AP Psychology : Learning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Classical Conditioning
The goal of classical conditioning is to pair an unconditioned response with a neutral stimulus to create a conditioned response to that stimulus. Once this is accomplished, the organism's newly-crafted behavioral response is called __________.
respondent behavior
classical response
operant behavior
classical behavior
acquisition
respondent behavior
Coined by Skinner, the term respondent behavior is more generally used to describe any end-result changed behavior in an organism after sufficient exposure to classical conditioning techniques.
Example Question #41 : Learning
The pupils of the human eye dilate when exposed to bright light. This dilation is an example of which of the following?
Unconditioned stimulus
Unconditioned response
Conditioned response
None of these
Conditioned stimulus
Unconditioned response
An unconditioned response is a response to a stimulus that takes place automatically as a result of biological or physical processes, without being under the conscious control of the organism. Pairing an unconditioned response with a neutral stimulus can lead to the formation of conditioned responses through association.
Example Question #42 : Learning
In classical conditioning, the process by which an organism learns to associate a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that, by degrees, the presence of the unconditioned stimulus to evoke a response is no longer required is called __________.
operant conditioning
generalization
conditioned response
unconditioned response
acquisition
acquisition
Acquisition also refers to the point in operant conditioning where a reinforced response is strengthened via reinforcement, schedule adjustment, or punishment.
Example Question #41 : Classical Conditioning
From an early age, guard dogs can learn to tell the difference between the approaching footsteps of their handler (which provokes no response or a positive response) from other footsteps (which provoke a negative response). What ability would a behaviorist say this demonstrates?
Observational learning
Discrimination
Generalization
Acquisition
Prosocial behavior
Discrimination
More generally, discrimination occurs when an organism learns to distinguish between those stimuli which provoke the conditioned response and stimuli which do not provoke an unconditioned response.
Example Question #44 : Learning
Changes in prenatal learning and memory have been studied through the following techniques: teaching pregnant women deep muscle relaxation exercises, pairing the exercises with music, and measuring fetal activity. After several weeks, fetal activity was reduced when the music was played. This scenario is an example of which of the following?
Classical conditioning, using music as the conditioned stimulus, and relaxation as the unconditioned stimulus
Classical conditioning, using music as the US, and relaxation as the conditioned stimulus
Operant conditioning, using music as the negative reinforcer, and relaxation as the instrumental response
Operant conditioning, using music as the positive reinforcer, and relaxation as the instrumental response
Classical conditioning, using music as the conditioned stimulus, and relaxation as the unconditioned stimulus
This is an example of classical conditioning because learning (e.g. changes in fetal activity) occurred when music was played, as a result of several weeks of pairing relaxation exercises with music. This indicates that music was the conditioned stimulus (CS), and the exercises were the unconditioned stimulus (US). With operant learning, there are contingencies between specific behaviors and rewards (e.g. a rat receiving a pellet when pressing a lever). Because there is no contingency or reward here, it cannot be defined as operant learning.
Example Question #43 : Classical Conditioning
Earning money as a reward is an example of which of the following kinds of reinforcers?
Generalized Reinforcer
Primary Reinforcer
None of these
Monetary reinforcer
Generalized Reinforcer
A “generalized reinforcer” is the correct answer, because a generalized reinforcer obtains reinforcing functionality through its association with other reinforcers (i.e. money can be used to purchase things that may act as reinforcers themselves).
Example Question #44 : Classical Conditioning
When Peter was a child, he was attacked by a dog. He had to go to the hospital for stitches and was very frightened. Now, as an adult, Peter becomes frightened when looking at pictures of dogs and feels as though he might be attacked, even when he is shown pictures of puppies.
In this example, the fear in reaction to the pictures of dogs is:
Unconditioned stimulus
Unconditioned response
Conditioned stimulus
Conditioned response
Conditioned response
Example Question #45 : Learning
The first part of the learning process in classical conditioning involves pairing together two stimuli. This phase is called:
Stimulus generalization
Acquisition
Spontaneous recovery
Extinction
Acquisition
The first phase of classical conditioning is called acquisition. This is when the organism begins to learn that the pairing of the two stimuli is not random, and they can expect them to occur together. The organism is acquiring the new learning during this phase.
Example Question #46 : Learning
When Peter was a child, he was attacked by a dog. He had to go to the hospital for stitches and was very frightened. Now, as an adult, Peter becomes frightened when looking at pictures of dogs and feels as though he might be attacked, even when he is shown pictures of innocent puppies.
In terms of learning, it is likely that Peter's phobia developed through which of the following processes?
Operant conditioning
Spontaneous recovery
Classical conditioning
Modeling
Classical conditioning
"Classical conditioning" is a type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus. In this case, fear was originally evoked by a specific dog. Now, Peter feels fear even when looking at pictures of other dogs that are non-threatening. The other choices are incorrect. "Operant conditioning" is learning that occurs through reinforcement (e.g. rewards, punishment), "modeling" is learning that occurs through observation, and "spontaneous recovery" is when a previously extinguished response reappears.
Example Question #47 : Learning
Sandy is an aspiring singer. Even though she loves to sing, she also experiences severe stage fright before and during a performance. Sometimes when she is feeling so overwhelmed or nervous before a performance, she will decide to cancel the show because of her anxiety. Lately, even when she sees a stage or a microphone, she begins to feel panicked and notices her breathing and heart rate increase.
In the situation, Sandy's physiological reaction to a stage or microphone is an example of which of the following?
Shaping
Classical conditioning
Modeling
Operant conditioning
Classical conditioning
"Classical conditioning" is a type of learning in which a stimulus (e.g. a microphone or stage) acquires to capacity to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus (i.e. performing in front of a group) due to being paired with one another.
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