(Test Bank) Cognition: Thinking, Memory and Problem Solving

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1 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving This document is a compilation of UNISA Assignment and Exam Questions and Answers Answers are motivated by a combination of: • References • Short summaries/reasoning regarding the relevant topic(s) in question. (Incorrect options are also marked where applica ble, in order to identify and disregard red -herring alternatives) Assignments covered are: • 2016 Assignment 1 – Semester 1 • 2016 Assignment 2 – Semester 1 • 2016 Assignment 1 – Semester 2 • 2016 Assignment 2 – Semester 2 • 2018 Assignment 1 – Semester 1 - 788821 • 2018 Assignment 2 – Semester 1 - 773771 • 2018 Assignment 1 – Semester 2 - 759527 • 2018 Assignment 2 – Semester 2 - 726566 Exams covered are: • 2013 Exam May -June • 2013 Exam October -November • 2014 Exam May -June • 2014 Exam October -November • 2015 Exam May -June • 2015 Ex am October -November • 2016 Exam May -June • 2016 Exam October -November • 2017 Exam May -June • 2017 Exam October -November • Mock -exam While the length of this document seems overwhelming, most of the questions and answers are repeated in more than one exam -paper and /or assignment. Therefore, there is a big amount of duplication in this document. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing, as the Prescribed textbook states on pg. 189, that the notion of ‘relearning’ pertains to “ the general finding that a shorter period is needed, or that a ‘saving’ occurs, when you learn some information or task a second time. This effect probably stems from the fact that some residual memory relating to your first learning experience still remains, and this may facilitate the subse quent learning of the same information so that it now becomes easier.” This document is compiled in chapter -sequence, instead of chronological order of the respective assignments and exams. This facilitates easier exam -reparation, as you can test yourself chapter -by- chapter as you go along, and not only once all the material has been studied. Please note that some questions refer to more than one chapter, i.e. some of the answers from Chapter 4 could also be found in Chapter 13. Therefore, it remains neces sary to study the questions in this document under Chapter 4. Also note that this means that some questions may appear to be under the incorrect Chapter listed in the sequence below. Note that question numbers therefore do not relate to the papers it was a sked in; it follows numerical order of this document. Please note: This document is an additional tool for exam preparation. The Stuvia -user that compiled and uploaded this document takes no responsibility for incorrect answers. Students must ensure that they study the prescribed material and understand the content. 2 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving Chapter 1 – Introduction to Cognitive Psychology 2016 Assignment 1 – Semester 1 QUESTION 1 In his theory of forms Plato assumes that there is a ‘true reality’ and he accepts that ___. 1) only o bjects in the physical world are examples of true reality, whereas abstract ideas of objects do not exist 2) true reality consists of both objects in the physical world and abstract ideas of objects 3) true reality does not reside in objects of the physical worl d, but in abstract ideas that the objects represent 4) there is no way ever to know anything of the nature of true reality Answer: The correct answer is (3) Refer: pg. 7 of PYC3703 Study Guide – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Plato adopted a metaphysical view in term s of which observable reality is only a world of appearances, and he argued that a deeper or true reality resides in a world of abstract forms and ideas. • Option 1 is incorrect because it states the opposite of Plato’s view. • Option 2 is incorrect because it implies that physical world and true reality have the same status. • Option 4 is incorrect because Plato assumed that we can learn about true reality by rational inquiry (i.e. that thinking and reasoning leads one to find out about the true nature of the wo rld) QUESTION 2 Research conducted by the zoologist Konrad Lorenz showed that newly hatched goslings will follow the first moving figure they see and adopt that as their ‘mother’. The behavior of the goslings in adopting their maternal figure in this way reflects ___ knowledge. 1) deductive 2) learned 3) rational 4) innate 3 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving Answer: The correct answer is (4) Refer: CP, pg. 36 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Note that the notion ‘innate’ rep resents the nature or genetic side of the nature - nurture controversy. Lorenz found that newly hatched graylag geese goslings will adopt the first moving figure that they see as their ‘mother’, even if that figure is from a different species (i.e. a human being rather than a goose). Zoologists argue that this ‘attachment’ behavior (i.e. following the first moving figure as your parent) manifested by goslings is driven by instinct and derives from innate or ‘wired -in’ knowledge. It is therefore genetically p rogrammed ‘nature -based’ behavior. A short description of Lorenz’s experiment with geese can be found at: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid+177087 QUESTION 3 A researcher wants to establish whether a protein -enriched diet will enhance the maze -running performance of rats. One group of rats is fed a high -protein diet for the duration of the study; the other group of rats receives ordinary rat chow. In this ex periment, the diet fed to the two groups of rats is the ___ variable. 1) correlated 2) control 3) dependent 4) independent Answer: The correct answer is (4) Refer: CP pg. 19 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: In this experiment the researchers are testing the effect of diet on maze -running. ‘’Maze running’’ is the variable that is being measured (i.e. the dependent variable) and the researcher manipulates the type of food given to the rats to determ ine the influence of diet on maze running. Therefore, because the diet is varied (two different diets are given) in this experiment, it constitutes the independent variable. Dependent variables are outcome responses, the values of which depend on how one o r more independent variables influence or affect the participants in the experiment. Independent variables are aspects of an investigation that is individually manipulated, or carefully regulated, by the experimenter, while the other aspects are held const ant. QUESTION 4 Which of the following is a statement with witch Skinner and his followers would agree? 1) Most behavior is controlled by unconscious forces. 2) The goal of behavior is self -actualisation. 3) Nature is less influential than nurture. 4) Free will is not an illusion because cognitive variables determine behavior. Answer: The correct answer is (3) Refer: CP pp. 11 -12 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: The behaviourists placed themsel ves clearly on the nurture side of the nature -nurture continuum and argued that learning and reinforcement rather than biology accounts for the acquisition of all human behavior. This is because behaviourists such as Watson and Skinner proceeded from the a ssumption that behavior can be shaped by providing suitable positive reinforcement to strengthen desirable behavior and negative reinforcement to extinguish undesirable behaviour. They therefore maintained that the environment plays an essential role in the learning of all kinds of behavior, even language and cognition. • Option 4 is incorrect because the theory of behaviourism is based on the assumption that all behavior is fixed by patterns of conditioning, it implies that there is no free will, people are shaped by their environment and by conditioning. 4 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving • Option 1 is incorrect because the behaviourists focused only on overt behavior in their theories, and did not take unconscious, mental processes into account. Skinner is an example of an empiricist because he tried to base his theory of behaviour on hard empirical evidence, much of which was derived from animal research. QUESTION 5 The primary contribution that Hermann Ebbinghaus made in his memory research to contemporary cognitive psychology was his ___. 1) objections to the excessive emphasis placed on ecological validity in memory studies 2) use of research employing large samples of subjects 3) emphasis on a systematic, well -controlled approach to the study of memory 4) development of a theory of top -down memory p rocessing Answer: The correct answer is (3) Refer: CP pg. 10 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Ebbinghaus is mainly known for conducting systematic research on his own memory processes. • Option 2 is incorrect because Ebbinghaus’s memory research was based on a single subject design in which he used himself as the only subject. • Option 1 is incorrect since he did not object to ecological validity, and did not use a strict laboratory and controlled environment typical of experimental approaches but experimented on himself. • Option 4 is incorrect because Ebbinghaus followed a data -oriented bottom -up approach and did not focus on the effect that top -down factors such as background knowled ge and context have on memory recall. QUESTION 6 The philosopher Descartes, is known for having been a ___. 1) functionalist who tried to determine how the different functional components of the mind fit together 2) behaviourist because he formulated the law o f effect 3) pragmatist who presented many practical solutions to everyday philosophical issues 4) rationalist because he tried to prove the difference between body and mind by rational analysis Answer: The correct answer is (4) Refer: PYC3793 Study Guide pp, 16 -17 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Descartes is mainly known for his use of reasoning to explore the difference between mind and the body, and to prove that the “I” (of the mind) exists as an indepen dent being. He did not conduct any empirical research on the mind, but relied on rational analysis in support of his dualist position that the mind exists separately from the body. QUESTION 7 The concept ecological validity refers to the degree to which --- 1) the findings based on a study conducted outside a psychological laboratory will also apply in the laboratory 2) the findings based on a study conducted in a laboratory will apply outside the lab as well 3) predictions can be made of how participants in a stu dy will react when placed in different situations 4) the effect of situational changes on the behaviour of organisms in a particular environment can be determined Answer: The correct option is (2) Refer: CP pp. 32 -33 – Chapter 1 5 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving Reasoning: The concept 'ecol ogical validity’ refers to the degree to which research conducted in a laboratory reflects real -life situations as well. For example, in the 1980s cognitive psychologists such as Ulric Nelsser criticized memory research carried out in laboratories on the g rounds that it does not educate the operation of the memory system in everyday life. They maintained that the research was not 'ecologically valid', and only applied to memory as used in the strictly defined experimental situation used in these studies. • Option 3 and 4 are both incorrect because they do not specify that ecologically valid refers specifically to the ability of a theory to explain psychological processes in situations outside the laboratory settings. • Option 1 is obviously wrong because it st ates the opposite of what 'ecological validity' means. 2016 Assignment 1 – Semester 2 QUESTION 8 Locke believed that all knowledge is gained empirically, beginning at birth, when our minds are a blank slate, or - - - - -. 1) innate 2) a priori 3) a posteriori 4) tabula rasa Answer: Option (4) is correct Refer: CP, pg. 5 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Tabula rasa means ‘blank slate’. As a firm believer in empiricism Locke argued that the human mind has no knowledge at birth and that all knowledge is acquired via the sense s. QUESTION 9 A psychologist lecturing on the psychology of perception makes the following statement: In perception pattern and organisation are primary. These aspects often emerge directly from the relationship between discrete elements, and they canno t be deduced from a knowledge of the individual elements alone. Indeed, at times elements can be missing or altered yet the overall shape will be perceived directly, showing that overall form is primary. From the statement above we can infer that the psyc hologist is probably a supporter of: 1) behaviourism 2) Descartes’ rationalism 3) gestalt psychology 4) structuralism Answer: Option (3) is correct Refer: Feedback on previous assignment – Chapter 1 Reasoning: The key phrases in the quotation are (a) “they (i.e. pattern and organisation) cannot be deduced from knowledge of individual elements alone” and (b) “elements can be missing or altered, yet the overall shape will be perceived directly”. According to the psychologist therefore pattern and organisation canno t be simply inferred from the elements of the perception and something ‘more’ is at stake. As these phrases show, the psychologist adopts the basic assumption at the gestalt psychologists, and Option 3 is therefore correct. Remember that the slogan of the gestalt psychologists is that the percept is not simply “the sum of its part”, but that there is something extra an essential property contained in the whole entity. QUESTION 10 6 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving During the 1950s, many psychologists were becoming disillusioned with behavi ourism, and cognitive psychology began to emerge. A major reason why they were disappointed with behaviourism is because it - - - - -. 1) was a purely empirical approach to psychological research 2) could not throw any light on the internal, cognitive mechanis ms underlying human behaviour 3) did not pay sufficient attention to the observation and measurement of behaviour 4) focused too much on social and emotional aspects and not enough on the personal and introspective factors causing behaviour Answer: Option (1) is correct Refer: CP, pg. 8 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Cognitive psychology emerged mainly in reaction to the extreme assumption of the behaviourists. They argued that only observable aspects should be studied and that the internal mechanisms of mind cannot be explored in a scientific manner. The big problem with the behaviourist methodology is that one is forced to postulate cognitive factors that are not directly observable, in order to explain reasonably complex psychological processes such as language, memory and reasoning. QUESTION 11 The primary contribution that Hermann Ebbinghaus made in his memory research to contemporary cognitive psychology was his - - - - -. 1) objections to the excessive emphasis placed on ecological validity in memory studies 2) use of research employing large samples of subjects 3) use of a series of single -subject experiments to explore the role of rehearsal in memory recall 4) development of a theory of top -down memory processing Answer: Option (3) is correct Refer: CP, pg. 8 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Ebbinghaus is mainly known for conducting systematic research on his own memory processes. • Option 2 is incorrect because Ebbinghaus’s memory research was based on a single subject design in which he used himself as the only subject. • Option 1 is wrong since he did not object to ecological validity, and did not use a strict laboratory and controlled environment typical of experimental approaches but experimented on himself. • Option 4 is incorrect because Ebbinghaus followed a rather data -oriented bottom -up approach and did not focus on the effect that top -down factors such as background knowledge and context have on memory recall. QUESTION 12 This major theme of cognitive psychology deals with the factors that determine who we are, and specifically the issue of whether these factors are primarily genetically based, or derive from the environment in which we grew up? 1) Structure versus process 2) Nature versus nurture 3) Biological versus behavioural methods 4) Rationalism versus empiricism Answer : Option (2) is correct Refer: CP, pg. 24 – Chapter 1 7 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving Reasoning: The theme referred to in the question is the ‘nature -nurture’ controversy. The issue addressed in the theme is whether the development of cognition is mainly determined by genetic factors o r by environmental variables. 2018 Assignment 1 – Semester 1 – 788821 QUESTION 1 3 In his theory of forms Plato assumes that there is a ‘true reality’ and he accepts that - - - - -. 1) only objects in the physical world are examples of true reality, wherea s abstract ideas of objects do not exist 2) true reality consists of both objects in the physical world and abstract ideas of objects 3) true reality does not reside in objects of the physical world, but in abstract ideas that the objects represent 4) there is n o way ever to know anything of the nature of true reality Answer: Option (3) is correct Refer: PYC3703 Study Guide, pg. 7, and feedback on previous assignment – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Plato adopted a metaphysical view in terms of which observable reality is only a world of appearances, and he argued that a deeper or ‘true’ reality resides in a world of abstract forms and ideas. • Option 1 is incorrect because it states the opposite of Plato’s view. • Option 2 is incorrect because it implies that physical worl d and true reality have the same status. • Option 4 is incorrect because Plato assumed that we can learn about true reality by rational inquiry (i.e. that thinking and reasoning leads one to find out about the true nature of the world. QUESTION 14 Researc h conducted by the zoologist Konrad Lorenz showed that newly hatched goslings will follow the first moving figure they see and adopt that as their ‘mother”’. The behaviour of the goslings in adopting their maternal figure in this way reflects - - - - - knowledge. 1) deductive 2) learned 3) rational 4) innate Answer: Option (4) is correct Refer: Feedback on previous assignment – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Note that the notion ‘innate’ represents the nature or genetic side of the nature - nurture controversy. Lorenz found that newly hatched graylag geese goslings will adopt the first moving figure that they see as their ‘mother’, even if that figure is from a different species (i.e. a human being rather than a goose). Zoologists argue that this ‘attachment’ behavior (i.e. following the first moving figure as your parent) manifested by goslings is driven by instinct and derives from innate or ‘wired -in’ knowledge. It is therefore genetically programmed ‘nature -based’ behavior. A short description of Lorenz’s experiment with geese can be found at: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid+177087 QUESTION 15 A researcher wants to establish whether a protein -enriched diet will enhance t he maze -running performance of rats. One group of rats is fed a high -protein diet for the duration of the study; the other group of rats receives ordinary rat chow. In this experiment, the diet fed to the two groups of rats is the - - - - - variable. 8 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving 1) correlated 2) control 3) dependent 4) independent Answer: Option (4) is correct Refer: Feedback on previous assignment – Chapter 1 Reasoning: In this experiment, the researchers are testing the effect of diet on maze -running. ‘’Maze running’’ is the variable that is being measured (i.e. the dependent variable) and the researcher manipulates the type of food given to the rats to determine the influence of diet on maze running. Therefore, because the diet is varied (two different diets are given) in this experiment, it constitutes the independent variable. Dependent variables are outcome responses, the values of which depend on how one or more independent variables influence or affect the participants in the experiment. Independent variables are aspects of an investi gation that is individually manipulated, or carefully regulated, by the experimenter, while the other aspects are held constant. QUESTION 16 Which of the following is a statement with which Skinner and his followers would agree? 1) Most behaviour is cont rolled by unconscious forces. 2) The goal of behaviour is self -actualisation. 3) Nature is more influential than nurture. 4) Free will is an illusion. Answer: Option (4) is correct Refer: CP pp.11 -12/ Feedback on previous assignment – Chapter 1 Reasoning: The theory of behaviourism is based on the assumption that all behaviour is fixed by patterns of conditioning. It implies that there is no free will and people are shaped by their environment and by conditioning. • Option 1 is incorrect, because the behaviouris ts focused only on overt behaviour in their theories, and did not take unconscious, mental processes into account. • The behaviourists placed themselves clearly on the nurture side of the nature -nurture continuum and argued that learning and reinforcement r ather than biology accounts for the acquisition of all human behaviour. Therefore option 3 is incorrect. Skinner is an example of an empiricist because he tried to base his theory of behaviour on hard empirical evidence, much of which was derived from anim al research. QUESTION 17 The philosopher, Descartes, is known for having been a - - - - -. 1) functionalist who tried to determine how the different functional components of the mind fit together 2) behaviourist because he formulated the law of effect 3) prag matist who presented many practical solutions to everyday philosophical issues 4) rationalist because he tried to prove the difference between body and mind by rational analysis Answer: Option (4) is correct Refer: PYC 3703 Study Guide, pp. 16 -17 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Descartes is mainly known for his use of reasoning to explore the difference between mind and the body, and to prove that the “I” (of the mind) exists as an independent being. He did not conduct any empirical research on the mind, but relied on rational analysis in support of his dualist position that the mind exists separately from the body. 9 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving QUESTION 18 The concept ecological validity refers to the degree to which - - - - -. 1) the findings based on a study conducted outside a psychological laboratory will also apply in the laboratory 2) the findings based on a study conducted in a laboratory will apply outside the lab as well 3) predictions can be made of how participants in a study will react when placed in different situations 4) the effect of s ituational changes on the behaviour of organisms in a particular environment can be determined Answer: Option (2) is correct Refer: CP pp. 32 -33/ Feedback on previous assignment – Chapter 1 Reasoning: The concept 'ecological validity’ refers to the degre e to which research conducted in a laboratory reflects real -life situations as well. For example, in the 1980s cognitive psychologists such as Ulric Nelsser criticized memory research carried out in laboratories on the grounds that it does not educate the operation of the memory system in everyday life. They maintained that the research was not 'ecologically valid', and only applied to memory as used in the strictly defined experimental situation used in these studies. Option 3 and 4 are both incorrect beca use they do not specify that ecologically valid refers specifically to the ability of a theory to explain psychological processes in situations outside the laboratory settings. Option 1 is obviously wrong because it states the opposite of what 'ecological validity' means. 2018 Assignment 1 – Semester 2 – 759527 QUESTION 19 Locke believed that all knowledge is gained empirically, beginning at birth, when our minds are a blank slate, or - - - - -. 1) de dato 2) quae non 3) hic et nunc 4) tabula rasa Answer: Optio n (4) is correct Refer: CP, pg. 5 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Tabula rasa means ‘blank slate’. As a firm believer in empiricism, Locke argued that the human mind has no knowledge at birth and that all knowledge is acquired via the senses. QUESTION 2 0 A psy chologist lecturing on the psychology of perception makes the following statement: In perception pattern and organisation are primary. These aspects often emerge directly from the relationship between discrete elements, and they cannot be deduced from a k nowledge of the individual elements alone. Indeed, at times elements can be missing or altered yet the overall shape will be perceived directly, showing that overall form is primary. From the statement above we can infer that the psychologist is probably a supporter of: 1) behaviourism 2) Descartes’ rationalism 3) gestalt psychology 4) structuralism Answer: Option (3) is correct Refer: Feedback on previous assignment – Chapter 1 Reasoning: The key phrases in the quotation are (a) “they (i.e. pattern and organisa tion) cannot be deduced from knowledge of individual elements alone” and (b) “elements can be missing or 10 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving altered, yet the overall shape will be perceived directly”. According to the psychologist therefore pattern and organisation cannot be simply inferred from the elements of the perception and something ‘more’ is at stake. As these phrases show, the psychologist adopts the basic assumption at the gestalt psychologists, and Option 3 is therefore correct. Remember that the slogan of the gestalt psychologists is that the percept is not simply “the sum of its part”, but that there is something extra an essential property contained in the whole entity. QUESTION 21 During the 1950s, many psychologists were becoming disillusioned with behaviourism, and cognitiv e psychology began to emerge. A major reason why they were disappointed with behaviourism is because it - - - - -. 1) was a purely empirical approach to psychological research 2) could not throw any light on the internal, cognitive mechanisms underlying human behaviour 3) did not pay sufficient attention to the observation and measurement of behaviour 4) focused too much on social and emotional aspects and not enough on the personal and introspective factors causing behaviour Answer: Option (1) is correct Refer: CP, pg. 8 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Cognitive psychology emerged mainly in reaction to the extreme assumption of the behaviourists. They argued that only observable aspects should be studied and that the internal mechanisms of mind cannot be explored in a sc ientific manner. The big problem with the behaviourist methodology is that one is forced to postulate cognitive factors that are not directly observable, in order to explain reasonably complex psychological processes such as language, memory and reasoning. QUESTION 22 The primary contribution that Hermann Ebbinghaus made in his memory research to contemporary cognitive psychology was his - - - - -. 1) objections to the excessive emphasis placed on ecological validity in memory studies 2) use of research empl oying large samples of subjects 3) emphasis on a systematic, well -controlled approach to the study of memory 4) development of a theory of top -down memory processing Answer: Option (3) is correct Refer: CP, pg. 8 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Ebbinghaus is mainly known for conducting systematic research on his own memory processes. • Option 2 is incorrect because Ebbinghaus’s memory research was based on a single subject design in which he used himself as the only subject. • Option 1 is wrong since he did not object t o ecological validity, and did not use a strict laboratory and controlled environment typical of experimental approaches but experimented on himself. • Option 4 is incorrect because Ebbinghaus followed a rather data -oriented bottom -up approach and did not fo cus on the effect that top -down factors such as background knowledge and context have on memory recall. QUESTION 23 This major theme of cognitive psychology deals with the factors that determine who we are, and specifically the issue of whether these fa ctors are primarily genetically based, or derive from the environment in which we grew up? 11 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving 1) Structure versus process 2) Nature versus nurture 3) Biological versus behavioural methods 4) Rationalism versus empiricism Answer: Option (2) is correct Refer: CP, pg. 24 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: The theme referred to in the question is the ‘nature -nurture’ controversy. The issue addressed in the theme is whether the development of cognition is mainly determined by genetic factors or by environmental variables. 2013 Exa m May -June QUESTION 24 Thabo: You know, as far as I’m concerned, exploring the internal mental processes associated with human cognition is a viable scientific approach. Everybody knows nowadays that we cannot find out much about the real workings of huma n language, memory and reasoning by just concentrating on overt, explicitly observable behavior. Based on the statement above it seems that Thabo is favoring the ___. 1) cognitive approach 2) behaviourist paradigm 3) Locke’s theory of human knowledge 4) James Watson’s assumptions about the relevance of mental processes to psychological research Answer: The correct answer is (1) Refer: CP, pp. 6, 11, 12 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: An empiricist believes that we acquire knowledge via empirical evidence – we obtain evidence through experience and observation. To explore how the human mind works, empiricists would design experiments and conduct studies (science). • Behaviourism (option 2) is a theoretical outlook that psychology should focus only on the relation between observab le (overt) behavior, on the one hand, and environmental events or stimuli, on the other. Option 2 is therefore incorrect. • Locke (option 3), an empiricist, believed that humans are born without knowledge and therefore must seek knowledge through empirical o bservation. Locke’s term for this was tabula rasa . Therefore option 3 is incorrect. • John Watson (not James Watson) was seen as the father of radical behaviourism. Therefore option 4 is incorrect on two accounts. QUESTION 25 Theresa, a judge, places empha sis on reasoning and logic in her decisions. Theresa focuses on general principles of anticipated behavior, and gives more weight to aspects such as motive and opportunity than purely observable evidence when delivering a verdict. Theresa is best classifie d as ___. 1) a rationalist 12 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving 2) a follower of Locke’s approach 3) an empiricist 4) holding a view of knowledge which is the opposite of that of Descartes. Answer: The correct answer is (1) Refer: CP, pp. 6, 11, 12 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: A rationalist is someone who be lieves that the route to knowledge is through logical analysis. • Locke (option 2), an empiricist, believed that humans are born without knowledge and therefore must seek knowledge through empirical observation. Locke’s term for this was tabula rasa . Therefo re option 2 is incorrect. • An empiricist believes that we acquire knowledge via empirical evidence – we obtain evidence through experience and observation. To explore how the human mind works, empiricists would design experiments and conduct studies (scienc e). • Descartes was a rationalist that viewed the introspective, reflective method as being superior to empirical methods for finding the truth. (I think, therefore I am). Therefore, since option 4 states the opposite of a rationalist, it is incorrect. QUESTION 26 Erica is conducting experimental research in which she is looking at the effect of type of music on intellectual development. What is the dependent variable in this example? 1) type of music 2) intellectual development 3) both music and intellectual devel opment 4) neither music nor intellectual development Answer: The correct answer is (2) Refer: CP, pg. 19 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Dependent variables are outcome responses, the values of which depend on how one or more independent variables influence or affec t the participants in the experiment. Independent variables are aspects of an investigation that is individually manipulated, or carefully regulated, by the experimenter, while the other aspects are held constant. Option 1 is therefore an independent varia ble. QUESTION 27 Which of the following examples is most analogous to the goal of the structuralist movement in psychology? 1) Scientists study an entire assembled jigsaw puzzle in order to understand each of the pieces 2) Scientists look at how the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fit together in order to understand the assembling process. 3) Scientists look at each piece of jigsaw puzzle in order to understand the whole puzzle as assembled. 4) Scientists study the different ways a jigsaw puzzle can be assembled to form different images. Answer: The correct answer is (3) Refer: CP, pg. 7 – Chapter 1 13 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving Reasoning: Structuralism seeks to understand the structure (configuration of elements) of the mind and its perceptions by analyzing those perceptions into their constituent components. QUESTION 28 BF Skinner explained language acquisition in terms of environmental contingencies. The crux of his argument was that we learn language through reinforcement from our environment. This argument was severely criticized by Chomsky wh o maintained that ___. 1) the production of novel sentences in children was not adequately explained by reinforcement. 2) the cell assemblies in our brain structures are constantly evolving to integrate new information. 3) machines that pass the Turing test prove t hat conditioning is not a prerequisite to learning. 4) Learning only takes place when we understand psychological phenomena as an organized structured whole. Answer: The correct answer is (1) Refer: CP, pg. 15 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Chomsky stressed both th e biological basis and creative potential of language. Even young children continually are producing novel sentences for which they could not have been reinforced in the past. QUESTION 29 Which of the following best describes the main idea underlying Ges talt psychology? 1) “The sum of the parts is equal to the whole.” 2) “All is part of the whole.” 3) “The whole is nothing more than separate individual parts.” 4) “The whole differs from the sum of the parts.” Answer: The correct answer is (4) Refer: CP, pg. 14 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: The maxim “the whole is more than the sum of its parts” aptly sums up the Gestalt perspective. QUESTION 30 Santiago and Ayami disagree on the direction of their research lab. Santiago is simply interested in a particular phenomenon an d wants to study it for knowledge sake. Ayami, however, wants to be able to take what is learned and use it in practical applications. Their disagreement is an example of ___. 1) nature vs nurture 2) rationalism vs empiricism 3) structure vs processes 4) applied vs ba sic research Answer: The correct answer is (4) Refer: CP, pg. 31 – Chapter 1 14 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving Reasoning: Applied vs. basic research : We can combine the two kinds of research so that basic research leads to applied research, which leads to further research, and so on. • Nature vs. nurture : (option 1) We can explore how covariations and interactions in the environment adversely affect someone whose genes otherwise might have led to success in a variety of tasks. • Rationalism vs. empiricism : (option 2) We can combine theory wit h empirical methods to learn the most we can about cognitive phenomena. • Structure vs. process : (option 3) Instead of focusing solely on the study of the contents or of the processes of the mind, we can explore how mental processes operate on mental structu res. QUESTION 31 A major issue debated by researchers in cognitive psychology is whether one should use carefully controlled experiments to make causal inferences about human cognitive processes or instead make use of techniques that would allow one to o bserve psychological activities such as memory as it naturally occurs in everyday cognition. This debate is referred to as ___ vs ___. 1) structures; processes 2) validity of causal inferences; ecological validity 3) nature; nurture 4) domain generality; domain specif icity Answer: The correct answer is (2) Refer: CP, pg. 31 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: We can combine a variety of methods, including laboratory methods and more naturalistic ones, to converge on findings that hold up, regardless of the methods of study. QUESTION 32 John Watson, the founder of radical behaviourism, was an American psychologist who ___. 1) rejected all aspects of functionalism. 2) supported the functionalist movement and was one of its most ardent supporters. 3) rejected some aspects of functionalism, but at the same time drew heavily from the functionalists. 4) Was one of the main developers of the movement that became “behaviourism” in psychology. Answer: The correct answer is (1) Refer: CP, pp. 10, 12 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Functionalists held that the key to understanding the human mind and behavior was to study the processes of how and why the mind works as it does. Watson, on the other hand, had no use for internal mental contents (thoughts) or mechanisms. He believed that psychologists should onl y concentrate on the study of observable behavior. QUESTION 33 15 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memo ry and Problem Solving There are two radio stations, one receiving signals from the western hemisphere and one receiving signals from the eastern hemisphere. A cable connects the two stations so that signals sent o ut from one half of the world can be transmitted to the other half. The cable is analogous to the brain’s ___. 1) corpus callosum 2) cerebral cortex 3) septum 4) medulla oblongata Answer: The correct answer is (1) Refer: CP, pg. 44 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: The corpus callosum is a dense aggregate of neural fibers connecting the two hemispheres. It transmits information back and forth. 2013 Exam October -November QUESTION 3 4 Select the correct statement about the history of cognition among the options below. 1) The issu e of how humans acquire knowledge was not considered until about 100 years ago. 2) The birthday of scientific psychology is usually traced to the first studies of John Watson. 3) The development of the computer played a significant role in the development of cog nitive psychology during the 1950s 4) Behaviourist researchers are particularly famous for the development of influential theories of human problem solving and decision making. Answer: The correct answer is (1) Refer: CP, pp. 10, 12 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Functionalists held that the key to understanding the human mind and behavior was to study the processes of how and why the mind works as it does. Watson, on the other hand, had no use for internal mental contents (thoughts) or mechanisms. He believed that psychologists should only concentrate on the study of observable behavior. QUESTION 3 5 Only one of the following students makes a statement with which cognitive psychologists are likely to agree. The other three statements are all problematic. Identify t he correct statement among the options below. 1) Jeanette: “In everyday cognition, all information is processed at a deep rather than a shallow level. That is why information is only retained in the short -term memory store for brief periods of time.” 2) Maria: “ Decision making is the primary component of all cognitive processes.” 3) Thabo: “In mainstream cognitive psychology, researchers think of cognition as a flow of information, and try to understand how information is represented and processed in the brain.” 4) Alistair: “Cognitive psychologists focus only on manifest, observable behavior when they study mental processes.” Answer: The correct answer is (3)