Learning Theories CH1 Quiz

Which one of the following common sayings best reflects the basic premise underlying social learning theory?

• “Monkey see, monkey do.”

• 
  “Spare the rod and spoil the child.”

• 
  “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

• 
  “A rolling stone gathers no moss.”

Three of the following are principles of learning. Which one is a theory
of learning rather than a principle?

• A behavior that is followed by punishment decreases in frequency.

• 
  People learn by making mental associations between new information and their existing knowledge.

• A response that is rewarded every time it occurs increases more rapidly than a response that is only occasionally rewarded.

• Students tend to remember more of a lecture if they take notes on the lecture’s content.

Three of the following illustrate various ways that learning might be reflected in a person’s behavior. Which one of the following changes does not
necessarily reflect learning?

• Although it’s a school night, Dean plays video games until well past his usual bedtime. As he becomes more tired, he finds it increasingly difficult to concentrate on what he’s doing.

• Even as a young child, Jerry could tell you that his grandparents immigrated to the United States from Ireland. But after a conversation with his grandmother, he can now describe the circumstances of the family’s immigration in considerable detail.

• Day after day, Martin practices his basketball skills (shooting, dribbling, etc.) on a basketball court at a local park. With each practice session, his movements become faster and smoother.

• Lewis occasionally asks for help when he has difficulty with his classwork, but most of the time he just struggles quietly on his own. After his teacher assures him that asking for help is not a sign of weakness or inability, he begins asking for help much more frequently.

Reynelda has trouble tracing a complex shape with a pencil when she is in kindergarten, but she can do it quite well by the time she is in second grade. Is this an instance of learning?

• Yes, because her behavior has changed.

• No, because the circumstances are too dissimilar.

• Maybe, although the change may simply be due to physiological maturation.

• Maybe, but only if she is being reinforced for tracing accurately.

Human beings undoubtedly learn more during the course of a lifetime than any other species on earth. The major result of this capacity to learn is that:

• New instincts begin to emerge.

• Human thought becomes less logical with each generation.

• Humans can benefit from their experiences.

• Humans are the only species whose behavior cannot be analyzed in terms of stimuli and responses.

Three of the following characterize virtually all instances of human learning. Which one is not necessarily an aspect of human learning?

• Some sort of change occurs.

• Conscious thought is involved to some extent.

• Whatever is acquired lasts longer than a few seconds.

• Some sort of experience brings it about.

The textbook’s perspective regarding various theories of learning is that:

• Behaviorist theories are probably more accurate.

• Cognitivist theories are probably more accurate.

• There is currently no “right” theory, but one will eventually be developed.

• Different theories may be applicable in different situations.

A principle of learning can best be characterized as:

• A description of the results of a particular research study

• A statement that describes how a particular factor affects learning

• The measurement of how much learning has occurred in a particular situation

• An explanation of the underlying processes through which learning occurs

Theories are advantageous in several ways. Three of the following describe advantages of learning theories. Which one does not?

• Theories enable objective, unbiased reporting of research findings.

• Theories help to condense large bodies of information.

• Theories help practitioners design interventions that facilitate learning.

• Theories provide an impetus for new research.

Which one of the following statements is most accurate statement regarding theories
of learning?

• They have been proven to be true.

• They will eventually be replaced by physiological explanations of how learning occurs.

• They are often modified as new data emerge.

• Any theory can be used to explain virtually every instance of learning.