Unit 3 & 4 - Practice Test

What is the main focus of behaviorism in psychology?

• 
  Studying mental processes

• 
  Examining observable behavior

• 
  Analyzing dreams and unconscious thoughts

• 
  Investigating genetic influences on personality

Answer explanation

The main focus of behaviorism is on examining observable behavior, as it emphasizes measurable actions rather than internal mental processes, dreams, or genetic influences.

How long does it take to form a habit?

• 21 days

• 90 days

• 45 days

• 66 days

Answer explanation

Research suggests that it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit. This duration can vary based on the individual and the complexity of the habit, making 66 days the most accurate choice among the options.

Which type of learning involves anticipating events based on associated stimuli?

• Operant conditioning

• 
  Observational learning

• Cognitive learning

• Classical conditioning

Answer explanation

Classical conditioning involves learning to associate a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus, leading to an anticipated response. This process is key in predicting events based on associated stimuli.

Who pioneered classical conditioning?

• Ivan Pavlov

• B.F. Skinner

• Albert Bandura

• 
  John B. Watson

Answer explanation

Ivan Pavlov pioneered classical conditioning through his experiments with dogs, demonstrating how a neutral stimulus can elicit a conditioned response when paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

In Pavlov's experiment, what was the unconditioned stimulus?

• The bell

• The food

• The dog's salivation

• The laboratory environment

Answer explanation

In Pavlov's experiment, the unconditioned stimulus is the food, as it naturally triggers a response (salivation) without prior conditioning. The bell is a conditioned stimulus, while salivation is the conditioned response.

An individual’s fear of dogs that is lost as the individual is exposed to dogs in nonthreatening situations is referred to by behaviorists as a fear that has been

• satiated

• suppressed

• repressed

• extinguished (extinction)

• punished

Answer explanation

The fear of dogs diminishes as the individual encounters them in safe environments, indicating that the fear has been extinguished (extinction) through repeated non-threatening exposure.

The term for a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning is (a)  

• Neutral stimulus

• 
  Conditioned stimulus

• Conditioned response

• Unconditioned stimulus

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Neutral stimulus' because it refers to a stimulus that initially does not elicit any response before conditioning occurs. In contrast, the other options involve responses or stimuli that have already been conditioned.

Who conducted the 'Baby Albert' experiments?

• 
  Ivan Pavlov

• John B. Watson

• 
  B.F. Skinner

• Albert Bandura

Answer explanation

The 'Baby Albert' experiments were conducted by John B. Watson, who, along with his assistant Rosalie Rayner, demonstrated classical conditioning by conditioning a child to fear a white rat.

What is learning by watching others called?

• Vicarious learning

• Modeling

• Social cognition

• Observational learning

Answer explanation

Learning by watching others is best described as observational learning. This process involves acquiring new behaviors or information by observing the actions of others, making it distinct from vicarious learning and modeling.

Which psychologist is a transitional figure from behaviorism to cognitive psychology?

• John B. Watson

• Ivan Pavlov

• Albert Bandura

• B.F. Skinner

Answer explanation

Albert Bandura is considered a transitional figure because he integrated cognitive processes into behaviorism through his social learning theory, emphasizing the role of observation and imitation in learning.