Behavioral Reinforcement and Conditioning Theory Quiz

Test your understanding of behavioral psychology with this quiz on reinforcement, conditioning, and key concepts. Can you answer questions on positive reinforcement, operant conditioning, and more?

#1

Which of the following best defines positive reinforcement?

Adding something aversive to decrease a behavior
Adding something pleasant to increase a behavior
Removing something pleasant to decrease a behavior
Removing something aversive to increase a behavior
#2

What is an example of negative reinforcement?

Receiving a bonus for completing work on time
Taking painkillers to alleviate a headache
Ignoring a child's tantrum to reduce attention-seeking behavior
Scolding a dog for chewing on furniture
#3

Which theorist is associated with the concept of operant conditioning?

John B. Watson
Ivan Pavlov
B.F. Skinner
Albert Bandura
#4

What is the term for the process of learning by observing others and imitating their behavior?

Operant conditioning
Classical conditioning
Social learning
Reinforcement learning
#5

Which term refers to the weakening and eventual disappearance of a learned response?

Generalization
Discrimination
Extinction
Spontaneous recovery
#6

What is a primary reinforcer?

A reinforcer that derives its value from being associated with a secondary reinforcer
A reinforcer that is naturally rewarding, such as food or water
A reinforcer that is effective only after conditioning
A reinforcer that is ineffective in changing behavior
#7

In operant conditioning, punishment is best described as:

Adding something to decrease a behavior
Removing something to decrease a behavior
Adding something to increase a behavior
Removing something to increase a behavior
#8

Which type of reinforcement schedule is characterized by reinforcement being delivered after a variable number of responses?

Fixed Interval
Variable Interval
Fixed Ratio
Variable Ratio
#9

What is the term for the process of teaching a complex behavior by rewarding closer and closer approximations to the desired behavior?

Shaping
Chaining
Modeling
Punishment
#10

In classical conditioning, what is the process of a conditioned response weakening and eventually disappearing called?

Extinction
Generalization
Spontaneous recovery
Discrimination
#11

Which reinforcement schedule typically produces the highest response rate?

Fixed Interval
Variable Interval
Fixed Ratio
Variable Ratio
#12

Which reinforcement schedule delivers reinforcement after a fixed number of responses?

Fixed Interval
Variable Interval
Fixed Ratio
Variable Ratio
#13

What is the phenomenon where a previously extinguished behavior reemerges after a delay?

Spontaneous recovery
Generalization
Discrimination
Extinction
#14

In operant conditioning, what is the term for the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response?

Generalization
Discrimination
Extinction
Spontaneous recovery
#15

What is the term for the reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of non-exposure to the conditioned stimulus?

Generalization
Discrimination
Extinction
Spontaneous recovery
#16

What is the term for the process where a conditioned response reappears after a rest period, following extinction?

Spontaneous recovery
Generalization
Discrimination
Extinction

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