Exam 2 Review

This child was part of the experiments that illustrated how emotions like fear may be developed from classical conditioning.

• Little Albert
• Baby George

• Young Winnie

• Tiny Tim

Answer explanation

In the Little Albert experiment, conducted by John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner in 1920, an infant named Albert was conditioned to fear a white rat through classical conditioning. Albert initially showed no fear of the rat, but after pairing its presence with a loud noise, he began to display fear responses, even in the absence of the noise. This experiment illustrated how emotions like fear can be learned through associative learning processes.

This term is used to explain the sudden re-emergence of a learning association after extinction.

• Rapid resurgence
• Delayed recovery
• Spontaneous recovery
• Immediate recall

Answer explanation

Spontaneous recovery is a phenomenon in psychology where a previously extinguished response re-emerges, albeit temporarily, after a period of rest or time has passed since extinction. This sudden return of the conditioned response suggests that extinction does not erase the original learning but rather suppresses it temporarily. Spontaneous recovery highlights the enduring nature of learned associations, even after apparent extinction.

This reinforcement schedule best describes Jose’s payment arrangement where he receives compensation after a random amount of time has elapsed.

• Variable Ratio Reinforcement Schedule
• Fixed Interval Reinforcement Schedule
• Variable Interval Reinforcement Schedule
• Fixed Ratio Reinforcement Schedule

Answer explanation

In a variable interval schedule of reinforcement, rewards or reinforcements are delivered to an individual after a random or unpredictable amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement.

In Jose's payment arrangement, where he receives compensation after a random amount of time has elapsed, this fits the pattern of a variable interval schedule. For example, Jose might receive his payment after 2 days, then after 5 days, then after 3 days, and so on, with no predictable pattern to the timing of his payments.

This term is used to explain what is likely to happen after presenting Pavlov’s dog with the bell over and over again in the absence of food.

• operant conditioning
• extinction

• spontaneous recovery

• habituation

Answer explanation

Extinction refers to the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus (such as the bell in Pavlov's experiment) is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus (such as food) that originally elicited the response.

However, if the bell is presented repeatedly without being followed by food, the association between the bell and the food weakens. Eventually, the conditioned response (salivation to the bell) diminishes and may disappear altogether. This process is known as extinction.

Mr. Jones is in the habit of offering extra-credit points on the next exam to students who contribute to class discussions. What kind of reinforcement strategy is Mr. Jones using to encourage class participation?

• Negative reinforcement
• Punishment
• Extinction
• Positive reinforcement

Answer explanation

Positive reinforcement involves providing a desirable stimulus, in this case, extra-credit points, to increase the likelihood that a behavior, such as contributing to class discussions, will occur again in the future. By offering extra-credit points as a reward for participating in class discussions, Mr. Jones is reinforcing the behavior of active participation and encouraging students to engage more actively in classroom activities.

Every time Susan hears the attack music when watching Jaws she has learned to close her eyes. The music serves as this type of stimulus.

• Conditioned stimulus
• Unconditioned stimulus
• Neutral stimulus
• Reinforcement stimulus

Answer explanation

In classical conditioning, a conditioned stimulus (CS) is a previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US), eventually elicits a conditioned response (CR) on its own.

In this scenario, the attack music in "Jaws" initially may not have had any particular meaning or effect on Susan. However, after being repeatedly paired with the sight of the shark attacking or imminent danger (the unconditioned stimulus), Susan has learned to associate the attack music with the impending threat. As a result, the attack music becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits a conditioned response—in this case, Susan's learned response of closing her eyes in anticipation or fear when she hears the music.

Fabio is extremely afraid of rats but he’s not afraid of hamsters or gerbils. Fabio’s behavior illustrates…

• panic

• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• stimulus generalization

• stimulus discrimination

Answer explanation

Stimulus discrimination occurs when an individual responds differently to similar stimuli based on learned associations or experiences. In this case, Fabio exhibits a fear response specifically to rats but not to other similar animals like hamsters or gerbils.

Tim is a snowboard salesman. For every 15 snowboards he sells, his company gives him a monetary bonus. What schedule of reinforcement describes Tim’s bonus arrangement?

• Variable-interval schedule of reinforcement
• Fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement
• Variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement
• Fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement

Answer explanation

In a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement, a reward or reinforcement is provided after a specific number of responses or occurrences of a behavior. In Tim's case, he receives a monetary bonus after selling every 15 snowboards.

This means that the reinforcement (monetary bonus) is delivered on a fixed ratio basis, specifically after every 15 snowboards sold. Unlike in variable ratio schedules where the number of responses needed for reinforcement varies, in a fixed ratio schedule, the requirement remains constant.

Breaking a phone number into sets of numbers to make it easier to remember is an example of this (and so is this):
XIBMSATMTVPHDX

vs.

X IBM  SAT  MTV  PHD  X

• Grouping
• Segmenting
• Dividing
• Chunking

Answer explanation

Chunking is a mnemonic strategy used to improve memory by organizing information into smaller, more manageable units or "chunks." Instead of trying to remember a long string of individual items, chunking involves grouping related items together to form larger, more meaningful units.

This type of memory includes information about events we have personally experienced.

• Procedural memory
• Sensory memory
• Semantic memory
• Episodic memory

Answer explanation

Episodic memory is a type of long-term memory that involves the recollection of specific events, situations, and experiences that an individual has personally encountered or experienced.

Episodic memories are typically autobiographical and include details such as where and when the event occurred, what happened, who was present, and how the individual felt during the experience. For example, remembering your high school graduation ceremony, your first day at a new job, or a family vacation are all examples of episodic memories.