(PT4) Psychological, Social, and
Biological Foundations of Behavior
Questions and Answers
"All the participants were presented with ten numbers in random order. Five of the numbers
were associated with reward, such that pressing the button after the presentation of these five
numbers resulted in the participant receiving a monetary incentive. The remaining five
numbers were associated with electric shock, such that pressing the button after the
presentation of these five numbers resulted in the participant receiving an electric shock."
The numbers presented to the participants in the avoidance study function as:
A.
reinforcers.
B.
punishers.
C.
discriminating stimuli.
D.
unconditioned stimuli. - CORRECT ANSWERS -(correct answer: C)
The numbers do not function as reinforcers.
*A reinforcer is something that increases the likelihood that a specific behavior or response will
occur.
The numbers do not function as punishers.
+A Punisher is any aversive stimulus that is used as a consequence to an action for the purpose
of decreasing or extinguishing repeated occurrences of that action.
,The numbers are discriminating stimuli, which signal the availability of reinforcement or
punishment.
Discriminative stimulus is a term used in classical conditioning as a part of the process known as
operant conditioning. A discriminative stimulus is a type of stimulus that is used consistently to
gain a specific response and that increases the possibility that the desired response will occur.
An unconditioned stimulus is a stimulus that naturally elicits a reflexive behavior (i.e., an
unconditioned response).
"In addition to self-efficacy, according to SCT, individuals' beliefs regarding whether their
behaviors will lead to positive and negative outcomes also motivate behavior. This theory posits
that, in addition to self-efficacy, self-satisfaction has a causal effect on behavior. Self-
satisfaction with one's performance leads to perseverance, whereas dissatisfaction leads to
abandoning behaviors toward a goal."
SCT = social cognitive theory
Are the assumptions of SCT regarding the role of participants' beliefs (paragraph 3) consistent
with a traditional behaviorist approach?
A.
Yes, because the traditional behaviorist approach also emphasizes changes in behavior due to
desirable and undesirable outcomes
B.
Yes, because the traditional behaviorist approach holds that repeated exposure to certain
outcomes shapes beliefs regarding these outcomes
C.
No, because the traditional behaviorist approach holds that mental state - CORRECT ANSWERS -
(correct answer is D)
A rigid behaviorist approach rejects SCT's assumption that cognitions can act as motivators for
behavior. Instead, it holds that only actual outcomes of a behavior determine whether that
behavior will be repeated.
, While SCT focuses on expectancies regarding the outcomes of behaviors, the traditional
behaviorist approach does not regard mental processes as real.
A rigid behaviorist point of view eschews any mention of mental processes, including beliefs.
SCT does not talk about mental states reinforcing behavior. Instead, it focuses on mental states
motivating behavior.
A rigid behaviorist approach rejects SCT's assumption that cognitions can act as motivators for
behavior. Instead, it holds that only actual outcomes of a behavior determine whether that
behavior will be repeated.
self determination theory = SDT
Which statement best applies Rogers's concept of incongruence to SDT's suggestion for how
healthcare professionals can promote autonomous motivation?
A.
By encouraging their patients' initiative, healthcare professionals motivate their patients to
reduce the gap in their need for self-actualization.
B.
By giving their patients options, healthcare professionals make it possible for their patients to
reduce the gap between their actual behavior and their expected behavior.
C.
By encouraging the patients' initiative, healthcare professionals motivate their patients to
reduce the gap between their behaviors and their attitudes.
D.
By giving their patients options, healthcare professionals offer their patients ways to reduce the
gap between their ideal selves and their actual selves. - CORRECT ANSWERS -(correct answer is
D)
incongruence = Incongruence is a humanistic psychology concept developed by Carl Rogers
which suggests that unpleasant feelings can result from a discrepancy between our perceived
Biological Foundations of Behavior
Questions and Answers
"All the participants were presented with ten numbers in random order. Five of the numbers
were associated with reward, such that pressing the button after the presentation of these five
numbers resulted in the participant receiving a monetary incentive. The remaining five
numbers were associated with electric shock, such that pressing the button after the
presentation of these five numbers resulted in the participant receiving an electric shock."
The numbers presented to the participants in the avoidance study function as:
A.
reinforcers.
B.
punishers.
C.
discriminating stimuli.
D.
unconditioned stimuli. - CORRECT ANSWERS -(correct answer: C)
The numbers do not function as reinforcers.
*A reinforcer is something that increases the likelihood that a specific behavior or response will
occur.
The numbers do not function as punishers.
+A Punisher is any aversive stimulus that is used as a consequence to an action for the purpose
of decreasing or extinguishing repeated occurrences of that action.
,The numbers are discriminating stimuli, which signal the availability of reinforcement or
punishment.
Discriminative stimulus is a term used in classical conditioning as a part of the process known as
operant conditioning. A discriminative stimulus is a type of stimulus that is used consistently to
gain a specific response and that increases the possibility that the desired response will occur.
An unconditioned stimulus is a stimulus that naturally elicits a reflexive behavior (i.e., an
unconditioned response).
"In addition to self-efficacy, according to SCT, individuals' beliefs regarding whether their
behaviors will lead to positive and negative outcomes also motivate behavior. This theory posits
that, in addition to self-efficacy, self-satisfaction has a causal effect on behavior. Self-
satisfaction with one's performance leads to perseverance, whereas dissatisfaction leads to
abandoning behaviors toward a goal."
SCT = social cognitive theory
Are the assumptions of SCT regarding the role of participants' beliefs (paragraph 3) consistent
with a traditional behaviorist approach?
A.
Yes, because the traditional behaviorist approach also emphasizes changes in behavior due to
desirable and undesirable outcomes
B.
Yes, because the traditional behaviorist approach holds that repeated exposure to certain
outcomes shapes beliefs regarding these outcomes
C.
No, because the traditional behaviorist approach holds that mental state - CORRECT ANSWERS -
(correct answer is D)
A rigid behaviorist approach rejects SCT's assumption that cognitions can act as motivators for
behavior. Instead, it holds that only actual outcomes of a behavior determine whether that
behavior will be repeated.
, While SCT focuses on expectancies regarding the outcomes of behaviors, the traditional
behaviorist approach does not regard mental processes as real.
A rigid behaviorist point of view eschews any mention of mental processes, including beliefs.
SCT does not talk about mental states reinforcing behavior. Instead, it focuses on mental states
motivating behavior.
A rigid behaviorist approach rejects SCT's assumption that cognitions can act as motivators for
behavior. Instead, it holds that only actual outcomes of a behavior determine whether that
behavior will be repeated.
self determination theory = SDT
Which statement best applies Rogers's concept of incongruence to SDT's suggestion for how
healthcare professionals can promote autonomous motivation?
A.
By encouraging their patients' initiative, healthcare professionals motivate their patients to
reduce the gap in their need for self-actualization.
B.
By giving their patients options, healthcare professionals make it possible for their patients to
reduce the gap between their actual behavior and their expected behavior.
C.
By encouraging the patients' initiative, healthcare professionals motivate their patients to
reduce the gap between their behaviors and their attitudes.
D.
By giving their patients options, healthcare professionals offer their patients ways to reduce the
gap between their ideal selves and their actual selves. - CORRECT ANSWERS -(correct answer is
D)
incongruence = Incongruence is a humanistic psychology concept developed by Carl Rogers
which suggests that unpleasant feelings can result from a discrepancy between our perceived
