1
PSY 217 Exam 3 Questions with Correct
Answers | Updated (100% Correct Answers)
T/F Negative reinforcement and punishment effect behavior in the
same way Answer: False
The two-process theory explanation of escape/avoidance behavior
involves which elements? Answer: Pavlovian conditioning
Operant conditioning
The one-process theory explanation of escape/avoidance behavior
involves which elements? Answer: 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? Answer: Learned
helplessness
What would be considered an unconditioned aversive stimulus?
Answer: Exposure to noxious odor
Exposure to a loud sound
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2
Exposure to cold
What would be considered a conditioned aversive stimulus?
Answer: 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? Answer: 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? Answer: learned helplessness
In what conditions do we learn how to avoid an aversive stimulus?
Answer: When there is a "warning" signal
© 2025 All rights reserved
PSY 217 Exam 3 Questions with Correct
Answers | Updated (100% Correct Answers)
T/F Negative reinforcement and punishment effect behavior in the
same way Answer: False
The two-process theory explanation of escape/avoidance behavior
involves which elements? Answer: Pavlovian conditioning
Operant conditioning
The one-process theory explanation of escape/avoidance behavior
involves which elements? Answer: 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? Answer: Learned
helplessness
What would be considered an unconditioned aversive stimulus?
Answer: Exposure to noxious odor
Exposure to a loud sound
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2
Exposure to cold
What would be considered a conditioned aversive stimulus?
Answer: 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? Answer: 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? Answer: learned helplessness
In what conditions do we learn how to avoid an aversive stimulus?
Answer: When there is a "warning" signal
© 2025 All rights reserved
