MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 37: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 37

7. Which of the following is true of teaching an animal a complicated, multistage behavior?

I. The individual parts of the behavior should not run counter to the animal's natural instincts.

II. The behaviors must be tied to a food reward of some kind.

III. Rewarding individual parts of the behavior on their own interferes with reinforcement of the entire behavior.

  • A. I only
  • B. I and III only
  • C. II and III only
  • D. I, II, and III

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

Complicated, multistage behaviors are typically taught through shaping, so statement III must not be part of the correct answer. Reinforcers do not necessarily need to be food-based, and instinctive drift can interfere with learning of complicated behaviors; therefore, only statement I is accurate.

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