Question 1

You have an ability to perform an act (such as skiing) although the act is not being performed at the present time.This latent ability is defined as:

Accepted Answer

A) behavior potential 
B) instinct 
C) covert behavior 
D) unlearned behavior

Question 2

Most psychologists reject dictionary definitions of learning because:

Accepted Answer

A) the definitions are too objective 
B) the definitions tend to be behavioristic 
C) the definitions are nebulous 
D) learning is not definable

Question 3

Waking up to a loud alarm clock, you press the button to terminate the noise.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A) classical conditioning 
B) escape conditioning 
C) avoidance conditioning 
D) sign learning

Question 4

According to Skinner, such things as medals, academic degrees, and trophies exemplify:

Accepted Answer

A) reinforcers 
B) rewards 
C) both rewards and reinforcers 
D) none of the above

Question 5

The rapid formation of an attachment between an organism and an environmental object that occurs during a critical period is called:

Accepted Answer

A) conditioning 
B) imprinting 
C) learning 
D) modeling

Question 6

We can make inferences concerning the learning process by studying:

Accepted Answer

A) changes in behavior 
B) the mind 
C) acquired knowledge 
D) motivational states

Question 7

In general, it is through _______that we learn which environmental objects are conducive to survival and which are not:

Accepted Answer

A) homeostatic mechanisms 
B) operant conditioning 
C) classical conditioning 
D) instrumental conditioning

Question 8

An experimental arrangement whereby an organism can avoid experiencing an aversive stimulus by engaging in appropriate behavior is called:

Accepted Answer

A) classical conditioning 
B) escape conditioning 
C) avoidance conditioning 
D) sign learning

Question 9

The trend among learning theorists has been to accept a definition of learning that:

Accepted Answer

A) refers to changes in observable behavior or in behavior potentiality 
B) contains subjective terms 
C) refers to physiological changes 
D) is similar to those found in dictionaries

Question 10

Sneezing in response to a tickling in one's nose is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A) complex behavior 
B) reflexive behavior 
C) classical conditioning 
D) learning

Question 11

Cuckoo birds lay their eggs in the nest of other birds.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A) learning 
B) performance 
C) species-specific behavior 
D) imprinting

Question 12

Reinforcement is not contingent on any overt response made by the organism in:

Accepted Answer

A) instrumental conditioning 
B) classical conditioning 
C) escape conditioning 
D) avoidance conditioning

Question 13

According to most learning theorists the learning process:

Accepted Answer

A) cannot be studied objectively 
B) cannot be studied at all 
C) can be studied only indirectly through changes in behavior 
D) can be studied directly

Exam 1: What Is Learning?