Behavioural Psychology MCQs for nursing

1. : Which of the following is a key concept in classical conditioning?
(A) Reinforcement
(B) Extinction
(C) Stimulus generalization
(D) Cognitive restructuring

2. : In operant conditioning, what is meant by positive reinforcement?
(A) Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior
(B) Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase a behavior
(C) Removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior
(D) Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior

3. : Which of the following best describes vicarious reinforcement?
(A) Receiving reinforcement directly for a behavior
(B) Observing someone else receive reinforcement for a behavior
(C) Avoiding reinforcement to modify behavior
(D) Using punishment to decrease a behavior

4. : According to Bandura’s social learning theory, learning occurs primarily through:
(A) Direct experience and reinforcement only
(B) Observational learning and imitation
(C) Unconscious processes
(D) Inherited traits

5. : What is systematic desensitization used for in behavioral therapy?
(A) To increase anxiety through exposure
(B) To reduce anxiety through gradual exposure to feared stimuli
(C) To change cognitive distortions
(D) To reinforce desired behaviors

6. : Which of the following is an example of positive punishment?
(A) Adding extra chores to reduce misbehavior
(B) Removing a privilege to decrease a behavior
(C) Providing praise to increase a behavior
(D) Ignoring a behavior to decrease its occurrence

7. : In Operant Conditioning, what does “shaping” refer to?
(A) Using reinforcement to strengthen a behavior that is already occurring
(B) Gradually reinforcing behaviors that are closer to the desired behavior
(C) Punishing a behavior until it is eliminated
(D) Changing cognitive beliefs to alter behavior

8. : In behavioral therapy, what is the purpose of exposure therapy?
(A) To avoid the feared situation entirely
(B) To gradually expose the patient to the feared object or situation to reduce anxiety
(C) To provide immediate reinforcement for avoidance behavior
(D) To increase the intensity of the fear response

9. : Which principle of behavior therapy involves “reinforcing successive approximations”?
(A) Extinction
(B) Shaping
(C) Modeling
(D) Cognitive restructuring

10. : What does token economy involve in behavioral therapy?
(A) Rewarding behavior with tokens that can be exchanged for desired items or privileges
(B) Using tokens to punish undesirable behaviors
(C) Ignoring tokens as part of the therapy process
(D) Providing immediate feedback without tangible rewards