using a spray bottle to squirt the dog when it jumps on guests to decrease jumping behavior.

• Taking away the dog's favorite toy when it barks too much to decrease barking behavior.

Which principle of operant conditioning is being used when a behavior is followed by a consequence that decreases the likelihood of the behavior's recurrence?

• Positive reinforcement

• Negative reinforcement

• Punishment

• Extinction

What is a primary difference between classical and operant conditioning?

• Classical conditioning involves voluntary behaviors, while operant conditioning involves involuntary behaviors.

• Classical conditioning is based on association between two stimuli, while operant conditioning is based on the association between a behavior and a consequence.

• Operant conditioning can only use positive stimuli, while classical conditioning can use both positive and negative stimuli.

• Classical conditioning can lead to extinction, while operant conditioning cannot.

Which of the following is an example of operant conditioning?

• A child developing a fear of dogs after being bitten by one.

• A student studying harder after receiving praise for good grades.

• Salivating when smelling your favorite food.

• Feeling nauseous at the sight of a food that once made you ill.

What is the unconditioned stimulus in the classic Pavlov's dog experiment?

• The bell

• The dog salivating

• The food

• The sound of a whistle

Which of the following best describes a "conditioned stimulus"?

• A stimulus that naturally triggers a response.

• A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with the unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response.

• A response that does not require conditioning to occur.

• A stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a behavior's recurrence.

What is the main focus of classical conditioning studies?

• The effects of punishment on behavior.

• The relationship between behaviors and their consequences.

• The process by which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an involuntary response.

• The development of new behaviors through imitation.