Can You Answer These Psychology Questions?

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Questions: 53 | Attempts: 127 | Updated: Nov 16, 2023

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Can You Answer These Psychology Questions? - Quiz

Questions and Answers

1.

Learning is ______________.
- A.
  
  Any temporary change in behavior
- B.
  
  A change in behavior due to maturation
- C.
  
  Any relatively permanent change in behavior brought about by experience
- D.
  
  Any permanent change in behavior due to maturation
Correct Answer
C. Any relatively permanent change in behavior brought about by experience

Explanation
Learning refers to the process of acquiring knowledge or skills through experience, study, or teaching. It involves a relatively permanent change in behavior, meaning that the acquired knowledge or skills are retained over time. This change in behavior is brought about by experience, as individuals learn from their interactions with the environment, other people, or through their own actions. It is important to note that learning is not a temporary change in behavior, as it implies a lasting impact on an individual's knowledge or skills. Maturation, on the other hand, refers to the natural process of development and growth, which may influence behavior but is not synonymous with learning.

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2.

In your college dorm, any time you take a shower, someone always flushes the toilet and causes the water in your shower to turn icy cold, making you cringe. After several episode like this, you find that you tend to cringe whenever you hear a toilet flush, no matter where you are. In this example, what is the conditioned stimulus?
- A.
  
  The cold water
- B.
  
  The sound of flushing
- C.
  
  The cringing reaction
- D.
  
  The sight of a toilet
Correct Answer
B. The sound of flushing

Explanation
In this example, the conditioned stimulus is the sound of flushing. This is because the person has associated the sound of flushing with the experience of the water in their shower turning icy cold, causing them to cringe. As a result, they now cringe whenever they hear a toilet flush, regardless of their location. The sound of flushing has become a trigger for the conditioned response of cringing.

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3.

A child has been classically conditioned to fear a white rat. If the child also shows fear when shown a white rabbit, this is called:
- A.
  
  Stimulus generalization
- B.
  
  Stimulus discrimination
- C.
  
  Spontaneous recovery
- D.
  
  Extinction
Correct Answer
A. Stimulus generalization

Explanation
When a child who has been classically conditioned to fear a white rat also shows fear when shown a white rabbit, it is called stimulus generalization. This means that the fear response has generalized from the conditioned stimulus (white rat) to a similar stimulus (white rabbit). The child has associated the fear response with the common characteristics of both stimuli (whiteness), rather than being able to discriminate between them.

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4.

You move out of your dorm into an apartment shared with three other people. Unlike the shower in the dorm, this shower does not turn cold when the toilet is flushed, and you eventually stop cringing every time you hear the flushing sound. What has occurred?
- A.
  
  Stimulus generalization
- B.
  
  Stimulus discrimination
- C.
  
  Spontaneous recovery
- D.
  
  Extinction
Correct Answer
D. Extinction

Explanation
Extinction has occurred in this scenario. Extinction refers to the process of eliminating or weakening a learned response. In this case, the person has learned to associate the sound of a flushing toilet with a cold shower due to their experience in the dorm. However, in the new apartment, the shower does not turn cold when the toilet is flushed, leading to the weakening or elimination of the learned response. As a result, the person eventually stops cringing every time they hear the flushing sound, indicating that the conditioned response has been extinguished.

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5.

When one conditioned stimulus is used to create another, this is called_____________.
- A.
  
  Spontaneous recovery
- B.
  
  Extinction
- C.
  
  Higher-order conditioning
- D.
  
  Shaping
Correct Answer
C. Higher-order conditioning

Explanation
Higher-order conditioning refers to the process in which a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus by being paired with an already established conditioned stimulus. In this process, the new stimulus acquires the ability to elicit the conditioned response even without the presence of the original unconditioned stimulus. This type of conditioning demonstrates how learned associations can be built upon and transferred to new stimuli through the process of classical conditioning.

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6.

Tania ate out with some friends and had fried oysters. The next morning she was nauseated and sick for much of the day. The next time she saw someone eating fried oysters, she felt queasy and quickly looked away. Her queasiness at the sight of the fried oysters was probably due to_______________
- A.
  
  Higher-order conditioning
- B.
  
  A conditioned taste aversion
- C.
  
  Stimulus substitution
- D.
  
  Stimulus generalization
Correct Answer
B. A conditioned taste aversion

Explanation
Tania's queasiness at the sight of fried oysters is likely due to a conditioned taste aversion. This is because she had a negative experience (feeling nauseated and sick) after eating fried oysters, which caused her to associate the taste of fried oysters with feeling sick. As a result, seeing someone else eat fried oysters triggers her queasiness as a learned response to avoid the food that made her sick before.

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7.

The fact that some kinds of stimuli (like taste) are more easily and quickly connected to a response (like nausea) is explained by the concept of _________.
- A.
  
  Biological preparedness
- B.
  
  Psychological preparedness
- C.
  
  Instinctive drift
- D.
  
  Stimulus substitution
Correct Answer
A. Biological preparedness

Explanation
Biological preparedness refers to the innate predisposition of certain stimuli to elicit specific responses due to their evolutionary significance. It suggests that certain stimuli, such as taste, are more easily and quickly connected to a response, like nausea, because they have been biologically prepared to do so. This concept explains why certain associations between stimuli and responses are more readily formed and why some behaviors are more instinctive and automatic.

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8.

The key to the cognitive perspective of classical conditioning is that the presentation of the conditioned stimulus must______________.
- A.
  
  Provide information about the coming of the unconditioned response
- B.
  
  Provide information about the coming of the unconditioned stimulus
- C.
  
  Provide information about the coming of the conditioned response
- D.
  
  Act as a substitute for the unconditioned stimulus
Correct Answer
B. Provide information about the coming of the unconditioned stimulus

Explanation
In classical conditioning, the key aspect is that the conditioned stimulus (CS) must provide information about the coming of the unconditioned stimulus (US). This means that the CS serves as a signal or predictor for the occurrence of the US. By repeatedly pairing the CS with the US, the CS becomes associated with the US and can elicit a conditioned response (CR) on its own. Therefore, the CS acts as a reliable indicator that the US is about to follow, allowing the organism to anticipate and prepare for its arrival.

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9.

In classical conditioning, the __________ are important in learning, but in operant conditioning, it is the ______that determine whether learning will occur.
- A.
  
  Antecedents; consequences
- B.
  
  Consequences; antecedents
- C.
  
  Rewards; punishments
- D.
  
  Punishments; rewards
Correct Answer
A. Antecedents; consequences

Explanation
In classical conditioning, the antecedents (stimuli that precede a behavior) are important in learning. This means that certain stimuli or events can trigger a conditioned response. On the other hand, in operant conditioning, it is the consequences (rewards or punishments) that determine whether learning will occur. This means that behaviors that are followed by rewards are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors that are followed by punishments are less likely to be repeated.

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10.

Who added the concept of reinforcement to learning theory?
- A.
  
  Watson
- B.
  
  Thorndike
- C.
  
  Skinner
- D.
  
  Pavlov
Correct Answer
C. Skinner

Explanation
Skinner added the concept of reinforcement to learning theory. He believed that behaviors that are followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by negative consequences are less likely to be repeated. Skinner's work on operant conditioning and his experiments with animals and humans helped shape our understanding of how reinforcement can influence behavior and learning.

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11.

Which of the following is an example of a secondary reinforcer?
- A.
  
  A candy bar
- B.
  
  A glass of water
- C.
  
  Petting a dog
- D.
  
  Praising a child
Correct Answer
D. Praising a child

Explanation
Praising a child is an example of a secondary reinforcer because it is a stimulus that has acquired its reinforcing properties through association with primary reinforcers (such as food or water) or other secondary reinforcers. In this case, the child has learned to associate praise with positive outcomes or rewards, making it a secondary reinforcer that can motivate and reinforce desired behaviors.

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12.

Joaquin's parents have given his 2-year-old daughter, Marie, a very noisy jack-in-the box for her birthday. Marie loves to turn the crank and make the puppet pop up, over and over and over. Desperate to have some peace and quite, Joaquin gives Maria a popsicle, which distracts her and produces the quite he was craving. But when the popsicle is finished, Marie goes back to the toy, cranking and cranking. Joaquin tries another popsicle. What kind of reinforcement process is taking place in this situation?
- A.
  
  Marie is being positively reinforced for playing with the toy by receiving the treat
- B.
  
  Joaquin is being positively reinforced for giving her the treat by the quiet that follows
- C.
  
  Joaquin is being negatively reinforced for giving her the treat by the absence of the noise
- D.
  
  Both A and C are correct
Correct Answer
D. Both A and C are correct

Explanation
In this situation, both A and C are correct. Marie is being positively reinforced for playing with the toy by receiving the treat (A), as she enjoys the popsicle as a reward for her behavior of turning the crank. Additionally, Joaquin is being negatively reinforced for giving her the treat by the absence of the noise (C), as the popsicle distracts Marie from playing with the noisy toy. By giving her the treat, Joaquin is able to achieve the quiet he desires.

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13.

Liz failed her math test, so her parents told her that she could not play video games for a month. Her parents are using___________.
- A.
  
  Positive reinforcement
- B.
  
  Negative reinforcement
- C.
  
  Punishment by removal
- D.
  
  Punishment by application
Correct Answer
C. Punishment by removal

Explanation
Liz's parents are using punishment by removal because they are taking away her privilege of playing video games for a month as a consequence of her failing the math test. This type of punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. In this case, the removal of video games serves as a consequence for Liz's poor performance in her math test.

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14.

To make punishment more effective, it should be________.
- A.
  
  Very intense
- B.
  
  Applied every other time the bad behavior occurs
- C.
  
  An aggressive type, such as spanking
- D.
  
  Paired with reinforcement of the correct behavior
Correct Answer
D. Paired with reinforcement of the correct behavior

Explanation
To make punishment more effective, it should be paired with reinforcement of the correct behavior. This means that instead of solely focusing on punishing the bad behavior, it is important to also reinforce and reward the correct behavior. By doing so, individuals are more likely to understand what is expected of them and to learn from their mistakes. This approach promotes a positive and constructive learning environment, where individuals are motivated to improve their behavior through a combination of punishment and reinforcement.

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15.

Sherry wants her dog to "heel" on command. At first she gives the dog a treat for coming to her when she speaks the command, "Heel!" Then she only rewards the dog when it stands at her side when she gives the command and, finally, rewards teh dog only when it is at her side and facing front. Sherry is using___________.
- A.
  
  Higher-order conditioning
- B.
  
  Biological readiness
- C.
  
  Shaping
- D.
  
  Generalization
Correct Answer
C. Shaping

Explanation
Sherry is using shaping to train her dog to "heel" on command. Shaping is a technique in operant conditioning where desired behaviors are reinforced gradually, step by step, until the final behavior is achieved. In this case, Sherry initially rewards the dog for simply coming to her when she says "Heel!" Then, she only rewards the dog when it stands at her side, and finally, only when it is at her side and facing front. By gradually reinforcing more specific criteria, Sherry is shaping the dog's behavior to match her desired outcome.

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16.

One-year-old Ben learned to say the word duck when his mother showed him a duck in their backyard. That evening he sees a cartoon with a rooster in it and says "duck," pointing to the rooster Ben is exhibiting_____________.
- A.
  
  Generalization
- B.
  
  Discrimination
- C.
  
  Spontaneous recovery
- D.
  
  Shaping
Correct Answer
A. Generalization

Explanation
Ben's behavior of saying "duck" when he sees a rooster exhibits generalization. Generalization occurs when a person or animal responds to similar stimuli in the same way they would respond to the original stimulus. In this case, Ben learned to say "duck" when he saw a duck in their backyard, and now he is generalizing that word to a similar-looking bird, the rooster. This shows that Ben has generalized his understanding of the word "duck" to include similar-looking birds.

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17.

For every 10 boxes of cookies that Lisa sells, her scout troop gets a dollar. Lisa is being reinforced on which type of schedule?
- A.
  
  Fixed ration
- B.
  
  Fixed interval
- C.
  
  Variable ratio
- D.
  
  Variable interval
Correct Answer
A. Fixed ration

Explanation
Lisa is being reinforced on a fixed ratio schedule. This means that she receives reinforcement (a dollar) after a fixed number of responses (selling 10 boxes of cookies). In this case, every time Lisa sells 10 boxes of cookies, her scout troop gets a dollar. The reinforcement is directly tied to the specific number of responses (selling 10 boxes), making it a fixed ratio schedule.

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18.

Dennis buys a lottery ticket every Saturday, using the same set of numbers. Although he has only won $25 on one occasion, he keeps buying the tickets. In fact, he's a little afraid that if he doesn't buy a ticket, that would be the one that would win really big. The fact that Dennis seems addicted to buying lottery tickets is a common characteristic of which schedule of reinforcement?
- A.
  
  Fixed ratio
- B.
  
  Fixed interval
- C.
  
  Variable ratio
- D.
  
  Variable interval
Correct Answer
C. Variable ratio

Explanation
Dennis's behavior of buying lottery tickets every Saturday, despite winning only $25 once, suggests that he is motivated by the unpredictable nature of the rewards. In a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement, rewards are delivered after an unpredictable number of responses. This schedule tends to produce high and steady rates of responding because individuals are unsure when they will be rewarded. Dennis's fear of missing out on a big win indicates that he is driven by the uncertainty of the rewards, which aligns with the characteristics of a variable ratio schedule.

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19.

Sandy had learned that if her mother was smiling at her when she came into the kitchen, it meant that Sandy would probably be given the treat to eat if she asked nicely. But if her mother was frowning, she would not give Sandy anything and instead would shoo her away. Sandy's mother's facial expression was serving as _______.
- A.
  
  Conditioned stimulus
- B.
  
  Discriminative stimulus
- C.
  
  Positive reinforcer
- D.
  
  Negative reinforcer
Correct Answer
B. Discriminative stimulus

Explanation
Sandy's mother's facial expression is serving as a discriminative stimulus. This means that her mother's facial expression is signaling the likelihood of a particular outcome (being given a treat or being shooed away) based on Sandy's behavior (asking nicely or not). The facial expression acts as a cue for Sandy to discriminate between different responses and adjust her behavior accordingly.

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20.

In applied behavior analysis,__________.
- A.
  
  Skills are broken down into their smallest steps and then reinforced
- B.
  
  Punishment by application is often used to control behavior
- C.
  
  Researchers develop new theories of learning rather than actually solving problems
- D.
  
  The basic form of learning used is classical conditioning
Correct Answer
A. Skills are broken down into their smallest steps and then reinforced

Explanation
In applied behavior analysis, skills are broken down into their smallest steps and then reinforced. This approach allows for a systematic and effective way of teaching and shaping behavior. By breaking down skills into smaller, more manageable steps, individuals can learn and practice each step before moving on to the next. Reinforcement is used to strengthen and encourage the desired behavior, making it more likely to occur in the future. This method is widely used in various fields, such as education, therapy, and organizational behavior management, to promote skill acquisition and behavior change.

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21.

Jody has had repeated failures at asking guys out on dates. Finally, she gives up. One day at the office a really nice guy seems interested in her, but she refuses to even approach him. What concept might explain her reluctance?
- A.
  
  Latent learning
- B.
  
  Learned helplessness
- C.
  
  Insight learning
- D.
  
  Observational learning
Correct Answer
B. Learned helplessness

Explanation
Learned helplessness is a concept that might explain Jody's reluctance to approach the nice guy at the office. After experiencing repeated failures in asking guys out on dates, Jody may have developed a belief that her efforts will inevitably lead to rejection or disappointment. This learned helplessness can cause her to feel helpless and give up trying, even when there is a potential opportunity for a positive outcome.

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22.

Jared's father is ill and cannot prepare his famous chili recipe, which Jared has watched his father make many times. When his father tells Jared that he must cook the chili, he panics at first. But then Jared finds that he knows how to put the recipe together anyway. His ability to prepare the recipe is an example of____________.
- A.
  
  Latent learning
- B.
  
  Learned helplessness
- C.
  
  Insight learning
- D.
  
  Discovery learning
Correct Answer
A. Latent learning

Explanation
Jared's ability to prepare the chili recipe, despite never having actively practiced it himself, suggests that he had acquired knowledge of the recipe through observation and passive learning. This type of learning, known as latent learning, occurs when information is acquired without any immediate reinforcement or motivation to use it. In Jared's case, he had watched his father make the chili many times, and this observational learning allowed him to retrieve and apply the knowledge when needed, demonstrating latent learning.

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23.

Archimedes was told by the king to find a way to prove that a gold crown was really gold. While in his bath, he noticed the water that his body displaced out of the tub and shouted, "Eureka!" which means "I have found it!" If the crown was really gold, it should displace the same amount of water as an equal amount of real gold. This is a famous example of ___________.
- A.
  
  Latent learning
- B.
  
  Learned helplessness
- C.
  
  Insight
- D.
  
  Observational learning
Correct Answer
C. Insight

Explanation
Archimedes' realization that the crown should displace the same amount of water as an equal amount of real gold demonstrates insight. Insight refers to the sudden understanding or solution to a problem that is not achieved through trial-and-error learning or explicit instruction. In this case, Archimedes had a sudden realization or "aha" moment while observing the water displacement, leading him to infer the true nature of the crown.

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24.

Jared realized that he had learned how to prepare his father's famous chili recipe by watching his father in the kitchen for many years. This kind of learning is called______________.
- A.
  
  Discovery learning
- B.
  
  Helplessness learning
- C.
  
  Insight learning
- D.
  
  Observational learning
Correct Answer
D. Observational learning

Explanation
Observational learning refers to the process of acquiring new behaviors or skills by observing and imitating others. In this scenario, Jared learned how to prepare his father's famous chili recipe by watching his father in the kitchen for many years. He observed his father's actions, techniques, and ingredients, and then imitated them to prepare the recipe himself. Therefore, the correct answer is observational learning.

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25.

Barry would really like to learn to do ballroom dancing, but he has a severe limp in his left leg. Although he watches ballroom dancing on television and can remember all the moves and dips, he will be very unlikely to be able to learn to dance this way because he is missing a key element of observational learning. What is it?
- A.
  
  Attention
- B.
  
  Memory
- C.
  
  Imitation
- D.
  
  Motivation
Correct Answer
C. Imitation

Explanation
Barry's severe limp in his left leg prevents him from physically imitating the dance moves he observes on television. While he may have the necessary attention, memory, and motivation to learn ballroom dancing, the inability to imitate the movements due to his physical limitation makes it highly unlikely for him to learn this way. Therefore, imitation is the key element of observational learning that Barry is missing.

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26.

Which of the following statements about learning is NOT TRUE?
- A.
  
  Learning is another word for maturation
- B.
  
  Learning is relatively permanent
- C.
  
  Learning involves changes in behavior
- D.
  
  Learning involves experiences
Correct Answer
A. Learning is another word for maturation

Explanation
Learning is not another word for maturation. Maturation refers to the natural biological process of growth and development, while learning refers to the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experiences, study, or teaching. Maturation occurs naturally with age, while learning requires active engagement and participation.

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27.

Ed noticed that whenever he used his electric can opener, his cat would come into the kitchen and act hungry-drooling and mewing pitiably. He reasoned that because he used the can opener to open the cat's food, the sound of the can opener had become a(n)_______________.
- A.
  
  Unconditioned stimulus
- B.
  
  Conditioned stimulus
- C.
  
  Unconditioned response
- D.
  
  Conditioned response
Correct Answer
B. Conditioned stimulus

Explanation
Ed noticed that whenever he used his electric can opener, his cat would come into the kitchen and act hungry-drooling and mewing pitiably. This suggests that the cat has associated the sound of the can opener with being fed, causing it to respond in a certain way. Therefore, the sound of the can opener has become a conditioned stimulus for the cat, triggering a conditioned response of acting hungry-drooling and mewing pitiably.

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28.

Which of the following statements about conditioning is FALSE, according to Pavlov?
- A.
  
  The CS and UCS must come close together in time
- B.
  
  The CS must come immediately after the UCS
- C.
  
  The neutral stimulus and UCS must be paired several times before the conditioning takes place
- D.
  
  The CS is usually a rather distinctive stimulus
Correct Answer
C. The neutral stimulus and UCS must be paired several times before the conditioning takes place

Explanation
Pavlov's research on classical conditioning showed that the neutral stimulus (CS) and the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) must be paired several times before conditioning takes place. This means that the neutral stimulus needs to be consistently presented along with the UCS for the association to be formed. This contradicts the statement that the neutral stimulus and UCS must be paired only once or a few times for conditioning to occur.

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1
29.

The prologue is about Stephanie's fear of white coats as a child. The fact that she was not only afraid of white coats worn by doctors and nurses but also those worn by photographers is an example of______________.
- A.
  
  Extinction
- B.
  
  Spontaneous recovery
- C.
  
  Stimulus discrimination
- D.
  
  Stimulus generalization
Correct Answer
D. Stimulus generalization

Explanation
The fact that Stephanie was afraid not only of white coats worn by doctors and nurses but also those worn by photographers suggests that she generalized her fear of white coats to different contexts. This means that Stephanie associated the white coat stimulus with fear and extended this fear response to similar stimuli (white coats worn by photographers) even though they were not originally associated with fear. Therefore, the correct answer is stimulus generalization.

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30.

A conditioned response that briefly reappears after it has been extinguished is called_________.
- A.
  
  Spontaneous recovery
- B.
  
  Higher-order conditioning
- C.
  
  Extinction
- D.
  
  Stimulus generalization
Correct Answer
A. Spontaneous recovery

Explanation
Spontaneous recovery refers to the reappearance of a conditioned response after it has been extinguished. This occurs when a previously conditioned response resurfaces, even though the conditioned stimulus is no longer being presented. It is a temporary and often weaker response compared to the initial conditioned response. This phenomenon suggests that the original association between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus is not completely erased during extinction.

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31.

The use of a strong CS to create a second CS is called_______.
- A.
  
  Spontaneous recovery
- B.
  
  Higher-order conditioning
- C.
  
  Extinction
- D.
  
  Stimulus generalization
Correct Answer
B. Higher-order conditioning

Explanation
Higher-order conditioning refers to the process of using a conditioned stimulus (CS) to create a second CS. In this process, the second CS becomes associated with the original unconditioned stimulus (US) through repeated pairings with the first CS. This means that the second CS can now elicit a conditioned response (CR) on its own, without the presence of the original US. This is different from spontaneous recovery, which refers to the reappearance of a previously extinguished CR, and extinction, which refers to the weakening or disappearance of a CR. Stimulus generalization, on the other hand, refers to the tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the CS.

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32.

In Watson's experiment with "Little Albert" the unconditioned stimulus was___________.
- A.
  
  The white rat
- B.
  
  The loud noise
- C.
  
  The fear of the rate
- D.
  
  The fear of the noise
Correct Answer
B. The loud noise

Explanation
In Watson's experiment with "Little Albert," the unconditioned stimulus was the loud noise. This means that the loud noise was a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggered a response of fear in Little Albert, without any prior conditioning.

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33.

Often people with certain types of cancer must take chemotherapy treatments. The drugs used in these treatments are powerful and usually cause strong nausea reactions. If Cindy had scrambled eggs for breakfast and then took a chemotherapy treatment later that same morning, what might we predict based on conditioned taste aversion research?
- A.
  
  Cindy will probably develop a strong liking for scrambled eggs
- B.
  
  Cindy will probably be able to eat scrambled eggs with no nausea at all
- C.
  
  Cindy will probably get nauseated the next time she tried to eat scrambled eggs
- D.
  
  None of the above is likely
Correct Answer
C. Cindy will probably get nauseated the next time she tried to eat scrambled eggs

Explanation
Based on conditioned taste aversion research, we can predict that Cindy will probably get nauseated the next time she tries to eat scrambled eggs. This is because the chemotherapy treatment, which causes strong nausea reactions, is paired with the taste of scrambled eggs. As a result, Cindy's brain may associate the taste of scrambled eggs with the nausea caused by the treatment, leading to a conditioned aversion to that specific food.

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34.

Your pet parakeet eats some cooked spaghetti noodles. Later the poor bird gets very ill. What would the research on biological preparedness predict?
- A.
  
  The parakeet will probably not eat shell macaroni because it smells similar to spaghetti
- B.
  
  The parakeet will probably not eat shell macaroni because it tastes similar to spaghetti
- C.
  
  The parakeet will probably not eat linguini noodles because they are long and thin and look similar to spaghetti
- D.
  
  The parakeet will eat spaghetti again
Correct Answer
C. The parakeet will probably not eat linguini noodles because they are long and thin and look similar to spaghetti

Explanation
The research on biological preparedness predicts that the parakeet will probably not eat linguini noodles because they are long and thin and look similar to spaghetti. This prediction is based on the idea that animals have an innate predisposition to avoid certain foods or stimuli that have been associated with negative experiences in the past. In this case, the parakeet got very ill after eating cooked spaghetti noodles, so it is likely to avoid similar-looking linguini noodles as a precautionary measure.

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35.

The fact that the CS must come immediately before the UCS, and not after, is a problem for the _________ theory of why classical conditioning works.
- A.
  
  Stimulus substitution
- B.
  
  Cognitive perspective
- C.
  
  Cognitive substitution
- D.
  
  Stimulus perspective
Correct Answer
A. Stimulus substitution

Explanation
Stimulus substitution theory suggests that classical conditioning works by replacing the original unconditioned stimulus (UCS) with the conditioned stimulus (CS). However, the fact that the CS must come immediately before the UCS contradicts this theory. If the CS were to come after the UCS, it would not be able to substitute the original stimulus. Therefore, the fact that the CS must precede the UCS poses a problem for the stimulus substitution theory.

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36.

Rescorla found that the CS must __________ the UCS for conditioning to take place.
- A.
  
  Replace
- B.
  
  Come after
- C.
  
  Come at the same time as
- D.
  
  Predict
Correct Answer
D. Predict

Explanation
Rescorla's findings suggest that for conditioning to occur, the conditioned stimulus (CS) must be able to predict the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). In other words, the CS should be able to signal the occurrence of the UCS, allowing the organism to anticipate and prepare for it. This predictive relationship between the CS and UCS is crucial for the formation of conditioned responses.

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37.

In Thorndike's puzzle box experiments, the cats were rewarded by_______.
- A.
  
  Getting out of the box
- B.
  
  Getting food
- C.
  
  Being petted and praised
- D.
  
  Both A and B
Correct Answer
D. Both A and B

Explanation
In Thorndike's puzzle box experiments, the cats were rewarded by both getting out of the box and getting food. This means that the cats were motivated to solve the puzzle and escape the box in order to receive their reward, which was either the opportunity to leave the box or to obtain food.

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38.

_________ is an example of a primary reinforcer, whereas_______is an example of a seconday reinforcer.
- A.
  
  A candy bar; a gold star
- B.
  
  A gold star; money
- C.
  
  Food; a drink
- D.
  
  A gold star; candy
Correct Answer
A. A candy bar; a gold star

Explanation
A candy bar is an example of a primary reinforcer because it is a naturally rewarding stimulus that satisfies a basic biological need for food. On the other hand, a gold star is an example of a secondary reinforcer because it has acquired its reinforcing value through association with a primary reinforcer or through learned experiences.

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39.

Cindy hates to clean up after dinner. One night she volunteers to bathe the baby before cleaning up. When she finishes with the baby and returns to the kitchen, her husband has cleaned everything up for her. Which of the following statements is most likely TRUE?
- A.
  
  Cindy will start cleaning up the kitchen before she bathes the baby
- B.
  
  Cindy's husband has positively reinforced her for bathing the baby
- C.
  
  Cindy's husband has negatively reinforced her for bathing the baby
- D.
  
  Cindy will never bathe the baby again
Correct Answer
C. Cindy's husband has negatively reinforced her for bathing the baby

Explanation
Cindy's husband has negatively reinforced her for bathing the baby because he cleaned up the kitchen for her. This means that his action of cleaning up is likely to decrease the likelihood of Cindy wanting to clean up after dinner in the future.

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40.

Bennie is afraid of snakes. He won't even look at pictures of them but turns the page or closes the book instead. When he sees a picture of a snake, his anxiety goes up, but when he avoids looking at the picture, his anxiety goes down. It is most correct to say that Bennie's avoidance behavior is being______________.
- A.
  
  Punished because he feels anxious after doing so
- B.
  
  Punished because he will never get better
- C.
  
  Positively reinforced because he is rewarded by his anxiety going down
- D.
  
  Negatively reinforced because he is rewarded by his anxiety
Correct Answer
D. Negatively reinforced because he is rewarded by his anxiety

Explanation
Bennie's avoidance behavior is being negatively reinforced because he is rewarded by his anxiety decreasing when he avoids looking at the picture of a snake. By closing the book or turning the page, he is able to escape the anxiety-provoking stimulus, which serves as a reward for his behavior. This negative reinforcement strengthens his tendency to avoid looking at pictures of snakes in the future.

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41.

Jessica's mother was upset to find that Jessica had used her crayons to draw flowers on her bedroom wall. Her mother took the crayons away from her and made Jessica was the drawings off the wall. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
- A.
  
  Having her crayons taken away was a form of punishment by removal
- B.
  
  Being made to wash off the drawings was a form of punishment by application
- C.
  
  Having her crayons taken away was a form of negative reinforcement
- D.
  
  Both A and B are true
Correct Answer
D. Both A and B are true

Explanation
Both statement A and B are true. Having her crayons taken away can be seen as a form of punishment by removal, as it involves removing a desired item (the crayons) as a consequence of Jessica's behavior. Being made to wash off the drawings can be seen as a form of punishment by application, as it involves applying a negative consequence (the task of washing off the drawings) to discourage the behavior of drawing on the wall.

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42.

Elizabeth's parents want her to put her clothes in the hamper. At first, they praise her for putting the clothes together in one pile. Then they praise her for getting the clothes on the same side of the room as the hamper. When she gets the clothes on top of the hamper, she gets praise. Finally, her parents praise her when she puts her clothes in the hamper. This is an example of______________.
- A.
  
  Negative reinforcement
- B.
  
  Punishment
- C.
  
  Extinction
- D.
  
  Shaping
Correct Answer
D. Shaping

Explanation
This scenario is an example of shaping. Shaping is a technique used in operant conditioning where desired behaviors are gradually reinforced and shaped through a series of steps. In this case, Elizabeth's parents are reinforcing and praising her at each step towards the desired behavior of putting her clothes in the hamper. They start by praising her for putting the clothes together, then for getting them on the same side of the room, then on top of the hamper, and finally for actually putting them in the hamper. This gradual reinforcement helps shape Elizabeth's behavior towards the desired outcome.

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43.

Ella is teaching her parrot a new word. Every time the parrot says a sound that is close to the new word, she gives it a treat. But the parrot keeps repeating the other words it has learned in the past, trying to get a treat that way. The parrot is exhibiting_____________.
- A.
  
  Generalization
- B.
  
  Extinction
- C.
  
  Spontaneous recovery
- D.
  
  Discrimination
Correct Answer
C. Spontaneous recovery

Explanation
The parrot is exhibiting spontaneous recovery. Spontaneous recovery refers to the reappearance of a previously extinguished response after a period of rest or time has passed. In this case, the parrot had previously learned other words and is now repeating them in an attempt to receive a treat, even though it is supposed to be learning a new word. This behavior suggests that the previously learned words are being spontaneously recovered and interfering with the parrot's ability to learn the new word.

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44.

In a popular television series, Desmond lived in a bunker underground on a mysterious island. He had one task: When the alarm sounds, type in a series of numbers on the computer and push enter. Desmond was being reinforced for doing so by avoiding some terrible diaster that would occur if he did not type in the numbers at the right time-every 108 minutes. What kind of schedule of reinforcement was Desmond on?
- A.
  
  Fixed interval
- B.
  
  Fixed ration
- C.
  
  Variable interval
- D.
  
  Variable ratio
Correct Answer
A. Fixed interval

Explanation
Desmond's schedule of reinforcement is a fixed interval schedule. This is because he is reinforced for typing in the series of numbers every 108 minutes. The reinforcement is provided after a fixed amount of time has passed, regardless of how many times he has typed in the numbers.

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45.

Joe needed to speak with his mother about a very important matter, but her phone line was busy. He kept hanging up and redialing, hanging up, and redialing, sometimes waiting a minute, sometimes a few minutes, hoping that he would be able to get his call through. What schedule of reinforcement is evident here?
- A.
  
  Fixed interval
- B.
  
  Fixed ratio
- C.
  
  Variable interval
- D.
  
  Variable ratio
Correct Answer
C. Variable interval

Explanation
In this scenario, Joe is engaging in a behavior (redialing the phone) with the hope of getting through to his mother. The reinforcement (getting his call through) is delivered on a variable interval schedule because the time between reinforcements (getting through) is unpredictable. Sometimes Joe has to wait a minute, sometimes a few minutes. This type of schedule tends to produce a steady and consistent rate of responding because the individual does not know exactly when they will be reinforced.

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46.

Professor Elliot told his students that if his door was open, it meant that he was available to them and would gladly answer any questions they might have. But if his door was pushed almost completely shut, it meant that he was busy and would prefer not to answer questions at that time. Professor Elliot's door being open was a _____________for _______.
- A.
  
  Discriminative stimulus; asking questions
- B.
  
  Discriminative stimulus; not asking questions
- C.
  
  Discriminative response; asking questions
- D.
  
  Discriminative response; not asking questions
Correct Answer
A. Discriminative stimulus; asking questions

Explanation
The correct answer is "discriminative stimulus; asking questions". In the given scenario, Professor Elliot's open door serves as a discriminative stimulus, indicating to the students that he is available and welcoming questions. The behavior of asking questions is the appropriate response to this stimulus.

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47.

Applied behavior analysis involves_________.
- A.
  
  The process of shaping
- B.
  
  Is useful only for teaching autistic children
- C.
  
  Is different from behavior modification
- D.
  
  Cannot be used with animals
Correct Answer
A. The process of shaping

Explanation
Applied behavior analysis involves the process of shaping. Shaping is a technique used in behavior analysis to gradually teach and reinforce desired behaviors by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps. It involves reinforcing successive approximations of the desired behavior until the final behavior is achieved. This process is not limited to teaching autistic children and can be applied to individuals of all ages and abilities. It is also different from behavior modification, which focuses on changing behavior through various techniques. Applied behavior analysis can be used with animals as well, not just humans.

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48.

Cognition refers to ______________.
- A.
  
  Behavior that is observable and external
- B.
  
  Behavior that is directly measurable
- C.
  
  The mental events that take place while a person is behaving
- D.
  
  Memories
Correct Answer
C. The mental events that take place while a person is behaving

Explanation
Cognition refers to the mental events that occur while a person is behaving. It encompasses processes such as perception, attention, memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making. It involves the way individuals perceive, interpret, and understand the world around them, as well as how they use that understanding to guide their behavior. Cognition is not limited to observable or measurable behavior, but rather focuses on the internal mental processes that drive and influence behavior.

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49.

In Tolman's maze study, the fact that the group of rats receiving reinforcement only after the tenth day of the study solved the maze far more quickly that did the rats who has been reinforced from the first day can be interpreted to mean these particular rats_____________.
- A.
  
  Were much smarter than the other rats
- B.
  
  Had already learned the maze in the first nine days
- C.
  
  Had the opportunity to cheat by watching the other rats
- D.
  
  Were very hungry and, therefore, learned much more quickly
Correct Answer
B. Had already learned the maze in the first nine days

Explanation
The fact that the group of rats receiving reinforcement only after the tenth day of the study solved the maze more quickly suggests that these particular rats had already learned the maze in the first nine days. This implies that they had acquired the necessary knowledge and understanding of the maze during the initial period, allowing them to navigate it more efficiently once reinforcement was introduced.

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50.

Seligma found many similarities between his "helpless" dogs and people suffering from ___________.
- A.
  
  Aggressive behavior syndrome
- B.
  
  Mental illness
- C.
  
  Schizophrenia
- D.
  
  Depression
Correct Answer
D. Depression

Explanation
Seligma noticed that his "helpless" dogs exhibited similar behaviors and characteristics as people suffering from depression. This suggests that both dogs and humans experiencing depression may display feelings of helplessness, lack of motivation, and decreased interest in activities. This comparison implies that Seligma believes there are commonalities in the experiences of individuals with depression, regardless of their species.

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Quiz Review Timeline +

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Current Version
Nov 16, 2023

Quiz Edited by
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Oct 09, 2011

Quiz Created by
Lwinkler3692

Can You Answer These Psychology Questions?

Learning is ______________.

A child has been classically conditioned to fear a white rat. If the child also shows fear when shown a white rabbit, this is called:

You move out of your dorm into an apartment shared with three other people. Unlike the shower in the dorm, this shower does not turn cold when the toilet is flushed, and you eventually stop cringing every time you hear the flushing sound. What has occurred?

When one conditioned stimulus is used to create another, this is called_____________.

Tania ate out with some friends and had fried oysters. The next morning she was nauseated and sick for much of the day. The next time she saw someone eating fried oysters, she felt queasy and quickly looked away. Her queasiness at the sight of the fried oysters was probably due to_______________

The fact that some kinds of stimuli (like taste) are more easily and quickly connected to a response (like nausea) is explained by the concept of _________.

The key to the cognitive perspective of classical conditioning is that the presentation of the conditioned stimulus must______________.

In classical conditioning, the ____ are important in learning, but in operant conditioning, it is the that determine whether learning will occur.

Who added the concept of reinforcement to learning theory?

Which of the following is an example of a secondary reinforcer?

Liz failed her math test, so her parents told her that she could not play video games for a month. Her parents are using___________.

To make punishment more effective, it should be________.

One-year-old Ben learned to say the word duck when his mother showed him a duck in their backyard. That evening he sees a cartoon with a rooster in it and says "duck," pointing to the rooster Ben is exhibiting_____________.

For every 10 boxes of cookies that Lisa sells, her scout troop gets a dollar. Lisa is being reinforced on which type of schedule?

In applied behavior analysis,__________.

Jody has had repeated failures at asking guys out on dates. Finally, she gives up. One day at the office a really nice guy seems interested in her, but she refuses to even approach him. What concept might explain her reluctance?

Jared realized that he had learned how to prepare his father's famous chili recipe by watching his father in the kitchen for many years. This kind of learning is called______________.

Which of the following statements about learning is NOT TRUE?

Ed noticed that whenever he used his electric can opener, his cat would come into the kitchen and act hungry-drooling and mewing pitiably. He reasoned that because he used the can opener to open the cat's food, the sound of the can opener had become a(n)_______________.

Which of the following statements about conditioning is FALSE, according to Pavlov?

The prologue is about Stephanie's fear of white coats as a child. The fact that she was not only afraid of white coats worn by doctors and nurses but also those worn by photographers is an example of______________.

A conditioned response that briefly reappears after it has been extinguished is called_________.

The use of a strong CS to create a second CS is called_______.

In Watson's experiment with "Little Albert" the unconditioned stimulus was___________.

Your pet parakeet eats some cooked spaghetti noodles. Later the poor bird gets very ill. What would the research on biological preparedness predict?

The fact that the CS must come immediately before the UCS, and not after, is a problem for the _________ theory of why classical conditioning works.

Rescorla found that the CS must __________ the UCS for conditioning to take place.

In Thorndike's puzzle box experiments, the cats were rewarded by_______.

___ is an example of a primary reinforcer, whereas_is an example of a seconday reinforcer.

Cindy hates to clean up after dinner. One night she volunteers to bathe the baby before cleaning up. When she finishes with the baby and returns to the kitchen, her husband has cleaned everything up for her. Which of the following statements is most likely TRUE?

Jessica's mother was upset to find that Jessica had used her crayons to draw flowers on her bedroom wall. Her mother took the crayons away from her and made Jessica was the drawings off the wall. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Ella is teaching her parrot a new word. Every time the parrot says a sound that is close to the new word, she gives it a treat. But the parrot keeps repeating the other words it has learned in the past, trying to get a treat that way. The parrot is exhibiting_____________.

Applied behavior analysis involves_________.

Cognition refers to ______________.

In Tolman's maze study, the fact that the group of rats receiving reinforcement only after the tenth day of the study solved the maze far more quickly that did the rats who has been reinforced from the first day can be interpreted to mean these particular rats_____________.

Seligma found many similarities between his "helpless" dogs and people suffering from ___________.

Can You Answer These Psychology Questions?

Learning is ______________.

A child has been classically conditioned to fear a white rat. If the child also shows fear when shown a white rabbit, this is called:

You move out of your dorm into an apartment shared with three other people. Unlike the shower in the dorm, this shower does not turn cold when the toilet is flushed, and you eventually stop cringing every time you hear the flushing sound. What has occurred?

When one conditioned stimulus is used to create another, this is called_____________.

Tania ate out with some friends and had fried oysters. The next morning she was nauseated and sick for much of the day. The next time she saw someone eating fried oysters, she felt queasy and quickly looked away. Her queasiness at the sight of the fried oysters was probably due to_______________

The fact that some kinds of stimuli (like taste) are more easily and quickly connected to a response (like nausea) is explained by the concept of _________.

The key to the cognitive perspective of classical conditioning is that the presentation of the conditioned stimulus must______________.

In classical conditioning, the __________ are important in learning, but in operant conditioning, it is the ______that determine whether learning will occur.

Who added the concept of reinforcement to learning theory?

Which of the following is an example of a secondary reinforcer?

Liz failed her math test, so her parents told her that she could not play video games for a month. Her parents are using___________.

To make punishment more effective, it should be________.

One-year-old Ben learned to say the word duck when his mother showed him a duck in their backyard. That evening he sees a cartoon with a rooster in it and says "duck," pointing to the rooster Ben is exhibiting_____________.

For every 10 boxes of cookies that Lisa sells, her scout troop gets a dollar. Lisa is being reinforced on which type of schedule?

In applied behavior analysis,__________.

Jody has had repeated failures at asking guys out on dates. Finally, she gives up. One day at the office a really nice guy seems interested in her, but she refuses to even approach him. What concept might explain her reluctance?

Jared realized that he had learned how to prepare his father's famous chili recipe by watching his father in the kitchen for many years. This kind of learning is called______________.

Which of the following statements about learning is NOT TRUE?

Ed noticed that whenever he used his electric can opener, his cat would come into the kitchen and act hungry-drooling and mewing pitiably. He reasoned that because he used the can opener to open the cat's food, the sound of the can opener had become a(n)_______________.

Which of the following statements about conditioning is FALSE, according to Pavlov?

The prologue is about Stephanie's fear of white coats as a child. The fact that she was not only afraid of white coats worn by doctors and nurses but also those worn by photographers is an example of______________.

A conditioned response that briefly reappears after it has been extinguished is called_________.

The use of a strong CS to create a second CS is called_______.

In Watson's experiment with "Little Albert" the unconditioned stimulus was___________.

Your pet parakeet eats some cooked spaghetti noodles. Later the poor bird gets very ill. What would the research on biological preparedness predict?

The fact that the CS must come immediately before the UCS, and not after, is a problem for the _________ theory of why classical conditioning works.

Rescorla found that the CS must __________ the UCS for conditioning to take place.

In Thorndike's puzzle box experiments, the cats were rewarded by_______.

_________ is an example of a primary reinforcer, whereas_______is an example of a seconday reinforcer.

Cindy hates to clean up after dinner. One night she volunteers to bathe the baby before cleaning up. When she finishes with the baby and returns to the kitchen, her husband has cleaned everything up for her. Which of the following statements is most likely TRUE?

Jessica's mother was upset to find that Jessica had used her crayons to draw flowers on her bedroom wall. Her mother took the crayons away from her and made Jessica was the drawings off the wall. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Ella is teaching her parrot a new word. Every time the parrot says a sound that is close to the new word, she gives it a treat. But the parrot keeps repeating the other words it has learned in the past, trying to get a treat that way. The parrot is exhibiting_____________.

Applied behavior analysis involves_________.

Cognition refers to ______________.

In Tolman's maze study, the fact that the group of rats receiving reinforcement only after the tenth day of the study solved the maze far more quickly that did the rats who has been reinforced from the first day can be interpreted to mean these particular rats_____________.

Seligma found many similarities between his "helpless" dogs and people suffering from ___________.

In classical conditioning, the ____ are important in learning, but in operant conditioning, it is the that determine whether learning will occur.

___ is an example of a primary reinforcer, whereas_is an example of a seconday reinforcer.