EDSP-654 Radical Final Exam UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(12) How do most people interpret the impact of their social experiences? What is the problem with
this experience? - CORRECT ANSWER Most people interpret the impact of their social
experiences in such a way that suggests out social experiences can be filtered through mental
processes, allowing us to have the "choice" as to whether we are influenced by them or not. This is a
problematic perspective because it suggests an inner entity making decisions that, from a behavior
analytic perspective, we know we have no say in or control over, we are influenced by our
environment, we can't say what we do or do not want to experience.
(12) Explain how some contingencies experienced by humans can be the same across cultures? -
CORRECT ANSWER Because they might involve biology and our physical environment;
these contingencies are free of cultural influence and are similarly experienced across different groups
(12) Describe the three ways natural selection underlies behavior: - CORRECT ANSWER
Survival contingencies responsible for natural selection of species, reinforcement contingencies
responsible for the repertoires acquired by members, and the special contingencies maintained by the
evolved social environment
(12) What is the feature of the evolution of cultural practices that makes them challenging to study? -
CORRECT ANSWER The feature of the evolution of cultural practices that makes them
challenging to study is the fact that evolution in itself is not a quick process, the pace of change is
slow. For example, a half century ago, it was acceptable and even promoted by doctors to engage in
cigarette smoking. Now, it is pretty much frowned upon in most cultures as we have learned so much
more about the devastating effects of cigarette smoke. However, it took us almost half a century to
change this mindset, and it still isn't shared unanimously.
(12) What are the three elements of natural selection that must be a part of an explanation of the
evolution of cultural practices? - CORRECT ANSWER
(1) Briefly describe Wilhem Wundt's role in the development of psychology in the late nineteenth
century. List any 3 individuals who studied with him. - CORRECT ANSWER Creating the first
psychological laboratory that focused on the empirical study of the mind through introspection. Three
individuals that studued under Wundt were Cattell, E.B. Titchener, & William James.
(1) State or paraphrase any 3 concerns that scholars in the late 19th century had about a psychology
based on introspection. - CORRECT ANSWER There was little agreement Mong scholars in
, regards to introspections (what is was, how it was defined, the boundaries of the concept). Also,
introspection relies on subjective account to accurately describe thoughts and perceptions. Also,
introspection paid very little attention to the physiology of the brain.
(1) Describe what it is meant by the principles of operationism. Name two things that operational
definitions allowed meditational neobehaviorists to claim they had done. - CORRECT ANSWER
(1) List the three levels at which radical behaviorism embraces behavioral relations. - CORRECT
ANSWER Phylogeny, Ontogeny, Culture
(3) Describe the three elements of the selection process. - CORRECT ANSWER Variation,
Interaction with environment, and differential reproduction; variation refers to the variation in
characteristics within a species, depending on these characteristics, their interaction with the
environment will determine which characteristics are favorable to have that will make them
successful; the fittest of the species in regards to the environment will determine which traits are
reproduced and propogate (differential reproduction).
(3) Define and give an example of natural selection. - CORRECT ANSWER Natural selection
is the way in which the environment interacts with organisms to determine whether that organism's
traits are favorable or not. Variation within a species occurs naturally and some of those traits make
organisms more successful within a particular environment. The environment is always changing so
the favorable traits vary throughout time. For example, variations in the beak strength among birds. If
the environment has a food source that requires a strong beak to break open, the birds with that trait
will have favorable access to the food source while the birds with weak beaks will not. The one with
more access to the food will thrive.
(3) Define and give an example of the selection of behavior at the ontogenic level. - CORRECT
ANSWER Selection of behavior at the ontogenic level refers to the interaction with the
environment across an organism's lifespan. An example would be the ability of an organism to adapt
to the changing environment. Throughout the lifespan, organisms encounter countless consequences
of behaviors that are shaped throughout its life. The behaviors that are produced favorable
consequences continue, while behaviors with aversive consequences do not. For example, an animal
may have learned of a water source that then dries up, the animal then looks for a different water
source.
(3) Distinguish between selection for and selection of. - CORRECT ANSWER Selection for
refers to the cause of behaviors that are based on direct interaction with the environment, whereas
selection of refers to the effect of that interaction with the environment, indirectly.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(12) How do most people interpret the impact of their social experiences? What is the problem with
this experience? - CORRECT ANSWER Most people interpret the impact of their social
experiences in such a way that suggests out social experiences can be filtered through mental
processes, allowing us to have the "choice" as to whether we are influenced by them or not. This is a
problematic perspective because it suggests an inner entity making decisions that, from a behavior
analytic perspective, we know we have no say in or control over, we are influenced by our
environment, we can't say what we do or do not want to experience.
(12) Explain how some contingencies experienced by humans can be the same across cultures? -
CORRECT ANSWER Because they might involve biology and our physical environment;
these contingencies are free of cultural influence and are similarly experienced across different groups
(12) Describe the three ways natural selection underlies behavior: - CORRECT ANSWER
Survival contingencies responsible for natural selection of species, reinforcement contingencies
responsible for the repertoires acquired by members, and the special contingencies maintained by the
evolved social environment
(12) What is the feature of the evolution of cultural practices that makes them challenging to study? -
CORRECT ANSWER The feature of the evolution of cultural practices that makes them
challenging to study is the fact that evolution in itself is not a quick process, the pace of change is
slow. For example, a half century ago, it was acceptable and even promoted by doctors to engage in
cigarette smoking. Now, it is pretty much frowned upon in most cultures as we have learned so much
more about the devastating effects of cigarette smoke. However, it took us almost half a century to
change this mindset, and it still isn't shared unanimously.
(12) What are the three elements of natural selection that must be a part of an explanation of the
evolution of cultural practices? - CORRECT ANSWER
(1) Briefly describe Wilhem Wundt's role in the development of psychology in the late nineteenth
century. List any 3 individuals who studied with him. - CORRECT ANSWER Creating the first
psychological laboratory that focused on the empirical study of the mind through introspection. Three
individuals that studued under Wundt were Cattell, E.B. Titchener, & William James.
(1) State or paraphrase any 3 concerns that scholars in the late 19th century had about a psychology
based on introspection. - CORRECT ANSWER There was little agreement Mong scholars in
, regards to introspections (what is was, how it was defined, the boundaries of the concept). Also,
introspection relies on subjective account to accurately describe thoughts and perceptions. Also,
introspection paid very little attention to the physiology of the brain.
(1) Describe what it is meant by the principles of operationism. Name two things that operational
definitions allowed meditational neobehaviorists to claim they had done. - CORRECT ANSWER
(1) List the three levels at which radical behaviorism embraces behavioral relations. - CORRECT
ANSWER Phylogeny, Ontogeny, Culture
(3) Describe the three elements of the selection process. - CORRECT ANSWER Variation,
Interaction with environment, and differential reproduction; variation refers to the variation in
characteristics within a species, depending on these characteristics, their interaction with the
environment will determine which characteristics are favorable to have that will make them
successful; the fittest of the species in regards to the environment will determine which traits are
reproduced and propogate (differential reproduction).
(3) Define and give an example of natural selection. - CORRECT ANSWER Natural selection
is the way in which the environment interacts with organisms to determine whether that organism's
traits are favorable or not. Variation within a species occurs naturally and some of those traits make
organisms more successful within a particular environment. The environment is always changing so
the favorable traits vary throughout time. For example, variations in the beak strength among birds. If
the environment has a food source that requires a strong beak to break open, the birds with that trait
will have favorable access to the food source while the birds with weak beaks will not. The one with
more access to the food will thrive.
(3) Define and give an example of the selection of behavior at the ontogenic level. - CORRECT
ANSWER Selection of behavior at the ontogenic level refers to the interaction with the
environment across an organism's lifespan. An example would be the ability of an organism to adapt
to the changing environment. Throughout the lifespan, organisms encounter countless consequences
of behaviors that are shaped throughout its life. The behaviors that are produced favorable
consequences continue, while behaviors with aversive consequences do not. For example, an animal
may have learned of a water source that then dries up, the animal then looks for a different water
source.
(3) Distinguish between selection for and selection of. - CORRECT ANSWER Selection for
refers to the cause of behaviors that are based on direct interaction with the environment, whereas
selection of refers to the effect of that interaction with the environment, indirectly.
