Chapter 1 Introduction

Question 1

What humorous story opens Gerald Zuriff’s review of Behaviorism: A Conceptual Reconstruction (1985)?

Answer 1

Two behaviorists make love, and one says, “That was fine for you, how was it for me?” The joke highlights the perception that behaviorists ignore internal experiences like feelings.

Question 2

High Priority ✅ What misconception about behaviorism does the opening story illustrate?

Answer 2

That behaviorists don’t acknowledge feelings. In reality, how people feel can be just as important as what they do. (Skinner, 1989)

Question 4

High Priority ✅ What did B.F. Skinner emphasize about behavior and feelings?

Answer 4

Skinner argued that feelings are important and shouldn’t be ignored in the study of behavior.

Question 5

According to Catania (1988), what contradictory status does B.F. Skinner hold in psychology?

Answer 5

He is the most honored yet most maligned, most recognized yet most misunderstood, and most cited yet often misinterpreted.

Question 6

What are the learning objectives outlined in Chapter 1?

Answer 6

1. Define learning
   
   2. Diagram classical conditioning
   3. Outline influences on behaviorism
   4. Define empiricism
   5. Compare structuralism and functionalism
   6. Explain natural selection
   7. Identify key researchers in 5 forms of behaviorism
   8. Compare 5 forms of behaviorism

Question 7

Why do the authors include studies with rats and pigeons?

Answer 7

Because principles from those studies can be applied to real-life issues like studying, overcoming fears, parenting, and relationships.

Question 8

High priority ✅ How does this textbook claim to help with self-control and productivity?

Answer 8

By teaching how environmental factors influence behavior, including self-control, and by offering study tips and behavior management tools.

Question 9

Where can you find practical guidance on self-control in this textbook?

Answer 9

Chapter 10 (theory of self-control) and Appendix (A Brief Guide to Behavior Self-Management).

Question 10

High Priority ✅ Why is studying how to study included in this textbook?

Answer 10

Because many students haven’t learned how to study effectively, and a textbook on learning is the perfect place to teach this.

Question 11

HP ✅ How are learning principles relevant to understanding psychological disorders?

Answer 11

They explain how behaviors associated with disorders like anorexia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and dissociative identity disorder can develop and be treated using behavioral therapies.

Question 12

What example involving rats is used to illustrate learning’s role in eating disorders?

Answer 12

Manipulating a rat’s feeding schedule can stop it from eating and induce extreme exercise, mirroring patterns seen in anorexia nervosa.

Question 13

HP ✅ What role do classical conditioning and negative reinforcement play in fear and anxiety?

Answer 13

They help explain how fears develop and how they can be reduced through specific behavioral treatments.

Question 14

What types of fears are mentioned as examples in the text?

Answer 14

Spiders, snakes, and exams — showing everyday relevance of fear conditioning.

Question 15

What recurring feature appears in each chapter to apply learning theory to relationships?

Answer 15

A “Advice for the Lovelorn” column, using behavioral principles to explore relationship problems.

Question 16

HP ✅ How do students with parenting experience describe the impact of this course?

Answer 16

It helps them understand which parenting strategies work and why, and to reinterpret their child’s behavior more insightfully.

Question 17

How can behavior principles help in managing workers?

Answer 17

They show that supportive, reinforcing management is more effective than punishment, increasing morale and productivity.

Question 18

HP ✅ What does Chapter 9 focus on in relation to workplace behavior?

Answer 18

Why managers often rely on punishment without realizing it reduces efficiency rather than improving it.

Question 19

HP ✅ What general benefits do the authors claim a knowledge of learning principles offers?

Answer 19

It can improve performance and relationships across many areas of life — student, parent, worker, manager, partner, or friend.

Question 20

What common but ineffective study strategy do many students use?

Answer 20

Re-reading material without active recall, hoping it will “sink in.”

Question 21

HP ✅ What is the “testing effect”?

Answer 21

A phenomenon where testing your ability to recall information improves memory more effectively than re-reading.

Question 22

HP ✅ What does the 3R strategy stand for in studying?

Answer 22

1. Read a short section
   
   2. Recite it from memory
   3. Review it by checking what was missed

Question 23

HP ✅ Why is the 3R method effective even though it’s difficult?

Answer 23

Because the effort involved strengthens memory — effortful learning leads to better retention.

Question 24

HP ✅ Why is the 3R method effective even though it’s difficult?

Answer 24

Because the effort involved strengthens memory — effortful learning leads to better retention.

Question 25

What is a common mistake students make when underlining?

Answer 25

Underlining too much — both important and unimportant information — reducing learning effectiveness.

Question 26

HP ✅ What is “selective underlining”?

Answer 26

Reading a paragraph without underlining, then going back to underline only the key points, often parts of sentences.

Question 27

How can selective underlining be combined with the 3R method?

Answer 27

Underline each paragraph selectively, then recite only what was underlined after finishing a section.

Question 28

Where else can students find useful study advice?

Answer 28

The internet (with caution), campus counselling services, and Appendix A of this textbook for behavior self-management.

Question 29

What is the definition of behavior in this textbook?

Answer 29

An activity of an organism that can be observed or measured.

Question 30

HP ✅ How is learning defined?

Answer 30

A relatively enduring change in behavior that results from experience.

Question 31

Can learning be visible or invisible to others?

Answer 31

Both — learning may be internal or external and may not always be visible.

Question 32

HP ✅ What kind of change in behavior qualifies as learning?

Answer 32

A change that results from experience, even if it is delayed or involves knowing when not to change.

Question 33

HP ✅ What are the two fundamental forms of learning emphasized in this textbook?

Answer 33

Classical conditioning and operant conditioning

Question 34

HP ✅ What is classical conditioning?

Answer 34

A process where inborn (reflexive) behaviors are elicited by new stimuli through association. Also called Pavlovian or respondent conditioning.

Question 35

What types of behaviors are involved in classical conditioning?

Answer 35

Reflexive or involuntary behaviors, like sneezing or salivating.

Question 36

HP ✅ What is the classic example of classical conditioning?

Answer 36

A dog learns to salivate to a bell after the bell is repeatedly paired with food: Bell: Food → Salivation becomes Bell → Salivation

Question 37

What does a colon (:) between two events represent in conditioning diagrams?

Answer 37

That the events occur in sequence (e.g., Bell:Food means the bell is followed by the food).

Question 38

HP ✅ What does an arrow (→) represent in conditioning diagrams?

Answer 38

It shows a causal sequence — the first event causes the second (e.g., Food → Salivation means food causes salivation).

Question 39

In classical conditioning notation, what does this mean? Bell:Food → Salivation

Answer 39

Bell:Food → Salivation It means the bell is presented before the food, and the food causes salivation.

Question 40

HP ✅ What does this notation mean: Bell → Salivation?

Answer 40

After conditioning, the bell alone now causes salivation due to its pairing with food.

Question 41

In this text, how is the behavior being conditioned usually marked?

Answer 41

Italicized in the textbook; underlined when taking notes. This is called the target behavior.

Question 42

HP ✅ What is classical conditioning?

Answer 42

A learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an involuntary (reflexive) response.

Question 43

What types of responses are involved in classical conditioning?

Answer 43

Inborn, reflexive, or involuntary responses (e.g., salivating, sneezing).

Question 44

HP ✅ What is operant conditioning?

Answer 44

A type of learning where behavior is influenced by its consequences — behavior is strengthened or weakened depending on what follows it.

Question 45

What kinds of behaviors are typically involved in operant conditioning?

Answer 45

Goal-directed, voluntary behaviors (e.g., studying, working, pressing a lever).

Question 46

Give an example of an operant conditioning sequence.

Answer 46

Lever press → Food pellet → Increased future lever pressing The consequence strengthens the behavior.

Question 47

HP ✅ What are examples of everyday behaviors shaped by operant conditioning?

Answer 47

Using a remote to turn on TV • Complimenting a loved one • Studying to earn a good grade

Question 48

What is observational learning?

Answer 48

Learning by watching others — observing someone’s behavior facilitates similar behavior in oneself.

Question 49

HP ✅ What are fixed action patterns?

Answer 49

Largely inherited, instinctual behavior sequences that are triggered by specific stimuli.

Question 50

How do inherited dispositions affect learning?

Answer 50

They can facilitate or inhibit learning depending on the behavior and context.

Question 51

What is the benefit of fill-in-the-blank quizzes in this textbook?

Answer 51

They break material into smaller chunks and promote active engagement with learning. 📘 Exam Tip: Active recall techniques like these enhance learning better than passive review.

Question 52

HP ✅ What should you do before looking up the answer to a difficult quiz item?

Answer 52

Make a genuine effort to answer it first. Struggling with uncertainty helps strengthen learning. ★ High Priority 📘 Exam Tip: Know that productive struggle enhances retention.

Question 53

HP ✅ What are the three aspects used to define behavior in this textbook?

Answer 53

Behavior is any activity of an organism that can be observed, recorded, or measured.

Question 54

How is learning defined?

Answer 54

A relatively enduring change in behavior due to experience.

Question 55

HP ✅ What type of conditioning elicits involuntary (reflexive) behavior in new contexts?

Answer 55

Classical conditioning

Question 56

What type of conditioning involves behavior being strengthened or weakened by consequences?

Answer 56

Operant conditioning 📘 Exam Tip: This is the learning type associated with goal-directed and voluntary behavior.

Question 57

HP ✅ In operant conditioning, behaviors are typically viewed as…

Answer 57

Voluntary and goal-directed by the average person.

Question 58

Feeling anxious in a dentist’s office is most likely learned through which type of conditioning?

Answer 58

Classical conditioning — anxiety is typically a reflexive response. 📘 Exam Tip: Apply theory to real-life emotional responses.

Question 59

HP ✅ Speaking loudly in a noisy room is most likely learned through which type of conditioning?

Answer 59

Operant conditioning — the behavior is voluntary and directed toward a goal (being heard).

Question 60

In this textbook’s notation, what does A:B indicate?

Answer 60

That event A is followed by event B (sequence without implying causation).

Question 61

HP ✅ What does X → Y mean in conditioning notation?

Answer 61

Event X causes or produces Event Y (sequence with causation).

Question 62

What are alternative names for classical conditioning?

Answer 62

Pavlovian conditioning or respondent conditioning

Question 63

HP ✅ What is another name for operant conditioning?

Answer 63

Instrumental conditioning