AP Psychology: Operant Conditioning Quiz

What is the primary difference between classical and operant conditioning?

• Classical conditioning involves rewards, while operant conditioning involves punishments.

• Classical conditioning is about associating stimuli, while operant conditioning is about associating behaviors with consequences.

• Classical conditioning is voluntary, while operant conditioning is involuntary.

• Classical conditioning is faster than operant conditioning.

Which of the following is an example of positive reinforcement?

• Allowing extra playtime for good behavior.

• Taking away a toy when a child misbehaves.

• Giving a child candy for doing their homework.

• Removing a loud noise when a task is completed.

What does negative reinforcement involve?

• Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease behavior.

• Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior.

• Removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease behavior.

• Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase behavior.

In operant conditioning, what does discrimination refer to?

• The ability to distinguish between different stimuli.

• The ability to generalize a response to similar stimuli.

• The ability to respond only to specific cues that indicate reinforcement.

• The ability to learn new behaviors quickly.

What is shaping in the context of operant conditioning?

• Generalizing a behavior to different contexts.

• Using a fixed schedule of reinforcement to teach a behavior.

• Gradually reinforcing behaviors that are closer to the desired behavior.

• Punishing incorrect behaviors until the correct behavior is learned.

Which reinforcement schedule is most resistant to extinction?

• Fixed ratio

• Variable ratio

• Variable interval

• Fixed interval

What characterizes a fixed interval reinforcement schedule?

• Reinforcement after an unpredictable amount of time.

• Reinforcement after a set number of responses.

• Reinforcement after a set amount of time.

• Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses.

How does a variable interval schedule affect response rates?

• It creates a high and steady response rate.

• It leads to a moderate and steady response rate.

• It causes a rapid increase in response rate.

• It results in a low response rate.

What is learned helplessness?

• A method to increase motivation through rewards.

• A strategy to avoid negative consequences.

• A tendency to give up after repeated failures.

• A belief that one's actions have no impact on outcomes.

How can learned helplessness be overcome?

• By focusing on external rewards.

• By rebuilding confidence and belief in one's actions.

• By ignoring past failures.

• By avoiding situations that cause failure.