Deck 1: What Is Learning?

Question 1

Most psychologists reject dictionary definitions of learning because:

A)the definitions are too objective
B)the definitions tend to be behavioristic
C)the definitions are nebulous
D)learning is not definable

Answer 1

the definitions are nebulous

Question 2

The Skinnerians oppose equating the terms "reward" and "reinforcement" because:

A)reinforcers strengthen behavior whereas rewards do not
B)organisms must invest considerable time and energy to obtain reinforcers but not
To obtain rewards
C)only reinforcers are given or received in recognition of worthy behavior
D)rewards strengthen behavior whereas reinforcers do not

Answer 2

reinforcers strengthen behavior whereas rewards do not

Question 3

To attribute a behavioral change to learning, the change must be all of the following except:

A)relatively permanent
B)the result of experience
C)observed in performance
D)the result of maturation

Answer 3

the result of maturation

Question 4

We can make inferences concerning the learning process by studying:

A)changes in behavior
B)the mind
C)acquired knowledge
D)motivational states

Question 5

According to most learning theorists the learning process:

A)cannot be studied objectively
B)cannot be studied at all
C)can be studied only indirectly through changes in behavior
D)can be studied directly

Question 6

For most learning theorists, learning is thought of as a(n):

A)independent variable
B)dependent variable
C)intervening variable
D)extraneous variable

Question 7

Short term memory refers to:

A)learning that occurs very rapidly
B)information that is learned in a short time but is lost over a long period of time
C)remembering how to do something you have not done for awhile
D)remembering an experience for only a short time after termination of the experience

Question 8

Sensitization is:

A)the development of an awareness of the needs of other people
B)the tendency to be more responsive to the environment following an arousing experience
C)the gradual formation of a strong habit
D)the tendency to be less responsive to a stimulus after prolonged exposure to that stimulus

Question 9

After entering a room and being distracted by the smell of a strong perfume, a person eventually no longer notices it.This is an example of:

A)habituation
B)sensitization
C)selective perception
D)avoidance conditioning

Question 10

The following diagram exemplifies which of the following?
A: Stimulus1 ----------> No Response
B: An arousing experience
C: Stimulus1 ----------> Response

A)Habituation
B)sensitization
C)selective perception
D)conditioning

Question 11

Performance:

A)is the same as learning
B)is the translation of learning into behavior
C)is independent of learning
D)can be either mental or behavioral

Question 12

An unlearned response to a specific stimulus exemplifies a(n):

A)conditioned reflex
B)sensitization
C)reflex
D)instinct

Question 13

Which of the following terms is currently being used instead of the term instinct?

A)species-specific behavior
B)self-motivated behavior
C)imprinting
D)unlearned behavior

Question 14

The rapid formation of an attachment between an organism and an environmental object that occurs during a critical period is called:

A)conditioning
B)imprinting
C)learning
D)modeling

Question 15

Cuckoo birds lay their eggs in the nest of other birds.This is an example of:

A)learning
B)performance
C)species-specific behavior
D)imprinting

Question 16

An experimental arrangement whereby an organism can avoid experiencing an aversive stimulus by engaging in appropriate behavior is called:

A)classical conditioning
B)escape conditioning
C)avoidance conditioning
D)sign learning

Question 17

In general, it is through _____that we learn how to acquire desirable objects:

A)escape conditioning
B)instrumental conditioning
C)classical conditioning
D)more than one of the above

Question 18

The trend among learning theorists has been to accept a definition of learning that:

A)refers to changes in observable behavior or in behavior potentiality
B)contains subjective terms
C)refers to physiological changes
D)is similar to those found in dictionaries

Question 19

Learning has been demonstrated when a behavior change is:

A)transitory
B)fixed
C)relatively permanent
D)translated into thinking

Question 20

You have an ability to perform an act (such as skiing) although the act is not being performed at the present time.This latent ability is defined as:

A)behavior potential
B)instinct
C)covert behavior
D)unlearned behavior

Question 21

According to Skinner, such things as medals, academic degrees, and trophies exemplify:

A)reinforcers
B)rewards
C)both rewards and reinforcers
D)none of the above

Question 22

While studying behavior, we make inferences concerning the process believed to be the cause of the behavioral changes we are observing.That inferred process is:

A)thinking
B)learning
C)performance
D)an independent variable

Question 23

Habituation is:

A)the gradual formation of a strong habit
B)the decreased tendency to respond to a stimulus that results from prolonged exposure to that stimulus
C)the tendency to be more responsive to the environment following an arousing experience
D)an unlearned response to a specific stimulus

Question 24

After experiencing an automobile accident, a person is more responsive to automobile horns than before the accident.This is an example of:

A)habituation
B)sensitization
C)selective perception
D)avoidance conditioning

Question 25

The following diagram exemplifies which of the following?
A: Stimulus1--------->Response
B: Prolonged experience with stimulus1
C: Stimulus1--------->No response

A)Habituation
B)Sensitization
C)selective perception
D)conditioning

Question 26

Sneezing in response to a tickling in one's nose is an example of:

A)complex behavior
B)reflexive behavior
C)classical conditioning
D)learning

Question 27

Imprinting refers to:

A)the rapid formation of a close attachment between an organism and an environmental object
B)unlearned behavior
C)an instinct for following a particular object
D)a strong relationship between an organism and an environmental object that can
Develop any time during an organism's life

Question 28

Lorenz's research indicated that:

A)to a duck, its mother and humans are equivalent
B)habits can be built up over time with practice
C)following a "critical period," a duckling can be taught to form a strong
Attachment to an environmental object
D)imprinting is both learned and unlearned

Question 29

A systematic experimental procedure used to modify behavior is called:

A)habituation
B)imprinting
C)naturalistic observation
D)conditioning

Question 30

Reinforcement is not contingent on any overt response made by the organism in:

A)instrumental conditioning
B)classical conditioning
C)escape conditioning
D)avoidance conditioning

Question 31

According to Gagne, how many types of learning are there?

A)one
B)two
C)eight
D)more than eight

Question 32

Waking up to a loud alarm clock, you press the button to terminate the noise.This is an example of:

A)classical conditioning
B)escape conditioning
C)avoidance conditioning
D)sign learning

Question 33

In general, it is through _______that we learn which environmental objects are conducive to survival and which are not:

A)homeostatic mechanisms
B)operant conditioning
C)classical conditioning
D)instrumental conditioning