CDT Learning Theory & Conditioning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dog repeatedly exposed to a loud noise with no consequence eventually stops reacting to it. This is an example of:
- Extinction
- Habituation (Correct answer)
- Sensitization
- Counter-conditioning
Correct answer: Habituation
Habituation is the decrease in response to a repeated neutral stimulus that has no consequence.
Question 2: In operant conditioning, which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest and most consistent rate of responding?
- Fixed ratio
- Variable ratio (Correct answer)
- Fixed interval
- Variable interval
Correct answer: Variable ratio
Variable ratio schedules produce the highest, most consistent response rates because reinforcement is unpredictable.
Question 3: A trainer clicks the moment a dog sits and then delivers a treat. The clicker is functioning as a:
- Primary reinforcer
- Conditioned punisher
- Conditioned reinforcer (Correct answer)
- Unconditioned stimulus
Correct answer: Conditioned reinforcer
Through pairing with food, the clicker becomes a conditioned (secondary) reinforcer.
Question 4: Which concept describes a dog that works hard to earn reinforcement and then takes a pause after receiving it?
- Post-reinforcement pause (Correct answer)
- Extinction burst
- Latency decrease
- Ratio strain
Correct answer: Post-reinforcement pause
Post-reinforcement pauses are common after fixed ratio or fixed interval reinforcement delivery.
Question 5: Counter-conditioning is most effective when the new emotional response is:
- Identical in intensity to the fear response
- Incompatible with the fear response (Correct answer)
- Triggered after the fear response peaks
- Paired with punishment
Correct answer: Incompatible with the fear response
Counter-conditioning replaces fear with an incompatible positive emotional state, such as anticipation of food.
Question 6: Thorndike's Law of Effect states that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes will:
- Decrease in frequency
- Be generalized to new stimuli
- Increase in frequency (Correct answer)
- Become extinct
Correct answer: Increase in frequency
The Law of Effect holds that behaviors producing satisfying consequences are strengthened and repeated.
Question 7: A dog trained to sit in the kitchen fails to sit reliably in a park. This demonstrates the need for:
- Flooding
- Generalization training (Correct answer)
- Ratio thinning
- Negative punishment
Correct answer: Generalization training
Generalization training teaches the dog that the cue means the same behavior across varied environments and contexts.
CDT Learning Theory & Conditioning 2
A dog repeatedly exposed to a loud noise with no consequence eventually stops reacting to it.
This is an example of: