,Liberty University PSYC 320 Quiz 1 | Behavior Modification (2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following best defines behavior modification?
A) A technique based on unconscious drives
B) The systematic application of learning principles to change behavior
C) A method of analyzing personality traits
D) The use of medication to alter behavior
Correct Answer: The systematic application of learning principles to change behavior
Rationale: Behavior modification applies principles from operant and classical conditioning
to increase or decrease specific behaviors. It focuses on observable behavior and
environmental contingencies rather than unconscious processes or medication.
2. In behavior modification, a target behavior is:
A) Any behavior that is undesirable
B) The behavior that is the focus of change
C) A reflexive response to a stimulus
D) A behavior that occurs naturally without intervention
Correct Answer: The behavior that is the focus of change
Rationale: The target behavior is the specific behavior identified for modification, whether to
increase, decrease, or maintain. It is defined objectively and measured before intervention.
3. What is an overt behavior?
A) A behavior that is observable by others
B) A behavior that is internal and private
C) A behavior that occurs only in response to medication
D) A behavior that cannot be measured
Correct Answer: A behavior that is observable by others
,Rationale: Overt behaviors are actions that can be seen, heard, or measured by an external
observer, such as talking, walking, or hitting. Covert behaviors are internal, such as thinking
or feeling.
4. Which of the following is an example of a covert behavior?
A) Running
B) Yelling
C) Feeling anxious
D) Smiling
Correct Answer: Feeling anxious
Rationale: Covert behaviors are internal events not directly observable by others, such as
thoughts, feelings, and physiological responses. Anxiety is a private experience, whereas
running, yelling, and smiling are overt.
5. Classical conditioning was first demonstrated by:
A) B.F. Skinner
B) John Watson
C) Ivan Pavlov
D) Albert Bandura
Correct Answer: Ivan Pavlov
Rationale: Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning through his experiments with dogs,
showing that a neutral stimulus could elicit a conditioned response after pairing with an
unconditioned stimulus. Skinner is associated with operant conditioning.
6. In classical conditioning, the unconditioned stimulus (US) is:
A) A stimulus that initially produces no specific response
B) A stimulus that naturally elicits an unconditioned response
C) A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus
D) A response that is suppressed by punishment
, Correct Answer: A stimulus that naturally elicits an unconditioned response
Rationale: The US automatically triggers a reflexive response (UR) without prior learning,
such as food eliciting salivation. The conditioned stimulus (CS) is initially neutral and comes
to elicit a conditioned response after pairing.
7. What is the conditioned response (CR) in classical conditioning?
A) A reflexive response to an unconditioned stimulus
B) A learned response to a conditioned stimulus
C) A voluntary behavior emitted to obtain reinforcement
D) A behavior that is punished
Correct Answer: A learned response to a conditioned stimulus
Rationale: The CR is the learned response that occurs when the conditioned stimulus is
presented alone, after repeated pairings with the unconditioned stimulus. It is often similar to
the UR but weaker.
8. Operant conditioning is primarily associated with:
A) Ivan Pavlov
B) B.F. Skinner
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Carl Rogers
Correct Answer: B.F. Skinner
Rationale: B.F. Skinner extensively studied operant conditioning, which focuses on how
consequences (reinforcement and punishment) influence voluntary behavior. Pavlov studied
classical conditioning.
9. In operant conditioning, reinforcement is:
A) A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior
B) A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior
1. Which of the following best defines behavior modification?
A) A technique based on unconscious drives
B) The systematic application of learning principles to change behavior
C) A method of analyzing personality traits
D) The use of medication to alter behavior
Correct Answer: The systematic application of learning principles to change behavior
Rationale: Behavior modification applies principles from operant and classical conditioning
to increase or decrease specific behaviors. It focuses on observable behavior and
environmental contingencies rather than unconscious processes or medication.
2. In behavior modification, a target behavior is:
A) Any behavior that is undesirable
B) The behavior that is the focus of change
C) A reflexive response to a stimulus
D) A behavior that occurs naturally without intervention
Correct Answer: The behavior that is the focus of change
Rationale: The target behavior is the specific behavior identified for modification, whether to
increase, decrease, or maintain. It is defined objectively and measured before intervention.
3. What is an overt behavior?
A) A behavior that is observable by others
B) A behavior that is internal and private
C) A behavior that occurs only in response to medication
D) A behavior that cannot be measured
Correct Answer: A behavior that is observable by others
,Rationale: Overt behaviors are actions that can be seen, heard, or measured by an external
observer, such as talking, walking, or hitting. Covert behaviors are internal, such as thinking
or feeling.
4. Which of the following is an example of a covert behavior?
A) Running
B) Yelling
C) Feeling anxious
D) Smiling
Correct Answer: Feeling anxious
Rationale: Covert behaviors are internal events not directly observable by others, such as
thoughts, feelings, and physiological responses. Anxiety is a private experience, whereas
running, yelling, and smiling are overt.
5. Classical conditioning was first demonstrated by:
A) B.F. Skinner
B) John Watson
C) Ivan Pavlov
D) Albert Bandura
Correct Answer: Ivan Pavlov
Rationale: Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning through his experiments with dogs,
showing that a neutral stimulus could elicit a conditioned response after pairing with an
unconditioned stimulus. Skinner is associated with operant conditioning.
6. In classical conditioning, the unconditioned stimulus (US) is:
A) A stimulus that initially produces no specific response
B) A stimulus that naturally elicits an unconditioned response
C) A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus
D) A response that is suppressed by punishment
, Correct Answer: A stimulus that naturally elicits an unconditioned response
Rationale: The US automatically triggers a reflexive response (UR) without prior learning,
such as food eliciting salivation. The conditioned stimulus (CS) is initially neutral and comes
to elicit a conditioned response after pairing.
7. What is the conditioned response (CR) in classical conditioning?
A) A reflexive response to an unconditioned stimulus
B) A learned response to a conditioned stimulus
C) A voluntary behavior emitted to obtain reinforcement
D) A behavior that is punished
Correct Answer: A learned response to a conditioned stimulus
Rationale: The CR is the learned response that occurs when the conditioned stimulus is
presented alone, after repeated pairings with the unconditioned stimulus. It is often similar to
the UR but weaker.
8. Operant conditioning is primarily associated with:
A) Ivan Pavlov
B) B.F. Skinner
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Carl Rogers
Correct Answer: B.F. Skinner
Rationale: B.F. Skinner extensively studied operant conditioning, which focuses on how
consequences (reinforcement and punishment) influence voluntary behavior. Pavlov studied
classical conditioning.
9. In operant conditioning, reinforcement is:
A) A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior
B) A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior
