PSYC 342 Quiz 5

1. A concurrent schedule of reinforcement is used to investigate

PREE.

Choice behavior.

Frustrative aggression.

Frustration theory.

A concurrent schedule of reinforcement is a research method used to study choice behavior. It involves presenting multiple options or choices to an individual and examining their decision-making process. By manipulating the reinforcement schedules associated with each option, researchers can observe how individuals allocate their responses and make choices based on the available rewards. This allows for a better understanding of the factors that influence choice behavior and decision-making processes.

Explanation

A concurrent schedule of reinforcement is a research method used to study choice behavior. It involves presenting multiple options or choices to an individual and examining their decision-making process. By manipulating the reinforcement schedules associated with each option, researchers can observe how individuals allocate their responses and make choices based on the available rewards. This allows for a better understanding of the factors that influence choice behavior and decision-making processes.

2. Which of the following describes behavior reinforced on a variable ratio schedule?

Delivering the mail

Pulling the arm of a slot machine

Checking a washing machine to see if the clothes are done

Flipping burgers for $5.00 an hour

Behavior reinforced on a variable ratio schedule is characterized by reinforcement being delivered after an unpredictable number of responses. Pulling the arm of a slot machine fits this description because the reinforcement (winning) occurs randomly and is not contingent on a specific number of pulls. The other options do not involve reinforcement on a variable ratio schedule as they either have a fixed ratio (delivering the mail, flipping burgers for $5.00 an hour) or do not involve reinforcement at all (checking a washing machine to see if the clothes are done).

Explanation

Behavior reinforced on a variable ratio schedule is characterized by reinforcement being delivered after an unpredictable number of responses. Pulling the arm of a slot machine fits this description because the reinforcement (winning) occurs randomly and is not contingent on a specific number of pulls. The other options do not involve reinforcement on a variable ratio schedule as they either have a fixed ratio (delivering the mail, flipping burgers for $5.00 an hour) or do not involve reinforcement at all (checking a washing machine to see if the clothes are done).

3. Your friend is taking a class with exams scheduled every three weeks. You expect that he will study

At a high steady rate throughout the semester.

At a rapid and steady rate once he gets started, followed by periods of no studying.

Very little following an exam but with increasing rates at the end of the three weeks

At a low steady rate throughout the semester.

The answer suggests that after each exam, the friend will study very little. However, as the three-week period progresses, the friend's studying rate will increase. This implies that the friend will initially take a break after the exam but will gradually ramp up their studying as the next exam approaches.

Explanation

The answer suggests that after each exam, the friend will study very little. However, as the three-week period progresses, the friend's studying rate will increase. This implies that the friend will initially take a break after the exam but will gradually ramp up their studying as the next exam approaches.

4. Your roommate is taking a self-paced course that requires three papers over the semester. He expected to finish all three papers in the first two weeks but, after quickly finishing the first paper three weeks ago, he has done nothing. This behavior pattern is due to

The partial reinforcement extinction effect.

The post-reinforcement pause.

The variable ratio schedule of reinforcement.

The variable interval schedule of reinforcement.

The correct answer is the post-reinforcement pause. This behavior pattern is due to the temporary decrease in motivation and effort after receiving reinforcement or reward. In this case, the roommate quickly finished the first paper and may have felt a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction, leading to a pause or break in their motivation to continue working on the remaining papers.

Explanation

The correct answer is the post-reinforcement pause. This behavior pattern is due to the temporary decrease in motivation and effort after receiving reinforcement or reward. In this case, the roommate quickly finished the first paper and may have felt a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction, leading to a pause or break in their motivation to continue working on the remaining papers.

5. You notice that the pigeon in the laboratory you just entered has a particular way of pecking at the key in its cage. The pigeon seems to increase its rate of pecking towards the end of a two minute period, food is made available, and then pecking slows until the end of the next two minutes. You surmise that the pigeon is on a

Fixed ratio schedule.

Variable ratio schedule.

Fixed interval schedule.

Variable interval schedule.

The pigeon's behavior of increasing its rate of pecking towards the end of a two-minute period suggests that it is on a fixed interval schedule. In a fixed interval schedule, reinforcement is provided after a fixed amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement. This leads to a pattern of behavior where the pigeon initially engages in low rates of pecking, but as the time for reinforcement approaches, the rate of pecking increases.

Explanation

The pigeon's behavior of increasing its rate of pecking towards the end of a two-minute period suggests that it is on a fixed interval schedule. In a fixed interval schedule, reinforcement is provided after a fixed amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement. This leads to a pattern of behavior where the pigeon initially engages in low rates of pecking, but as the time for reinforcement approaches, the rate of pecking increases.

6. According to the response deprivation hypothesis, an organism will work to gain access to a reinforcer response if

Access to that reinforcer response has been restricted.

The baseline probability of making that response is greater than that of making the instrumental response.

The baseline probability of making that response is less than that of the making the instrumental response.

Making that response reduces a deprived physiological drive state.

According to the response deprivation hypothesis, an organism will work to gain access to a reinforcer response if access to that reinforcer response has been restricted. This means that when an organism is deprived of the opportunity to engage in a certain behavior or receive a certain reward, it will be motivated to work for that behavior or reward in order to regain access to it.

Explanation

According to the response deprivation hypothesis, an organism will work to gain access to a reinforcer response if access to that reinforcer response has been restricted. This means that when an organism is deprived of the opportunity to engage in a certain behavior or receive a certain reward, it will be motivated to work for that behavior or reward in order to regain access to it.

7. For 30 ten-minute trials, a rat received a food pellet every other lever press. This rat was on a _____ schedule of reinforcement.

Fixed interval

Fixed ratio

Variable interval

Variable ratio

In this scenario, the rat received a food pellet every other lever press. This indicates that the reinforcement was provided after a fixed number of responses (lever presses), specifically after every second lever press. Therefore, the rat was on a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Explanation

In this scenario, the rat received a food pellet every other lever press. This indicates that the reinforcement was provided after a fixed number of responses (lever presses), specifically after every second lever press. Therefore, the rat was on a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement.

8. Mr. Tallboys clothing shop has a sale every 4 weeks. The sale runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This restriction on when you can buy items at reduced prices is called

A fixed hold.

A limited hold.

A variable hold.

A ratio hold.

The correct answer is "a limited hold." The sale at Mr. Tallboys clothing shop is restricted to a specific time period, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This limitation on when customers can buy items at reduced prices is what defines a limited hold. It means that the sale is only available for a limited duration each day.

Explanation

The correct answer is "a limited hold." The sale at Mr. Tallboys clothing shop is restricted to a specific time period, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This limitation on when customers can buy items at reduced prices is what defines a limited hold. It means that the sale is only available for a limited duration each day.

9. A pigeon in a Skinner box periodically receives access to food after pecking on a key. Sometimes the pigeon has to peck 3 or 4 times, sometimes 5, and sometime more. On average, the bird was reinforced every 5th peck. This pigeon was on a _____ schedule of reinforcement.

Fixed interval

Fixed ratio

Variable interval

Variable ratio

The pigeon in this scenario is on a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement. This is because the reinforcement (access to food) is delivered after a variable number of pecks. Sometimes the pigeon has to peck 3 or 4 times, sometimes 5, and sometimes more. However, on average, the bird is reinforced every 5th peck. In a variable ratio schedule, the reinforcement is based on the average number of responses, making it unpredictable and highly resistant to extinction.

Explanation

The pigeon in this scenario is on a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement. This is because the reinforcement (access to food) is delivered after a variable number of pecks. Sometimes the pigeon has to peck 3 or 4 times, sometimes 5, and sometimes more. However, on average, the bird is reinforced every 5th peck. In a variable ratio schedule, the reinforcement is based on the average number of responses, making it unpredictable and highly resistant to extinction.

10. A CS that had previously been paired with shock termination is presented to a rat pressing a lever for food reinforcement. According the modern two-process theory, the rate of lever presses is likely to

Increase.

Decrease.

Remain the same.

Increase briefly, then decrease.

According to the modern two-process theory, when a conditioned stimulus (CS) that had previously been paired with shock termination is presented to a rat pressing a lever for food reinforcement, the rate of lever presses is likely to increase. This is because the CS acts as a signal that predicts the termination of the aversive stimulus (shock), leading to an increase in lever pressing behavior as the rat seeks to obtain the food reinforcement.

Explanation

According to the modern two-process theory, when a conditioned stimulus (CS) that had previously been paired with shock termination is presented to a rat pressing a lever for food reinforcement, the rate of lever presses is likely to increase. This is because the CS acts as a signal that predicts the termination of the aversive stimulus (shock), leading to an increase in lever pressing behavior as the rat seeks to obtain the food reinforcement.