Introduction to Psychology
Activity #2
Directions: Read each scenario below & decide whether each is an example of either
classical or operant conditioning. 1) If you decide the scenario is an example of classical
conditioning, then label the UCS, UCR, CS & CR. 2) If you decide the scenario is an
example of operant conditioning, then identify whether it is positive or negative reinforcement
or positive or negative punishment. Each question is worth 2 points (for a total of 10
points possible). Good luck!
1. When a mother strokes her infant's skin the stroking creates pleasure responses
in the baby. After this goes on for many days, the baby begins to show pleasure
responses simply at the sight of the mother (before even being touched).
a. The baby's pleasure response is an example of Classical Cond.
b. Follow part 1 or 2 of instructions. Write answer in space below.
UCS (stroking)-- UCR (baby’s pleasure)
CS (sight of mom)-CR (baby’s pleasure)
2. A very bri g ht (mildly painful) light is turned on a rat. The rat has learned that he
can turn off the light by pressing a lever on the other side of his cage. As soon as
the light comes on, the rat runs across the room & presses the lever.
The behavior of pressing the lever is an example of
Operant conditioning.
a. Follow part I or 2 of instructions. Write answer in space below.
Neg. Reinforcement—taking away the light (unpleasant stimulus) increases the
likeliness that the rat will press the lever
3. A patient in a mental hospital is very disruptive at mealtimes. She grabs food
from the plates of those sitting near her & tries to cram the food in her mouth.
Because this behavior of stealing food
C, is very undesirable, a plan is developed
whereby every time the patient steals food from other plates, she is immediately
taken to a room without food.
a. The mental health staff is attempting to change the behavior of stealing
through Operant conditioning.
b. Follow part I or 2 of instructions. Write answer in space below.
Negative Punishment—taking away the room with the food (positive stimulus)
decreases the likeliness she’ll steal food
4. Tommy has developed a habit of yelling "Bye, Mom' & then slamming the door
very loudly in his hurry to leave for school in the morning. The door slam causes
the mother to flinch. After several days of the procedure, Tommy's mother begins to
flinch at the sound of her son's words, "Bye Mom".
a. ___________ The mother's flinching behavior can be
explained through Classical conditioning.
b. Follow part 1 or 2 of instructions. Write answer in space below.
UCS (door slam) UCR (mom flinches)
CS (son yelling “bye mom”) CR (mom flinches)
5. Imagine you have a friend who keeps the temperature in her home so high that each
occasion on which you visit her you find yourself perspiring. The last time you
visited her, you noticed that you began to perspire & became uncomfortable as soon as
you saw her house (before you were even inside).
a.Your perspiring behavior can be explained as Classical conditioning.
b.Follow part 1 or 2 of instructions. Write answer in space below.
UCS (high temperature in house) UCR (sweating)
CS (sight of friend’s house) CR (sweating)