D 570 Final Exam V3 | D 570 Cognitive Psychology |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (D570 Final Exam) |
Western Governors University
1. Which process is characterized by processing information starting with the raw sensory
data from the environment?
A. Top-down processing
B. Bottom-up processing
C. Conceptual processing
D. Expectation-based processing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bottom-up processing refers to the sequence of events from eye to brain,
starting with the physical stimulus. It is often described as data-driven because the
perception is built from individual sensory components. This differs from top-down
processing, which relies on prior knowledge and expectations to interpret the
environment.
2. A researcher presents two identical pictures to a participant, but one has a small detail
changed. The participant fails to notice this change. What is this phenomenon called?
A. Inattentional blindness
B. Sensory adaptation
,C. The Stroop effect
D. Change blindness
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Change blindness is the failure to detect a change in a visual stimulus when it
occurs during a brief disruption. It demonstrates that our internal representation of the
visual world is not as complete as we might think. This effect is frequently studied in
cognitive psychology to understand the limits of visual attention.
3. Which component of Baddeley’s Working Memory model is responsible for coordinating
the activities of the other subsystems?
A. Phonological loop
B. Visuospatial sketchpad
C. Episodic buffer
D. Central executive
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The central executive acts as the control center of the working memory
system by allocating attentional resources. It manages the flow of information between the
phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad. This component is crucial for complex
cognitive tasks such as problem-solving and decision-making.
, 4. When new information interferes with the ability to recall older, previously learned
information, it is known as:
A. Proactive interference
B. Decay theory
C. Anterograde amnesia
D. Retroactive interference
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Retroactive interference occurs when more recent learning prevents the
retrieval of older memories. For example, learning a new phone number might make it
difficult to remember your old one. This concept is a primary explanation for why
forgetting occurs in long-term memory.
5. Which heuristic involves estimating the frequency or probability of an event based on how
easily examples come to mind?
A. Representativeness heuristic
B. Affect heuristic
C. Anchoring heuristic
D. Availability heuristic
Correct Answer: D
Actual Q&A with Rationale (D570 Final Exam) |
Western Governors University
1. Which process is characterized by processing information starting with the raw sensory
data from the environment?
A. Top-down processing
B. Bottom-up processing
C. Conceptual processing
D. Expectation-based processing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bottom-up processing refers to the sequence of events from eye to brain,
starting with the physical stimulus. It is often described as data-driven because the
perception is built from individual sensory components. This differs from top-down
processing, which relies on prior knowledge and expectations to interpret the
environment.
2. A researcher presents two identical pictures to a participant, but one has a small detail
changed. The participant fails to notice this change. What is this phenomenon called?
A. Inattentional blindness
B. Sensory adaptation
,C. The Stroop effect
D. Change blindness
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Change blindness is the failure to detect a change in a visual stimulus when it
occurs during a brief disruption. It demonstrates that our internal representation of the
visual world is not as complete as we might think. This effect is frequently studied in
cognitive psychology to understand the limits of visual attention.
3. Which component of Baddeley’s Working Memory model is responsible for coordinating
the activities of the other subsystems?
A. Phonological loop
B. Visuospatial sketchpad
C. Episodic buffer
D. Central executive
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The central executive acts as the control center of the working memory
system by allocating attentional resources. It manages the flow of information between the
phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad. This component is crucial for complex
cognitive tasks such as problem-solving and decision-making.
, 4. When new information interferes with the ability to recall older, previously learned
information, it is known as:
A. Proactive interference
B. Decay theory
C. Anterograde amnesia
D. Retroactive interference
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Retroactive interference occurs when more recent learning prevents the
retrieval of older memories. For example, learning a new phone number might make it
difficult to remember your old one. This concept is a primary explanation for why
forgetting occurs in long-term memory.
5. Which heuristic involves estimating the frequency or probability of an event based on how
easily examples come to mind?
A. Representativeness heuristic
B. Affect heuristic
C. Anchoring heuristic
D. Availability heuristic
Correct Answer: D
