Question 1

Who would most likely explain a child's maladaptive behavior by saying, "They probably saw some TV character do that"?
A)Ginger, who is a behaviorist
B)Gilligan, who is a social learning theorist
C)Thurston, who is a Freudian theorist
D)Mary Ann, who is a Piagetian theorist

Accepted Answer

Gilligan, who is a social learning theorist, would most likely explain a child's maladaptive behavior by saying they saw some TV character do that. This is because social learning theory emphasizes the role of observation and imitation in the acquisition of behavior.

Question 2

Zhang is attempting to alter the behavior of his son by controlling the consequences of his son's actions. Zhang is practicing
A)social learning theory.
B)negative reinforcement.
C)operant conditioning.
D)ecological theory.

Accepted Answer

Zhang is attempting to modify his son's behavior by controlling the consequences of his actions, which is a fundamental aspect of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning revolves around the idea that behavior is shaped by its consequences, and behavior that is reinforced tends to be repeated. Negative reinforcement involves removing unpleasant stimuli to reinforce behavior, which is not evident in the given scenario. Social learning theory and ecological theory focus more broadly on how individuals learn and develop, but they are not directly applicable to the situation described.

Question 3

Social cognitive theory and operant conditioning are similar in that they both
A)view the individual as an active processor of information.
B)believe that experience is important in determining behavior.
C)place a greater emphasis on nature than on nurture.
D)stress discontinuity.

Accepted Answer

Both social cognitive theory and operant conditioning emphasize the importance of experience in shaping behavior. Social cognitive theory, proposed by Albert Bandura, suggests that learning occurs in a social context with a dynamic and reciprocal interaction of the person, environment, and behavior. Operant conditioning, a concept developed by B.F. Skinner, focuses on how the consequences of a behavior affect the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. Both theories recognize the role of environmental experiences in determining behavior, differing from theories that might prioritize innate or biological factors over learned experience.

Question 4

Morticia finds that whenever she talks to her daughter about her obnoxious behavior, the obnoxious behavior increases in frequency. Apparently, Morticia's talks are ____ her daughter's obnoxious behavior.
A)punishing
B)reinforcing
C)suppressing
D)having no effect on

Accepted Answer

The fact that the frequency of obnoxious behavior is increasing suggests that Morticia's talks are having a reinforcing effect. In other words, the daughter is getting some kind of reward or benefit from the behavior, and Morticia's talks are inadvertently reinforcing that benefit.

Question 5

Even though Brenda was never reinforced directly for doing so, she increased the frequency of her swearing after she saw her friend Elizabeth get a lot of attention after she swore. This is most likely an example of
A)observational learning.
B)operant conditioning.
C)punishment.
D)self-efficacy.

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes observational learning, as Brenda's behavior is influenced by observing and imitating the behavior of her friend Elizabeth, who received attention for swear words. Operant conditioning involves the reinforcement or punishment of behavior, but in this case, Brenda did not receive direct reinforcement for swearing. Punishment involves the application of an aversive stimulus to decrease behavior, which is not occurring in this scenario. Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to perform a task, which is not directly relevant in this scenario.

Question 6

Dr. Gauche likes to make fun of student comments in class. She finds that every time she does this, students make fewer comments the rest of the class period. Apparently, Dr. Gauche's jokes are ____ the students for talking in class.
A)punishing
B)negatively reinforcing
C)positively reinforcing
D)imitating

Accepted Answer

Dr. Gauche's jokes are punishing the students for talking in class. Punishment is a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. In this case, the behavior is making comments in class, and the consequence is the embarrassment or shame the students feel when Dr. Gauche makes fun of their comments. As a result, the students are less likely to make comments in the future.

Question 7

What is the correct order of Piaget's stages of development?
A)Sensorimotor, concrete operational, preoperational, formal operational
B)Preoperational, formal operational, concrete operational, sensorimotor
C)Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational
D)Preoperational, sensorimotor, formal operational, concrete operational

Accepted Answer

Piaget's stages of development are in the following order: sensorimotor (birth to 2 years), preoperational (2 to 7 years), concrete operational (7 to 12 years), and formal operational (12 years and up). Therefore, the correct order is Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational, which is represented in choice C.

Question 8

Imitation is most closely related to the concept of
A)positive reinforcement.
B)life-cycle forces.
C)selective optimization.
D)observational learning.

Accepted Answer

Imitation involves observing and copying the behavior of others, which is a form of observational learning. Positive reinforcement, life-cycle forces, and selective optimization are not directly related to the concept of imitation.

Question 9

Dr. Sefky says: "Sure, reinforcement and punishment are important, but how people interpret reinforcement and punishment is even more important." Given this statement, Dr. Sefky's view is most likely to agree with
A)operant conditioning.
B)social cognitive theory.
C)psychosocial theory.
D)psychodynamic theory.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sefky's emphasis on how people interpret reinforcement and punishment suggests a focus on cognitive processes, which is a central aspect of social cognitive theory. Operant conditioning focuses on the consequences of behavior, but does not necessarily address how individuals interpret those consequences. Psychosocial and psychodynamic theory may address interpretation to some extent, but their focus is more on early experiences and unconscious processes, respectively.

Question 10

An effective punishment ​
A)causes some physical pain.
B)follows a reinforcer.
C)reduces the likelihood that a behavior will occur in the future.
D)eventually becomes ineffective.

Accepted Answer

An effective punishment should reduce the likelihood that a behavior will occur in the future. Punishment that causes physical pain or follows a reinforcer may not necessarily be effective in changing behavior. Eventually, punishment may become ineffective as individuals habituate to the punishment or find ways to avoid it.

Question 11

In operant conditioning theory, reinforcement is to punishment as
A)increasing is to decreasing.
B)giving is to taking.
C)unwanted is to wanted.
D)good is to bad.

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement is a process that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated in the future, while punishment is a process that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated in the future. Therefore, the relationship between reinforcement and punishment is one of increasing versus decreasing, making A the best choice.

Question 12

A behavior that is effectively being reinforced will
A)eventually go away.
B)increase in frequency.
C)improve self-esteem.
D)be imitated by others.

Accepted Answer

When a behavior is effectively reinforced, it is more likely to occur again in the future, which means it will increase in frequency.

Question 13

Mr. Link tries to help his students learn how to be assertive by having them watch how other students can be successful by acting assertively. Mr. Link is using principles of ____ to help his students.
A)social learning theory
B)operant conditioning
C)cognitive-developmental theory
D)psychosocial theory

Accepted Answer

Mr. Link is using principles of social learning theory by having his students observe and learn from others who behave assertively. Social learning theory posits that people learn from observing and modeling the behavior of others.

Question 14

Alberto believes he can successfully ski down a steep mountain. Bandura would be most likely to say that Alberto has
A)reached formal operations.
B)high self-efficacy.
C)resolved the industry versus inferiority stage.
D)been negatively reinforced.

Accepted Answer

Bandura's theory of self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to succeed in a particular situation or task. If Alberto believes he can successfully ski down a steep mountain, he has high self-efficacy for skiing and is likely to attempt the task with confidence.

Question 15

Melissa is doing a study where volleyball players are interviewed about their role on the team and perceived capabilities for playing in Saturday's game. Melissa seems to be assessing the ____ of the volleyball players.
A)life-cycle forces
B)exosystems
C)internal maturational plans
D)self-efficacy

Accepted Answer

The concept of self-efficacy pertains to an individual's belief in their capabilities to accomplish specific tasks or goals. Melissa's study is aimed at understanding the volleyball players' perceived capabilities for playing in an upcoming game, which falls under the realm of self-efficacy.

Question 16

Lynne always wants to go visit her grandparents because when she visits they give her a new toy. The grandparents have ____ her visiting behavior.
A)reinforced
B)extinguished
C)punished
D)Extinguished

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. In this case, the grandparents giving Lynne a new toy reinforces her behavior of visiting them.

Question 17

Whose theory of development is best exemplified by the idea that children construct their own knowledge and this constructed knowledge changes with age/experience?
A)Piaget
B)Bronfenbrenner
C)Erikson
D)Skinner

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theory of cognitive development proposes that children actively construct their own understanding of the world through experience and interaction with their environment. Piaget believed that as children grow and develop, their mental structures become more complex, leading to new ways of understanding and interpreting their experiences. This idea that knowledge is constructed by the individual is a key aspect of Piaget's theory.

Question 18

Brandon 's developmental psychology teacher believes human development is best conceptualized as progressing discontinuously through several qualitatively different stages of thinking. His instructor is likely a(n)
A)Piagetian.
B)social learning theorist.
C)ecological theorist.
D)behaviorist.

Accepted Answer

The belief that human development progresses through several qualitatively different stages of thinking is a key tenet of Piaget's theory of cognitive development.

Question 19

After completing his history assignment, Nico is excused from having to wash the dishes, a task he detests. Nico's parents are attempting to use ____ to increase Nico's studying.
A)positive reinforcement
B)punishment
C)extinction
D)negative reinforcement

Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus (in this case, washing dishes) to increase a desired behavior (studying).

Question 20

Who developed social cognitive theory?
A)Piaget
B)Skinner
C)Bronfenbrenner
D)Bandura

Accepted Answer

Social cognitive theory was developed by Albert Bandura in the 1970s.

Quiz 1: The Study of Human Development

Who would most likely explain a child's maladaptive behavior by saying, "They probably saw some TV character do that"?

Zhang is attempting to alter the behavior of his son by controlling the consequences of his son's actions. Zhang is practicing

Social cognitive theory and operant conditioning are similar in that they both

Morticia finds that whenever she talks to her daughter about her obnoxious behavior, the obnoxious behavior increases in frequency. Apparently, Morticia's talks are ____ her daughter's obnoxious behavior.

Even though Brenda was never reinforced directly for doing so, she increased the frequency of her swearing after she saw her friend Elizabeth get a lot of attention after she swore. This is most likely an example of

Dr. Gauche likes to make fun of student comments in class. She finds that every time she does this, students make fewer comments the rest of the class period. Apparently, Dr. Gauche's jokes are ____ the students for talking in class.

What is the correct order of Piaget's stages of development?

Imitation is most closely related to the concept of

Dr. Sefky says: "Sure, reinforcement and punishment are important, but how people interpret reinforcement and punishment is even more important." Given this statement, Dr. Sefky's view is most likely to agree with

An effective punishment ​

In operant conditioning theory, reinforcement is to punishment as

A behavior that is effectively being reinforced will

Mr. Link tries to help his students learn how to be assertive by having them watch how other students can be successful by acting assertively. Mr. Link is using principles of ____ to help his students.

Alberto believes he can successfully ski down a steep mountain. Bandura would be most likely to say that Alberto has

Melissa is doing a study where volleyball players are interviewed about their role on the team and perceived capabilities for playing in Saturday's game. Melissa seems to be assessing the ____ of the volleyball players.

Lynne always wants to go visit her grandparents because when she visits they give her a new toy. The grandparents have ____ her visiting behavior.

Whose theory of development is best exemplified by the idea that children construct their own knowledge and this constructed knowledge changes with age/experience?

Brandon 's developmental psychology teacher believes human development is best conceptualized as progressing discontinuously through several qualitatively different stages of thinking. His instructor is likely a(n)

After completing his history assignment, Nico is excused from having to wash the dishes, a task he detests. Nico's parents are attempting to use ____ to increase Nico's studying.

Who developed social cognitive theory?

An effective punishment