Question 1

Which of the following people believed that human ability is due to a combination of both nature and nurture?

Accepted Answer

Gottfried Leibniz believed that human ability is due to a combination of both nature and nurture.

Question 2

The view that all the ideas we have are the result of experience is called:

Accepted Answer

Empiricism is the philosophical view that all knowledge and thought is ultimately rooted in perceptual experience. It therefore follows that all ideas must be the result of experience, rather than innate (nativism) or held independently of experience (dualism). Associationism is related, but refers more specifically to the idea that all complex ideas result from a combination of simple ideas, which themselves are formed through experience.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a stimulus in René Descartes's reflex arc?

Accepted Answer

In Descartes's reflex arc, the stimulus is the tap on the shoulder, which triggers the sensory nerve to send a message to the brain.

Question 4

The principle that the mind and body exist as separate entities,each with different characteristics and governed by its own laws,is called:

Accepted Answer

The principle that the mind and body exist as separate entities, each with different characteristics and governed by its own laws, is called dualism. This view was proposed by philosopher Rene Descartes and has been influential in Western philosophy and psychology.

Question 5

Which of the following was a proponent of associationism?

Accepted Answer

William James was a proponent of associationism, which is the idea that complex ideas are formed by combining simple ideas through association. This theory was influential in the development of behaviorism in psychology. Leibniz was a philosopher who developed the concept of monads, while Descartes was known for his philosophy of mind-body dualism. Plato was a philosopher who emphasized the importance of reason and believed in the existence of objective truths. None of these thinkers were specifically associated with associationism.

Question 6

Sets of statements devised to explain a collection of facts are called:

Accepted Answer

Theories are sets of statements devised to explain a collection of facts. They are explanations that have been tested and supported by evidence.

Question 7

René Descartes:

Accepted Answer

Descartes believed in dualism, which is the view that the mind and body are separate entities. He argued that the mind could exist without the body and vice versa, and that the mind was able to think, reason, and imagine, while the body was responsible for sensory and motor functions. This view directly contradicts empiricism, which posits that all knowledge comes from sensory experience, and associationism, which suggests that complex ideas arise from simple sensory experiences combining together. Descartes also did not believe in the concept of a blank slate, as he argued that some innate ideas (such as the idea of God) were present in all humans from birth.

Question 8

René Descartes believed that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of René Descartes believed that:
...

Question 9

According to Aristotle's principle of frequency,the ideas of "chair" and "table" are linked because:

Accepted Answer

According to Aristotle's principle of frequency, ideas that are encountered together frequently become associated in the mind. Therefore, the fact that chairs and tables are often seen together in various settings makes them linked concepts in our minds.

Question 10

Gary attended a party and bumped into a friend he had not seen in years.Seeing the friend immediately triggered memories of things they had done together.Which idea about memory does this example demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

This example demonstrates associationism, as the sight of the friend triggered memories of things they had done together, showing that memories are associated with one another.

Question 11

Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Today, learning and memory is considered a scientific pursuit and researchers who study it consider themselves to be scientists. Philosophy may offer insight, but it is not the primary method used in this field.

Question 12

Bonita believes we learn about the mind mainly by using logic and intuition;Miguel believes it would be better to measure the activity of the brain.Bonita is following the philosophy of _____ ,while Miguel is following the philosophy of __________.

Accepted Answer

Bonita's belief in using logic and intuition aligns with the philosophy of Plato, who emphasized the importance of knowledge obtained through reason and contemplation of abstract ideas. On the other hand, Miguel's preference for measuring brain activity aligns with the philosophy of Aristotle, who believed that knowledge is gained through empirical observation and scientific investigation. Therefore, the best choice is B, as it identifies the two philosophers who align with Bonita and Miguel's respective beliefs.

Question 13

Barry was in a car accident in which he was not wearing a seatbelt.He was not injured,and now,based on this experience,he believes that seatbelts are unnecessary.Barry exhibits the views of:

Accepted Answer

Barry's belief that seatbelts are unnecessary based on his personal experience of not being injured in a car accident without wearing one is an example of empiricism. Empiricism is the theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience. Barry is using his direct experience to inform his belief, which aligns with the principles of empiricism.

Question 14

Which of the following would argue that the complex idea of "dog" is comprised of a combination of simpler ideas such as "furry","bark," and "friendly"?

Accepted Answer

John Locke believed in the concept of empiricism, which states that all knowledge comes from experiences and perceptions. According to him, complex ideas such as "dog" are formed by combining simpler ones, which are based on sensory experiences. Therefore, he would argue that the complex idea of "dog" is comprised of a combination of simpler ideas such as "furry," "bark," and "friendly."

Question 15

Someone who believes that humans and animals are fundamentally different from each other would agree with the views of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Someone who believes that humans and animals...

Question 16

Jenny has three children.She believes that as long as she treats them exactly the same,they will all grow up to have the same personality and intelligence level.Jenny's idea resembles that of which philosopher?

Accepted Answer

Jenny's idea resembles that of John Locke, who believed that at birth the mind is a blank slate, and that all knowledge and personality comes from experience and environment. Locke believed that children's experiences and education could shape their development, leading to his famous quote, "the business of education is not to make the young perfect in any one of the sciences, but so to open and dispose their minds as may best make them - capable of any, when they shall apply themselves to it."

Question 17

Megan has decided to drop out of her English class because she feels that no matter how hard she works,she is just not capable of learning the material.Megan exhibits the views of:

Accepted Answer

Megan's belief that she is not capable of learning the material suggests a belief in nativism, the idea that people have innate abilities and limitations. This belief contrasts with empiricism, which posits that all knowledge comes from experience and that anyone can learn anything with enough effort, and associationism, which emphasizes the role of experience and associations in shaping behavior. Dualism, meanwhile, is a philosophy that suggests that the mind and body are separate entities.

Question 18

Who believed that children are born a "blank slate?"

Accepted Answer

John Locke believed in the philosophy of tabula rasa, which means that children are born with no innate knowledge or abilities and that their experiences and environment shape their development.

Question 19

Which of the following was considered a nativist?

Accepted Answer

René Descartes is considered a nativist because he believed in the concept of innate ideas, suggesting that certain knowledge is inborn.

Question 20

According to ________,attending a soccer game might activate a memory of having attended a hockey game the previous day because there would be an association between some of the components the two events have in common.

Accepted Answer

William James proposed the idea of associative memory, where memories are linked together by common elements, leading to the recall of one memory triggering the recall of another related memory.

Quiz 1: The Psychology of Learning and Memory