Question 1

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, a type of learning in which behavior is shaped by consequences such as reward or punishment. In this case, yelling "Bad dog!" is a form of punishment for Cupcake's behavior that Paul wants to correct. Through operant conditioning, Cupcake will eventually learn that certain behaviors are not desirable because they lead to punishment.

Question 2

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 refers to the tendency of people's attitudes to become more extreme as they reflect on them. This can happen in a variety of contexts, such as political discussions, social media debates, and personal introspection. Research has shown that people tend to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and attitudes, while discounting or ignoring evidence that contradicts them. Over time, this can lead to a strengthening and polarization of attitudes, where people become more entrenched in their positions and less open to alternative perspectives.

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 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

At the beginning of the experiment, the bell was a neutral stimulus as it did not elicit a salivary response from the dogs. However, after repeated pairings with the meat powder (which was the unconditioned stimulus that naturally elicited salivation), the bell became a conditioned stimulus that elicited a salivary response from the dogs. Therefore, the best answer is C, as the bell started as a neutral stimulus and became a conditioned stimulus.

Question 4

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 is an example of classical conditioning, where the celebrity acts as a conditioned stimulus (CS) that elicits a positive response (unconditioned response, or UR) from the consumer. Through repeated association of the product with the celebrity, the product becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits the same positive response from the consumer (now a conditioned response, or CR).

Question 5

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

The scenario described suggests that Henry's mother is using operant conditioning to encourage him to practice piano. Operant conditioning involves using rewards and punishments to increase or decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. In this case, the reward of dessert is being used to reinforce the behavior of practicing piano, while withholding dessert acts as a punishment for not practicing.

Question 6

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

The type of learning described in the question is social learning, which is the process of observing and imitating the behavior of others. Instrumental learning, classical conditioning, and operant conditioning are all different types of learning, but they do not specifically involve the observation of others' behaviors.

Question 7

According to the text, what might best explain the development of prejudice against social groups that are frequently associated with negative information in the media, such as Muslims being associated with terrorism?
A) operant conditioning
B) classical conditioning
C) vicarious learning
D) observational learning

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, what might best...

Question 8

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 can also be referred to as vicarious conditioning or observational learning, as it involves observing and imitating the behavior of others. Instrumental learning refers to learning through consequences and rewards, while justified learning and conditional learning are not common terms in the field of psychology.

Question 9

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 e-mails Beth an article which 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 scenario describes attitude polarization, which is when a person becomes more extreme in their beliefs after being presented with mixed information that confirms some of their beliefs and challenges others. This is because they selectively process information in a way that confirms their prior attitudes, rather than reconsidering or adjusting their beliefs based on new information.

Question 10

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 involves observing and modeling the behavior of others. In this example, the individual notices their classmates' behavior and decides to adopt it, which is a clear example of social learning. The other options do not involve observing and modeling behavior.

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 referred to as instrumental learning because it involves the individual actively making an association between a behavior and its 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 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 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 observed the behavior of the kids in his new neighborhood and learned that wearing Nikes and basketball shorts is the norm. He then changes his behavior (buying new clothes) based on this observation, which is known as observational learning.

Question 14

Suppose that Dylan has a new girlfriend whom he really likes. He programs his cell phone so that every time his new 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 best term for the role of the Justin Timberlake song is a conditioned stimulus. This is because it has been paired with the new girlfriend's calls, creating a conditioned response of happiness in Dylan.

Question 15

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

This is an example of operant conditioning because the positive outcome (getting a good grade) strengthened the behavior of asking for extensions in the future. This is an example of positive reinforcement. The other choices are not examples of operant conditioning as they do not involve reinforcement or punishment of behavior.

Question 16

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

The principle described in the question is known as the law of effect, which is a fundamental concept of operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is based on associations between stimuli and does not involve rewards or punishment. Vicarious learning involves learning through observation of others' behavior. Effort justification refers to the tendency to value something more highly if we have invested time or effort in acquiring it.

Question 17

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 are less likely to seek out information that challenges their existing beliefs, which would include seeking out information from outgroup members who may hold opposing views.

Question 18

Suppose that Dylan has a new girlfriend whom he really likes. He programs his cell phone so that every time his new 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 scenario illustrates classical conditioning, where the neutral stimulus (the phone ringtone) becomes associated with a positive stimulus (Dylan's new girlfriend) and elicits a positive response (feeling happy).

Question 19

Fritz Heider's balance theory is also known as the ____.
A) P-O-X theory
B) cognitive dissonance theory
C) social learning theory
D) dual attitudes theory

Accepted Answer

Fritz Heider's balance theory is also known as the P-O-X theory because it involves the relationships between three entities: a person (P), another person (O), and an issue or topic (X). The theory suggests that there is a natural tendency for individuals to seek consistency or balance in these relationships, and that imbalances can create psychological discomfort or dissonance.

Question 20

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 refers to the phenomenon where the more people think about their attitudes, the more extreme and rigid those attitudes become. This occurs because people become more knowledgeable and confident about their beliefs as they think and talk about them more, leading to a strengthening of those beliefs.

Quiz 7: Attitudes, Beliefs and Consistency

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 _____.

Attitude polarization refers to the finding that ____.

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.

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 text, what might best explain the development of prejudice against social groups that are frequently associated with negative information in the media, such as Muslims being associated with terrorism?

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

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

Operant conditioning is also sometimes referred to as ____.

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

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.

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

Fritz Heider's balance theory is also known as the ____.

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 ____.