PSYC 2301 Exam 2 Study Guide 2026 | Complete Review |
Graded A+
1. Partial reinforcement occurs when _______________
some correct and some incorrect responses are rewarded
rewards are alternated with punishment
some, but not all, correct responses are rewarded.
a reward is only partially reinforcing
2. What term describes the process of forgetting memories that cause
emotional distress?
Motivated forgetting
Suppression
Repression
Interference
3. Ahmed learned English in elementary school and is now trying to learn
Spanish in college. Why might it be difficult for him to remember Spanish
grammar and vocabulary?
Because of retroactive interference, the English he learned previously
will interfere with his ability to learn Spanish.
Because of recency effect, the English he learned previously will
interfere with his ability to learn Spanish.
Because of proactive interference, the English he learned
previously will interfere with his ability to learn Spanish.
Because of the primacy effect, the English he learned previously will
interfere with his ability to learn Spanish.
,4. If we reinforce the desired response every time it occurs we are using:
intermittent reinforcement
incremental reinforcement
continuous reinforcement
contingent reinforcement
5. Describe the concept of decay in relation to memory retention.
Decay is a type of interference that disrupts memory retrieval.
Decay refers to the theory that memory fades over time if not
actively recalled or used.
Decay is a principle of operant conditioning.
Decay is the process of strengthening memories through repetition.
6. Imagine that you took an Introduction to Learning course this past summer. If
the material from that course inhibits or hinders your learning this semester
we would call this _.
retroactive interference
proactive interference
cued forgetting
directed forgetting
7. Which of the following is an example of stimulus discrimination in classical
conditioning?
"Jasmine is an aggressive driver, but stops for red lights because she
got a ticket for running one several months ago. "
, "After an accident with a red car last month, Brian gets nervous
when he sees a red car, but not when he sees a red truck or van. "
Cici believes that everyone should wear seat belts because she was
hurt in an accident when she wasn't wearing one.
Sophie thinks all elderly drivers are slow and leave their indicators on.
8. What is the term for the phenomenon where individuals recall items better
when they are presented at the beginning and end of a list?
the serial position effect
the state-dependent effect
source amnesia
the superiority of distributed practice
9. Describe the concept of learned helplessness and how it relates to an
individual's perception of control over their environment.
Learned helplessness is a psychological condition where an
individual believes they have no control over the outcomes of their
actions, often due to repeated failures.
Learned helplessness is a behavior characterized by passive
aggression towards others.
Learned helplessness occurs when individuals actively seek to control
their environment but fail to do so.
Learned helplessness refers to a lack of motivation to achieve goals.
10. In a classroom setting, if a student learns a new language and struggles to
remember vocabulary from a previously learned language, which type of
interference is likely affecting their memory recall?
Semantic interference
, Retroactive
Cognitive overload
Proactive
11. In a scenario where a child develops a fear of dogs after a single negative
encounter, which concept best explains this phenomenon?
Observational learning
Biological preparedness
Semantic memory
Operant conditioning
12. Describe the concept of biological preparedness in the context of learning
and behavior.
Biological preparedness is the learned behavior that results from
repeated exposure to stimuli.
Biological preparedness refers to the innate tendency of organisms
to form associations between certain stimuli and responses that
enhance survival.
Biological preparedness is the process of learning through
reinforcement and punishment.
Biological preparedness is the ability to recall past experiences
based on emotional significance.
13. Better recall when testing occurs in the same drug-influenced state as was
presented during learning is called:
Testing Effect
Mood-dependent Recall
Graded A+
1. Partial reinforcement occurs when _______________
some correct and some incorrect responses are rewarded
rewards are alternated with punishment
some, but not all, correct responses are rewarded.
a reward is only partially reinforcing
2. What term describes the process of forgetting memories that cause
emotional distress?
Motivated forgetting
Suppression
Repression
Interference
3. Ahmed learned English in elementary school and is now trying to learn
Spanish in college. Why might it be difficult for him to remember Spanish
grammar and vocabulary?
Because of retroactive interference, the English he learned previously
will interfere with his ability to learn Spanish.
Because of recency effect, the English he learned previously will
interfere with his ability to learn Spanish.
Because of proactive interference, the English he learned
previously will interfere with his ability to learn Spanish.
Because of the primacy effect, the English he learned previously will
interfere with his ability to learn Spanish.
,4. If we reinforce the desired response every time it occurs we are using:
intermittent reinforcement
incremental reinforcement
continuous reinforcement
contingent reinforcement
5. Describe the concept of decay in relation to memory retention.
Decay is a type of interference that disrupts memory retrieval.
Decay refers to the theory that memory fades over time if not
actively recalled or used.
Decay is a principle of operant conditioning.
Decay is the process of strengthening memories through repetition.
6. Imagine that you took an Introduction to Learning course this past summer. If
the material from that course inhibits or hinders your learning this semester
we would call this _.
retroactive interference
proactive interference
cued forgetting
directed forgetting
7. Which of the following is an example of stimulus discrimination in classical
conditioning?
"Jasmine is an aggressive driver, but stops for red lights because she
got a ticket for running one several months ago. "
, "After an accident with a red car last month, Brian gets nervous
when he sees a red car, but not when he sees a red truck or van. "
Cici believes that everyone should wear seat belts because she was
hurt in an accident when she wasn't wearing one.
Sophie thinks all elderly drivers are slow and leave their indicators on.
8. What is the term for the phenomenon where individuals recall items better
when they are presented at the beginning and end of a list?
the serial position effect
the state-dependent effect
source amnesia
the superiority of distributed practice
9. Describe the concept of learned helplessness and how it relates to an
individual's perception of control over their environment.
Learned helplessness is a psychological condition where an
individual believes they have no control over the outcomes of their
actions, often due to repeated failures.
Learned helplessness is a behavior characterized by passive
aggression towards others.
Learned helplessness occurs when individuals actively seek to control
their environment but fail to do so.
Learned helplessness refers to a lack of motivation to achieve goals.
10. In a classroom setting, if a student learns a new language and struggles to
remember vocabulary from a previously learned language, which type of
interference is likely affecting their memory recall?
Semantic interference
, Retroactive
Cognitive overload
Proactive
11. In a scenario where a child develops a fear of dogs after a single negative
encounter, which concept best explains this phenomenon?
Observational learning
Biological preparedness
Semantic memory
Operant conditioning
12. Describe the concept of biological preparedness in the context of learning
and behavior.
Biological preparedness is the learned behavior that results from
repeated exposure to stimuli.
Biological preparedness refers to the innate tendency of organisms
to form associations between certain stimuli and responses that
enhance survival.
Biological preparedness is the process of learning through
reinforcement and punishment.
Biological preparedness is the ability to recall past experiences
based on emotional significance.
13. Better recall when testing occurs in the same drug-influenced state as was
presented during learning is called:
Testing Effect
Mood-dependent Recall
