PSY 101 Exam 2 V3 | PSY 101 Foundations
of Psychology | StraighterLine | Q&A with
Rationale (StraighterLine PSY101 Exam 2)
1. Which of the following describes a relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge
resulting from experience?
A. Maturation
B. Learning
C. Instinct
D. Reflex
Answer: B
Rationale: Learning involves a process where experience leads to a lasting change in an
individual’s behavioral repertoire or cognitive structures. This differentiates it from innate
behaviors like reflexes or biological processes like maturation. For a change to be
considered learning, it must be the result of interaction with the environment rather than
simple physical growth.
2. In Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiments, what was the neutral stimulus before it was
paired with the meat powder?
A. The bell
B. The salivation
,C. The food bowl
D. The assistant
Answer: A
Rationale: The bell initially produced no specific response related to feeding, making it a
neutral stimulus. Once paired repeatedly with the unconditioned stimulus of meat powder,
the bell became a conditioned stimulus. This transition demonstrates how associations are
formed between previously unrelated environmental cues and physiological responses.
3. Which process occurs when a conditioned response disappears after the conditioned
stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus?
A. Extinction
B. Stimulus generalization
C. Acquisition
D. Spontaneous recovery
Answer: A
Rationale: Extinction is the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a
conditioned response. This happens when the predictive value of the conditioned stimulus
is lost because the unconditioned stimulus no longer follows it. It is a critical concept in
behavioral therapy for reducing unwanted learned responses.
, 4. If a child is rewarded with a sticker every time they finish their homework, which type of
reinforcement is being used?
A. Negative punishment
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Positive punishment
D. Positive reinforcement
Answer: D
Rationale: Positive reinforcement involves the addition of a desirable stimulus following a
behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. In this case, the sticker
is the added stimulus that encourages the homework completion. It is one of the most
effective tools in operant conditioning for shaping new habits.
5. A worker receives a paycheck every two weeks. Which schedule of reinforcement does this
represent?
A. Fixed ratio
B. Variable ratio
C. Fixed interval
D. Variable interval
Answer: C
of Psychology | StraighterLine | Q&A with
Rationale (StraighterLine PSY101 Exam 2)
1. Which of the following describes a relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge
resulting from experience?
A. Maturation
B. Learning
C. Instinct
D. Reflex
Answer: B
Rationale: Learning involves a process where experience leads to a lasting change in an
individual’s behavioral repertoire or cognitive structures. This differentiates it from innate
behaviors like reflexes or biological processes like maturation. For a change to be
considered learning, it must be the result of interaction with the environment rather than
simple physical growth.
2. In Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiments, what was the neutral stimulus before it was
paired with the meat powder?
A. The bell
B. The salivation
,C. The food bowl
D. The assistant
Answer: A
Rationale: The bell initially produced no specific response related to feeding, making it a
neutral stimulus. Once paired repeatedly with the unconditioned stimulus of meat powder,
the bell became a conditioned stimulus. This transition demonstrates how associations are
formed between previously unrelated environmental cues and physiological responses.
3. Which process occurs when a conditioned response disappears after the conditioned
stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus?
A. Extinction
B. Stimulus generalization
C. Acquisition
D. Spontaneous recovery
Answer: A
Rationale: Extinction is the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a
conditioned response. This happens when the predictive value of the conditioned stimulus
is lost because the unconditioned stimulus no longer follows it. It is a critical concept in
behavioral therapy for reducing unwanted learned responses.
, 4. If a child is rewarded with a sticker every time they finish their homework, which type of
reinforcement is being used?
A. Negative punishment
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Positive punishment
D. Positive reinforcement
Answer: D
Rationale: Positive reinforcement involves the addition of a desirable stimulus following a
behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. In this case, the sticker
is the added stimulus that encourages the homework completion. It is one of the most
effective tools in operant conditioning for shaping new habits.
5. A worker receives a paycheck every two weeks. Which schedule of reinforcement does this
represent?
A. Fixed ratio
B. Variable ratio
C. Fixed interval
D. Variable interval
Answer: C
