Nursing Elites

1. When interviewing a new member of the psychology department for the university newspaper, the faculty member states, 'Internal states undoubtedly exist, but it is not necessary to draw inferences about unobservable states in order to understand behavior.' This faculty member's views are most similar to the views held by?

• A. William James.
• B. F. Skinner.
• C. Sigmund Freud.
• D. Carl Rogers.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: F. Skinner's views emphasized the importance of observable behavior and dismissed the need to infer unobservable mental states. This aligns with the faculty member's statement that internal states exist but are not essential for understanding behavior. William James, known for his work in functionalism, did consider internal mental states important. Sigmund Freud focused on unconscious motives and internal conflicts. Carl Rogers emphasized the importance of subjective experiences and personal growth, which differs from the faculty member's perspective.

2. The process of ________ is used to increase the probability that a behavior will occur.

• A. operant conditioning
• B. reinforcement
• C. classical conditioning
• D. punishment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is reinforcement. Reinforcement involves providing a consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Operant conditioning (Choice A) refers to learning through consequences for behavior, which includes reinforcement and punishment. Classical conditioning (Choice C) involves forming associations between stimuli and involuntary responses. Punishment (Choice D) involves providing a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. In this context, the question specifically asks about a process that increases the probability of a behavior occurring, aligning with the concept of reinforcement.

3. Larry is a graduate student whose major area of interest is social psychology. What should you expect that Larry is most interested in?

• A. The ways in which physical or genetic factors influence and determine behavior.
• B. The internal factors that lead people to act consistently across a variety of situations.
• C. How people relate to each other and influence each other.
• D. The ways in which behavior and mental processes change over a lifetime.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Social psychology focuses on how individuals relate to each other, influence each other, and interact within social groups. This field is more concerned with social interactions and behaviors rather than physical or genetic factors influencing behavior (choice A), internal factors leading to consistent behavior (choice B), or changes in behavior and mental processes over a lifetime (choice D). Therefore, the most appropriate area of interest for Larry, being a graduate student in social psychology, would be how people relate to and influence each other.

4. You are taking part in a survey that asks about your attitudes toward physical punishment of children. Even though you believe that spanking is sometimes necessary, you answer that you are opposed to any sort of physical punishment. Which of the following terms best describes why you answered the way you did?

• A. Random responding
• B. Faking bad
• C. Placebo effect
• D. Social desirability

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, social desirability. Social desirability bias occurs when respondents answer questions in a way they think will be viewed favorably by others, rather than according to their true beliefs. In this scenario, the respondent may feel pressured to provide an answer that aligns with societal norms or expectations, even if it contradicts their personal beliefs. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Random responding refers to answering survey questions haphazardly, without consideration. Faking bad is intentionally providing extreme or negative responses. The placebo effect is a phenomenon where a person's belief in a treatment's effectiveness produces a positive outcome, unrelated to the treatment's actual effects.

5. From the cognitive-behavioral perspective, an important limitation with the behavioral perspective is that ________.

• A. Behaviorists went too far in attacking the psychoanalytic perspective.
• B. Behaviorists failed to attend to the importance of mental processes.
• C. Behaviorists were too focused on explaining how abnormal behavior is acquired.
• D. Behaviorists underestimated the role of reinforcement.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because behaviorists, from the cognitive-behavioral perspective, are criticized for not considering the significance of mental processes. This limitation is a key point in the cognitive-behavioral perspective, which emphasizes the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the specific limitation of failing to account for mental processes in the behavioral perspective.

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