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Chapter 6: Problem 12

According to Rescorla, the strength of a conditioned response depends on: A. the number of trials in which the \(C S\) and US are paired. B. the number of trials in which the \(C S\) is presented alone. C. the percentage of trials in which the \(C S\) and US are paired. D. resistance to extinction.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The percentage of trials in which the CS and US are paired.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Concept of a Conditioned Response

A conditioned response (CR) is a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus. It occurs due to the pairing of the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the unconditioned stimulus (US) over time. In this context, Rescorla is a renowned psychologist whose work focused on classical conditioning processes. Step 2:
02

Evaluate Option A

Option A states that the strength of a conditioned response depends on "the number of trials in which the CS and US are paired." This is true, as the frequency of pairing a CS with a US can influence the strength of the conditioned response. However, we need to examine the other options before choosing this one. Step 3:
03

Evaluate Option B

Option B says that the strength of a conditioned response depends on "the number of trials in which the CS is presented alone." This statement contradicts Rescorla's theory since presenting the CS alone would not form a conditioned response. Therefore, the strength of the CR cannot depend on the number of trials in which the CS is presented alone. We can eliminate the option B. Step 4:
04

Evaluate Option C

Option C suggests that the strength of a conditioned response depends on "the percentage of trials in which the CS and US are paired." This factor is somewhat similar to Option A, but it emphasizes proportions instead. A higher percentage of paired CS and US trials would result in a stronger conditioned response. This option is also a good candidate, but we still need to look at option D. Step 5:
05

Evaluate Option D

Option D claims that the strength of a conditioned response depends on "resistance to extinction." Resistance to extinction is related to the conditioned response's strength, but it is not the direct determining factor. Therefore, option D is not the most appropriate choice for Rescorla's theory. Step 6:
06

Choose the Correct Option

Based on the analysis of all the options, the most appropriate option is C. The strength of a conditioned response depends on "the percentage of trials in which the CS and US are paired" according to Rescorla's theory.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A pigeon in a Skinner box is pecking the disk at a high, steady rate. The graph portraying this pigeon's responding will have: A. a steep, unchanging slope. B. a shallow, unchanging slope. C. a progressively steeper slope D. a progressively shallower slope.

Nolan used to love tequila. However, a few weeks ago he drank way too much tequila and became very, very sick. His tendency to drink tequila has since declined dramatically. In operant terms, this sequence of events represents: A. generalization B. negative reinforcement. C. higher-order conditioning. D. punishment.

3\. The steady, rapid responding of a person playing a slot machine is an example of the pattern of responding typically generated on a _________ schedule. A. fixed-ratio B. variable-ratio C. fixed-interval

Watson and Rayner (1920) conditioned "Little Albert" to fear white rats by banging a hammer on a steel bar as the child played with a white rat. Later, it was discovered that Albert feared not only white rats but white stuffed toys and Santa's beard as well. Albert's fear of these other objects can be attributed to: A. negative reinforcement. B. stimulus generalization. C. stimulus discrimination. D. an overactive imagination.

Positive reinforcement _______ the rate of responding; negative reinforcement _________ the rate of responding. A. increases; decreases B. decreases; increases C. increases; increases D. decreases; decreases
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