PYC3703 - Past Exam Papers AND A

1 PYC3703 – Cognition: Thinking, Memory 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 applicable, 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 - • 2018 Assignment 2 – Semester 1 - • 2018 Assignment 1 – Semester 2 - • 2018 Assignment 2 – Semester 2 - Exams covered are: • 2013 Exam May-June • 2013 Exam October-November • 2014 Exam May-June • 2014 Exam October-November • 2015 Exam May-June • 2015 Exam 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 subsequent 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-bychapter 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 necessary 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 asked 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, Memory 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 objects 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 world, 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 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 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 world) 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, Memory and Problem Solving Answer: The correct answer is (4) Refer: CP, pg. 36 – Chapter 1 Reasoning: Note that the notion ‘innate’ represents the nature or genetic side of the naturenurture 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: 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 experiment, 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 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 investigation that is individually manipulated, or carefully regulated, by the experimenter, while the other aspects are held constant. 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 themselves 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 assumption 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, Memory 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 processing 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 knowledge 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 of 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 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. 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 study 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