03 Principles, Processes, and Concepts / 03.02 Stimulus, Stimulus Class, and Positive and Negative Reinforcement

Question 1

An increase in the probability of behavior resulting from the contingent presentation of a stimulus is called
	type II (negative) punishment.
	type I (positive) punishment.
	negative reinforcement.
	positive reinforcement.

Answer 1

positive reinforcement.

Question 2

A child with mental retardation doesn't like to be touched and pushes people away who are close to him. Pushing is maintained by
	negative reinforcement.
	positive reinforcement.
	punishment.
	(none of the others)

Answer 2

negative reinforcement.

Question 3

Reinforcement
	may involve an aversive stimulus.
	occurs contingent upon behavior.
	increases the probability of behavior.
	(all of the others)

Answer 3

all others

Question 4

A stimulus class is defined as
a group of stimuli to which generality has been demonstrated.
a group of stimuli with one or more common properties.
a group of stimuli that differ by only one property.
a group of stimuli that are identical along a single dimension (e.g., size, color).

Answer 4

a group of stimuli with one or more common properties.

A stimulus class is a group of stimuli with one or more common properties. For example, light waves of different lengths affect the eye and nerves in the form different shades of red. These light waves make up a stimulus class. (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, p. 304; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 27))

Question 5

A parent begins to praise a child for hanging up his coat. The child, although reluctant, hangs up his coat more frequently. This exemplifies
	type II (negative) punishment.
	negative reinforcement.
	positive reinforcement.
	type I (positive) punishment.

Answer 5

positive reinforcement.

Question 6

Contingent praise from peers results in a student running a mile in less time. With respect to fast running, praise exemplifies
	punishment.
	negative reinforcement.
	(none of the others)
	positive reinforcement.

Answer 6

positive reinforcement.

Question 7

Which of the following is the best definition of a stimulus class?
a group of stimuli to which generality has been demonstrated
a group of stimuli with one or more common properties
a single object or event
a group of stimuli that are identical along a single dimension (e.g., size, color)

Answer 7

a group of stimuli with one or more common properties

A stimulus class is a group of stimuli with one or more common properties. For example, light waves of different lengths affect the eye and nerves in the form of different shades of red. These light waves make up a stimulus class. (Cooper, Heron, Heward, 1987, p. 304; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 27)

Question 8

Select the definition of reinforcement.
A stimulus change, when presented, frequently elicits a particular response.
A stimulus change, presented following a response, increases the future probability of that behavior.
A stimulus change, removed following a response, decreases the future probability of that behavior.
A behavior increases due to a positive stimulus being presented prior to the response.

Answer 8

A stimulus change, presented following a response, increases the future probability of that behavior.

Question 9

Which of the following may be a stimulus?
	a response exhibited by self
	a gradual change in temperature
	a response exhibited by another person
	(all of the others)

Answer 9

(all of the others)

A stimulus is any condition, event, or change in the physical world (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, p. 18). Michael (1993, p. 4) explains that a stimulus affects the organism’s receptors– vision, hearing, smell, taste, cutaneous sense (surface touch, surface pain), kinesthesis (muscle sense), vestibular sense (balance), organic sense (deep touch, deep pain) (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, p. 27). A stimulus doesn’t necessarily have a measurable effect on behavior.

Question 10

You move around in your chair because you are uncomfortable. Moving around is maintained by
	(none of the others)
	negative reinforcement.
	positive reinforcement.
	punishment.

Answer 10

negative reinforcement.

Question 11

A child starts to get spankings for stealing cookies and the stealing increases. Spankings are
	type I (positive) punishment.
	type II (negative) punishment.
	a positive reinforcer.
	a negative reinforcer.

Answer 11

a positive reinforcer.

Reinforcement always increases behavior and punishment always decreases it. Positive reinforcement involves the presentation of a stimulus and negative reinforcement involves the removal of a stimulus. Similarly, type I punishment involves the presentation of a stimulus and type II punishment involves the removal of a stimulus. In this example, the child is presented with spankings. (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, pp. 24-28; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, pp. 36-38)
Cl

Question 12

A stimulus is
an event that precedes behavior.
something that has an effect on behavior.
an event that follows behavior.
any condition, event, or change in the physical world.

Answer 12

any condition, event, or change in the physical world.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes a stimulus?
pressure on the right hand from imagining it in one’s head
a sound to a man who is totally deaf
light that one could see, but that is too dim to be functional
the thoughts of another person

Answer 13

light that one could see, but that is too dim to be functional

Question 14

A trainer reprimands a noncompliant student. The student begins to follow directions at that moment and more frequently in the future. With regard to compliance, which principle applies?
	negative reinforcement
	positive reinforcement
	type I (positive) punishment
	type II (negative) punishment

Answer 14

negative reinforcement

Question 15

A teacher's reward system increases the amount of time a student remains on-task. The reward system exemplifies
	type II (negative) punishment.
	positive reinforcement.
	negative reinforcement.
	type I (positive) punishment.

Answer 15

positive reinforcement.

Question 16

Which are parts of the same stimulus class?
	baseball bat, baseball glove, baseball
	blue bat, blue airplane, blue box
	"round," "circle," "sphere"
	(all of the others)

Answer 16

all others

as long as there is a common properties.

Question 17

A farmer's crops begin to come up several weeks after he plants them. As a result, he plants more crops next year. This is a clear example of
	punishment.
	negative reinforcement.
	positive reinforcement.
	(none of the others)

Answer 17

none of the above

There is an increase in behavior, but the consequence is far removed in time from the behavior. Therefore, to assert that it is due to positive reinforcement is questionable. (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 1987, p. 25; Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007, pp. 34-36; Michael, 1993).

Question 18

All stimuli in a class could exert control over behavior
	due to a single common feature.
	due to the uniqueness of the stimuli.
	only if all features are the same.
	(all of the others)

Answer 18

due to a single common feature.

Question 19

Which of the following is a stimulus?
light that one could see by imagining a sunny day
an X-ray
a radio wave
pressure on the right hand caused by one’s left hand

Answer 19

pressure on the right hand caused by one’s left hand

Question 20

A sibling begins to hit his brother more after the brother begins taunting him. Taunting increases. Hitting is
	type II (negative) punishment.
	a negative reinforcer.
	type I (positive) punishment.
	a positive reinforcer.

Answer 20

a positive reinforcer.

Question 21

An increase in the probability of behavior due to contingent removal of a stimulus is called
	type II (negative) punishment.
	type I (positive) punishment.
	negative reinforcement.
	positive reinforcement.

Answer 21

negative reinforcement.

Question 22

A stimulus class is defined
as a group of identical stimuli.
by its effect on behavior, but only if its effect is similar on all responders in the class.
by its common properties.
as a group of stimuli with no common properties.

Answer 22

by its common properties.

Question 23

Rubbing one's infected ear reduces pain. Rubbing is maintained by
	type I (positive) punishment.
	type II (negative) punishment.
	negative reinforcement.
	positive reinforcement.

Answer 23

negative reinforcement.