One of the many theories about alcoholism is the learning and reinforc

Question

One of the many theories about alcoholism is the learning and reinforcement theory, which explains alcoholism by considering alcohol ingestion as a reflex response to some stimulus and as a way to reduce an inner drive state such as fear or anxiety. Characterizing life situations in terms of approach and avoidance, this theory holds that persons tend to be drawn to pleasant situations and repelled by unpleasant ones. In the latter case, alcohol ingestion is said to reduce the tension or feelings of unpleasantness and to replace them with the feeling of euphoria generally observed in most persons after they have consumed one or more drinks.

Some experimental evidence tends to show that alcohol reduces fear in the approach-avoidance situation. Conger trained one group of rats to approach a food goal and, using aversion conditioning, trained another group to avoid electric shock. After an injection of alcohol the pull away from the shock was measurable weaker, while the pull toward the food was unchanged.

The obvious troubles experienced by alcoholic persons appear to contradict the learning theory in the explanation of alcoholism. The discomfort, pain, and punishment they experience should presumably serve as a deterrent to drinking. The fact that alcoholic persons continue to drink in the face of family discord, loss of employment, illness, and other sequels of repeated bouts is explained by the proximity of the drive reduction to the consumption of alcohol; that is, alcohol has the immediate effect of reducing tension while the unpleasant consequences of drunken behavior come only later. The learning paradigm, therefore, favors the establishment and repetition of the resort to alcohol.

In fact, the anxieties and feelings of guilt induced by the consequences of excessive alcohol ingestion may themselves become the signal for another bout of alcohol abuse. The way in which the cue for another bout could be the anxiety itself is explained by the process of stimulus generalization: conditions or events occurring at the time of reinforcement tend to acquire the characteristics of state of anxiety or fear, the emotional state itself takes on the properties of a stimulus, thus triggering another drinking bout.

The role of punishment is becoming increasingly important in formulating a cause of alcoholism based on the principles of learning theory. While punishment may serve to suppress a response, experiments have shown that in some cases it can serve as a reward and reinforce the behavior. Thus if the alcoholic person has learned to drink under conditions of both reward and punishment, either type of condition may precipitate renewed drinking.

Ample experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that excessive alcohol consumption can be learned. By gradually increasing the concentration of alcohol in drinking water, psychologists have been able to induce the ingestion of larger amounts of alcohol by an animal than would be normally consumed. Other researchers have been able to achieve similar results by varying the schedule of reinforcement—that is, by requiring the animal to consume larger and larger amounts of the alcohol solutions before rewarding it. In this manner, animals learn to drink enough to become dependent on alcohol in terms of demonstrating withdrawal symptoms.   1 
 B 
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) compare the learning and reinforcement theory to other theories of alcoholism
(B) discuss how the behavior of alcoholic persons is explained by learning theory
(C) argue that alcoholism is a learned behavior
(D) explain how fear and anxiety stimulate and reinforce drinking in alcoholic persons
(E) present experimental evidence in support of the learning and reinforcement theory of alcoholism

2 
 A 
2. The passage contains information that answers which of the following questions?

(A) What are some of the psychosocial problems associated with alcoholism?
(B) Which has proven more effective in the treatment of alcoholism, aversion conditioning or reinforcement?
(C) Why does alcohol ingestion reduce tension and give rise to a feeling of euphoria in most people?
(D) According to the learning theory, in what cases does punishment reinforce rather than deter drinking in alcoholic persons?
(E) Are some persons genetically predisposed to alcoholism?

3 
 B 
3. It can be inferred from the passage that aversion conditioning is based primarily on the principle that

(A) electric shock stimulates a response
(B) behavior that is punished will be avoided
(C) pain is a stronger stimulus than pleasure
(D) alcohol reduces fear
(E) behavior that is rewarded will be repeated

4 
 E 
4. According to the passage, which of the following is true of stimulus generalization?
(A) It contradicts the learning and reinforcement theory of alcoholism.
(B) It is the process by which an organism learns to respond to one stimulus but not to similar stimuli.
(C) It supports the hypothesis that excessive alcohol consumption can be learned.
(D) It explains why people tend to avoid behavior that is associated with painful experiences.
(E) It occurs when the conditions associated with a stimulus come to evoke the same response as the stimulus itself evokes.

5 
 C 
5. The author cites Conger’s experiment with two groups of rats in order to
(A) show that ingestion of alcohol does not affect appetite
(B) corroborate the findings of other academic researchers
(C) show that alcohol decreases fear
(D) disprove the learning and reinforcement theory
(E) convince the reader of the usefulness of behavioral research

6 
 E 
6. According to the passage, which of the following could induce an alcoholic to drink?
I. The need to relieve tension
II. Anxieties resulting from guilt feelings about previous drinking bouts
III. Punishment for alcoholic behavior
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and II only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III

7 
 B 
7. The passage contains information that supports which of the following statements?
(A) If the pleasurable taste of whisky leads to an acquired taste for brandy, then stimulus generalization has occurred.
(B) Slapping a child for misbehaving may over time encourage the child to repeat the misbehavior.
(C) If a person has learned to drink under two sets of conditions, both must be present in order to induce that person to drink again.
(D) Continued heavy use of alcohol usually causes severe damage to the body and nervous system.
(E) When consumed in moderation, alcohol may benefit health.

8 
 C 
8. According to the passage, how does the behavior of alcoholics appear to contradict learning theory?
(A) Learning theory holds that people are drawn by pleasant situations and repelled by unpleasant ones, but in alcoholics that pattern appears to be reversed.
(B) Contrary to learning theory, alcoholic persons do not respond to life situations in terms of approach and avoidance.
(C) The unpleasant consequences of excessive alcoholic consumption do not deter alcoholics from drinking, as might be predicted from learning theory.
(D) According to learning theory, drinking is a reflex response to an external stimulus, but for alcoholics it is more often a way to reduce an inner drive such as fear.
(E) Instead of the feeling of euphoria predicted by learning theory, alcoholics frequently experience discomfort and pain after drinking.

9 
 A 
9. It can be inferred from the passage that the author views the learning and reinforcement theory of alcoholism as
(A) credible
(B) unassailable
(C) outdated
(D) fallacious
(E) revolutionary

vedprakashchauhan · Accepted Answer

1. C
Based on --> 'The role of punishment is becoming increasingly important in formulating a cause of alcoholism based on the principles of learning theory.'

2. D
" While punishment may serve to suppress a response, experiments have shown that in some cases it can serve as a reward and reinforce the behavior. "

3. B
"using aversion conditioning, trained another group to avoid electric shock"

4. E
conditions or events occurring at the time of reinforcement tend to acquire the characteristics of state of anxiety or fear, the emotional state itself takes on the properties of a stimulus, thus triggering another drinking bout.

5. C
"Some experimental evidence tends to show that alcohol reduces fear in the approach-avoidance situation. "

6. E
I -"that is, alcohol has the immediate effect of reducing tension .."
II - "In fact, the anxieties and feelings of guilt induced by the consequences of excessive alcohol ingestion may themselves become the signal for another bout of alcohol abuse."
III. -"hus if the alcoholic person has learned to drink under conditions of both reward and punishment, either type of condition may precipitate renewed drinking."

7. A

"Conditions or events occurring at the time of reinforcement tend to acquire the characteristics of state of anxiety or fear, the emotional state itself takes on the properties of a stimulus, thus triggering another drinking bout."
8. C

-- >"The obvious troubles experienced by alcoholic persons appear to contradict the learning theory in the explanation of alcoholism. The discomfort, pain, and punishment they experience should presumably serve as a deterrent to drinking."
9. A
-- > "Ample experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that excessive alcohol consumption can be learned"

OA is much needed, interesting passage !

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 1 
 
To answer question 1, let's consider the purpose of each paragraph:

Paragraph 1 : To explain how "learning and reinforcement theory" can be used to describe the behavior of alcoholics (i.e. they drink to reduce the tension of unpleasant situations).    Paragraph 2 : To describe experimental evidence in rats that supports the idea that alcohol reduces fear in unpleasant situations, which in turns supports the point made in paragraph 1.    Paragraph 3 : To point out that alcoholics' behavior seems to contradict learning theory, though this apparent contradiction can be resolved since the "unpleasant consequences of drunken behavior come only later."    Paragraph 4 : To reinforce the idea that learning theory explains alcoholism, since the negative feelings caused by drinking can lead to more drinking, which helps reduce those negative feelings.    Paragraph 5 : To point out that punishment (i.e. negative experience) can trigger drinking, if punishment becomes associated with drinking.    Paragraph 6 : To present evidence supporting the idea that alcoholism can be learned, especially when it is rewarded (which is consistent with the learning and reinforcement theory).

Let's now consider question answer choice (D):

While the passage does this, it isn't the  ultimate  purpose. Note that the motivations for drinking are all discussed to  support  the idea that the "learning and reinforcement theory" relates to alcoholic behavior. So because it isn't the  primary  purpose, we can eliminate (D).

But what about (B)?

This sounds good. Many of the paragraphs discuss how alcoholic people behave. And these discussions serve to support the idea presented in the first paragraph, that alcoholic behavior can be explained in terms of the "learning and reinforcement theory." So (B) is correct.

I hope that helps!

zajo · Answer

hi vedprakashchauhan,
thanks for the detailed descriptions. Agree with yu on most answers except 1 and 7.

1. B
 --> 'The role of punishment is becoming increasingly important in formulating a cause of alcoholism based on the principles of learning theory.' This in turn tells us that learning thery is used to explain the cause of alcoholism

7. B
The role of punishment is becoming increasingly important in formulating a cause of alcoholism based on the principles of learning theory. While punishment may serve to suppress a response, experiments have shown that in some cases it can serve as a reward and reinforce the behavior.

krishnasty · Answer

Hey Guys,

Well, i got 6 correct in this passage. The ones which i got wrong are question 2,3, and 9.
MY ans:
2 - D (i kind of screwed up in here :D)
3 - D ( i think the ans is correct)
9 - D (i think the ans is correct here too)
....below are my explaination:

Question 3:
3. It can be inferred from the passage that aversion conditioning is based primarily on the principle that
(A) electric shock stimulates a response -  irrelevant 
(B) behavior that is punished will be avoided -  now where in the passage is it written ? unless someone knows bout this aversion technique, how can you make out that it's based on this principle? coz in the passage, it's clearly mentioned that rats were trained to avoid electric shock. 
(C) pain is a stronger stimulus than pleasure -  irrelevant 
(D) alcohol reduces fear -  like i mentioned in the above option , i think this is correct 
(E) behavior that is rewarded will be repeated -  clearly wrong.

Question 9:
9. It can be inferred from the passage that the author views the learning and reinforcement theory of alcoholism as
(A) credible
(B) unassailable
(C) outdated
(D) fallacious
(E) revolutionary

Quoting the 2nd paragragh:
 "The obvious troubles experienced by alcoholic persons appear to contradict the learning theory in the explanation of alcoholism"

now how can the learning theory be credible? kindly explain..

ms800 · Answer

I agree with you on 3 and 9. 
Its baffling how it can be credible. 
Can someone explain how?

PathFinder007 · Answer

daagh ,

could you please provide your comments for question 3 and 9. according to author this theory is not credible how answer can be A in question 9 . and according to me answer should be D in question 3.

Please provide your comments on this. it would be really great help.

Thanks.

arirux92 · Answer

Hi,

For 3 :

It can be inferred from the passage that aversion conditioning is based primarily on the principle that
(A) electric shock stimulates a response
(B) behavior that is punished will be avoided
(C) pain is a stronger stimulus than pleasure
(D) alcohol reduces fear
(E) behavior that is rewarded will be repeated

Here we are talking about the principle, not the outcome. The principles is that rats should avoid electric shocks. The outcome is that alcohol reduces that fear. Principle is B.

As for 9 :

The obvious troubles experienced by alcoholic persons appear to contradict the learning theory in the explanation of alcoholism. The discomfort, pain, and punishment they experience should presumably serve as a deterrent to drinking. The fact that alcoholic persons continue to drink in the face of family discord, loss of employment, illness, and other sequels of repeated bouts is explained by the proximity of the drive reduction to the consumption of alcohol; that is, alcohol has the immediate effect of reducing tension while the unpleasant consequences of drunken behavior come only later. The learning paradigm, therefore, favors the establishment and repetition of the resort to alcohol.

The author goes to great troubles to explain why the opposition to the theory is not valid. He therefore is in support of the theory. Credible is the only positive tone given in the options.

dcummins · Answer

Some of the questions were tough!

Question 2

A - Correct -psychosocial problems are those problems relating to interpersonal relationships/ independent thoughts. These problems are discussed throughout, but they are explicitly called out in the third paragraph - loss of employment etc...
B is incorrect because we are only equipped with information concerning aversion/ reinforcement, not the effectiveness of one over the other.
C is incorrect because we are merely told that alcohol reduces tension and produces euphoria, but we aren't told why. I incorrectly chose this.
D is incorrect because we are only told that 'in some cases' alcohol can serve to reward/ reinforce. We aren't told of instances in which it is deterred.
E is incorrect because nothing is mentioned on genetic disposition.

Question 3
Aversion conditioning is discussed in the second paragraph. We are told that a group of rats were trained to avert an electric shock, but that this response was slightly delayed ('measurably weaker') after the rats consumed alcohol. This evidence is used to support the fact notion that 'alcohol reduces fear' (per sentence 1 of p3).

A is incorrect - this is the mechanism by which the experiment works, not the principle and thus premise of the test.
B is correct because rats avoid the electric shock to avoid pain (punishment), but while under the influence of alcohol this avoidance (hence aversion) is weakened.
C is incorrect because there is no indication whether the food (reward here) is a greater stimulus than avoiding the pain of the electric shock; rather, the test more or less explicitly measured rats' impairment of pain avoidance as a result of alcohol.
D is incorrect - while we are told this is a behaviour of humans, its not the premise of the aversion conditioning test.
E is incorrect - again, mice were measured on pain avoidance, not how quickly they could get to the food.

agar123 · Answer

Hi,

Can someone help with the primary purpose question?

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) compare the learning and reinforcement theory to other theories of alcoholism ---No Comparison, so out of scope
(B) discuss how the behavior of alcoholic persons is explained by learning theory ---Has only been discussed in the Later paragraphs
(C) argue that alcoholism is a learned behavior ---Only in the last paragraph(Partial scope)
(D) explain how fear and anxiety stimulate and reinforce drinking in alcoholic persons ---Only mentioned in one 4th paragraph(Partial Scope)
(E) present experimental evidence in support of the learning and reinforcement theory of alcoholism -----Discussed only in the 2nd para(Partial Scope)

Although I selected option E, later realized that experimental evidence is given only in para 2 and in the rest of the passage author is trying to explain how learning theory applies to the alcoholic person as well. Please help me in understanding option B. Is it correct because more than half of the passage discusses about this and it's the best available option??

Thanks

Harsh2111s · Answer

VeritasKarishma   GMATNinja 
How to eliminate option E.
This complete passage shows several experimental evidence to support learning and reinforcement theory of alcoholism.

Harsh2111s · Answer

VeritasKarishma   GMATNinja 
In option B "Slapping a child for misbehaving may over time encourage the child to repeat the misbehavior"
I believe as per passage, "Misbehavior from child overtime may encourage slapping" is correct.
How to infer option B ?

Gmattired · Answer

can someone help me with question 8 and question 4?

bM22 · Answer

Hi  aman2139 ,

For Question 4,

Correct Answer is E. It can be inferred from the lines: "The way in which the cue for another bout could be the anxiety itself is explained by the process of stimulus generalization: conditions or events occurring at the time of reinforcement tend to acquire the characteristics of state of anxiety or fear, the emotional state itself takes on the properties of a stimulus, thus triggering another drinking bout."

Implication being that the stimulus generalization occurs when conditions associated with a stimulus evokes the same responses as the stimulus itself would have.

For Question 8:

Correct Answer is C. It can be directly inferred from the lines: "The obvious troubles experienced by alcoholic persons appear to contradict the learning theory in the explanation of alcoholism..................". As per learning theory: "The discomfort, pain, and punishment they experience should presumably serve as a deterrent to drinking.", but this is not the case for alcoholics as they continue to drink and the unpleasant consequences don't deter them from drinking.

Hope This Helps.
Thanks.

mSKR · Answer

While punishment may serve to suppress a response, experiments have shown that in some cases it can serve as a reward and reinforce the behavior. Thus if the alcoholic person has learned to drink under conditions of both reward and punishment, either type of condition may precipitate renewed drinking. 
Slapping a child = punishment 
for misbehaving = drinking
 may over time encourage the child to repeat the misbehavior.= renewed drinking

When something is stopped as punishment or reward , behavior may appear again.

mSKR · Answer

Close fight between B and E

But we need to primary purpose.
Ask a question? CAn E be a subset of B? 
1. Experiments are done to discuss some theory? RIght?
2. There are some para which are talking only about hyphotesis - 1st, 4th and 5th para have no experiments but theories.
3. E says in support of theory but ( The obvious troubles experienced by alcoholic persons appear to contradict the learning theory in the explanation of alcoholism .- This para doesn't present evidence in support but somehow contradicts the theory.)

These above 3 reasons makes B win over E.

Hope it is clear:)

yipmewmew · Answer

In question 1, I was stuck between the last two choices- B and D. Can an expert kindly help with how to eliminate B?

dheetwo · Answer

Hello everyone. First time posting on this forum. Took 15:50 to complete including 4:46 to read, errors on Q2 and Q9. 
Posting for the first time because this time the errors I made felt rather inconsistent with my typical errors.

Q2 is tricky but I can understand through post-analysis. It felt extremely hard not to eliminate A) off the bat, as it is not possible to recall a specific instance of "psychosocial" problems associated with alcoholism - however it does make a ton of sense if you take into account the overall tone of the passage.

A) is good but feels generic, almost too generic. Keep it in the back.
B) we do not see mentions regarding a comparison made between the two methods of treatment. 
C) while the end of p1 states, "alcohol ingestion is said to reduce the tension or feelings of unpleasantness and to replace them with the feeling of euphoria generally observed in most persons after they have consumed one or more drinks," this text explains more of related to the effects that occur after ingestion occurs, rather than the reasons why the effects occur after ingestion. 
D) Also a little too specific of a question for the passage to have answered. The statement "While punishment may serve to suppress a response, experiments have shown that in some cases it can serve as a reward and reinforce the behavior. Thus if the alcoholic person has learned to drink under conditions of both reward and punishment, either type of condition may precipitate renewed drinking" states that reward and punishment may reinforce drinking behavior, but not what deters it, and does not provide any "cases"/examples either. 
E) Out of scope - no mention of genetics.

Q9 is puzzling. There was little evidence in favor of learning theory in this passage, and both paragraphs 3 and 4 make strong points against learning theory. Any experts to answer this one?

DanielRadcliffe · Answer

Can you explain why the anwser of question 9 is ''E''

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 9 
 
To answer this question, let's see how the "learning and reinforcement theory" plays into the author's purpose in this passage.

In the first paragraph, the author explains how the "learning and reinforcement theory" can be used to describe the behavior of alcoholics (i.e. they drink to reduce the tension of unpleasant situations).   The second paragraph describes experimental evidence which supports the idea that the "learning and reinforcement theory" can describe alcoholic's behavior (when rats consume alcohol, they find electric shocks less unpleasant).   The third paragraph points out that although alcoholics' behavior  seems  to contradict learning theory, this apparent contradiction can be  resolved  since the "unpleasant consequences of drunken behavior come only later."   The last paragraph suggests that alcoholism can be learned, especially when it is rewarded (which is consistent with the learning and reinforcement theory).

Taken together, this shows that the author believes that "learning and reinforcement theory" can properly be applied to alcoholics.

Let's now consider the question and answer choices:

Since the author argues that the "learning and reinforcement theory" can be successfully applied to alcoholics, we know she/he thinks the theory is credible. That is, the theory has some merit. Let's hold onto (A).

The author thinks the theory can be applied to alcoholics. But does that make it  unassailable ? It's hard to say. The author doesn't analyze "learning and reinforcement theory" in depth, so we don't know if he/she considers it totally flawless. We just know that it can be applied properly to a certain situation (i.e. alcoholics). Eliminate (B).

If the theory can be successfully applied to alcoholics, it isn't outdated. Eliminate (C).

Again, since the theory can be successfully applied it isn't "fallacious" (i.e. it isn't "wrong"). Eliminate (D).

We don't get much context on the development of the theory itself. Was it a radically new and "revolutionary" theory? Or did it build on similar theory in a way that wasn't really revolutionary? The author doesn't tell us.

So, since we have no reason to believe the theory was revolutionary, we can eliminate (E).

That leaves us with (A), the right answer.

I hope that helps!

One of the many theories about alcoholism is the learning and reinforc

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

One of the many theories about alcoholism is the learning and reinforc

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards