w6 mc Flashcards
What distinguishes learning from other types of behavioral changes such as maturation?
(A) Learning involves a permanent change in behavior, whereas maturation does not.
(B) Learning is influenced by experience, while maturation is driven by genetic factors.
(C) Maturation requires reinforcement, whereas learning does not.
(D) Learning occurs only in humans, while maturation applies to all species.
Answer: (B) (Learning is shaped by experience, while maturation follows biological development.)
How would a strict behaviorist define learning?
(A) A change in neural connections in response to stimuli.
(B) A relatively lasting change in behavior due to experience.
(C) The conscious acquisition of new knowledge.
(D) A process driven exclusively by innate biological factors.
Answer: (B) (Behaviorists emphasize observable changes in behavior resulting from experience.)
What does the Rescorla-Wagner model suggest about classical conditioning?
(A) Learning occurs only when the conditioned stimulus (CS) is continuously paired with the unconditioned stimulus (US).
(B) The strength of the CS-US association depends on how surprising the US is.
(C) Conditioning occurs at the same rate regardless of prior exposure to stimuli.
(D) Extinction is permanent and cannot be reversed.
Answer: (B) (Unexpected stimuli lead to stronger learning.)
How does biological preparedness affect classical conditioning?
(A) It enhances the ability to condition all stimuli equally.
(B) It suggests that some associations are easier to learn due to evolutionary adaptations.
(C) It implies that learned behaviors are independent of genetic influences.
(D) It prevents the formation of conditioned responses in animals.
Answer: (B) (Some stimuli (e.g., food and illness) are more easily associated due to evolutionary significance.)
What is the primary difference between classical and operant conditioning?
(A) Classical conditioning requires reinforcement, whereas operant conditioning does not.
(B) In classical conditioning, the learner is passive, while in operant conditioning, the learner actively engages with the environment.
(C) Classical conditioning leads to voluntary behaviors, while operant conditioning controls reflexive behaviors.
(D) Operant conditioning only applies to animals, while classical conditioning applies to humans.
Answer: (B) (Operant conditioning involves active engagement with the environment.)
Which of the following is an example of negative reinforcement?
(A) A teacher gives extra homework for late assignments.
(B) A driver wears a seatbelt to stop the car from beeping.
(C) A parent rewards a child with ice cream for good behavior.
(D) A student loses recess time for talking in class.
Answer: (B) (Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus to increase behavior.)
Which schedule of reinforcement is most resistant to extinction?
(A) Fixed interval
(B) Fixed ratio
(C) Variable ratio
(D) Continuous reinforcement
Answer: (C) (Variable ratio schedules, like gambling, are highly resistant to extinction.)
How does the Premack Principle apply to reinforcement?
(A) A less preferred behavior can reinforce a more preferred one.
(B) A high-probability behavior can reinforce a low-probability behavior.
(C) All reinforcers must be biologically significant.
(D) Only primary reinforcers can influence behavior.
Answer: (B) (The Premack Principle states that more probable behaviors can reinforce less probable ones.)
How did Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment challenge traditional behaviorist perspectives?
(A) It demonstrated that learning could occur without direct reinforcement.
(B) It proved that all behaviors are genetically determined.
(C) It showed that only operant conditioning influences aggression.
(D) It supported Skinner’s claims about reinforcement schedules.
Answer: (A) (Observational learning occurs without direct rewards or punishments.)
What is the role of vicarious reinforcement in social learning?
(A) Individuals imitate behaviors that have been directly reinforced.
(B) Learning occurs by observing the consequences of others’ behaviors.
(C) Punishment is necessary for modeling to be effective.
(D) Only children are susceptible to observational learning.
Answer: (B) (Observing others being rewarded increases the likelihood of imitation.)
How does latent learning differ from traditional reinforcement-based learning?
(A) Learning is evident only when an incentive is introduced.
(B) It requires immediate reinforcement for performance to improve.
(C) It cannot occur without direct rewards.
(D) It applies only to humans.
Answer: (A) (Tolman’s experiments showed that learning could occur without immediate reinforcement.)
What is the significance of Hebb’s Rule in learning?
(A) Neurons that fire together, wire together, strengthening neural connections.
(B) Learning occurs in distinct stages that cannot overlap.
(C) Only reinforcement strengthens synaptic connections.
(D) The hippocampus alone is responsible for all learning.
Answer: (A) (Neural connections are strengthened through repeated activation.)
What is an example of accidental reinforcement leading to superstitious behavior?
(A) A student studies more when rewarded with praise.
(B) A basketball player wears lucky socks after winning a game.
(C) A child is praised for cleaning their room.
(D) A person stops speeding after receiving a ticket
Answer: (B) (Accidental reinforcement strengthens behaviors unrelated to the actual outcome.)
What is a key difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in learning?
(A) Extrinsic motivation decreases persistence, while intrinsic motivation enhances deep learning.
(B) Extrinsic motivation is always better for long-term learning.
(C) Intrinsic motivation only applies to childhood learning.
(D) Intrinsic motivation depends on punishment.
Answer: (A) (Intrinsic motivation fosters deeper engagement and persistence.)
How does long-term potentiation (LTP) contribute to learning?
(A) It strengthens synaptic connections, making neural communication more efficient.
(B) It inhibits the formation of new memories.
(C) It prevents synapses from adapting to repeated stimuli.
(D) It reduces the likelihood of neuronal activation over time.
Answer: (A) (LTP enhances neural pathways, supporting memory and learning.)
What role does the amygdala play in classical conditioning?
(A) It stores declarative memories.
(B) It processes emotional responses, particularly fear learning.
(C) It inhibits motor responses.
(D) It regulates homeostasis.
Answer: (B) (The amygdala is critical for emotional learning, especially fear conditioning.)
In applied behavior analysis, why is reinforcement more effective than punishment for behavior modification?
(A) Reinforcement increases desired behaviors, while punishment often suppresses behavior temporarily without teaching alternatives.
(B) Punishment always leads to learned helplessness.
(C) Reinforcement works only in controlled laboratory settings.
(D) Punishment increases intrinsic motivation.
Answer: (A) (Reinforcement teaches new behaviors, while punishment mainly suppresses existing ones.)
What is the primary goal of functional behavior assessment (FBA) in applied behavior analysis?
(A) To identify the reinforcers maintaining problem behaviors.
(B) To punish maladaptive behaviors effectively.
(C) To ensure all behavior is controlled by external rewards.
(D) To eliminate the role of the environment in behavior
Answer: (A) (FBA seeks to understand why behaviors occur to develop effective interventions.)
How does Hebb’s Rule relate to skill learning and habit formation?
(A) Repeated co-activation of neurons strengthens connections, leading to faster recall and automaticity.
(B) It prevents synaptic plasticity in adults.
(C) It only applies to emotional learning.
(D) It explains why synaptic pruning reduces learning capacity.
Answer: (A) (Repeated use strengthens neural pathways, forming long-term habits and skills.)
What is a major limitation of behaviorist approaches in explaining cognitive learning?
(A) They ignore internal mental processes such as reasoning and problem-solving.
(B) They underestimate the role of reinforcement.
(C) They assume that all learning occurs consciously.
(D) They focus too much on neural mechanisms.
Answer: (A) (Behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors, often neglecting cognitive processes.)
How does neuroplasticity support recovery from brain injury in learning?
(A) The brain can reorganize and form new connections, allowing compensatory learning.
(B) Neural damage permanently eliminates learning ability.
(C) Brain plasticity is only present in early childhood.
(D) Learning is unaffected by neural reorganization.
Answer: (A) (Neuroplasticity enables recovery and adaptation following injury.)
How does token economy function as an applied behavior analysis strategy?
(A) It uses secondary reinforcers (e.g., tokens) that can be exchanged for rewards to reinforce desired behaviors.
(B) It eliminates the need for reinforcement.
(C) It applies only to children with developmental disabilities.
(D) It discourages goal setting in behavior modification.
Answer: (A) (Token economies create structured reinforcement systems to shape behavior.)
