PSYC*2330 Chapter 8: Stimulus Control of Behaviour

Question 1

What is stimulus discrimination?

Answer 1

Differential responding in the presence of two or more stimuli

Question 2

What is the opposite of stimulus discrimination?

Answer 2

Stimulus generalization

Question 3

Responding to test stimuli that are different from the stimuli present during training is known as what?

Answer 3

Stimulus generalization

Question 4

T or F: Even without stimulus discrimination, there can still be stimulus control.

Answer 4

False. Without stimulus discrimination, there is no stimulus control.

Question 5

Responding often generalizes to other stimuli on the basis of what?

Answer 5

Their similarity to the training stimulus

Question 6

What provides precise information about sensitivity of behaviour to systematic stimulus variations?

Answer 6

The stimulus generalization gradient

Question 7

As a stimulus became increasingly different from the stimulus a bird was trained to peck to, did pecking go up or down?

Answer 7

Down

Question 8

What does the stimulus generalization gradient measure?

Answer 8

Measures stimulus control

Question 9

What does a steep generalization gradient indicate?

Answer 9

Strong control of behaviour by the stimulus

Question 10

What does a flat generalization gradient indicate?

Answer 10

Weak or nonexistent stimulus control of behaviour

Question 11

T or F: An organism’s sensory capacity sets a limit on what type of stimuli can control behaviour.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

What type of studies are often used to determine what an organism is/is not able to perceive?

Answer 12

Studies of stimulus control

Question 13

Interference with conditioning of a stimulus because of the simultaneous presence of another stimulus that is easier to condition is known as what?

Answer 13

Overshadowing

Question 14

T or F: The availability of one type of cue (ex. a prominent landmark) may overshadow learning about other types of spatial information.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

Is there a difference between males and females regarding whether landmark cues overshadow spatial cues?

Answer 15

Yes

Question 16

Did shape learning overshadow landmark learning in male or female rats?

Answer 16

Male rats

Question 17

Did landmark learning overshadow shape learning in male or female rats?

Answer 17

Female rats

Question 18

T or F: Stimulus control of instrumental behaviour is independent of the type of reinforcement used.

Answer 18

False. Stimulus control of instrumental behaviour is determined in part by the type of reinforcement used.

Question 19

Does visual stimulus control or auditory stimulus control predominate when the CS acquires positive/appetitive properties?

Answer 19

Visual stimulus

Question 20

Does visual stimulus control or auditory stimulus control predominate when the CS acquires negative/aversive properties?

Answer 20

Auditory stimulus

Question 21

In Foree & LoLordo’s study, did pigeons conditioned with food reinforcement respond more when presented with the light stimulus alone or the tone stimulus alone?

Answer 21

Responded more when tested with the light alone

Question 22

In Foree & LoLordo’s study, did pigeons conditioned with shock avoidance respond more when presented with the light stimulus alone or the tone stimulus alone?

Answer 22

Responded more when tested with tone alone

Question 23

The dominance of certain types of stimuli to control behaviour in appetitive vs aversive situations is likely related to what?

Answer 23

The behaviour systems activated in either case