McGill PSYC 100 (Latest Update 2026 /
2027) Questions with Correct Answers
100% Verified {Grade A} -McGill University
Acquisition - correct answer Gradually learning a conditioned response (salivation)
Extinction - correct answer Gradually losing a conditioned response (salivation),
happens when the conditioned stimulus (metronome) is presented without the
unconditioned stimulus (food) over some period of time
Spontaneous Recovery - correct answer An extinct conditioned response (salivation)
randomly re-appears, usually weaker.
Higher-Order Conditioning - correct answer Associating a neutral stimulus (alcohol)
with a previously-conditioned stimulus (sex), thereby associating that neutral stimulus
(alcohol) with a conditioned response (desire).
,Operant Conditioning - correct answer Process of learning where the organism's
behaviour is shaped by what comes after a display of behaviour (reward/punishment).
Law of Effect - correct answer If we are rewarded for a response to a stimulus, we are
more likely to repeat that response in the future.
Positive Reinforcement - correct answer Giving something (gold star) to encourage a
certain behaviour (doing homework)
Negative Reinforcement - correct answer Removing something (dry throat) to
encourage a certain behaviour (drink water)
Positive Punishment - correct answer Giving something (scolding) to discourage a
certain behaviour (smoking)
Negative Punishment - correct answer Removing something (favourite toy) to
discourage a certain behaviour (fighting)
,Continuous Reinforcement - correct answer What happens: reinforce a behaviour
every time it happens
Effect: faster learning, faster extinction
Partial Reinforcement - correct answer What happens: reinforce a behaviour
intermittently
Effect: slower learning, slower extinction
Fixed Ratio Schedule - correct answer What happens: Reinforcement (food) given after
a certain number (15) of responses (level pushes) are displayed
Effect: tends to elicit higher response rates, although produces a pause after each
reinforcement
Fixed Interval Schedule - correct answer What happens: Reinforcement (food) given
after the first response (lever push) and every consistent time elapse (2 mins) after
that. Responses (lever push) other than the first response will yield no reinforcement
(food).
, Effect: tends to elicit lower rates of responding, also produces a pause after each
reinforcement.
Variable Ratio Schedule - correct answer What happens: Reinforcement (food) given
after a varying number (?) of responses (lever pushes), usually revolving around some
average - but not necessarily.
Effect: highest response rate - dangerously addicting
Variable Interval Schedule - correct answer What happens: Reinforcement (food) given
after the first response (lever push) and every varying time elapse (? mins) after that.
Responses (lever push) other than the first response will yield no reinforcement
(food).
Effect: tends to elicit lower rates of responding
Latent Learning - correct answer Learning that occurs without it being tested -
reinforcement is not necessary for learning
(we know that the sun comes up each morning, but no one will test us on this
knowledge)
2027) Questions with Correct Answers
100% Verified {Grade A} -McGill University
Acquisition - correct answer Gradually learning a conditioned response (salivation)
Extinction - correct answer Gradually losing a conditioned response (salivation),
happens when the conditioned stimulus (metronome) is presented without the
unconditioned stimulus (food) over some period of time
Spontaneous Recovery - correct answer An extinct conditioned response (salivation)
randomly re-appears, usually weaker.
Higher-Order Conditioning - correct answer Associating a neutral stimulus (alcohol)
with a previously-conditioned stimulus (sex), thereby associating that neutral stimulus
(alcohol) with a conditioned response (desire).
,Operant Conditioning - correct answer Process of learning where the organism's
behaviour is shaped by what comes after a display of behaviour (reward/punishment).
Law of Effect - correct answer If we are rewarded for a response to a stimulus, we are
more likely to repeat that response in the future.
Positive Reinforcement - correct answer Giving something (gold star) to encourage a
certain behaviour (doing homework)
Negative Reinforcement - correct answer Removing something (dry throat) to
encourage a certain behaviour (drink water)
Positive Punishment - correct answer Giving something (scolding) to discourage a
certain behaviour (smoking)
Negative Punishment - correct answer Removing something (favourite toy) to
discourage a certain behaviour (fighting)
,Continuous Reinforcement - correct answer What happens: reinforce a behaviour
every time it happens
Effect: faster learning, faster extinction
Partial Reinforcement - correct answer What happens: reinforce a behaviour
intermittently
Effect: slower learning, slower extinction
Fixed Ratio Schedule - correct answer What happens: Reinforcement (food) given after
a certain number (15) of responses (level pushes) are displayed
Effect: tends to elicit higher response rates, although produces a pause after each
reinforcement
Fixed Interval Schedule - correct answer What happens: Reinforcement (food) given
after the first response (lever push) and every consistent time elapse (2 mins) after
that. Responses (lever push) other than the first response will yield no reinforcement
(food).
, Effect: tends to elicit lower rates of responding, also produces a pause after each
reinforcement.
Variable Ratio Schedule - correct answer What happens: Reinforcement (food) given
after a varying number (?) of responses (lever pushes), usually revolving around some
average - but not necessarily.
Effect: highest response rate - dangerously addicting
Variable Interval Schedule - correct answer What happens: Reinforcement (food) given
after the first response (lever push) and every varying time elapse (? mins) after that.
Responses (lever push) other than the first response will yield no reinforcement
(food).
Effect: tends to elicit lower rates of responding
Latent Learning - correct answer Learning that occurs without it being tested -
reinforcement is not necessary for learning
(we know that the sun comes up each morning, but no one will test us on this
knowledge)
