PSY 101 Exam 2 V1 | PSY 101 Foundations
of Psychology | StraighterLine | Q&A with
Rationale (StraighterLine PSY101 Exam 2)
1. In Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiments, what did the bell represent after the dog
learned to salivate to its sound?
A. Unconditioned Stimulus
B. Conditioned Response
C. Unconditioned Response
D. Conditioned Stimulus
Answer: D
Rationale: The bell starts as a neutral stimulus because it does not naturally cause
salivation. Through repeated pairing with food, it gains the ability to trigger the response
on its own. Therefore, it becomes a conditioned stimulus in the learning process.
2. Which schedule of reinforcement provides a reward after an unpredictable number of
responses?
A. Fixed-Ratio
B. Variable-Ratio
C. Fixed-Interval
,D. Variable-Interval
Answer: B
Rationale: A variable-ratio schedule reinforces a behavior after an average number of
responses, making the reward unpredictable. This schedule is known for producing high
rates of steady responding and resistance to extinction. Examples of this include gambling
on slot machines.
3. What is the term for the process of taking information and converting it into a form that
can be stored in memory?
A. Storage
B. Retrieval
C. Consolidation
D. Encoding
Answer: D
Rationale: Encoding is the initial step in the memory process where sensory input is
transformed into a representational form. Without effective encoding, information cannot
be successfully maintained or accessed later. This process can be automatic or require
effortful processing like rehearsal.
4. According to Jean Piaget, during which stage of cognitive development do children begin to
understand the concept of conservation?
A. Concrete Operational
, B. Preoperational
C. Sensorimotor
D. Formal Operational
Answer: A
Rationale: Conservation is the understanding that physical properties do not change even
if the appearance changes. Children in the concrete operational stage, typically ages 7 to 11,
develop this logical thinking ability. Prior to this stage, children are often fooled by changes
in shape or container size.
5. Which type of memory is responsible for storing facts and general knowledge?
A. Episodic Memory
B. Working Memory
C. Procedural Memory
D. Semantic Memory
Answer: D
Rationale: Semantic memory is a category of long-term memory that stores objective facts
and meanings. It differs from episodic memory, which focuses on personal experiences and
events. This type of memory allows us to remember that Paris is the capital of France or
that a bird is an animal.
of Psychology | StraighterLine | Q&A with
Rationale (StraighterLine PSY101 Exam 2)
1. In Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiments, what did the bell represent after the dog
learned to salivate to its sound?
A. Unconditioned Stimulus
B. Conditioned Response
C. Unconditioned Response
D. Conditioned Stimulus
Answer: D
Rationale: The bell starts as a neutral stimulus because it does not naturally cause
salivation. Through repeated pairing with food, it gains the ability to trigger the response
on its own. Therefore, it becomes a conditioned stimulus in the learning process.
2. Which schedule of reinforcement provides a reward after an unpredictable number of
responses?
A. Fixed-Ratio
B. Variable-Ratio
C. Fixed-Interval
,D. Variable-Interval
Answer: B
Rationale: A variable-ratio schedule reinforces a behavior after an average number of
responses, making the reward unpredictable. This schedule is known for producing high
rates of steady responding and resistance to extinction. Examples of this include gambling
on slot machines.
3. What is the term for the process of taking information and converting it into a form that
can be stored in memory?
A. Storage
B. Retrieval
C. Consolidation
D. Encoding
Answer: D
Rationale: Encoding is the initial step in the memory process where sensory input is
transformed into a representational form. Without effective encoding, information cannot
be successfully maintained or accessed later. This process can be automatic or require
effortful processing like rehearsal.
4. According to Jean Piaget, during which stage of cognitive development do children begin to
understand the concept of conservation?
A. Concrete Operational
, B. Preoperational
C. Sensorimotor
D. Formal Operational
Answer: A
Rationale: Conservation is the understanding that physical properties do not change even
if the appearance changes. Children in the concrete operational stage, typically ages 7 to 11,
develop this logical thinking ability. Prior to this stage, children are often fooled by changes
in shape or container size.
5. Which type of memory is responsible for storing facts and general knowledge?
A. Episodic Memory
B. Working Memory
C. Procedural Memory
D. Semantic Memory
Answer: D
Rationale: Semantic memory is a category of long-term memory that stores objective facts
and meanings. It differs from episodic memory, which focuses on personal experiences and
events. This type of memory allows us to remember that Paris is the capital of France or
that a bird is an animal.
