Question 1

Learning typically occurs in

Accepted Answer

Learning is a continuous process that occurs in both human and nonhuman animals throughout their entire life spans, not limited to specific developmental periods or to simple tasks.

Question 2

Which behavior is the best example of a "reflex action" as described by René Descartes?

Accepted Answer

Descartes described reflex actions as involuntary and automatic responses to external stimuli, which is exemplified by Travis's physiological reactions (increased heart rate and breathing) after tripping, as these are automatic bodily responses to the shock and potential danger of falling.

Question 3

The French philosopher René Descartes would most likely agree with which statement?

Accepted Answer

Descartes is known for his dualistic view that separates the mind and body, arguing that humans have a non-physical mind (which allows for free will and voluntary behavior) not present in animals, whom he considered to be automata or machine-like.

Question 4

Which philosopher would most strongly disagree with the idea that human thoughts and actions are governed, at least in part, by physical laws?

Accepted Answer

René Descartes is known for his dualistic view of mind and body, arguing that the mind is a non-physical substance distinct from the body. This view contrasts with the idea that human thoughts and actions are entirely governed by physical laws, as it posits a realm of mental substance that operates independently of physical mechanisms.

Question 5

The theory of _______ suggests that behavior can be predicted by whether it maximizes pleasure or minimizes pain.

Accepted Answer

The theory of hedonism posits that actions are motivated by the desire to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

Question 6

The British philosopher Thomas Hobbes would most likely agree that

Accepted Answer

Hobbes believed in psychological hedonism, which posits that human actions are motivated by the desire to seek pleasure and avoid pain. This principle underlies his views on human nature and society, notably in his work "Leviathan."

Question 7

The important idea that the mind can affect the mechanistic body came from _______, while the idea that the body can affect the mind is associated with _______.

Accepted Answer

Descartes is known for the idea of mind-body dualism, where the mind can influence the mechanistic body. La Mettrie, on the other hand, is associated with the idea that the body can affect the mind, as he was a materialist who believed in the physical basis of mental processes.

Question 8

A parent who tries to understand the actions of her children by observing how they interact with their environment is taking which approach?

Accepted Answer

Empiricism emphasizes knowledge through sensory experience and observation. By observing her children's interactions with their environment, the parent is relying on empirical evidence to understand their actions.

Question 9

The view that the mind is empty at birth and that exposure to the environment gives rise to experiences that the organism stores in its memory is known as

Accepted Answer

Empiricism is the philosophical stance that all knowledge comes from experience, particularly sensory experience. It posits that humans are born with minds like blank slates (tabula rasa) and that all the content of thought and knowledge comes from experience and perception.

Question 10

The perspective that the mind is a tabula rasa at birth is associated with the philosopher

Accepted Answer

The answer of The perspective that the mind is a...

Question 11

The early laws of association assumed that two ideas were likely to be associated if they were

Accepted Answer

The early laws of association, which are foundational to understanding how ideas or thoughts become linked in the mind, posited that ideas are more likely to be associated if they are frequently reflected upon or dwelt upon. This principle suggests that the more attention or thought given to certain ideas, the stronger the associative link between them becomes.

Question 12

Assuming the laws of association are correct, which pairing would likely produce the strongest relationship?

Accepted Answer

The strongest relationship is likely between actions that are directly related or have a cause-and-effect link. Lighting incense can lead to sneezing due to the particles or scent in the air, which is a direct physiological response. The other options involve coincidences or unrelated events.

Question 13

The German philosopher Immanuel Kant would most likely agree with which statement?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The German philosopher Immanuel Kant would most...

Question 14

Ivan Sechenov's work on reflexes during the 1800s emphasized the phenomenon of

Accepted Answer

Ivan Sechenov's work focused on the concept of inhibition in the nervous system, which was a significant contribution to the understanding of reflexes.

Question 15

Charles Darwin's study of plants and animals led him to propose a theory of evolution that assumed that

Accepted Answer

Darwin's theory of evolution, as outlined in his seminal work "On the Origin of Species," posits that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce. This theory encompasses both physical and mental features in animals and humans, suggesting that these traits evolve over time to adapt to their environments.

Question 16

An early comparative psychologist who studied the mental life of animals and attempted to demonstrate the evolution of mind by recording owners' stories about their pets and working animals was

Accepted Answer

George Romanes is known for his work in comparative psychology, particularly his interest in the mental lives of animals. He collected anecdotes and stories from pet owners and others to try to demonstrate the evolution of the mind. However, his methodology was criticized for being anecdotal and not very scientific, lacking the rigor and control of modern scientific approaches.

Question 17

Which statement most closely represents an application of Morgan's Canon?

Accepted Answer

Morgan's Canon suggests that animal behavior should be explained in the simplest possible way, often through interactions with the environment, rather than attributing complex cognitive processes.

Question 18

Who would be most likely to take that position that learning is not the experience of sudden insights, but rather a gradual process of trial and error?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Who would be most likely to take...

Question 19

To conduct a study that makes use of the law of effect, the design would need to

Accepted Answer

The law of effect, proposed by Edward Thorndike, suggests that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to recur, and behaviors followed by unpleasant consequences are less likely to recur. Therefore, a study design that includes preceding behaviors with clear stimuli and following behaviors with satisfying events would effectively utilize the law of effect.

Question 20

Edward Thorndike studied learned relationships that could best be described as _______ associations.

Accepted Answer

Edward Thorndike is best known for his work on the law of effect and the development of the stimulus-response theory of learning, which posits that learning occurs when a particular stimulus is directly linked to a specific response.

Quiz 1: Learning Theory: What It Is and How It Got This Way