Question 1

Research suggests that the more people think about their attitudes, the stronger their attitudes tend to become. For example, the more a Lakers fan thinks about how much she likes the Lakers, the more of a die-hard fan she is likely to become. This effect is called ____.
A)attitude polarization
B)the sentiment effect
C)the mere exposure effect
D)belief perseverance

Accepted Answer

Attitude polarization occurs when a person's stance on an issue becomes more extreme as they reflect more on their views. In the context of the example, thinking more about their liking for the Lakers strengthens their attitude, making them a more die-hard fan, which is a classic example of attitude polarization.

Question 2

Which of the following is the BEST example of operant conditioning?
A)You notice that many of your classmates are comfortable speaking with professors after class. Even though you are usually shy, you therefore decide that you will try to speak with professors after class too.
B)Every time you wear the poncho you purchased in Mexico, you think fondly about the time that you spent there.
C)You ask for an extension on a paper that is due for class; your teacher says yes, and you still end up with a really good grade. This leads you to ask other teachers for extensions as well.
D)After going to the same dentist for many years, you develop a fondness for your dentist and for the other people who work in her office.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavioral responses. In choice C, the student learns to ask for extensions more frequently because the initial action of asking for an extension resulted in a positive outcome (a good grade), reinforcing the behavior.

Question 3

Early research on classical conditioning was performed with dogs. In certain variations of this research, experimenters repeatedly presented dogs with meat powder just after ringing a bell. The dogs (who would naturally salivate after being exposed to meat powder)learned to associate the bell with the meat powder, and began to salivate as soon as they heard the bell. In this research, the dogs' salivation was ____.
A)a conditioned response
B)an unconditioned response
C)a neutral stimulus
D)both an unconditioned response and a conditioned response

Accepted Answer

The dogs' salivation is both an unconditioned response (naturally occurring in response to the meat powder) and a conditioned response (learned in response to the bell after conditioning).

Question 4

Paul is trying to train his puppy, Cupcake. He yells "Bad dog!" whenever Cupcake fails to do what he wants. Paul seems to be using ____.
A)operant conditioning
B)classical conditioning
C)social learning
D)attitude polarization

Accepted Answer

Paul is using operant conditioning, which involves modifying behavior through the use of consequences such as rewards or punishments. In this case, saying "Bad dog!" acts as a form of punishment when Cupcake fails to perform a desired behavior.

Question 5

Research has demonstrated that people are more likely to imitate behaviors if they have seen others rewarded for performing those behaviors, and less likely to imitate behaviors if they have seen others punished for performing those behaviors. This type of learning is known as ____. ​
A)instrumental learning
B)social learning ​
C)classical conditioning ​
D)operant conditioning ​

Accepted Answer

This type of learning is known as social learning, as it involves observing and imitating the behaviors of others, especially in relation to the consequences (rewards or punishments) those behaviors produce.

Question 6

According to the principles of ____ people are relatively likely to repeat behaviors that have been rewarded and relatively unlikely to repeat behaviors that have been punished. ​
A)classical conditioning
B)operant conditioning
C)vicarious learning
D)effort justification

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning, a concept developed by B.F. Skinner, is based on the idea that behaviors are more likely to be repeated if they are followed by rewards and less likely to be repeated if they are followed by punishment.

Question 7

Which of the following is the best example of social learning?
A)You notice that many of your classmates are comfortable speaking with professors after class. Even though you are usually shy, you therefore decide that you will try to speak with professors after class too.
B)Every time you wear the poncho you purchased in Mexico, you think fondly about the time that you spent there.
C)You ask for an extension on a paper that is due for class; your teacher says yes, and you still end up with a really good grade. This leads you to ask other teachers for extensions as well.
D)After going to the same dentist for many years, you develop a fondness for your dentist and for the other people who work in her office.

Accepted Answer

Social learning theory suggests that people can learn new behaviors through observation and imitation of others. In choice A, observing classmates' behavior and deciding to emulate it is a direct example of social learning.

Question 8

Dylan has a new girlfriend whom he really likes. He programs his cell phone so that every time his girlfriend calls, his phone plays the new Justin Timberlake single. After he has had his phone programmed this way for a little while, he notices that he feels happy whenever he hears the Justin Timberlake song. What is the best term for the role of the Justin Timberlake song?
A)Cognitive inference
B)Behavioral reward
C)Generalization
D)Conditioned stimulus

Accepted Answer

The Justin Timberlake song has become a conditioned stimulus because Dylan has learned to associate it with the positive experience of receiving a call from his girlfriend, leading to feelings of happiness. This is a classic example of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus (the song) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (the girlfriend's call) that naturally elicits an unconditioned response (happiness). After the association is learned, the neutral stimulus alone can elicit a conditioned response (also happiness).

Question 9

Dylan has a new girlfriend whom he really likes. He programs his cell phone so that every time his girlfriend calls, his phone plays the new Justin Timberlake single. After he has had his phone programmed this way for a little while, he notices that he feels happy whenever he hears the Justin Timberlake song. This MOST clearly illustrates ____.
A)classical conditioning
B)operant conditioning
C)the mere exposure effect
D)social learning

Accepted Answer

This is an example of classical conditioning, where Dylan has learned to associate the Justin Timberlake song (a neutral stimulus) with the positive feelings of receiving a call from his girlfriend (an unconditioned stimulus), leading to a conditioned response of happiness when he hears the song.

Question 10

Henry's mother always praises him when he practices the piano and denies him dessert when he doesn't. Henry's mother is apparently employing techniques based on ____ in order to encourage her son to practice more.
A)operant conditioning
B)classical conditioning
C)social learning
D)attitude polarization

Accepted Answer

Henry's mother is using operant conditioning, a method of learning that employs rewards and punishments for behavior. In this case, praise is used as a reward for practicing the piano, and denial of dessert is used as a punishment for not practicing, both aimed at increasing the desired behavior (practicing the piano).

Question 11

Operant conditioning is also sometimes referred to as ____. ​
A)instrumental learning
B)effort justification ​
C)vicarious learning ​
D)learning by example ​

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is also known as instrumental learning, a term introduced by Edward Thorndike, which emphasizes the behavior's role in creating outcomes or consequences.

Question 12

Early research on classical conditioning was performed with dogs. In certain variations of this research, experimenters repeatedly presented dogs with meat powder just after ringing a bell. The dogs (who would naturally salivate after being exposed to meat powder)learned to associate the bell with the meat powder, and began to salivate as soon as they heard the bell. In this research, the bell served as a(n)____. ​
A)unconditioned stimulus that became a conditioned stimulus
B)conditioned stimulus that became an unconditioned stimulus ​
C)neutral stimulus that became a conditioned stimulus ​
D)unconditioned stimulus that became a neutral stimulus ​

Accepted Answer

The bell initially had no effect on the dogs' salivation (neutral stimulus) but became associated with the meat powder through conditioning, leading it to trigger salivation on its own (conditioned stimulus).

Question 13

Kevin has just moved to a new neighborhood. In his old neighborhood, everyone wore Vans and board shorts, but he notices that the kids on his new block are wearing Nikes and basketball shorts. He also notices that they tease people who are not dressed this way. Kevin immediately asks his mom to take him to the store to buy new clothes. What has taken place here?
A)Attitude polarization
B)The mere exposure effect
C)Observational learning
D)Operant conditioning

Accepted Answer

Kevin has engaged in observational learning by noticing the clothing preferences and behaviors of his peers in the new neighborhood and adapting his own behavior and attire to fit in, which is a classic example of learning by observing others.

Question 14

Hazing rituals best fit the concept of ____.
A)effort justification
B)cognitive dissonance
C)social learning
D)selective exposure

Accepted Answer

Hazing rituals best fit the concept of effort justification, where individuals justify the effort and discomfort they endure by valuing the group or goal more highly.

Question 15

According to research studies, people who hold strong attitudes toward an issue are least likely to do which of the following? ​
A)Show attitude polarization if they think about the issue.
B)Evaluate relevant information in a biased manner. ​
C)Seek out relevant information from outgroup members. ​
D)Seek out information that supports their initial view. ​

Accepted Answer

People who hold strong attitudes toward an issue are more likely to engage in behaviors that reinforce their existing beliefs, such as showing attitude polarization when thinking about the issue, evaluating information in a biased manner, and seeking out information that supports their initial view. They are least likely to seek out relevant information from outgroup members, as this could potentially challenge their existing beliefs.

Question 16

Beth and Jean are talking about welfare reform in America. Beth is very passionate about the issue and makes strong statements about her views. Jean later emails Beth an article that contains some information that is consistent with Beth's views, as well as some information that is inconsistent with Beth's views. Beth chooses to believe the consistent information but discounts the inconsistent information. As a matter of fact, after reading the article and thinking about the data it contained-even though these data were mixed-Beth actually feels even more passionate and more strongly about her position. This is an example of ____.
A)anchoring and adjustment
B)informational influence
C)attitude polarization
D)cognitive coping

Accepted Answer

This is an example of attitude polarization, where exposure to mixed evidence strengthens one's preexisting views or attitudes, leading to more extreme positions.

Question 17

One technique that advertisers often use to influence consumers is celebrity endorsement. The logic works like this: If people like Catherine Zeta-Jones and repeatedly see T-Mobile products together with Catherine Zeta-Jones, then people will learn to associate T-Mobile with her and will in turn like T-Mobile more. That is, celebrity endorsement is expected to lead to ____. ​
A)operant conditioning
B)classical conditioning ​
C)vicarious learning ​
D)observational learning ​

Accepted Answer

Celebrity endorsement relies on classical conditioning by associating a product (neutral stimulus) with a celebrity (conditioned stimulus) to create a favorable response to the product.

Question 18

What might BEST explain the development of prejudice against social groups that are frequently associated with negative information in the media, such as a religious group being associated with terrorism?
A)Operant conditioning
B)Classical conditioning
C)Vicarious learning
D)Observational learning

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning can explain how repeated negative associations in the media between a social group and negative events can lead to prejudice, as people may begin to associate the group with negativity.

Question 19

Social learning is also sometimes referred to as observational learning or ____. ​
A)instrumental learning
B)justified learning ​
C)vicarious conditioning ​
D)conditional learning ​

Accepted Answer

Social learning, also known as observational learning, involves learning behaviors through observing others and the outcomes of those behaviors, which is closely related to the concept of vicarious conditioning. This is where individuals learn the consequences of an action by watching others being rewarded or punished for the same action.

Question 20

Attitude polarization refers to the finding that ____.
A)when people reflect on a given attitude, their position on that attitude tends to become more extreme
B)when people reflect on a given attitude, they tend to become more open-minded with respect to that attitude
C)people are more likely to spend time reflecting on issues that they have extreme views about than issues that they have moderate views about
D)people are more likely to spend time reflecting on issues that they have moderate views about than issues that they have extreme views about

Accepted Answer

Attitude polarization occurs when people's stance on a particular issue becomes more extreme after reflecting on it, rather than becoming more moderate or open-minded.

Quiz 7: Attitudes, Beliefs, and Consistency

Research suggests that the more people think about their attitudes, the stronger their attitudes tend to become. For example, the more a Lakers fan thinks about how much she likes the Lakers, the more of a die-hard fan she is likely to become. This effect is called ____.

Which of the following is the BEST example of operant conditioning?

Paul is trying to train his puppy, Cupcake. He yells "Bad dog!" whenever Cupcake fails to do what he wants. Paul seems to be using ____.

Research has demonstrated that people are more likely to imitate behaviors if they have seen others rewarded for performing those behaviors, and less likely to imitate behaviors if they have seen others punished for performing those behaviors. This type of learning is known as ____. ​

According to the principles of ____ people are relatively likely to repeat behaviors that have been rewarded and relatively unlikely to repeat behaviors that have been punished. ​

Which of the following is the best example of social learning?

Henry's mother always praises him when he practices the piano and denies him dessert when he doesn't. Henry's mother is apparently employing techniques based on ____ in order to encourage her son to practice more.

Operant conditioning is also sometimes referred to as ____. ​

Hazing rituals best fit the concept of ____.

According to research studies, people who hold strong attitudes toward an issue are least likely to do which of the following? ​

What might BEST explain the development of prejudice against social groups that are frequently associated with negative information in the media, such as a religious group being associated with terrorism?

Social learning is also sometimes referred to as observational learning or ____. ​

Attitude polarization refers to the finding that ____.

Research has demonstrated that people are more likely to imitate behaviors if they have seen others rewarded for performing those behaviors, and less likely to imitate behaviors if they have seen others punished for performing those behaviors. This type of learning is known as ____.

According to the principles of ____ people are relatively likely to repeat behaviors that have been rewarded and relatively unlikely to repeat behaviors that have been punished.

Operant conditioning is also sometimes referred to as ____.

According to research studies, people who hold strong attitudes toward an issue are least likely to do which of the following?

Social learning is also sometimes referred to as observational learning or ____.