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Test Bank for An Introduction to Theories of
Learning, 11e Matthew Olson (All Chapters)
CHAPTER 1 (* - Correct Answer)
1. Most psychologists reject dictionary definitions of learning because:
a. the definitions are too objective
b. the definitions tend to be behavioristic
c. * the definitions are nebulous
d. learning is not definable
2. The Skinnerians oppose equating the terms "reward" and "reinforcement" because:
a. * reinforcers strengthen behavior whereas rewards do not
b. organisms must invest considerable time and energy to obtain reinforcers but not
to obtain rewards
c. only reinforcers are given or received in recognition of worthy behavior
d. rewards strengthen behavior whereas reinforcers do not
3. To attribute a behavioral change to learning, the change must be all of the following
except:
a. relatively permanent
b. the result of experience
c. observed in performance
d. * the result of maturation
4. We can make inferences concerning the learning process by studying:
a. * changes in behavior
b. the mind
c. acquired knowledge
d. motivational states
5. According to most learning theorists the learning process:
a. cannot be studied objectively
b. cannot be studied at all
c. * can be studied only indirectly through changes in behavior
d. can be studied directly
6. For most learning theorists, learning is thought of as a(n):
a. independent variable
b. dependent variable
c. * intervening variable
d. extraneous variable
7. Short term memory refers to:
a. learning that occurs very rapidly
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b. information that is learned in a short time but is lost over a long period of time
c. remembering how to do something you have not done for awhile
d. * remembering an experience for only a short time after termination of the
experience
8. Sensitization is:
a. the development of an awareness of the needs of other people
b. * the tendency to be more responsive to the environment following an arousing
experience
c. the gradual formation of a strong habit
d. the tendency to be less responsive to a stimulus after prolonged exposure to that
stimulus
9. After entering a room and being distracted by the smell of a strong perfume, a person
eventually no longer notices it. This is an example of:
a. * habituation
b. sensitization
c. selective perception
d. avoidance conditioning
10. The following diagram exemplifies which of the following?
A. Stimulus1 ---------------- > No Response
B. An arousing experience
C. Stimulus1 --------------- > Response
a. habituation
b. * sensitization
c. selective perception
d. conditioning
11. Performance:
a. is the same as learning
b. * is the translation of learning into behavior
c. is independent of learning
d. can be either mental or behavioral
12. An unlearned response to a specific stimulus exemplifies a(n):
a. conditioned reflex
b. sensitization
c. * reflex
d. instinct
13. Which of the following terms is currently being used instead of the term instinct?
a. * species-specific behavior
b. self-motivated behavior
c. imprinting
d. unlearned behavior
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14. The rapid formation of an attachment between an organism and an environmental object
that occurs during a critical period is called:
a. conditioning
b. * imprinting
c. learning
d. modeling
15. Cuckoo birds lay their eggs in the nest of other birds. This is an example of:
a. learning
b. performance
c. * species-specific behavior
d. imprinting
16. An experimental arrangement whereby an organism can avoid experiencing an aversive
stimulus by engaging in appropriate behavior is called:
a. classical conditioning
b. escape conditioning
c. * avoidance conditioning
d. sign learning
17. In general, it is through that we learn how to acquire desirable objects:
a. escape conditioning
b. * instrumental conditioning
c. classical conditioning
d. more than one of the above
18. The trend among learning theorists has been to accept a definition of learning that:
a. * refers to changes in observable behavior or in behavior potentiality
b. contains subjective terms
c. refers to physiological changes
d. is similar to those found in dictionaries
19. Learning has been demonstrated when a behavior change is:
a. transitory
b. fixed
c. * relatively permanent
d. translated into thinking
20. You have an ability to perform an act (such as skiing) although the act is not being
performed at the present time. This latent ability is defined as:
a. * behavior potential
b. instinct
c. covert behavior
d. unlearned behavior
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21. According to Skinner, such things as medals, academic degrees, and trophies exemplify:
a. reinforcers
b. * rewards
c. both rewards and reinforcers
d. none of the above
22. While studying behavior, we make inferences concerning the process believed to be the
cause of the behavioral changes we are observing. That inferred process is:
a. thinking
b. * learning
c. performance
d. an independent variable
23. Habituation is:
a. the gradual formation of a strong habit
b. * the decreased tendency to respond to a stimulus that results from prolonged
exposure to that stimulus
c. the tendency to be more responsive to the environment following an arousing
experience
d. an unlearned response to a specific stimulus
24. After experiencing an automobile accident, a person is more responsive to automobile
horns than before the accident. This is an example of:
a. habituation
b. * sensitization
c. selective perception
d. avoidance conditioning
25. The following diagram exemplifies which of the following?
A. Stimulus1 ------------- >Response
B. Prolonged experience with stimulus1
C. Stimulus1 ------------- >No response
a. * habituation
b. sensitization
c. selective perception
d. conditioning
26. Sneezing in response to a tickling in one's nose is an example of:
a. complex behavior
b. * reflexive behavior
c. classical conditioning
d. learning
Test Bank for An Introduction to Theories of
Learning, 11e Matthew Olson (All Chapters)
CHAPTER 1 (* - Correct Answer)
1. Most psychologists reject dictionary definitions of learning because:
a. the definitions are too objective
b. the definitions tend to be behavioristic
c. * the definitions are nebulous
d. learning is not definable
2. The Skinnerians oppose equating the terms "reward" and "reinforcement" because:
a. * reinforcers strengthen behavior whereas rewards do not
b. organisms must invest considerable time and energy to obtain reinforcers but not
to obtain rewards
c. only reinforcers are given or received in recognition of worthy behavior
d. rewards strengthen behavior whereas reinforcers do not
3. To attribute a behavioral change to learning, the change must be all of the following
except:
a. relatively permanent
b. the result of experience
c. observed in performance
d. * the result of maturation
4. We can make inferences concerning the learning process by studying:
a. * changes in behavior
b. the mind
c. acquired knowledge
d. motivational states
5. According to most learning theorists the learning process:
a. cannot be studied objectively
b. cannot be studied at all
c. * can be studied only indirectly through changes in behavior
d. can be studied directly
6. For most learning theorists, learning is thought of as a(n):
a. independent variable
b. dependent variable
c. * intervening variable
d. extraneous variable
7. Short term memory refers to:
a. learning that occurs very rapidly
,MEDSTUDY.COM
b. information that is learned in a short time but is lost over a long period of time
c. remembering how to do something you have not done for awhile
d. * remembering an experience for only a short time after termination of the
experience
8. Sensitization is:
a. the development of an awareness of the needs of other people
b. * the tendency to be more responsive to the environment following an arousing
experience
c. the gradual formation of a strong habit
d. the tendency to be less responsive to a stimulus after prolonged exposure to that
stimulus
9. After entering a room and being distracted by the smell of a strong perfume, a person
eventually no longer notices it. This is an example of:
a. * habituation
b. sensitization
c. selective perception
d. avoidance conditioning
10. The following diagram exemplifies which of the following?
A. Stimulus1 ---------------- > No Response
B. An arousing experience
C. Stimulus1 --------------- > Response
a. habituation
b. * sensitization
c. selective perception
d. conditioning
11. Performance:
a. is the same as learning
b. * is the translation of learning into behavior
c. is independent of learning
d. can be either mental or behavioral
12. An unlearned response to a specific stimulus exemplifies a(n):
a. conditioned reflex
b. sensitization
c. * reflex
d. instinct
13. Which of the following terms is currently being used instead of the term instinct?
a. * species-specific behavior
b. self-motivated behavior
c. imprinting
d. unlearned behavior
,MEDSTUDY.COM
14. The rapid formation of an attachment between an organism and an environmental object
that occurs during a critical period is called:
a. conditioning
b. * imprinting
c. learning
d. modeling
15. Cuckoo birds lay their eggs in the nest of other birds. This is an example of:
a. learning
b. performance
c. * species-specific behavior
d. imprinting
16. An experimental arrangement whereby an organism can avoid experiencing an aversive
stimulus by engaging in appropriate behavior is called:
a. classical conditioning
b. escape conditioning
c. * avoidance conditioning
d. sign learning
17. In general, it is through that we learn how to acquire desirable objects:
a. escape conditioning
b. * instrumental conditioning
c. classical conditioning
d. more than one of the above
18. The trend among learning theorists has been to accept a definition of learning that:
a. * refers to changes in observable behavior or in behavior potentiality
b. contains subjective terms
c. refers to physiological changes
d. is similar to those found in dictionaries
19. Learning has been demonstrated when a behavior change is:
a. transitory
b. fixed
c. * relatively permanent
d. translated into thinking
20. You have an ability to perform an act (such as skiing) although the act is not being
performed at the present time. This latent ability is defined as:
a. * behavior potential
b. instinct
c. covert behavior
d. unlearned behavior
, MEDSTUDY.COM
21. According to Skinner, such things as medals, academic degrees, and trophies exemplify:
a. reinforcers
b. * rewards
c. both rewards and reinforcers
d. none of the above
22. While studying behavior, we make inferences concerning the process believed to be the
cause of the behavioral changes we are observing. That inferred process is:
a. thinking
b. * learning
c. performance
d. an independent variable
23. Habituation is:
a. the gradual formation of a strong habit
b. * the decreased tendency to respond to a stimulus that results from prolonged
exposure to that stimulus
c. the tendency to be more responsive to the environment following an arousing
experience
d. an unlearned response to a specific stimulus
24. After experiencing an automobile accident, a person is more responsive to automobile
horns than before the accident. This is an example of:
a. habituation
b. * sensitization
c. selective perception
d. avoidance conditioning
25. The following diagram exemplifies which of the following?
A. Stimulus1 ------------- >Response
B. Prolonged experience with stimulus1
C. Stimulus1 ------------- >No response
a. * habituation
b. sensitization
c. selective perception
d. conditioning
26. Sneezing in response to a tickling in one's nose is an example of:
a. complex behavior
b. * reflexive behavior
c. classical conditioning
d. learning
