PSY 659 Midterm Study Guide | 200 Practice Questions
& Detailed Answers | Behavioral Principles & Learning
Theories | A+ Guide
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF BEHAVIOR & BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION (Questions 1–35)
1. Which of the following best defines "behavior" in the context of behavioral psychology?
A) Any internal mental process such as thinking or feeling
B) Anything a person says or does
C) The outcome or result of an action
D) A person's personality traits
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In behavioral psychology, behavior is defined as anything a person says or does. This
includes both overt (observable) and covert (internal) actions, but the definition emphasizes measurable
actions.
2. Which of the following is an example of a product of behavior rather than the behavior itself?
A) Running for 20 minutes
B) Losing 10 pounds
C) Writing an essay
D) Answering a question in class
Correct Answer: B
,Explanation: Products of behavior are the outcomes that result from behavior. For example, "losing 10
lbs" is a product of the behavior of exercising and dieting, not the behavior itself.
3. Which dimension of behavior refers to how often a behavior occurs?
A) Duration
B) Intensity
C) Frequency
D) Latency
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Frequency is the dimension of behavior that measures how often a behavior occurs. For
example, counting how many times a student raises their hand in class.
4. Which dimension of behavior refers to the length of time a behavior lasts?
A) Frequency
B) Duration
C) Latency
D) Intensity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Duration is the length of time a behavior lasts. For example, 20 minutes spent running.
,5. Which dimension of behavior refers to the time between a stimulus and the onset of the behavior?
A) Frequency
B) Duration
C) Intensity
D) Latency
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Latency is the time between a stimulus and the onset of a behavior. For example, the
seconds between a whistle and a sprinter's start.
6. Which dimension of behavior refers to the physical effort or energy involved?
A) Frequency
B) Duration
C) Intensity/Force
D) Latency
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Intensity or force refers to the physical effort or energy involved in a behavior. For
example, grip strength in a handshake.
7. Covert behaviors are defined as:
A) Behaviors that are physically observable
, B) Internal experiences such as thinking, feeling, and hunger
C) Behaviors that involve skeletal muscles
D) Behaviors that are influenced by consequences
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Covert behaviors are internal experiences that are NOT physically observable, such as
thinking, feeling, and being hungry.
8. Which of the following is an example of a covert behavior?
A) Running
B) Writing
C) Feeling anxious
D) Talking
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Feeling anxious is a covert behavior because it is an internal experience that is not
physically observable.
9. Overt behaviors are defined as:
A) Internal mental processes
B) Behaviors that are physically observable
C) Behaviors that occur only in private
D) Behaviors that cannot be measured
& Detailed Answers | Behavioral Principles & Learning
Theories | A+ Guide
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF BEHAVIOR & BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION (Questions 1–35)
1. Which of the following best defines "behavior" in the context of behavioral psychology?
A) Any internal mental process such as thinking or feeling
B) Anything a person says or does
C) The outcome or result of an action
D) A person's personality traits
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In behavioral psychology, behavior is defined as anything a person says or does. This
includes both overt (observable) and covert (internal) actions, but the definition emphasizes measurable
actions.
2. Which of the following is an example of a product of behavior rather than the behavior itself?
A) Running for 20 minutes
B) Losing 10 pounds
C) Writing an essay
D) Answering a question in class
Correct Answer: B
,Explanation: Products of behavior are the outcomes that result from behavior. For example, "losing 10
lbs" is a product of the behavior of exercising and dieting, not the behavior itself.
3. Which dimension of behavior refers to how often a behavior occurs?
A) Duration
B) Intensity
C) Frequency
D) Latency
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Frequency is the dimension of behavior that measures how often a behavior occurs. For
example, counting how many times a student raises their hand in class.
4. Which dimension of behavior refers to the length of time a behavior lasts?
A) Frequency
B) Duration
C) Latency
D) Intensity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Duration is the length of time a behavior lasts. For example, 20 minutes spent running.
,5. Which dimension of behavior refers to the time between a stimulus and the onset of the behavior?
A) Frequency
B) Duration
C) Intensity
D) Latency
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Latency is the time between a stimulus and the onset of a behavior. For example, the
seconds between a whistle and a sprinter's start.
6. Which dimension of behavior refers to the physical effort or energy involved?
A) Frequency
B) Duration
C) Intensity/Force
D) Latency
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Intensity or force refers to the physical effort or energy involved in a behavior. For
example, grip strength in a handshake.
7. Covert behaviors are defined as:
A) Behaviors that are physically observable
, B) Internal experiences such as thinking, feeling, and hunger
C) Behaviors that involve skeletal muscles
D) Behaviors that are influenced by consequences
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Covert behaviors are internal experiences that are NOT physically observable, such as
thinking, feeling, and being hungry.
8. Which of the following is an example of a covert behavior?
A) Running
B) Writing
C) Feeling anxious
D) Talking
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Feeling anxious is a covert behavior because it is an internal experience that is not
physically observable.
9. Overt behaviors are defined as:
A) Internal mental processes
B) Behaviors that are physically observable
C) Behaviors that occur only in private
D) Behaviors that cannot be measured
