the psychologist who took the position that organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes and tend not to repeat responses that le
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Exam 4 Psychology

1. Who took the position that organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes and tend not to repeat responses that lead to neutral or negative outcomes?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B.F. Skinner. Skinner proposed the theory of operant conditioning, where behavior is shaped by its consequences. Positive outcomes increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, while neutral or negative outcomes decrease it. Sigmund Freud (choice A) is known for his psychoanalytic theory, Carl Rogers (choice C) for person-centered therapy, and Abraham Maslow (choice D) for the hierarchy of needs.

2. According to Wilhelm Wundt, the focus of psychology was on the scientific study of?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt's approach emphasized the study of conscious experience, marking a shift towards scientific methods in psychology. Choice A, observable behavior, is associated with behaviorism and not Wundt's structuralism. Choice C, unconscious motivation, is more aligned with Freud's psychoanalytic theory. Choice D, the functions of behavior, relates more to functionalism, which was developed by William James.

3. What term describes exceptional mental abilities such as mental math, memorization, musical, and artistic ability found among individuals with autism?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Savant skills. Savant skills refer to exceptional abilities commonly observed in individuals with autism. These skills can include remarkable talents in areas such as mental math, memorization, music, and art. Choice B, Theory of mind, is the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others, which is a different concept. Choice C, Echolalia, is the repetition of words or phrases, not related to exceptional abilities. Choice D, Self-stimulatory behaviors, involves repetitive body movements or sounds often seen in individuals with autism but is not directly related to exceptional mental abilities.

4. Which of the following psychodynamic elements of the personality can be described as impulsive and selfish?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Id. In psychodynamic theory, the Id is the component driven by basic, primal instincts, seeking instant gratification without consideration for consequences. It operates on the pleasure principle, aiming to fulfill desires immediately. The Superego, on the other hand, represents the internalized moral standards and ideals, while the Ego mediates between the Id and Superego, balancing impulses with societal norms. The 'Ideal self' is a concept from humanistic psychology related to one's aspirations and goals, not a component in psychodynamic theory. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect.

5. Which of the following views is most consistent with the notion that unconscious motivations can influence our overt behavior?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Sigmund Freud. Freud's psychoanalytic theory emphasized the impact of unconscious motivations on behavior. Carl Rogers (choice A) is known for person-centered therapy emphasizing self-actualization, Wilhelm Wundt (choice B) is a structuralist in psychology focusing on consciousness, and B.F. Skinner (choice C) is associated with behaviorism and operant conditioning, which do not primarily focus on unconscious motivations.

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