Behaviourist Theory Quiz

What is the main principle of the behaviourist theory?

• Children are born with inherent traits.

• Children learn through genetic inheritance.

• Children come into the world as blank slates.

• Children are influenced by their thoughts and feelings.

Answer explanation

The behaviourist theory posits that children are born as blank slates, meaning their development is shaped by environmental factors and experiences rather than inherent traits or genetic inheritance.

What is a stimulus?

• A genetic trait

• A thing or event that causes a reaction

• A type of reinforcement

• A learned behaviour

Answer explanation

A stimulus is defined as a thing or event that causes a reaction in an organism. This distinguishes it from genetic traits, reinforcement types, or learned behaviors, which do not inherently trigger responses.

Who is associated with classical conditioning?

• Sigmund Freud

• B.F. Skinner

• Ivan Pavlov

• Jean Piaget

Answer explanation

Ivan Pavlov is known for his work on classical conditioning, famously demonstrated through his experiments with dogs, where he conditioned them to salivate at the sound of a bell. Freud, Skinner, and Piaget are associated with other psychological theories.

What did Pavlov discover about dogs' behavior when they were presented with food?

• They would bark loudly.

• They would run away.

• They would salivate.

• They would sleep.

Answer explanation

Pavlov discovered that dogs would salivate when presented with food. This response, known as a conditioned reflex, demonstrated how animals can learn to associate stimuli with specific responses.

How did Skinner's findings differ from Pavlov's?

• Skinner focused on genetic behavior.

• Skinner found behavior was influenced by consequences.

• Skinner believed in free will.

• Skinner ignored conditioning.

Answer explanation

Skinner's findings emphasized that behavior is shaped by its consequences, a key aspect of operant conditioning, unlike Pavlov's focus on classical conditioning where behavior is influenced by stimuli.

What was the only stimulus given to the children in Bandura's study?

• A reward for good behavior.

• A punishment for bad behavior.

• Social influence from the film.

• A verbal instruction.

Answer explanation

In Bandura's study, the only stimulus given to the children was social influence from the film, where they observed aggressive behavior modeled by an adult. This observation was crucial in shaping their own behavior.

According to Bandura's theory, what are the two processes through which individuals learn?

• Observation and imitation.

• Modeling and reinforcement.

• Trial and error.

• Genetic inheritance and environment.

Answer explanation

According to Bandura's theory, individuals learn through modeling, where they observe others, and reinforcement, which encourages the repetition of behaviors. Thus, the correct answer is modeling and reinforcement.

Who is most closely associated with the psychodynamic theory?

• Albert Bandura.

• B.F. Skinner.

• Sigmund Freud.

• Carl Rogers.

Answer explanation

Sigmund Freud is the founder of psychodynamic theory, which emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind and childhood experiences on behavior. The other figures listed are associated with different psychological theories.

What model did Sigmund Freud introduce?

• The behavioral model.

• The cognitive model.

• The topographic model of the mind.

• The humanistic model.

Answer explanation

Sigmund Freud introduced the topographic model of the mind, which divides mental processes into the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. This model is foundational to his theories on human psychology.

What is the topographic model of the mind often compared to?

• A tree.

• An iceberg.

• A mountain.

• A river.

Answer explanation

The topographic model of the mind is often compared to an iceberg because it illustrates that much of our mental processes are hidden beneath the surface, similar to how the bulk of an iceberg is submerged in water.