Psychology 485 Sample midterm questions:
Part 1: Fill in the Blank (2 points each)
1. Skinner famously discovered ________________ when he tried to train pigeons to perform
complex behaviours, such as bowling or missile guidance, by reinforcing approximations to the
correct behaviour.
2. Cells in the rats’ hippocampus that are sensitive to location are known as
_________________________.
3. Numerical competence is thought to be closely related to timing. A popular theory of timing
(discussed in class) that can account for many aspects of counting is called the
_____________________________ theory of timing.
Part 2: Short Answer (5 points each; 3-4 sentence answers)
1. What is the ‘transformational approach’ (often used for studying spatial navigation)? Give an
example.
2. In Wynne’s article on anthropomorphism, he argues that many anthropomorphic explanations
commit the nominalist fallacy. What is the nominalist fallacy?
3. Kuhn suggested that science is not a linear process, but rather advances through paradigm
shifts. According to the idea of paradigm shifts, there will often be competing scientific
theories. List and define 3 of Kuhn’s 5 criteria for choosing the ‘best’ scientific theory.
4. Describe how classical conditioning could be used to improve the survivability of a species (i.e.
how might classical conditioning be adaptive). Give at least 2 examples.
Part 3: Multi-part questions (10 points each, point breakdowns are listed)
1. Gould uses an architectural analogy to argue against the idea that all adaptations are the result
of natural selection. In architecture, a spandrel is the space between two arches or between an
arch and a rectangular enclosure. Spandrels are often decorated with carvings or mosaics for
aesthetic value.
a. How does the term spandrel related to evolutionary biology (i.e. how does Gould use
the term spandrel to make his point)? (5 points)
b. Philosopher Daniel Dennett has argued against the idea of spandrels by saying that, in
architecture, corbels or squinches can be used as alternatives to spandrels. Briefly
describe Dennett’s argument. (5 points)
2. In Breland & Breland’s The Misbehavior of Organisms, they describe several examples of how
operant conditioning can fail.
a. Describe two of their examples of how operant conditioning failed to produce the
desired result. (4 points)
b. What do their results say about the importance of ‘nature’ in learning? (i.e. how might
nature be more important than nurture in terms of survival?) (3 points)
c. How might nurture be more important that nature in terms of survival? (3 points)
Part 4: Essay question (30 points)
1. In the early years of studying animal behaviour, there were very different approaches used by
American (behaviourist) and European (ethologist) scientists. Explain what the different
approaches were. What are the benefits/drawbacks of each approach?
2. Consider the following quote from Darwin’s Descent of Man:
“the difference in mind between man and the higher animals, great as it is, certainly is one of
degree and not of kind”
Explain what Darwin meant by this quote. Do you agree or disagree? Provide examples to
support your opinion.