PSY 659 Midterm Study Guide Exam With Correct
Solutions
Based on multiple verified PSY 659 midterm exam sources, the course
focuses on behavioral psychology, including classical and operant
conditioning, reinforcement schedules, behavior modification, and
research methodology. The following practice questions cover all major
topics with detailed rationales.
Section 1: Basic Concepts & Definitions (Questions 1-
30)
Question 1
The focus of behavior modification is on:
A. Changing a person's feelings and thoughts
B. Changing a person's behavior
C. Changing a person's personality
D. Changing a person's unconscious drives
*Correct Answer: B. Changing a person's behavior. *
Rationale: Behavior modification focuses directly on observable behavior
rather than internal states. It is based on the premise that behavior is learned
and can be changed through environmental interventions .
Question 2
A behavior is defined as:
,A. Anything a person says or does
B. Only physical actions
C. Only verbal responses
D. Only observable actions
*Correct Answer: A. Anything a person says or does. *
Rationale: In behavioral psychology, behavior encompasses both overt
actions (walking, talking) and covert behaviors (thinking, feeling). The key is
that behavior is anything an organism does .
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of behavior?
A. It has dimensions
B. It can be measured
C. It is always intentional
D. It has an impact on the environment
*Correct Answer: C. It is always intentional. *
Rationale: Behavior does not require intention. Reflexes, habits, and
automatic responses are behaviors even when not intentional. Behavior has
dimensions (frequency, duration, intensity) and can be measured objectively .
Question 4
Which dimension of behavior refers to the number of times a behavior
occurs?
A. Duration
B. Frequency
,C. Intensity
D. Latency
*Correct Answer: B. Frequency. *
Rationale: Frequency is the count of how many times a behavior occurs
within a given time period. Duration measures how long the behavior lasts,
intensity measures the force or magnitude, and latency measures the time
between a stimulus and the response .
Question 5
Which dimension of behavior refers to how long a behavior lasts?
A. Duration
B. Frequency
C. Intensity
D. Latency
*Correct Answer: A. Duration. *
Rationale: Duration is the length of time a behavior occurs from start to
finish. For example, how long a person studies or how long a tantrum lasts
are measures of duration .
Question 6
The term "covert behavior" refers to:
A. Behaviors that are easily observed
B. Internal experiences such as thinking and feeling
C. Behaviors that occur in public
D. Behaviors that are reinforced
, *Correct Answer: B. Internal experiences such as thinking and feeling. *
Rationale: Covert behaviors (also called private events) are internal
experiences that cannot be directly observed by others, such as thinking,
feeling, and imagining. They are still behaviors in the behavioral framework .
Question 7
Which of the following is an example of an overt behavior?
A. Feeling anxious
B. Walking to the store
C. Thinking about a problem
D. Feeling hungry
*Correct Answer: B. Walking to the store. *
Rationale: Overt behaviors are observable actions that can be seen and
measured by others. Walking is an overt behavior, while feelings and
thoughts are covert behaviors .
Question 8
Behavioral excesses are defined as:
A. Behaviors that occur too frequently
B. Behaviors that are maladaptive
C. Both A and B
D. Behaviors that are reinforced
*Correct Answer: C. Both A and B. *
Solutions
Based on multiple verified PSY 659 midterm exam sources, the course
focuses on behavioral psychology, including classical and operant
conditioning, reinforcement schedules, behavior modification, and
research methodology. The following practice questions cover all major
topics with detailed rationales.
Section 1: Basic Concepts & Definitions (Questions 1-
30)
Question 1
The focus of behavior modification is on:
A. Changing a person's feelings and thoughts
B. Changing a person's behavior
C. Changing a person's personality
D. Changing a person's unconscious drives
*Correct Answer: B. Changing a person's behavior. *
Rationale: Behavior modification focuses directly on observable behavior
rather than internal states. It is based on the premise that behavior is learned
and can be changed through environmental interventions .
Question 2
A behavior is defined as:
,A. Anything a person says or does
B. Only physical actions
C. Only verbal responses
D. Only observable actions
*Correct Answer: A. Anything a person says or does. *
Rationale: In behavioral psychology, behavior encompasses both overt
actions (walking, talking) and covert behaviors (thinking, feeling). The key is
that behavior is anything an organism does .
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of behavior?
A. It has dimensions
B. It can be measured
C. It is always intentional
D. It has an impact on the environment
*Correct Answer: C. It is always intentional. *
Rationale: Behavior does not require intention. Reflexes, habits, and
automatic responses are behaviors even when not intentional. Behavior has
dimensions (frequency, duration, intensity) and can be measured objectively .
Question 4
Which dimension of behavior refers to the number of times a behavior
occurs?
A. Duration
B. Frequency
,C. Intensity
D. Latency
*Correct Answer: B. Frequency. *
Rationale: Frequency is the count of how many times a behavior occurs
within a given time period. Duration measures how long the behavior lasts,
intensity measures the force or magnitude, and latency measures the time
between a stimulus and the response .
Question 5
Which dimension of behavior refers to how long a behavior lasts?
A. Duration
B. Frequency
C. Intensity
D. Latency
*Correct Answer: A. Duration. *
Rationale: Duration is the length of time a behavior occurs from start to
finish. For example, how long a person studies or how long a tantrum lasts
are measures of duration .
Question 6
The term "covert behavior" refers to:
A. Behaviors that are easily observed
B. Internal experiences such as thinking and feeling
C. Behaviors that occur in public
D. Behaviors that are reinforced
, *Correct Answer: B. Internal experiences such as thinking and feeling. *
Rationale: Covert behaviors (also called private events) are internal
experiences that cannot be directly observed by others, such as thinking,
feeling, and imagining. They are still behaviors in the behavioral framework .
Question 7
Which of the following is an example of an overt behavior?
A. Feeling anxious
B. Walking to the store
C. Thinking about a problem
D. Feeling hungry
*Correct Answer: B. Walking to the store. *
Rationale: Overt behaviors are observable actions that can be seen and
measured by others. Walking is an overt behavior, while feelings and
thoughts are covert behaviors .
Question 8
Behavioral excesses are defined as:
A. Behaviors that occur too frequently
B. Behaviors that are maladaptive
C. Both A and B
D. Behaviors that are reinforced
*Correct Answer: C. Both A and B. *
