Module 21. Biology, Cognition, And Learning

If a child is watching a favorite sibling getting scolded for misbehavior, a type of brain cell called a _____ is likely to be activated in an empathetic response to this observation.

mirror neuron

Biological constraints affect _____ conditioning.

both classical and operant

In a typical experiment by Robert Rescorla and Alan Wagner, one group of rats experienced a tone just before each of 20 shocks. A second group of rats experienced the same number of tone-shock pairings plus an additional 20 shocks with no tone. Rescorla found that the rats in the first group showed a much stronger conditioned fear response than the rats in the second group. How did Rescorla explain this finding?

An animal can learn the predictability of an event

Which statement BEST describes the phenomenon of instinctive drift? -As operant behaviors are learned, they override instinctive or reflexive behaviors. -Over time, reflexive behaviors change as a function of repeated exposure to classical conditioning. -The biological predisposition to perform natural behaviors can interfere with learning operant behaviors. -Misbehavior can be prevented by operantly conditioning instinctive behaviors that are incompatible with the misbehavior.

The biological predisposition to perform natural behaviors can interfere with learning operant behaviors.

In the classic Bobo doll research, Bandura and his colleagues demonstrated that _____ may be acquired through observational learning.

aggressive behavior

The textbook states that "learning is the product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social-cultural influences." This statement suggests that learning is BEST understood through the:

biopsychosocial model

Conditioned taste aversion is a real-world example of _____ in action.

classical conditioning

Kate has a kind of picture in her head of her hometown, a mental representation of its layout and the location of key landmarks such as rivers, buildings, freeways, and parks. This representation is called a(n):

cognitive map

Children who are promised a payoff for playing with an interesting toy have later been observed to play with the toy less than those who are not promised the reward. These findings provide support for the role of _____ in operant behavior.

cognitive processes

Joey watches his older brother twirl his pasta around his fork using a spoon. Joey then attempts to twirl his pasta in the same way. Joey's older brother served as a _____ for Joey.

model

Evaluate the traditional learning theories—namely, classical and operant conditioning—in light of the biopsychosocial model. It is MOST accurate to say that traditional learning theories _____ influences.

neglected sociocultural

Lana is in dental school and is learning the correct way to take an X-ray of the mouth. Her instructor first shows the class a video that demonstrates the proper procedures for taking an X-ray and then demonstrates these same procedures using Lana as a patient. Lana and her class are learning how to take an X-ray of patients' teeth through the use of:

observational learning

Younger children may learn to do some things at a younger age than did their older siblings because of:

observational learning

Psychologists use the term _____ to refer to a biological predisposition to learn particular associations.

preparedness

_____ refers to a biological predisposition to learn particular associations.

preparedness

Newton ordered pizza from a national pizza chain and became very ill immediately after eating the pizza. Years later, Newton still feels queasy when he sees an advertisement for the pizza chain or drives by one of its establishments. Newton has developed a(n):

taste aversion

Ever since she foolishly drank too much tequila at a rock concert and vomited all over her best friend, Erin becomes nauseous at the smell or taste of tequila. In this example, the conditioned stimulus is _____ and the conditioned response is _____.

the smell or taste of tequila; nausea