Nursing Elites

1. According to operant conditioning theory, __________.

• A. the frequency of a behavior can be increased through punishment, such as disapproval
• B. normal development must be understood in relation to each culture's life situation
• C. the id develops as parents insist that children conform to the values of society
• D. the frequency of a behavior can be increased by following it with a wide variety of reinforcers

Correct answer: D

Rationale: According to operant conditioning theory, the frequency of a behavior can be increased by following it with a wide variety of reinforcers. In operant conditioning, behaviors are shaped through reinforcement, which can be positive (rewarding) or negative (removal of something unpleasant). By providing reinforcement following a behavior, the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future is increased. This supports the notion that the frequency of a behavior can be increased by using reinforcers in operant conditioning. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because operant conditioning focuses on the relationship between behavior and its consequences through reinforcement (positive or negative) to increase the likelihood of the behavior recurring, rather than punishment, cultural influences, or the development of the id based on societal values.

2. Researchers randomly assigned adolescents to either a single-grade classroom or a mixed-age classroom. This is an example of a __________.

• A. naturalistic observation
• B. case study
• C. natural experiment
• D. field experiment

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the researchers randomly assigned adolescents to either a single-grade classroom or a mixed-age classroom, which is an example of a field experiment. A field experiment involves manipulating independent variables in a natural setting to observe the effects on participants. This design allows for more control over variables compared to naturalistic observation, case studies, or natural experiments. Naturalistic observation involves observing subjects in their natural environment without manipulating any variables. A case study focuses on in-depth analysis of a single individual or a small group. A natural experiment involves observing naturally occurring events without intervention or manipulation by the researcher.

3. G. Stanley Hall and his student, Arnold Gesell, __________.

• A. discovered that prenatal growth is strikingly similar in many species
• B. launched the normative approach
• C. constructed the first standardized intelligence test
• D. were the forefathers of psychoanalytic theory

Correct answer: B

Rationale: G. Stanley Hall and his student, Arnold Gesell, launched the normative approach. This approach involves studying large numbers of people of different ages and examining the age-related averages of behaviors to establish norms or typical development patterns. These scholars focused on the systematic observation of how and when certain behaviors appear in children. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the contributions of G. Stanley Hall and Arnold Gesell in the field of developmental psychology.

4. Today, Albert Bandura's theory stresses the importance of __________.

• A. behavior modification
• B. punishment
• C. cognition
• D. reinforcement

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Albert Bandura's theory stresses the importance of cognition. Bandura's Social Learning Theory emphasizes the role of cognitive processes in learning and behavior, including the influence of observation, modeling, and mental representations. This theory highlights how individuals learn through observation and imitation of others, as well as their own thought processes and beliefs. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because while behavior modification, punishment, and reinforcement are aspects related to learning theories, they are not the primary focus of Bandura's theory, which revolves around cognition and social learning.

5. According to Piaget, in which stage of cognitive development is four-year-old R’Monte who engages in make-believe play by stirring beads in a bowl and saying, “Soup is ready!”?

• A. sensorimotor
• B. preoperational
• C. concrete operational
• D. sociocultural

Correct answer: B

Rationale: According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, four-year-old R’Monte's engagement in make-believe play, such as pretending to stir beads in a bowl and creating imaginary soup, indicates that he is in the preoperational stage of cognitive development. This stage is characterized by symbolic thinking, pretend play, language development, and egocentrism. Choice A, sensorimotor, is incorrect as this stage occurs in infancy and focuses on sensory experiences and object permanence. Choice C, concrete operational, is incorrect as this stage occurs around ages 7-11 and involves logical reasoning about concrete events. Choice D, sociocultural, is incorrect as it does not correspond to Piaget's stages of cognitive development.

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