WGU C180 Study Guide Questions and
Answers Summary Analysis Key Concepts
2026 Full Practice Questions and Detailed
Rationales Latest Update
• Unconditioned stimulus . Answer: Stimulus that automatically triggers
a response naturally. Unlearned.
• Unconditioned response . Answer: Naturally occuring, unlearned
response to an unconditioned stimulus. Unlearned.
• Conditioned stimulus . Answer: Originally neutral stimulus that
triggers a response after an association with an unconditioned stimulus is
formed. Learned.
• Conditioned response . Answer: Learned response to a stimulus that
was originally neutral, but is now conditioned.
• Extinction . Answer: Occurs when the unconditioned stimulus is no
linger paired with the conditioned stimulus. Make the behavior go away.
• Generalization . Answer: Stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus
will also elicit the conditioned response. Avoid things that are similar to
things that have hurt us.
,• Operant conditioning . Answer: Controlling behavior through
consequences. Behavior strengthened by reinforcement and weakened
by punishment.
• Positive reinforcement . Answer: Increases behavior by presenting a
positive stimulus. Adding Example: giving dog a treat to roll over
• Negative reinforcement . Answer: Increases behavior by stopping a
negative stimulus. Subtracting Example: you buy your child a toy in the
store and he stops crying. This will increase your toy buying behavior.
• Primary reinforcer . Answer: Does not have to be learned. Satisfies a
biological need. Food. Water. Similar to unconditioned stimuli.
• Secondary reinforcer . Answer: Has to be learned. These can get us the
primary reinforcers. Good grades. Money. Similar to conditioned
stimuli.
• Reinforcement schedules . Answer: Continuous and partial
• Continuous reinforcement . Answer: A behavior is reinforced every
time it occurs. For example if you give your child a candy bar every time
he cleans his room.
• Partial reinforcement . Answer: A behavior is reinforced only part of
the time it occurs. Example: you gave your child a candy bar every so
, often after he cleans his room. Note: this type of schedule is much more
difficult to extinguish
• Partial reinforcement schedule types . Answer: Ratio and Interval
• Ratio . Answer: Reinforcement that occurs after a number of responses
occur - response
• Interval . Answer: Reinforcement occurs after an amount of time
passes - time
• Fixed-ratio . Answer: A knowable pattern. You get your reinforcer
after a specific number of responses. For example: after purchasing five
sandwiches, you get one free at your favorite deli
• Variable-ratio . Answer: Random pattern. You get your reinforcer after
an unpredictable number of responses occur. For example: playing the
lottery; playing a slot machine
• Fixed-interval . Answer: After a specified amount of time has passed,
you receive a reinforcer for your response. Example: checking to see if
your mail has come, a pay period.
• Variable-interval . Answer: A random amount of time has passed and
you never know when you're going to receive a reinforcer for your
response. Example: checking your Facebook status for likes. Checking
Answers Summary Analysis Key Concepts
2026 Full Practice Questions and Detailed
Rationales Latest Update
• Unconditioned stimulus . Answer: Stimulus that automatically triggers
a response naturally. Unlearned.
• Unconditioned response . Answer: Naturally occuring, unlearned
response to an unconditioned stimulus. Unlearned.
• Conditioned stimulus . Answer: Originally neutral stimulus that
triggers a response after an association with an unconditioned stimulus is
formed. Learned.
• Conditioned response . Answer: Learned response to a stimulus that
was originally neutral, but is now conditioned.
• Extinction . Answer: Occurs when the unconditioned stimulus is no
linger paired with the conditioned stimulus. Make the behavior go away.
• Generalization . Answer: Stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus
will also elicit the conditioned response. Avoid things that are similar to
things that have hurt us.
,• Operant conditioning . Answer: Controlling behavior through
consequences. Behavior strengthened by reinforcement and weakened
by punishment.
• Positive reinforcement . Answer: Increases behavior by presenting a
positive stimulus. Adding Example: giving dog a treat to roll over
• Negative reinforcement . Answer: Increases behavior by stopping a
negative stimulus. Subtracting Example: you buy your child a toy in the
store and he stops crying. This will increase your toy buying behavior.
• Primary reinforcer . Answer: Does not have to be learned. Satisfies a
biological need. Food. Water. Similar to unconditioned stimuli.
• Secondary reinforcer . Answer: Has to be learned. These can get us the
primary reinforcers. Good grades. Money. Similar to conditioned
stimuli.
• Reinforcement schedules . Answer: Continuous and partial
• Continuous reinforcement . Answer: A behavior is reinforced every
time it occurs. For example if you give your child a candy bar every time
he cleans his room.
• Partial reinforcement . Answer: A behavior is reinforced only part of
the time it occurs. Example: you gave your child a candy bar every so
, often after he cleans his room. Note: this type of schedule is much more
difficult to extinguish
• Partial reinforcement schedule types . Answer: Ratio and Interval
• Ratio . Answer: Reinforcement that occurs after a number of responses
occur - response
• Interval . Answer: Reinforcement occurs after an amount of time
passes - time
• Fixed-ratio . Answer: A knowable pattern. You get your reinforcer
after a specific number of responses. For example: after purchasing five
sandwiches, you get one free at your favorite deli
• Variable-ratio . Answer: Random pattern. You get your reinforcer after
an unpredictable number of responses occur. For example: playing the
lottery; playing a slot machine
• Fixed-interval . Answer: After a specified amount of time has passed,
you receive a reinforcer for your response. Example: checking to see if
your mail has come, a pay period.
• Variable-interval . Answer: A random amount of time has passed and
you never know when you're going to receive a reinforcer for your
response. Example: checking your Facebook status for likes. Checking
