Question 1

A therapist tells a client that all of his troubles are caused by a set of assumptions in his mind. Thus, the troubles can be overcome by discussing the problem and figuring out the solution in a conversation. The therapist is a(n)
A) empiricist.
B) dualist.
C) rationalist.
D) behaviorist.

Accepted Answer

The therapist's approach aligns with rationalism, which emphasizes the role of reason and knowledge in understanding and solving problems, rather than relying solely on empirical evidence or observable behavior.

Question 2

Darwin's theory of evolution assumes that _______ change(s) through evolution.
A) only physiology
B) only mental capacities
C) physiology and mental capacities only in animals
D) both physiology and mental capacities in animals and humans

Accepted Answer

Darwin's theory of evolution posits that both physiological and mental capacities evolve over time through natural selection, affecting both animals and humans.

Question 3

Jack explains his cat's annoying meowing near the refrigerator as a simple response-outcome association (R-O learning) that was established by the cat's being fed in response to the meowing. Tim says that the cat believes that the meowing itself causes the door to be opened. Jack, but not Tim, seems to be operating according to the precepts of
A) Occam's Razor.
B) Morgan's Canon.
C) rationalist thinking.
D) Watsonian behaviorism.

Accepted Answer

Morgan's Canon advocates for the simplest explanation for animal behavior, avoiding complex attributions like beliefs or thoughts. Jack's explanation is simpler and aligns with this principle, unlike Tim's, which anthropomorphizes the cat's behavior.

Question 4

Which individual is least associated with the study of instrumental or operant learning?
A) Edward Thorndike
B) John Watson
C) Edward Tolman
D) Ivan Sechenov

Accepted Answer

Ivan Sechenov is least associated with the study of instrumental or operant learning. While Edward Thorndike is known for the Law of Effect, John Watson for behaviorism, and Edward Tolman for cognitive maps, Ivan Sechenov's work primarily focused on reflexes and the physiological basis of behavior, not specifically on instrumental or operant learning.

Question 5

R-O learning is most associated with
A) operant conditioning.
B) classical conditioning.
C) maze learning.
D) Clark Hull.

Accepted Answer

R-O learning, or response-outcome learning, is most associated with operant conditioning, where behaviors are modified by their consequences.

Question 6

John Watson argued that learning could be best understood by studying
A) self-reports obtained from acutely introspective individuals.
B) the effects of intervening variables on behavior.
C) directly observable and measurable behaviors.
D) the antecedents and consequences of behaviors.

Accepted Answer

John Watson, a founder of behaviorism, argued that learning and behavior could be best understood by focusing on directly observable and measurable behaviors, rather than on internal mental states or introspection.

Question 7

Assume an association is formed between stimuli present when a response is made and food, warmth, or sex. Because of this association, the response will be seen again in the presence of the stimuli. The association is therefore
A) a response-outcome association.
B) an intervening variable.
C) reinforcing.
D) the consequence of behavior.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Assume an association is formed between stimuli...

Question 8

According to
A) self-reports obtained from acutely introspective individuals.
B) the effects of intervening variables on behavior.
C) directly observable and measurable behaviors.
D) the antecedents and consequences of behaviors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to
A) self-reports obtained from acutely introspective...

Question 9

Tracy knows that she can get a good connection to the internet at Bill's Coffee Shop and download her favorite music there. Which association(s) explain that knowledge?
A) Stimulus-outcome
B) Stimulus-response
C) Response-outcome
D) An association between a stimulus and a response-outcome association

Accepted Answer

The answer of Tracy knows that she can get a...

Question 10

Bob gets very angry in many situations, leading to considerable attention from his friends. It is likely that
A) Bob's behavior is controlled by S-O associations.
B) any effort to get Bob under control will have to include removing him from situations that trigger his anger.
C) any effort to get Bob under control will need to involve the cooperation and participation of his friends.
D) Bob's problem is genetic.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bob gets very angry in many situations,...

Question 11

Which term could not be used to describe classical conditioning?
A) Reflexive
B) Antecedent controlled
C) Innate
D) Learned

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning is a learned process, not an innate one. It involves learning to associate an initially neutral stimulus with a stimulus that naturally evokes a response. Innate behaviors are those that are genetically hardwired and not learned through experience.

Question 12

Which term could not be used to describe instrumental conditioning?
A) Reflexive
B) Voluntary
C) Consequence controlled
D) Learned

Accepted Answer

Instrumental conditioning, also known as operant conditioning, involves learning through the consequences of behavior, making it voluntary, consequence-controlled, and learned. Reflexive behavior, on the other hand, is automatic and not learned through consequences, making it not applicable to instrumental conditioning.

Question 13

Learning a language, learning how to dance, and learning how catch a ball are all examples of _______ behaviors.
A) innate
B) reflexive
C) classically conditioned
D) instrumentally conditioned

Accepted Answer

Learning a language, learning how to dance, and learning how to catch a ball are examples of instrumentally conditioned behaviors. This type of learning occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior, allowing an individual to adapt and learn skills that are not innate or reflexive.

Question 14

Learning that a skull-and-crossbones sign means poison, that sour smelling milk is spoiled, and that a certain cologne belongs to a loved one are all _______ behaviors.
A) voluntary
B) consequence-controlled
C) classically conditioned
D) instrumentally conditioned

Accepted Answer

These are examples of classically conditioned behaviors, where a neutral stimulus (like a sign, smell, or cologne) becomes associated with a significant event (like poison, spoiled milk, or a loved one), leading to a learned response.

Question 15

Which of the following is not a reason that animals are used as research models?
A) With animals, researchers can use invasive, aversive, or enduring events as consequences.
B) The experiences and genetics of animals can be controlled.
C) Fundamental, general learning processes occur in a vast array of species.
D) Using animals as research models allows researchers to compare the importance of language in different species.

Accepted Answer

Using animals as research models primarily allows for controlled studies on genetics, behavior, and learning processes across species. The comparison of the importance of language is not a primary reason animals are used, as language capabilities vary significantly between humans and most animal species used in research, making such comparisons limited in scope and applicability.

Question 16

Which statement about contemporary psychological perspectives is true?
A) Connectionist perspectives have replaced information processing models in cognitive and learning psychology.
B) Radical behaviorism is the dominant model in modern learning psychology.
C) Modern learning psychologists use a variety of cognitive constructs, such as memory and attention, as well as simple associations in their explanations.
D) Classical and instrumental conditioning typically occur separately, and associations are learned less effectively when both occur.

Accepted Answer

Modern learning psychology incorporates a broad range of cognitive constructs, including memory and attention, alongside traditional associative learning principles. This reflects an integrative approach that acknowledges the complexity of learning processes beyond simple associations.

Quiz 1: Learning Theory: What It Is and How It Got This Way

A therapist tells a client that all of his troubles are caused by a set of assumptions in his mind. Thus, the troubles can be overcome by discussing the problem and figuring out the solution in a conversation. The therapist is a(n)

Darwin's theory of evolution assumes that _______ change(s) through evolution.

Which individual is least associated with the study of instrumental or operant learning?

R-O learning is most associated with

John Watson argued that learning could be best understood by studying

Assume an association is formed between stimuli present when a response is made and food, warmth, or sex. Because of this association, the response will be seen again in the presence of the stimuli. The association is therefore

According to

Tracy knows that she can get a good connection to the internet at Bill's Coffee Shop and download her favorite music there. Which association(s) explain that knowledge?

Bob gets very angry in many situations, leading to considerable attention from his friends. It is likely that

Which term could not be used to describe classical conditioning?

Which term could not be used to describe instrumental conditioning?

Learning a language, learning how to dance, and learning how catch a ball are all examples of _______ behaviors.

Learning that a skull-and-crossbones sign means poison, that sour smelling milk is spoiled, and that a certain cologne belongs to a loved one are all _______ behaviors.

Which of the following is not a reason that animals are used as research models?

Which statement about contemporary psychological perspectives is true?