the school of psychology associated with understanding the purpose of behavior was
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Exam 4 Psychology

1. Which school of psychology is associated with understanding the purpose of behavior?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Functionalism. Functionalism, founded by William James, emphasizes understanding the purpose and adaptive function of behavior. This school of psychology focuses on how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environment. Choice B, Behaviorism, is incorrect as behaviorism emphasizes observable behaviors rather than the purpose behind them. Choice C, Neodynamism, is not a recognized school of psychology. Choice D, Psychoanalysis, founded by Sigmund Freud, focuses on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences, not specifically on the purpose of behavior.

2. How is pruning best defined?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Pruning is the process of eliminating unused synapses in the brain. This process helps the brain to become more efficient by strengthening important connections and eliminating unnecessary ones. Choice B is incorrect because pruning is about eliminating synapses, not developing them. Choice C is incorrect as it refers to the general concept of connections between neurons, not specifically about pruning. Choice D is incorrect as it describes the myelin sheath, which is responsible for rapid transmission of information along neurons, not pruning.

3. One of Freud's major contributions to current perspectives of mental disorders is ________.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Freud's major contribution to current perspectives of mental disorders is the concept of the unconscious and its influence on behavior. While the Oedipal complex (Choice A) and Electra complex (Choice C) are important psychoanalytic concepts introduced by Freud, they are more focused on childhood psychosexual development rather than mental disorders. The understanding of the three structures of personality (Choice D) refers to Freud's id, ego, and superego model, which is essential in psychoanalytic theory but not specifically related to mental disorders.

4. Freud's psychosexual stage that occurs between the ages of 3 and 5 and includes the Oedipal period is the ________ stage.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Freud's psychosexual stage that occurs between the ages of 3 and 5, including the Oedipal period, is the phallic stage. During this stage, children experience the Oedipus or Electra complex, where they develop unconscious sexual desires for the opposite-sex parent and see the same-sex parent as a rival. The genital stage (Choice A) is the final stage where mature sexual interests emerge, oral (Choice B) and anal stages precede the phallic stage, and latency (Choice D) is a stage following the phallic stage characterized by a focus on developing social and cognitive skills.

5. Skinner would agree with all the following statements except:

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Skinner's behaviorist perspective emphasized that behavior is influenced by external factors and reinforcement, rather than individual free will. Therefore, Skinner would not agree with the statement that individuals have free will. Choices A, C, and D align with Skinner's beliefs as he believed that behavior is shaped by external consequences, organisms tend to repeat behaviors leading to positive outcomes, and organisms tend to avoid behaviors leading to neutral or negative outcomes.

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