Operant conditioning By BF Skinner
10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on the topic of operant conditioning, along with the answers in bold:
Who is considered the founder of operant conditioning?
- A) Sigmund Freud
- B) Carl Rogers
- C) B.F. Skinner
- D) Ivan Pavlov
Which of the following best describes positive reinforcement?
- A) Adding something unpleasant to decrease a behavior
- B) Removing something pleasant to decrease a behavior
- C) Adding something pleasant to increase a behavior
- D) Removing something unpleasant to increase a behavior
What is a Skinner Box primarily used for in operant conditioning experiments?
- A) Observing natural behaviors of animals
- B) Studying classical conditioning
- C) Studying operant conditioning
- D) Conducting cognitive experiments
Which schedule of reinforcement provides a reward after a fixed number of responses?
- A) Fixed-interval schedule
- B) Variable-interval schedule
- C) Variable-ratio schedule
- D) Fixed-ratio schedule
An example of negative punishment is:
- A) Giving a reward for good behavior
- B) Removing a chore for completing homework
- C) Taking away a privilege for misbehavior
- D) Offering praise for a job well done
Operant conditioning primarily focuses on the relationship between:
- A) Stimuli and responses
- B) Behaviors and their consequences
- C) Thoughts and emotions
- D) Innate instincts and learned behaviors
Which type of reinforcement involves the removal of an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior?
- A) Positive reinforcement
- B) Negative reinforcement
- C) Positive punishment
- D) Negative punishment
In operant conditioning, what does punishment aim to do?
- A) Increase the likelihood of a behavior
- B) Decrease the likelihood of a behavior
- C) Maintain a behavior at its current level
- D) Reinforce a behavior intermittently
A teacher giving extra recess time for students who complete their assignments is an example of:
- A) Negative reinforcement
- B) Positive punishment
- C) Positive reinforcement
- D) Negative punishment
What is a potential criticism of operant conditioning?
- A) It does not consider environmental factors
- B) It overemphasizes innate behaviors
- C) It may overlook cognitive processes and innate factors
- D) It only applies to human behavior
