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Chapter 8 Theories And Research On Operant Conditioning
1. Studies in which an animal subject is driven in a cart through a maze have demonstrated
that
a. no learning occurs unless the animal makes its own responses
b. the animals can learn a simple T maze, but not a more complex maze
c. the animals can learn about mazes with several choice points
d. the animals form "cognitive maps" of the maze
Answer: c
Rationale:
The correct answer is c because studies involving animals navigating mazes in carts have
shown that they can indeed learn about mazes with several choice points. This demonstrates
that animals are capable of learning spatial information and navigating complex
environments even when they are not physically traversing the maze themselves.
2. Which of the following groups was not included in the Tolman and Honzik experiment on
latent learning?
a. reinforcement on every trial
b. no reinforcement on any trial
c. no reinforcement in the first part of the experiment, then reinforcement on every trial
d. reinforcement on every trial in the first part of the experiment, then no reinforcement in the
second part
Answer: d
Rationale:
The correct answer is d because in Tolman and Honzik's experiment on latent learning,
reinforcement was provided consistently in the first part of the experiment, followed by no
reinforcement in the second part. This omission of reinforcement in the second part was
crucial for studying latent learning, which is learning that occurs in the absence of
reinforcement.
3. Tolman and Honzik concluded from their experiment on latent learning that reinforcement
a. is necessary for both learning and performance
b. is not necessary for either learning or performance
c. is necessary for learning but not performance
d. is necessary for performance but not learning
Answer: d
Rationale:
The correct answer is d because Tolman and Honzik's experiment on latent learning led them
to conclude that reinforcement is necessary for performance but not for learning. This implies
that organisms can learn even in the absence of reinforcement, but reinforcement is required
for demonstrating that learning through performance.
4. Evidence that animals learn to expect a certain type of reinforcer in an operant
conditioning situation comes from studies that
a. trained two responses with two different reinforcers, then associated one of the two
reinforcers with poison
b. trained two responses with two different reinforcers, then satiated the animals with one of
the reinforcers
c. changed the type of reinforcer and found that animals looked "surprised"
d. all of the above
Answer: d
Rationale:
The correct answer is d because all the options provide evidence of animals learning to
expect a certain type of reinforcer in an operant conditioning situation. Option a demonstrates
associative learning where one reinforcer is associated with an aversive consequence. Option
b shows how animals can become satiated with a particular reinforcer, altering their response.
Option c indicates surprise reactions when the type of reinforcer is changed, suggesting they
had learned to expect a particular one.
5. Two factor theorists have suggested that reinforcement
a. is at work in both classical and operant conditioning
b. is at work in classical but not operant conditioning
c. is at work in operant but not classical conditioning
d. is at work in neither classical nor operant conditioning
Answer: c
Rationale:
The correct answer is c because two-factor theorists propose that reinforcement is at work in
operant conditioning but not in classical conditioning. They argue that classical conditioning
relies on the pairing of stimuli, while operant conditioning involves reinforcement of
behaviors based on their consequences.
6. One factor theorists have suggested that reinforcement
a. is at work in both classical and operant conditioning
b. is at work in classical but not operant conditioning
c. is at work in operant but not classical conditioning
d. is at work in neither classical nor operant conditioning
Answer: a
Rationale:
The correct answer is a because one-factor theorists propose that reinforcement is a common
factor in both classical and operant conditioning. They argue that both types of conditioning
involve the strengthening of associations, whether between stimuli (classical) or between
behaviors and their consequences (operant).
7. Some one factor theorists have claimed that visceral responses such as heart rate
a. can be controlled by operant conditioning
b. can be controlled by classical but not operant conditioning
c. can be controlled by punishment but not reinforcement
d. none of the above
Answer: a
Rationale:
The correct answer is a because some one-factor theorists argue that visceral responses like
heart rate can indeed be controlled by operant conditioning. This suggests that behaviors
beyond simple motor responses can be influenced by operant learning principles.
8. In the Miller and DiCara experiments on the operant conditioning of heart rate, the rats
were given curare
a. to make them unconscious
b. to immobilize the skeletal muscles
c. as a pain killer
d. all of the above
Answer: b
Rationale:
The correct answer is b because curare was administered in the Miller and DiCara
experiments to immobilize the skeletal muscles of the rats. This was done to isolate the effect
of operant conditioning on heart rate without confounding factors related to physical
movement.
9. In their experiments on the operant conditioning of heart rate, Miller and DiCara
a. were able to reinforce heart rate increases
b. were able to reinforce heart rate decreases
c. were able to control heart rate with a discriminative stimulus
d. all of the above
Answer: d
Rationale:
The correct answer is d because in their experiments, Miller and DiCara were able to
reinforce both heart rate increases and decreases, demonstrating operant control over heart
rate. Additionally, they were able to establish control using discriminative stimuli, indicating
the influence of environmental cues on heart rate modulation.
10. A problem with research on the use of EMG biofeedback to reduce tension headaches is
that
a. some patients cannot learn to relax their forehead muscles with the EMG equipment
b. patients can only relax their forehead muscles when connected to the biofeedback
equipment
c. the EMG biofeedback produced only temporary improvement
d. none of the above
Answer: d
Rationale:
The correct answer is d because none of the options listed represent a significant problem
with research on EMG biofeedback for tension headaches. In fact, EMG biofeedback has
been shown to be effective in reducing tension headaches, and issues like patient learning or
dependency on equipment are not inherent problems with the technique.
11. Using neurofeedback for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder involves
giving the children
a. feedback to increase brain-wave patterns associated with relaxation
b. feedback to increase brain-wave patterns associated with alertness
c. feedback to reduce muscle tension in the forehead
d. feedback to reduce bodily movements
Answer: b
Rationale:
Neurofeedback for children with ADHD aims to increase brain-wave patterns associated with
alertness to improve attention and focus, which are typically impaired in individuals with
ADHD.
12. The key feature of all types of biofeedback is the use of
a. progressive relaxation techniques
b. positive reinforcement
c. information about bodily processes a person normally does not have
d. measuring muscle tension
Answer: c
Rationale:
Biofeedback involves providing individuals with real-time information about bodily
processes they typically do not have access to, allowing them to learn to control these
processes.
13. Need-reduction theory cannot explain why
a. food is a reinforcer
b. water is a reinforcer
c. saccharine is a reinforcer
d. warmth is a reinforcer
Answer: c
Rationale:
Need-reduction theory posits that reinforcers are stimuli that fulfill physiological needs.
However, saccharine is not necessary for physiological survival, so need-reduction theory
cannot explain why it serves as a reinforcer.
14. The fact that vitamin B1 is not a reinforcer is evidence
a. supporting need-reduction theory
b. against need-reduction theory
c. supporting trans-situationality
d. against trans-situationality
Answer: b
Rationale:
If vitamin B1, despite fulfilling a physiological need, is not reinforcing, it goes against needreduction theory, which suggests that reinforcers are stimuli that fulfill physiological needs.
15. Drive-reduction theory cannot explain why
a. food is a reinforcer
b. water is a reinforcer
c. removal of a painful stimulus is a reinforcer
d. sexual foreplay is a reinforcer
Answer: d
Rationale:
Drive-reduction theory posits that reinforcers are stimuli that reduce drives or physiological
needs. However, sexual foreplay does not directly fulfill physiological needs, so drivereduction theory cannot explain why it serves as a reinforcer.
16. The fact that sky diving can be a reinforcer contradicts
a. need-reduction theory
b. drive-reduction theory
c. both a and b
d. neither a nor b
Answer: c
Rationale:
Sky diving, while not fulfilling a physiological need, can still serve as a reinforcer for some
individuals, contradicting both need-reduction theory and drive-reduction theory.
17. Giving an animal a chance to drink sweetened water might reinforce a lower-probability
behavior but not reinforce a higher-probability behavior. Such a finding would be evidence
against
a. drive-reduction theory
b. trans-situationality
c. Premack’s principle
d. response-deprivation theory
Answer: b
Rationale:
Trans-situationality suggests that any behavior can serve as a reinforcer if it occurs with
sufficient probability. If a lower-probability behavior is reinforced while a higher-probability
behavior is not, it contradicts the idea of trans-situationality.
18. When all behaviors can occur freely, a child spends 30 minutes playing with blocks, 15
minutes playing with crayons, and 5 minutes playing with a truck. Premack's principle
predicts that
a. playing with blocks will reinforce playing with crayons
b. playing with crayons will reinforce playing with the truck
c. both a and b
d. neither a nor b
Answer: c
Rationale:
Premack's principle states that a high-probability behavior can reinforce a low-probability
behavior. In this scenario, playing with blocks (high probability) can reinforce playing with
crayons (low probability), and playing with crayons (high probability) can reinforce playing
with the truck (low probability).
19. When all behaviors can occur freely, a child spends 30 minutes playing with blocks, 15
minutes playing with crayons, and 5 minutes playing with a truck. Suppose the child is
required to play with the blocks and the crayons for equal amounts of time. Premack's
principle predicts that
a. the time spent playing with blocks will be more than 30 minutes
b. the time spent playing with crayons will be more than 15 minutes
c. the time spent playing with crayons will be less than 15 minutes
d. none of the above
Answer: b
Rationale:
According to Premack's principle, when two behaviors are required equally, the highprobability behavior (playing with blocks) can still reinforce the low-probability behavior
(playing with crayons), suggesting that the time spent playing with crayons will be more than
15 minutes.
20. An advantage of applying Premack's principle in behavior modification is that
a. one does not have to watch the patient to decide what reinforcer to use
b. one does not always have to use physical items as reinforcers
c. activities are stronger reinforcers than physical items
d. all of the above
Answer: b
Rationale:
Premack's principle allows for the use of naturally occurring high-probability behaviors to
reinforce low-probability behaviors, which means one does not always have to rely on
external, physical reinforcers. This flexibility is advantageous in behavior modification
strategies.
21. One research finding that poses a problem for Premack's principle is that
a. a behavior that acts as a reinforcer in one context may not be a reinforcer in another
context
b. a behavior that acts as a punisher in one context may not be a punisher in another context
c. more probable behaviors can sometimes reinforce less probable behaviors
d. less probable behaviors can sometimes reinforce more probable behaviors
Answer: d
Rationale:
Premack's principle suggests that a more probable behavior can reinforce a less probable
behavior. However, research has shown instances where less probable behaviors can also
reinforce more probable behaviors, which contradicts Premack's principle.
22. Functional analysis of unusual behaviors, such as self-injurious behavior, has shown that
these behaviors sometimes occur because
a. they are reinforced with attention
b. they may produce automatic reinforcement
c. they may be reinforced by escape from unpleasant tasks
d. all of the above
Answer: d
Rationale:
Self-injurious behaviors can be maintained by various factors including attention, automatic
reinforcement (internal satisfaction), or escape from unpleasant situations. Therefore, all of
the options provided could contribute to the occurrence of such behaviors.
23. In conducting a functional analysis to determine why a child with a developmental
disability frequently performs some bizarre behavior, a therapist might do all of the following
except
a. give the child a tangible reinforcer when the bizarre behavior occurs
b. observe whether the bizarre behavior occurs when the child is alone
c. give the child attention when the bizarre behavior occurs
d. record the child’s brain waves when the bizarre behavior occurs
Answer: d
Rationale:
In a functional analysis, therapists typically focus on environmental factors such as
reinforcement and antecedents. Recording brain waves would not directly provide insight into
the environmental contingencies maintaining the behavior, making it the least likely option
among the given choices.
24. According to response deprivation theory, a less probable behavior
a. can never reinforce a more probable behavior
b. can never punish a more probable behavior
c. may reinforce a more probable behavior if access to the less probable behavior is severely
restricted
d. may reinforce a more probable behavior if access to the more probable behavior is severely
restricted
Answer: c
Rationale:
Response deprivation theory suggests that restricting access to a behavior can make it
reinforcing if it becomes less probable than another behavior. Thus, a less probable behavior
can indeed reinforce a more probable behavior under conditions of restricted access.
25. According to optimization theory, the best strategy for a predator searching for prey is to
a. pursue any prey it encounters when food is scarce
b. pursue any prey it encounters when food is plentiful
c. pursue only large prey when food is scarce
d. pursue only small prey when food is scarce
Answer: a
Rationale:
Optimization theory suggests that predators should pursue any available prey when food is
scarce, maximizing their chances of obtaining sustenance. This strategy increases the
likelihood of encountering prey and obtaining necessary resources for survival.
Test Bank for Learning and Behavior
James E. Mazur
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