AP Psychology Practice Test

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Study for the AP Psychology Exam with a comprehensive quiz that includes flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Prepare effectively for your exam!

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What is the main interest of the behavioral perspective?

The biological basis for human behavior
How we learn through rewards, punishments, and observation
The role of the brain in psychological disorders
The process of aging and its effects on cognition

The correct answer is: How we learn through rewards, punishments, and observation

The main interest of the behavioral perspective is indeed centered on how we learn through rewards, punishments, and observation. This approach emphasizes the importance of observable behaviors and the ways in which they are shaped by interactions with the environment. Behaviorists, such as B.F. Skinner and Albert Bandura, focus on the processes of learning that involve reinforcement and modeling, which play a significant role in shaping behavior. This perspective is distinct in that it does not consider internal thoughts, feelings, or motives as primary explanations for behavior; instead, it looks at how behavior is acquired and modified as a result of external stimuli. The focus on the mechanisms of learning through experiences forms the core of the behavioral approach, highlighting the importance of conditioning, both classical and operant, in understanding human actions.