Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

What is a form of learning that does NOT require another person to be physically present?

1. Explicit instruction

2. Mitosis

3. Imitation

4. Social enhancement

The correct answer is: Social enhancement

The chosen answer involves a concept known as social enhancement, which relates to a form of learning that does not necessitate the physical presence of another individual. This type of learning occurs when an individual is motivated or guided to explore and engage with their environment through observations or interactions with the resources available, rather than through direct instruction or demonstration from another person. Social enhancement highlights the role of the environment in facilitating learning, as individuals can be stimulated by the actions or objects left by others without needing those individuals to be present. This ability to learn in contexts where one does not have to interact with another person is crucial in understanding how observational learning and experiences in shared environments contribute to knowledge acquisition. When comparing this to the other concepts, explicit instruction typically involves a teacher or guide providing direct and intentional teaching. Mitosis, a biological process for cell division, does not involve learning in a psychological context and is unrelated to human learning behaviors. Imitation may imply the need for another person to be present to model behaviors that one can copy, thereby requiring direct interaction for the learning process to take place. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why social enhancement stands out as a mode of learning independent of another individual's physical presence.