Exam 2 - Intro to Psych - Dr. Ybarra

A student frequently arrives late to class. The professor begins requiring late students to complete an additional assignment, and the student's lateness decreases. In another class, students who arrive on time are excused from a tedious end-of-class task, and punctuality increases. Which answer correctly identifies the two consequences?

A. Negative reinforcement; positive punishment

B. Positive punishment; negative reinforcement

C. Negative punishment; positive reinforcement

D. Positive reinforcement; negative punishment

B. Positive punishment; negative reinforcement

Topics to study: Learning and conditioning, reinforcement vs punishment

After being bitten by a German shepherd, a child develops a fear of German shepherds. At first, the child is only afraid of German shepherds, but has no fear of other animals. Months later, the child becomes frightened by an unfamiliar dog of a different breed that resembles the original dog. Which explanation best accounts for the child's responses to the unfamiliar dog?

A. Classical conditioning, then operant conditioning

B. Learning, then stimulus generalization

C. Stimulus discrimination, then stimulus generalization

D. Learning, then extinction

C. Stimulus discrimination, then stimulus generalization

Topics to study: Learning and conditioning stimuli

Two employees receive bonuses. Employee A receives a bonus after every tenth sale. Employee B receives a bonus at the end of every year. Which statement best describes their reinforcement schedules?

A. A has a fixed-ratio schedule; B has a fixed-interval schedule.

B. A has a variable-interval schedule; B has a fixed-interval schedule.

C. A has a fixed-interval schedule; B has a variable-ratio schedule.

D. A has a variable-ratio schedule; B has a fixed-ratio schedule.

A. A has a fixed-ratio schedule; B has a fixed-interval schedule.

Topics to study: Reinforcement schedules

Two dogs learn to perform a trick. One receives a treat every time it performs correctly, while the other receives treats only occasionally and unpredictably. Both dogs stop receiving treats. Which dog would generally be expected to persist longer before its learned behavior declines substantially?

A. The dog rewarded every time, because continuous reinforcement always produces the greatest resistance to extinction

B. The dog rewarded occasionally and unpredictably, because intermittent reinforcement generally produces greater resistance to extinction

C. Both dogs, because extinction cannot occur after a behavior has been learned

D. Neither dog, because reinforcement schedules do not influence extinction

B. The dog rewarded occasionally and unpredictably, because intermittent reinforcement generally produces greater resistance to extinction

Topics to study: Reinforcement schedules and extinction

A person hears a muffled announcement at a train station. The actual sound waves stimulate the auditory system, and the person uses the context of the upcoming train departure to infer the announcement's meaning. Which answer best distinguishes these processes?

A. Both detecting the sound and interpreting its meaning are sensation.

B. Detecting the sound involves perception, while interpreting it involves binocular disparity.

C. Detecting the sound involves top-down processing, while interpreting it involves sensory adaptation.

D. Detecting the sound involves sensation, while using context to interpret it involves perception and top-down processing.

D. Detecting the sound involves sensation, while using context to interpret it involves perception and top-down processing.

Topics to study: Sensation vs perception

A detective examines unfamiliar marks on a damaged document. Initially, the detective analyzes individual lines and shapes. Later, knowledge of the document's context helps the detective identify the writing. Which interpretation is correct?

A. Both stages are exclusively top-down processing.

B. Both stages are exclusively bottom-up processing.

C. The initial analysis is bottom-up processing, while using contextual knowledge is top-down processing.

D. The initial analysis is sensory adaptation, while the later interpretation is habituation.

C. The initial analysis is bottom-up processing, while using contextual knowledge is top-down processing.

Topics to study: Bottom up vs top down processing

A photographer moves from a brightly lit outdoor setting into a dark room. Initially, the photographer struggles to see, but vision improves as the eyes adjust. Later, the photographer notices that colorful objects are easier to distinguish outdoors than in very dim light. Which answer best explains these observations?

A. Cones are primarily responsible for dim-light vision, while rods detect color.

B. Rods are especially important in dim light, while cones support color vision and work best in brighter conditions.

C. The iris detects color, while the retina changes the frequency of light waves.

D. Rods and cones perform identical functions under all lighting conditions.

B. Rods are especially important in dim light, while cones support color vision and work best in brighter conditions.

Topics to study: Components of the eye and their functions

A sound engineer compares two musical tones. One tone is higher in pitch, while the other is louder. Which pairing correctly identifies the physical properties primarily associated with these differences?

A. Pitch — frequency; loudness — amplitude

B. Pitch — duration; loudness — wavelength alone

C. Pitch — amplitude; loudness — frequency

D. Pitch — timbre; loudness — frequency alone

A. Pitch — frequency; loudness — amplitude

Topics to study: Perception - auditory cues

A person enters a bakery and initially notices a strong bread aroma. After several minutes, the smell becomes less noticeable. On a different occasion, a baby stops crying at the sound of a repeatedly ticking clock. Which distinction is most accurate?

A. Both experiences are examples of sensory adaptation.

B. The bakery experience is habituation, while the clock experience is extinction.

C. The bakery experience is sensory adaptation, while the clock experience is habituation.

D. The bakery experience is top-down processing, while the clock experience is sensory adaptation.

C. The bakery experience is sensory adaptation, while the clock experience is habituation.

Topics to study: Adaptation vs habituation

A driver judges that a nearby vehicle is closer than a distant vehicle because the closer vehicle appears much wider in their visual field. As it moves further away, the headlights of the car seem to slowly converge to a point. What mechanism is involved?

A. Linear perspective

B. Closure

C. Binocular disparity

D. Occlusion

A. Linear perspective

Topics to study: Perception - visual cues

Two people report different symptoms: Person A struggles to fall asleep and remain asleep, while person B physically acts out vivid dreams while sleeping

Which sequence correctly identifies their likely conditions?

A. A: insomnia; B: REM sleep behavior disorder

B. A: narcolepsy; B: insomnia

C. A: REM sleep behavior disorder; B: narcolepsy

D. A: jet lag; B: REM sleep behavior disorder

A. A: insomnia; B: REM sleep behavior disorder

Topics to study: Sleep disorders

After traveling across several time zones, a person feels alert late at night and sleepy during the day. Which explanation best connects this experience to normal sleep regulation and how could this be remedied?

A. The person is experiencing disrupted REM sleep and could take melatonin to help.

B. The person has developed insomnia because of the travel and could sleep 8+ hours.

C. The person's pineal gland is producing excessive melatonin and they could stay awake a few extra hours to wait for the melatonin to naturally decrease.

D. The travel has disrupted the person's circadian rhythm and local time and could take melatonin to help.

D. The travel has disrupted the person's circadian rhythm and local time and could take melatonin to help.

Topics to study: Circadian rhythms and sleep cycles

A patient reports that a previously effective amount of an opioid now produces a weaker effect. The patient also experiences withdrawal symptoms when use stops. Which conclusion is most accurate?

A. The substance must be a stimulant because its effects have decreased.

B. The patient is demonstrating sensory adaptation rather than a drug-related change.

C. The pattern is consistent with opioid tolerance and physical dependence.

D. Withdrawal symptoms prove that they are addicted to the substance.

C. The pattern is consistent with opioid tolerance and physical dependence.

Topics to study: Drugs, tolerance, and addiction

A university develops an entrance exam. Researchers establish uniform instructions and scoring procedures. They then find that students obtain similar scores when they retake the test under comparable conditions. Finally, they investigate whether the exam actually measures the academic skills it claims to measure.

Which sequence identifies the three goals?

A. Validity, standardization, intelligence

B. Reliability, validity, standardization

C. Standardization, reliability, validity

D. Standardization, validity, intelligence

C. Standardization, reliability, validity

Concepts to study: psychological testing

A school counselor is skilled at understanding other people's emotions and resolving conflicts. The counselor is also highly aware of their own personal values, motivations, and emotional reactions. Which pairing best describes these abilities?

A. Creative and analytical intelligence

B. Interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence

C. Naturalistic and practical intelligence

D. Crystallized and fluid intelligence

B. Interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence

Topics to study: Gardner's framework, types of intelligence

Four-year-old Liam watches his father pour the same amount of juice from a short, wide glass into a tall, narrow glass. Liam insists that the tall glass contains more juice because the liquid reaches a higher level. According to Piaget, Liam is in the ________ stage of cognitive development and has not yet mastered ________.

A. Sensorimotor; object permanence

B. Preoperational; conservation

C. Concrete operational; assimilation

D. Formal operational; object permanence

B. Preoperational; conservation

Topics to study: Piaget's stages of development

A child believes all four-legged animals are dogs. After encountering a cat, the child initially calls it a dog. Eventually, the child develops a separate category for cats and changes their original understanding. Which sequence best describes the child's learning?

A. Accommodation followed by assimilation

B. Assimilation followed by accommodation

C. Object permanence followed by conservation

D. Habituation followed by stimulus discrimination

B. Assimilation followed by accommodation

Topics to study: accommodation vs assimilation

During a prenatal checkup, a doctor tells Elena that her baby's major organs have begun forming, and the developing baby is starting to look more recognizably human. This stage is especially important because many of the body's basic structures are developing. Which stage of prenatal development is Elena's baby most likely in?

A. Embryonic stage

B. Zygotic stage

C. Fetal stage

D. Sensorimotor stage

A. Embryonic stage

Topics to study: Stages of prenatal and adolescent development

A toddler is comfortable playing with toys while her caregiver is nearby. When the caregiver leaves, she becomes distressed. When the caregiver returns, she seeks contact and is quickly comforted before returning to play. Meanwhile, her older brother is described as energetic, cautious around new people, and easily frustrated. Which answer best identifies the two concepts?

A. The toddler demonstrates temperament, while her brother demonstrates secure attachment.

B. The toddler demonstrates object permanence, while her brother demonstrates conservation.

C. The toddler's behavior demonstrates secure attachment, while her brother's traits describe temperament.

D. The toddler's behavior demonstrates insecure attachment, while the brother's traits describe secure attachment

C. The toddler's behavior demonstrates secure attachment, while her brother's traits describe temperament.

Topics to study: Attachment and temperament

Sophia's parents set clear expectations for her behavior but also encourage her to ask questions and explain her opinions. When she breaks a rule, they explain the reason behind it and listen to her perspective while maintaining appropriate limits. According to Baumrind's parenting styles, how would Sophia's parents most likely be classified?

A. Authoritarian

B. Permissive

C. Authoritative

D. Uninvolved

C. Authoritative

Topics to study: Baumrind's parenting styles

A student follows school rules because they believe breaking them will lead to detention. Another follows the rules because they believe responsible behavior helps maintain social order. A third argues that an unjust rule should be challenged to protect fundamental human rights.

Which sequence best matches Kohlberg's levels of moral reasoning?

A. Conventional, preconventional, postconventional

B. Preconventional, conventional, postconventional

C. Postconventional, conventional, preconventional

D. Preconventional, postconventional, conventional

B. Preconventional, conventional, postconventional

Topics to study: Kohlberg's moral reasoning

After surgery, Daniel is prescribed a medication that relieves pain and can produce feelings of euphoria. The drug acts on carries a high risk of dependence with repeated use. Which substance and drug category best fit this description?

A. Marijuana; opiate

B. Cocaine; stimulant

C. LSD; depressant

D. Heroin; opiate

D. Heroin; opiate

Topics to study: Drugs and their classifications

Alfred Binet developed an intelligence test primarily to:

A. Prove that intelligence cannot change

B. Measure adult personality traits

C. Identify schoolchildren who might need additional educational support

D. Orally administer to WW1 soldiers who could not read

C. Identify schoolchildren who might need additional educational support

Topics to study: Different intelligence tests and their uses

During which sleep stage are vivid dreams especially common?

A. REM sleep

B. Stage 1 non-REM sleep

B. Stage 3 non-REM sleep

D. Dreams occur during any stage of sleep

A. REM sleep

Topics to study: Stages of sleep

After an injury, a person has difficulty detecting and interpreting different odors. Which system is most directly involved?

A. Olfactory system

B. Both the visual and auditory systems

C. Vestibular system

D. Somatosensory system

A. Olfactory system

Topics to study: Sensory systems and their functions