CH-14 Self-Actualization through Self-Control – Adaptive Learning and the Human Condition : Exam Guide

Chapter 14 Multiple Choice Questions 1. Choice behavior is best studied with a ____ schedule of reinforcement. a. chained b. concurrent c. multiple d. DRO Answer: b. concurrent Rationale: In concurrent schedules of reinforcement, organisms have simultaneous access to two or more reinforcement schedules or stimuli and must choose between them. This setup is ideal for studying choice behavior because it allows researchers to observe how subjects allocate their responses among different options based on the reinforcement contingencies associated with each. 2. According to the matching law, the proportion of __________ approximately equals the proportion of __________. a. reinforcers earned on alternative A; reinforcers earned on alternative B b. responses emitted on alternative A; responses emitted on alternative B c. responses emitted on alternative A; reinforcers earned on alternative A d. responses emitted on alternative B; reinforcers earned on alternative A Answer: c. responses emitted on alternative A; reinforcers earned on alternative A Rationale: The matching law states that the proportion of responses emitted on a particular alternative matches the proportion of reinforcers obtained from that alternative. In other words, organisms distribute their responses among different alternatives in a manner that closely corresponds to the distribution of reinforcement obtained from each alternative. 3. Traditional willpower explanations of self-control a. too often merely describe the behavior they are intended to explain. b. have generally been well-supported in experimental investigations. c. form the basis for most behavioral explanations of self-control. d. both have generally been well-supported in experimental investigations and form the basis for most behavioral explanations of self-control. Answer: a. too often merely describe the behavior they are intended to explain. Rationale: Traditional willpower explanations of self-control are often criticized for merely describing the phenomenon of self-control rather than providing meaningful explanatory mechanisms. They may overlook the underlying behavioral processes and mechanisms involved in selfcontrol. 4. One is said to be demonstrating self-control in situations in which one chooses a ____ reward over a ____ reward. a. larger later; smaller sooner b. smaller sooner; larger later c. smaller later; larger sooner d. larger sooner; smaller later Answer: a. larger later; smaller sooner Rationale: Self-control refers to the ability to choose a larger, delayed reward over a smaller, immediate reward. This demonstrates the ability to delay gratification and prioritize long-term benefits over short-term gains. 5. In a typical self-control situation, it is easiest to make a commitment response when a. the smaller sooner reward is imminent. b. the larger later reward is imminent. c. the smaller sooner reward is still some distance away. d. the larger later reward is not too distant in time. Answer: c. the smaller sooner reward is still some distance away. Rationale: Making a commitment response, such as precommitment or setting up barriers to temptation, is easiest when the smaller, sooner reward is still some distance away. This allows individuals to implement strategies to resist immediate temptation and choose the larger, delayed reward. 6. The marshmallow test studies ____ in ____. a. self-esteem; adults b. self-esteem; children c. self-control; adults d. self-control; children Answer: d. self-control; children Rationale: The marshmallow test is a famous psychological experiment that primarily investigates selfcontrol in children. It measures their ability to delay gratification by offering them a choice between a small immediate reward (e.g., one marshmallow) or a larger delayed reward (e.g., two marshmallows) and observing their decision-making and impulse control. 7. Using a daily planner to schedule study periods is an example of ____. a. maturation b. intelligence c. self-esteem d. commitment Answer: d. commitment Rationale: Using a daily planner to schedule study periods demonstrates commitment to academic goals. It involves making a proactive decision to allocate time and resources effectively, indicating self-discipline and a commitment to achieving academic success. 8. In the laboratory, animals (including humans) adhere to the matching law rather than maximizing reinforcement frequency. Matching may be advantageous under naturalistic conditions which usually are ____ than in the laboratory. a. less variable b. more variable c. less favorable d. more favorable Answer: b. more variable Rationale: The matching law suggests that organisms distribute their responses among different alternatives in a manner that matches the distribution of reinforcement obtained from each alternative. This behavior is observed both in laboratory experiments and naturalistic settings. However, matching may be more advantageous in naturalistic conditions, which are typically more variable and unpredictable than controlled laboratory environments. 9. Used as an antecedent, a sticky note is an example of a ____. a. conditioned reinforcer b. generalized reinforcer c. prompt d. warning stimulus Answer: c. prompt Rationale: A prompt is a stimulus or cue that helps initiate or guide a desired behavior. In this case, a sticky note serves as a prompt by reminding an individual to perform a specific action or behavior, such as remembering to complete a task or attend an appointment. 10. The usual sequence in a self-control project is ____. a. defining and measuring the problem, collecting baseline data, collecting intervention data. b. collecting baseline data, defining and measuring the problem, collecting intervention data. c. defining and measuring the problem, collecting intervention data, collecting baseline data. d. collecting baseline data, defining and measuring the problem, collecting intervention data. Answer: a. defining and measuring the problem, collecting baseline data, collecting intervention data. Rationale: The typical sequence in a self-control project involves first defining and measuring the problem behavior or goal, then collecting baseline data to establish the current level of the behavior, and finally implementing interventions or strategies to achieve behavior change and collecting data to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. Test Bank for Adaptive Learning and the Human Condition Jeffrey C. Levy 9780205950775