PSYC 365 FINAL QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
Three of the following illustrate various ways that learning might be reflected in a
person's behavior. Which one of the following changes does not necessarily reflect
learning?
1.) Lewis occasionally asks for help when he has difficulty with his classwork, but most
of the time he just struggles quietly on his own. After his teacher assures him that
asking for help is not a sign of weakness or inability, he begins asking for help much
more frequently.
2.) Although it's a school night, Dean plays video games until well past his usual
bedtime. As he becomes more tired, he finds it increasingly difficult to concentrate on
what he's doing.
3.) Day after day, Martin practices his basketball skill (shooting, dribbling, etc.) on a
basketball court at a local park. With each practice session, his movements become
faster and smoother.
4.) Even as a young child, Jerry could tell you that his grandparents immigrated to the -
Answers - Although it's a school night, Dean plays video games until well past his usual
bedtime. As he becomes more tired, he finds it increasingly difficult to concentrate on
what he's doing.
Reynelda has trouble tracing a complex shape with a pencil when she is in
kindergarten, but she can do it quite well by the time she is in second grade. Is this an
instance of learning?
1.)Yes, because her behavior has changed.
2.)Maybe, but only if she is being reinforced for tracing accurately.
3.)Maybe, although the change may simply be due to physiological maturation.
4.)No, because the circumstances are too dissimilar. - Answers - Maybe, although the
change may simply be due to physiological maturation.
A principle of learning can best be characterized as:
1.)A statement that describes how a particular factor affects learning
2.)An explanation of the underlying processes through which learning occurs
3.)A description of the results of a particular research study
,4.)The measurement of how much learning has occurred in a particular situation -
Answers - A statement that describes how a particular factor affects learning
Which of the following common sayings best reflects the basic premise underlying
social learning theory?
1.)"Monkey see, monkey do."
2.)"A friend in need is a friend indeed."
3.)"A rolling stone gathers no moss."
4.)"Spare the rod and spoil the child." - Answers - "Monkey see, monkey do."
Three of the following represent why it is important for teachers to understand theories
and principles related to learning. Which one is not?
1.)Teachers can maximize student learning when they understand what factors and
processes influence how students learn.
2.)Teachers can draw on research findings to determine the effectiveness of
instructional methods and strategies.
3.)Teachers can help students avoid common pitfalls to learning.
4.)Teachers can help prove learning theories and principles, leading to new laws in the
field of Psychology. - Answers - Teachers can help prove learning theories and
principles, leading to new laws in the field of Psychology.
The texbooks's perspective regarding various theories of learning is that:
- Different theories may be applicable in different situations.
- Cognitivist theories are probably more accurate.
- There is currently no "right" theory, but one will eventually be developed.
- Behaviorist theories are probably more accurate. - Answers - There is currently no
"right" theory, but one will eventually be developed.
Human beings undoubtedly learn more during the course of a lifetime than any other
species on earth. The major result of this capacity to learn is that:
-Humans are the only species whose behavior cannot be analyzed in terms of stimuli
and responses.
,-Humans can benefit from their experiences.
-Human thought becomes less logical with each generation.
-New instincts begin to emerge - Answers - Humans can benefit from their experiences.
A theory of learning can best be characterized as:
-A description of the results of a particular research study
-The measurement of how much learning has occurred in a particular situation
- An explanation of the underlying processes through which learning occurs
-A statement that describes how a particular factor affects learning - Answers - An
explanation of the underlying processes through which learning occurs
Which one of the following best describes psychologists' current beliefs about the brain
and learning?
-Learning involves changes in synapses and possibly also involves the growth of new
neurons and astrocytes.
-The brains of rapid learners are about 20% larger than the brains of slower learners.
-Left-hemisphere-dominant individuals are, on average, more effective learners than
right-hemisphere-dominant individuals.
-Large doses of certain vitamins promote brain growth and lead to more rapid learning. -
Answers - Learning involves changes in synapses and possibly also involves the growth
of new neurons and astrocytes.
According to the textbook, which one of the following conclusions is most warranted
from research on brain development?
-Classroom experiences can significantly enhance people's cognitive development
throughout the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary school years.
-Children probably won't acquire the basic skills essential to succeed in the adult world
(e.g., reading, writing, math) unless they begin developing those skills in the early
elementary grades at the latest.
-To become truly skilled in such domains as art and music, children should begin
systematic instruction in these domains before the age of five.
, -The ability to think abstractly depends on the development of many synaptic
connections during the first five years of life. - Answers - Classroom experiences can
significantly enhance people's cognitive development throughout the elementary,
secondary, and post-secondary school years.
Given what psychologists believe to be true about how information is typically stored in
the brain, how is the concept dog probably represented in your brain?
-As a single neuron located in the prefrontal cortex
-As a cluster of interconnected neurons located in one of the occipital lobes
-As a cluster of interconnected neurons located in the left parietal lobe
-As a network of neurons spread across multiple brain regions - Answers - As a network
of neurons spread across multiple brain regions
In which one of the following situations should we be most concerned about missing a
critical period in a person's development?
-Joey has his first tennis lesson when he is 25.
-Although Ross knows how to count, he gets no formal instruction in mathematics until
he is 15.
-Phoebe doesn't learn how to write until she is 12 years old.
-Rachel is born with a cataract in her left eye that is surgically removed when she is 8
years old. - Answers - Rachel is born with a cataract in her left eye that is surgically
removed when she is 8 years old.
According to the textbook, which one of the following conclusions is most true regarding
factors that influence brain development?
-Environmental factors are particularly influential in abnormal brain development.
-Together, brain development is shaped by genetic and environmental factors
throughout the life span.
-Genetic factors have the strongest influence on brain development, particularly later in
life.
-Environmental factors and people's experiences have the strongest influence on brain
development in middle childhood. - Answers - Together, brain development is shaped
by genetic and environmental factors throughout the life span.
Three of the following illustrate various ways that learning might be reflected in a
person's behavior. Which one of the following changes does not necessarily reflect
learning?
1.) Lewis occasionally asks for help when he has difficulty with his classwork, but most
of the time he just struggles quietly on his own. After his teacher assures him that
asking for help is not a sign of weakness or inability, he begins asking for help much
more frequently.
2.) Although it's a school night, Dean plays video games until well past his usual
bedtime. As he becomes more tired, he finds it increasingly difficult to concentrate on
what he's doing.
3.) Day after day, Martin practices his basketball skill (shooting, dribbling, etc.) on a
basketball court at a local park. With each practice session, his movements become
faster and smoother.
4.) Even as a young child, Jerry could tell you that his grandparents immigrated to the -
Answers - Although it's a school night, Dean plays video games until well past his usual
bedtime. As he becomes more tired, he finds it increasingly difficult to concentrate on
what he's doing.
Reynelda has trouble tracing a complex shape with a pencil when she is in
kindergarten, but she can do it quite well by the time she is in second grade. Is this an
instance of learning?
1.)Yes, because her behavior has changed.
2.)Maybe, but only if she is being reinforced for tracing accurately.
3.)Maybe, although the change may simply be due to physiological maturation.
4.)No, because the circumstances are too dissimilar. - Answers - Maybe, although the
change may simply be due to physiological maturation.
A principle of learning can best be characterized as:
1.)A statement that describes how a particular factor affects learning
2.)An explanation of the underlying processes through which learning occurs
3.)A description of the results of a particular research study
,4.)The measurement of how much learning has occurred in a particular situation -
Answers - A statement that describes how a particular factor affects learning
Which of the following common sayings best reflects the basic premise underlying
social learning theory?
1.)"Monkey see, monkey do."
2.)"A friend in need is a friend indeed."
3.)"A rolling stone gathers no moss."
4.)"Spare the rod and spoil the child." - Answers - "Monkey see, monkey do."
Three of the following represent why it is important for teachers to understand theories
and principles related to learning. Which one is not?
1.)Teachers can maximize student learning when they understand what factors and
processes influence how students learn.
2.)Teachers can draw on research findings to determine the effectiveness of
instructional methods and strategies.
3.)Teachers can help students avoid common pitfalls to learning.
4.)Teachers can help prove learning theories and principles, leading to new laws in the
field of Psychology. - Answers - Teachers can help prove learning theories and
principles, leading to new laws in the field of Psychology.
The texbooks's perspective regarding various theories of learning is that:
- Different theories may be applicable in different situations.
- Cognitivist theories are probably more accurate.
- There is currently no "right" theory, but one will eventually be developed.
- Behaviorist theories are probably more accurate. - Answers - There is currently no
"right" theory, but one will eventually be developed.
Human beings undoubtedly learn more during the course of a lifetime than any other
species on earth. The major result of this capacity to learn is that:
-Humans are the only species whose behavior cannot be analyzed in terms of stimuli
and responses.
,-Humans can benefit from their experiences.
-Human thought becomes less logical with each generation.
-New instincts begin to emerge - Answers - Humans can benefit from their experiences.
A theory of learning can best be characterized as:
-A description of the results of a particular research study
-The measurement of how much learning has occurred in a particular situation
- An explanation of the underlying processes through which learning occurs
-A statement that describes how a particular factor affects learning - Answers - An
explanation of the underlying processes through which learning occurs
Which one of the following best describes psychologists' current beliefs about the brain
and learning?
-Learning involves changes in synapses and possibly also involves the growth of new
neurons and astrocytes.
-The brains of rapid learners are about 20% larger than the brains of slower learners.
-Left-hemisphere-dominant individuals are, on average, more effective learners than
right-hemisphere-dominant individuals.
-Large doses of certain vitamins promote brain growth and lead to more rapid learning. -
Answers - Learning involves changes in synapses and possibly also involves the growth
of new neurons and astrocytes.
According to the textbook, which one of the following conclusions is most warranted
from research on brain development?
-Classroom experiences can significantly enhance people's cognitive development
throughout the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary school years.
-Children probably won't acquire the basic skills essential to succeed in the adult world
(e.g., reading, writing, math) unless they begin developing those skills in the early
elementary grades at the latest.
-To become truly skilled in such domains as art and music, children should begin
systematic instruction in these domains before the age of five.
, -The ability to think abstractly depends on the development of many synaptic
connections during the first five years of life. - Answers - Classroom experiences can
significantly enhance people's cognitive development throughout the elementary,
secondary, and post-secondary school years.
Given what psychologists believe to be true about how information is typically stored in
the brain, how is the concept dog probably represented in your brain?
-As a single neuron located in the prefrontal cortex
-As a cluster of interconnected neurons located in one of the occipital lobes
-As a cluster of interconnected neurons located in the left parietal lobe
-As a network of neurons spread across multiple brain regions - Answers - As a network
of neurons spread across multiple brain regions
In which one of the following situations should we be most concerned about missing a
critical period in a person's development?
-Joey has his first tennis lesson when he is 25.
-Although Ross knows how to count, he gets no formal instruction in mathematics until
he is 15.
-Phoebe doesn't learn how to write until she is 12 years old.
-Rachel is born with a cataract in her left eye that is surgically removed when she is 8
years old. - Answers - Rachel is born with a cataract in her left eye that is surgically
removed when she is 8 years old.
According to the textbook, which one of the following conclusions is most true regarding
factors that influence brain development?
-Environmental factors are particularly influential in abnormal brain development.
-Together, brain development is shaped by genetic and environmental factors
throughout the life span.
-Genetic factors have the strongest influence on brain development, particularly later in
life.
-Environmental factors and people's experiences have the strongest influence on brain
development in middle childhood. - Answers - Together, brain development is shaped
by genetic and environmental factors throughout the life span.
