Quiz Prep BMB - 2

Which schedule of reinforcement produces a high, steady rate of response with little or no post-reinforcement pause?

• Fixed Ratio

• Variable Ratio

• Fixed Interval

• Variable Interval

Answer explanation

Variable Ratio schedules reinforce responses after an unpredictable number of occurrences, leading to a consistent, high response rate.

According to the two-process theory of avoidance, avoidance behavior is maintained by:

• Positive reinforcement

• Negative reinforcement

• Classical extinction

• Noncontingent punishment

Answer explanation

Avoidance behavior is negatively reinforced because it reduces fear

What is the primary effect of an extinction burst?

• Immediate elimination of the target behavior

• Temporary increase in the frequency and intensity of the behavior

• Decrease in behavior variability

• Increase in reinforcement effectiveness

Answer explanation

When reinforcement stops, the organism often tries harder before the behavior decreases

Which of the following is an example of negative punishment?

• Giving a student extra homework for misbehaving

• Taking away a child's toy after they hit their sibling

• Spraying a cat with water when it scratches furniture

• Praising a student for good behavior

Answer explanation

Negative punishment removes a desirable stimulus to decrease behavior

What is the Partial Reinforcement Effect (PRE)?

• Behavior reinforced intermittently is more resistant to extinction than behavior reinforced continuously.

• Behavior reinforced continuously is more resistant to extinction than behavior reinforced intermittently.

• Extinction occurs equally fast in continuous and intermittent reinforcement.

• Partial reinforcement is ineffective in maintaining behavior.

Answer explanation

Because the subject does not expect reinforcement every time, extinction is slower

In a Fixed Interval (FI) schedule, reinforcement is given:

• After a variable number of responses

• After a fixed number of responses

• After the first response following a fixed time period

• After a variable time period

Answer explanation

Fixed Interval schedules reinforce the first response after a set time interval, leading to a "scalloped" response pattern

Learned helplessness occurs when:

• An organism learns that its behavior has no effect on outcomes

• An organism avoids aversive stimuli before they occur

• Punishment is applied inconsistently

• A reinforcer is delayed after a response

Answer explanation

This phenomenon explains passive behavior in situations where individuals feel they have no control

Stimulus generalization occurs when:

• A behavior is reinforced only in specific settings

• The behavior spreads to similar stimuli beyond the original training conditions

• The organism stops responding after reinforcement is removed

• A subject learns to differentiate between two similar stimuli

Answer explanation

Generalization means that similar stimuli elicit the conditioned response

Which type of reinforcement schedule leads to the fastest learning?

• Fixed Ratio

• Variable Interval

• Continuous Reinforcement

• Fixed Interval

Answer explanation

Continuous reinforcement strengthens behavior quickly but also leads to rapid extinction if reinforcement stops

Which of the following is an example of errorless discrimination training?

• Teaching a child math by letting them fail and correct mistakes

• Gradually introducing a second language at a weak level before increasing exposure

• Giving reinforcement on a variable schedule

• Using punishment to prevent incorrect responses

Answer explanation

Errorless learning minimizes mistakes by introducing the non-reinforced stimulus gradually