PSY 217 Exam 3 Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025/2026
T/F Negative reinforcement and punishment effect behavior in the same way - Answers False
The two-process theory explanation of escape/avoidance behavior involves which elements? -
Answers Pavlovian conditioning
Operant conditioning
The one-process theory explanation of escape/avoidance behavior involves which elements? -
Answers Operant conditioning
A high schooler was told she had to baby sit her little sister and could not get out of it. The little
sister would pester her relentlessly when they were by themselves. The older sister initially
argued with her parents, but was never able to escape the babysitting job. Now when she is told
she has to babysit, she sulks on the couch and doesnt argue. What would this be an example of?
- Answers Learned helplessness
What would be considered an unconditioned aversive stimulus? - Answers Exposure to noxious
odor
Exposure to a loud sound
Exposure to cold
What would be considered a conditioned aversive stimulus? - Answers Someone expressing an
angry expression toward you
Being stuck in traffic
being told "no!"
Failing grade
Your boss approaching you
A stimulus is considered to be aversive based on its function (i.e. how it affects behavior). How
can we describe the function of an aversive stimulus? - Answers Work to escape from it
It punishes behavior that produces it
Work to avoid it
When an organism unsuccessfully attempts to escape an aversive stimulus (i.e. the stimulus is
unescapable), that organism tends to not engage in an escape response even when it becomes
possible to escape the aversive stimulus. What phenomenon is this describing? - Answers
learned helplessness
, In what conditions do we learn how to avoid an aversive stimulus? - Answers When there is a
"warning" signal
What condition/situation produces avoidance behavior? - Answers escape from a conditioned
aversive stimulus
_________ contingencies automatically set up ________ reinforcement contingencies. - Answers
Punishment, negative
___________ punishers result from an automatic aversive outcome of behavior, while ________
punishers are socially mediated - Answers natural, contrived
sweeping out dust from the boathouse - Answers contingent work
going to run 50 hills - Answers contingent exercise
placing the boat carefully in the water 20 times in a row - Answers positive practice
helping the coach repair the boat - Answers restitution
There are several dimensions of punishment that can make that punisher more or less effective.
- Answers No way to escape
More than one way to access reinforcers
Contingent delivery
Short delay
Which of the following is a potential side-effect or problem with using punishment? - Answers
Risky if misused
Increases escape or avoidance of the person or place where punishment occurs
Suppresses other behavior
Person punishing is being negatively reinforced
Modeling the use of aversive stimuli
Emotional or aggressive behavior can occur
What is an aversive stimulus? - Answers We will work to escape from it
We will work to avoid it
It will punish behavior if behavior produces it
conditioned aversive stimuli - Answers Function not form
T/F Negative reinforcement and punishment effect behavior in the same way - Answers False
The two-process theory explanation of escape/avoidance behavior involves which elements? -
Answers Pavlovian conditioning
Operant conditioning
The one-process theory explanation of escape/avoidance behavior involves which elements? -
Answers Operant conditioning
A high schooler was told she had to baby sit her little sister and could not get out of it. The little
sister would pester her relentlessly when they were by themselves. The older sister initially
argued with her parents, but was never able to escape the babysitting job. Now when she is told
she has to babysit, she sulks on the couch and doesnt argue. What would this be an example of?
- Answers Learned helplessness
What would be considered an unconditioned aversive stimulus? - Answers Exposure to noxious
odor
Exposure to a loud sound
Exposure to cold
What would be considered a conditioned aversive stimulus? - Answers Someone expressing an
angry expression toward you
Being stuck in traffic
being told "no!"
Failing grade
Your boss approaching you
A stimulus is considered to be aversive based on its function (i.e. how it affects behavior). How
can we describe the function of an aversive stimulus? - Answers Work to escape from it
It punishes behavior that produces it
Work to avoid it
When an organism unsuccessfully attempts to escape an aversive stimulus (i.e. the stimulus is
unescapable), that organism tends to not engage in an escape response even when it becomes
possible to escape the aversive stimulus. What phenomenon is this describing? - Answers
learned helplessness
, In what conditions do we learn how to avoid an aversive stimulus? - Answers When there is a
"warning" signal
What condition/situation produces avoidance behavior? - Answers escape from a conditioned
aversive stimulus
_________ contingencies automatically set up ________ reinforcement contingencies. - Answers
Punishment, negative
___________ punishers result from an automatic aversive outcome of behavior, while ________
punishers are socially mediated - Answers natural, contrived
sweeping out dust from the boathouse - Answers contingent work
going to run 50 hills - Answers contingent exercise
placing the boat carefully in the water 20 times in a row - Answers positive practice
helping the coach repair the boat - Answers restitution
There are several dimensions of punishment that can make that punisher more or less effective.
- Answers No way to escape
More than one way to access reinforcers
Contingent delivery
Short delay
Which of the following is a potential side-effect or problem with using punishment? - Answers
Risky if misused
Increases escape or avoidance of the person or place where punishment occurs
Suppresses other behavior
Person punishing is being negatively reinforced
Modeling the use of aversive stimuli
Emotional or aggressive behavior can occur
What is an aversive stimulus? - Answers We will work to escape from it
We will work to avoid it
It will punish behavior if behavior produces it
conditioned aversive stimuli - Answers Function not form
