APPSC Paper I · Probation Officer Paper II: Psychology · Topic 7

7 APPSC Paper I Learning questions with answers

12 questions from APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology question paper with answers and APPSC DPO Psychology Mock 1 with answers. Try each one, then tap Show answer.

Previous-paper questions are as in the original paper. Medha AI wrote the answers and explanations.

7.1Classical and operant conditioning and observational learningNotes

  1. Q1 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q47

    Chances are, if you reward a behavior, it will be repeated called -

    1. AOperant Conditioning
    2. BObservational Learning
    3. CClassical Conditioning
    4. DTest
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    Answer A. Operant Conditioning

    In operant conditioning (Skinner), behaviour that is reinforced or rewarded is more likely to be repeated.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q49, final key

  2. Q2 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q58

    Classical conditioning was Discovered by -

    1. AD Martin
    2. BB Arthur J. Bachrach
    3. CIvan Pavlov
    4. DAlfred Adler
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    Answer C. Ivan Pavlov

    Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, discovered classical conditioning while studying salivation in dogs.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q61, final key

  3. Q3 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q59

    Select The two important concepts central to Behavioral Psychology.

    1. ATrail conditioning and Game conditioning
    2. BClassical conditioning and operant conditioning
    3. CClassical conditioning and Game conditioning
    4. DOperant conditioning and Trail conditioning
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    Answer B. Classical conditioning and operant conditioning

    Behavioural psychology rests on two learning processes: classical conditioning (Pavlov) and operant conditioning (Skinner).

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q62, final key

  4. Q4 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q60

    Who proposed observational learning?

    1. AIvan Pavlov
    2. BJohn Watson
    3. CAlbert Bandura
    4. DB. F. Skinner
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    Answer C. Albert Bandura

    Albert Bandura proposed observational (social) learning, shown in his Bobo doll experiments.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q63, final key

  5. Q5 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q61

    _____ is Learning by watching others' actions and outcomes in certain circumstances.

    1. AModeling
    2. BConditioning
    3. CInstrumental
    4. DObservational learning
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    Answer D. Observational learning

    Observational learning is learning by watching what others do and what happens to them as a result.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q64, final key

  6. Q6 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q63

    Which of the following statements about conditioning is incorrect?

    1. AIn classical conditioning the response is elicited by a preceding stimulus
    2. BIn operant conditioning behaviour is controlled by its consequences
    3. CNegative reinforcement weakens the behaviour it follows
    4. DPunishment aims to reduce the frequency of a behaviour
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    Answer C. Negative reinforcement weakens the behaviour it follows

    Negative reinforcement is often confused with punishment; it increases behaviour by removing something unpleasant.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  7. Q7 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q65

    Parents take away a teenager's mobile phone for a week because she came home late. In operant terms, this is ______.

    1. ANegative reinforcement
    2. BPositive punishment
    3. CPositive reinforcement
    4. DNegative punishment
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    Answer D. Negative punishment

    Punishment aims to reduce behaviour; 'negative' means the pleasant phone is taken away.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  8. Q8 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q67

    In Albert Bandura's Bobo doll experiment, children who watched an adult hit and kick an inflated doll ______.

    1. ABecame afraid of the doll
    2. BLater behaved more aggressively towards the doll
    3. CAvoided the doll completely
    4. DShowed no change in behaviour
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    Answer B. Later behaved more aggressively towards the doll

    The Bobo doll studies (early 1960s) showed that behaviour can be learned without direct reinforcement, by watching a model.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

7.2Transfer of training; learning and motivation

  1. Q9 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q62

    Use of previously gained knowledge and transform the skills in new learning, problem-solving situations is associated with?

    1. ATransfer of learning
    2. BSocial processes
    3. CExternal learning
    4. DPresentation
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Transfer of learning

    Transfer of learning is the use of knowledge and skills learnt earlier in a new learning or problem-solving situation.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q65, final key

  2. Q10 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q64

    Consider the following statements about Judd's experiment on transfer:

    1. Boys practised hitting a target placed under water.

    2. Boys who were taught the principle of refraction adjusted better when the depth of the target changed.

    3. The experiment supported the theory of identical elements.

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. 1 and 2 only

    In Judd's (1908) dart-throwing experiment, boys taught the principle of refraction did better when the target's depth was changed, showing that understanding a general principle transfers: support for the generalisation theory.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  3. Q11 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q66

    Transfer of learning to a different situation of the same level of difficulty is called -

    1. ALateral transfer
    2. BVertical transfer
    3. CBilateral transfer
    4. DNegative transfer
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    Answer A. Lateral transfer

    Lateral (horizontal) transfer: what is learnt is applied to another task of about the same complexity, e.g. classroom arithmetic used for shopping bills.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  4. Q12 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q68

    When learning of one task has neither a helpful nor a harmful effect on learning another task, it is called -

    1. ANegative transfer
    2. BLateral transfer
    3. CZero transfer
    4. DBilateral transfer
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. Zero transfer

    Zero (neutral) transfer: the first learning neither helps nor hinders the second, usually because the tasks are unrelated.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

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