Question 1

Seth and his preschool friend frequently dump all the books off the bookshelf in the classroom. One day, Seth observes his friend being punished by their preschool teacher after she saw his friend dumping the books. After seeing his friend punished, Seth never again dumps books off the bookshelf. Seth has learned through:
A) imitation.
B) punishment.
C) vicarious reinforcement.
D) reciprocal determinism.

Accepted Answer

Seth learned not to dump books off the bookshelf by observing his friend being punished for that behavior. This is an example of vicarious reinforcement, where an individual modifies their behavior based on observing the consequences of another person's behavior.

Question 2

Social-learning theory emphasizes the importance of _____ as a mechanism of development.
A) imitation
B) punishment
C) contexts
D) reinforcement

Accepted Answer

Social-learning theory suggests that individuals can learn through observing and imitating the behaviors of others. While punishment, contexts, and reinforcement can also play a role in development, they are not as central to the main premise of social-learning theory as imitation.

Question 3

Which learning theory considered the role of cognition in influencing behaviour?
A) behaviourism
B) operant conditioning
C) classical conditioning
D) social cognitive theory

Accepted Answer

Social cognitive theory emphasizes the role of cognition (thinking, understanding, and mental processes) in influencing behavior. It suggests that people learn not just through direct reinforcement, but also by observing and imitating others, and by considering the consequences of their actions.

Question 4

The behaviour modification strategy of "time out" is based on the idea that _____ is a positive reinforcement.
A) whining
B) learning
C) withdrawal
D) attention

Accepted Answer

The behaviour modification strategy of "time out" involves removing a child from a situation and giving them no attention or reinforcement. Attention is therefore seen as a positive reinforcement, and by removing it, the behaviour is less likely to occur again in the future. Whining, learning, and withdrawal are not directly related to the idea of positive reinforcement in this context.

Question 5

_____ is an example of the way in which children play an active role in their own development.
A) Reciprocal determinism
B) Behaviour modification
C) Operant conditioning
D) Systematic desensitization

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal determinism is the concept that the individual's behaviour, environment, and cognitions all influence each other bidirectionally. This means that children are active participants in their own development as they shape their environment through their behaviour and are influenced by the environment through their thoughts and beliefs. Behaviour modification, operant conditioning, and systematic desensitization are all theories or techniques that focus on changing behaviour through external factors or interventions, rather than emphasizing the role of the child in their own development.

Question 6

The parents of 2-year-old Joshua are frustrated with his screaming when he wants something. Which scenario is an example of intermittent reinforcement?
A) His parents always give Joshua what he wants whether or not he screams.
B) His parents always give Joshua what he wants only when he screams.
C) Sometimes his parents give Joshua what he wants when he screams, and sometimes they refuse to give him what he wants when he screams.
D) His parents never give Joshua what he wants when he screams.

Accepted Answer

Intermittent reinforcement is when the behavior is only rewarded sometimes, rather than every time. In this scenario, if Joshua's parents only give him what he wants when he screams, he will learn that screaming is the best way to get what he wants. However, if his parents sometimes refuse to give in to his screaming, he may eventually learn that this behavior is not effective and try other ways to get what he wants.

Question 7

Bandura's theory did NOT:
A) emphasize the role of cognitive aspects of learning.
B) hold that direct reinforcement is required for learning.
C) focus on the role of observations of others.
D) acknowledge the active role children play in their own development.

Accepted Answer

Bandura's theory emphasized the role of cognitive aspects of learning, focused on the role of observations of others, and acknowledged the active role children play in their own development. However, it did not hold that direct reinforcement is required for learning. Instead, Bandura believed in vicarious reinforcement, where individuals observe the consequences of others' behavior and adjust their own behavior accordingly.

Question 8

Bandura did NOT come to emphasize the role of:
A) attention.
B) memory.
C) retrieval.
D) role taking.

Accepted Answer

Bandura emphasized the role of attention, memory, and retrieval in his social learning theory, but he did not emphasize the role of role taking.

Question 9

Which statement is an important aspect of learning theories that differs from psychoanalytic theories?
A) Psychoanalytic theories are based on observations, whereas learning theories are not.
B) Learning theories are based on observations, whereas psychoanalytic theories are not.
C) Learning theories are based on principles derived from experiments, whereas psychoanalytic theories are not.
D) Psychoanalytic theories are based on principles derived from experiments, whereas learning theories are not.

Accepted Answer

Learning theories are based on principles derived from experiments, whereas psychoanalytic theories are not. Learning theories focus on observable behavior and how it is shaped by the environment, while psychoanalytic theories focus on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences. Learning theories emphasize the importance of reinforcement, punishment, and modeling in shaping behavior, while psychoanalytic theories emphasize the role of the unconscious mind in behavior and personality.

Question 10

Bandura's "Bobo" doll study did NOT demonstrate that:
A) children can learn through imitation.
B) children's behaviour may be inconsistent with what they have learned.
C) seeing others rewarded and punished can influence a child's behaviour.
D) reinforcement is necessary for learning.

Accepted Answer

Bandura's "Bobo" doll study did not demonstrate that reinforcement is necessary for learning. While reinforcement can influence behavior, Bandura's study demonstrated that children could learn through observation and imitation even without direct reinforcement.

Question 11

Which statement describes a weakness concerning the majority of learning theories?
A) They fail to consider biological influences on development and behaviour outcomes.
B) They fail to consider genetic and environmental influences on development and behaviour outcomes.
C) They fail to consider social and cultural influences on development and behaviour outcomes.
D) A major weakness of learning theories does not exist.

Accepted Answer

Most learning theories primarily focus on environmental factors and experiences, often neglecting the biological influences that can also significantly impact development and behavior outcomes.

Question 12

Pria's friends love to gossip, and they wish Pria would gossip more than she currently does. According to operant conditioning, which scenario is likely to increase Pria's gossiping?
A) Her friends yell at her when she is not gossiping and threaten that they will not be friends with her if she does not gossip more.
B) Her friends stop talking to her altogether.
C) Her friends pay lots of attention to her when she is gossiping and walk away when she is not gossiping.
D) Her friends explain to her why they want her to gossip more and ask her to please do so.

Accepted Answer

According to operant conditioning, the most effective way to increase a behavior is to reinforce it, which means to provide a consequence that increases the likelihood of the behavior occurring again. In this scenario, Pria's friends paying lots of attention to her when she is gossiping and walking away when she is not gossiping is a clear form of reinforcement. Therefore, this scenario is likely to increase Pria's gossiping. A and B involve punishment, which is not as effective in increasing behavior as reinforcement. D involves explaining and asking, but does not provide a clear consequence to reinforce the behavior.

Question 13

The parents of 2-year-old Joshua are frustrated with his screaming when he wants something. According to Skinner, which statement would be the BEST advice to give Joshua's parents if they wish to stop Joshua's screaming?
A) Give Joshua what he wants whether or not he screams.
B) Always give Joshua what he wants when he screams.
C) Sometimes give Joshua what he wants when he screams, and sometimes refuse to give him what he wants when he screams.
D) Never give Joshua what he wants when he screams.

Accepted Answer

According to Skinner, giving in to a child's screaming reinforces the behavior and encourages them to scream in the future as a means to get what they want. Therefore, the best advice would be to never give Joshua what he wants when he screams, and instead, wait for him to use appropriate communication skills to express his needs or desires. By consistently not rewarding the negative behavior, the child will eventually learn that screaming is not an effective means to get what they want.

Question 14

Operant conditioning relies on the expectation that individuals:
A) can reduce their fear of objects or experiences if they are repeatedly exposed to them.
B) are programmed to imitate others' behaviours and reactions.
C) tend to repeat behaviours that lead to favourable outcomes and stop behaviours that result in unfavourable outcomes.
D) are able to think and reason about their behaviours.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is based on the idea that behaviours are strengthened or weakened by the consequences that follow them. More specifically, individuals tend to repeat behaviours that lead to favourable outcomes (reinforcement) and stop behaviours that result in unfavourable outcomes (punishment). This process relies on the expectation that individuals can learn from their experiences and adjust their behaviour accordingly. The other options (A, B, and D) do not accurately capture the essence of operant conditioning. While exposure therapy can help reduce fear of objects or experiences, this is not a form of operant conditioning. Similarly, imitation and thinking/reasoning are important factors in learning, but they are not unique to operant conditioning.

Question 15

Which statement is an example of reciprocal determinism?
A) A child becomes fearful of snakes after being bitten by one.
B) A child who tends to treat others with kindness influences her peers' behaviour, which in turn influences the child.
C) A child with poor academic self-efficacy is more likely than other children to withdraw from school work.
D) A child continues to throw temper tantrums because he gets what he wants as a result.

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal determinism is the concept that a person's behaviour both affects and is affected by personal factors and the environment. In this case, the child's behaviour of treating others kindly is influenced by her personal factors and then in turn, influences the behaviour of her peers.

Question 16

Albert Bandura was a proponent of which theory?
A) psychosocial theory
B) ecological theory
C) behaviourism
D) social-learning theory

Accepted Answer

Albert Bandura was a proponent of social-learning theory, which emphasizes the role of observation, modeling, and cognitive processes in learning and behavior modification.

Question 17

Explicit predictions based on principles of learning theories can be
A) empirically tested.
B) clinically observed.
C) empirically observed.
D) clinically tested.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explicit predictions based on principles of learning...

Question 18

_____ theories are primarily concerned with children's ability to think and reason about their own and other people's thoughts, feelings, motives, and behaviour.
A) Social-learning
B) Ecological
C) Psychoanalytic
D) Social cognitive

Accepted Answer

Social cognitive theories, specifically cognitive development theories such as those proposed by Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, focus on children's ability to understand and interpret social cues, and their cognitive processes that underlie social interactions. These theories emphasize children's increasing ability to recognize the perspectives and intentions of others, as well as their own emotional and cognitive responses to social situations.

Question 19

Behaviour modification is a(n):
A) way to help children overcome a hostile attributional bias.
B) approach used to help people conquer their fears.
C) form of therapy that is useful for changing undesirable behaviours.
D) treatment to cure autism.

Accepted Answer

Behaviour modification is a form of therapy that focuses on changing undesirable behaviors through positive reinforcement and other techniques. It has been found to be effective in treating a range of issues, including phobias, anxiety, and addiction. It is not a treatment for autism or a way to help children overcome a hostile attributional bias.

Question 20

Which statement about intermittent reinforcement is TRUE?
A) Intermittent reinforcement is effective only with adults.
B) Behaviours supported by intermittent reinforcement are difficult to extinguish.
C) Intermittent reinforcement is the key to behaviour modification.
D) The discipline strategy of "time out" is based on intermittent reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

Intermittent reinforcement is indeed difficult to extinguish, as the subject has been rewarded inconsistently in the past, leading them to persist in the behaviour. It is not true that intermittent reinforcement is effective only with adults, nor is it the key to all behaviour modification. The discipline strategy of "time out" is not based on intermittent reinforcement.

Quiz 9: Theories of Social Development

Social-learning theory emphasizes the importance of _____ as a mechanism of development.

Which learning theory considered the role of cognition in influencing behaviour?

The behaviour modification strategy of "time out" is based on the idea that _____ is a positive reinforcement.

_____ is an example of the way in which children play an active role in their own development.

The parents of 2-year-old Joshua are frustrated with his screaming when he wants something. Which scenario is an example of intermittent reinforcement?

Bandura's theory did NOT:

Bandura did NOT come to emphasize the role of:

Which statement is an important aspect of learning theories that differs from psychoanalytic theories?

Bandura's "Bobo" doll study did NOT demonstrate that:

Which statement describes a weakness concerning the majority of learning theories?

Pria's friends love to gossip, and they wish Pria would gossip more than she currently does. According to operant conditioning, which scenario is likely to increase Pria's gossiping?

The parents of 2-year-old Joshua are frustrated with his screaming when he wants something. According to Skinner, which statement would be the BEST advice to give Joshua's parents if they wish to stop Joshua's screaming?

Operant conditioning relies on the expectation that individuals:

Which statement is an example of reciprocal determinism?

Albert Bandura was a proponent of which theory?

Explicit predictions based on principles of learning theories can be

_____ theories are primarily concerned with children's ability to think and reason about their own and other people's thoughts, feelings, motives, and behaviour.

Behaviour modification is a(n) :

Which statement about intermittent reinforcement is TRUE?