PSY 102 Exam 2 V1 | PSY 102 General Psychology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (PSY102 Exam 2) | Grand Canyon University
1. Which process refers to the initial recording of information into the memory system?
A. Encoding
B. Retrieval
C. Storage
D. Rehearsal
Answer: A
Rationale: Encoding is the first stage of the memory process where information is
transformed into a neural code. It allows the brain to process sensory input into a format
that can be stored for later use. Without effective encoding, the information cannot be
successfully moved into long-term storage.
2. In Pavlov’s classic study, what did the bell represent after the dog learned to salivate to it?
A. Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
B. Unconditioned Response (UCR)
C. Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
D. Conditioned Response (CR)
Answer: C
Rationale: The bell initially served as a neutral stimulus that did not elicit a specific
response from the dog. Through repeated pairing with the food, the bell became a
conditioned stimulus (CS). This illustrates the fundamental principle of classical
conditioning where associations are formed between stimuli.
3. A student studies hard to avoid the embarrassment of a low grade. This is an example of:
A. Positive Reinforcement
B. Positive Punishment
C. Negative Reinforcement
D. Negative Punishment
Answer: C
Rationale: Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an unpleasant or aversive
stimulus to increase a desired behavior. In this case, studying is increased to remove or
,avoid the negative state of embarrassment. It is distinct from punishment because it aims
to strengthen, rather than weaken, a behavior.
4. According to George Miller, what is the average capacity of short-term memory?
A. 3 to 5 items
B. Unlimited
C. 10 to 12 items
D. 5 to 9 items
Answer: D
Rationale: George Miller’s research famously identified ‘the magical number seven, plus or
minus two’ as the capacity of short-term memory. This suggests that most adults can hold
between five and nine bits of information simultaneously. This capacity can be effectively
increased through techniques such as chunking.
5. Memory for skills and habits, such as riding a bike, is known as:
A. Semantic Memory
B. Episodic Memory
C. Declarative Memory
D. Procedural Memory
Answer: D
Rationale: Procedural memory is a type of implicit memory that involves motor skills and
behavioral habits. These memories are typically acquired through practice and are often
difficult to verbalize. Unlike declarative memory, procedural memory does not require
conscious awareness to be retrieved.
6. A paycheck received every two weeks represents which schedule of reinforcement?
A. Fixed-interval
B. Variable-ratio
C. Fixed-ratio
D. Variable-interval
Answer: A
Rationale: A fixed-interval schedule provides reinforcement after a specific, set amount of
time has passed. Because the paycheck occurs consistently every two weeks, it follows this
predictable temporal pattern. This schedule often leads to a ‘scalloped’ response pattern in
behavioral studies.
, 7. In Piaget’s theory, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight
is:
A. Object Permanence
B. Conservation
C. Egocentrism
D. Reversibility
Answer: A
Rationale: Object permanence is a key developmental milestone typically achieved during
the sensorimotor stage. It signifies that a child can mentally represent an object even when
it is not perceived. This cognitive shift allows for more complex interactions with the
environment and the development of memory.
8. Judging the likelihood of an event based on how well it matches a specific stereotype is
known as:
A. Availability Heuristic
B. Hindsight Bias
C. Confirmation Bias
D. Representativeness Heuristic
Answer: D
Rationale: The representativeness heuristic is a mental shortcut used to categorize items
based on their similarity to a prototype. While efficient, it can lead to errors by ignoring
base rates and statistical probabilities. It essentially relies on how ‘typical’ an instance
seems to be relative to a category.
9. The extent to which a test yields consistent results over time is its:
A. Validity
B. Reliability
C. Standardization
D. Normalization
Answer: B
Rationale: Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of a measurement tool across
different administrations. If a person takes the same test twice and receives a similar score,
the test is considered reliable. High reliability is necessary but not sufficient for a test to be
considered valid.
Rationale (PSY102 Exam 2) | Grand Canyon University
1. Which process refers to the initial recording of information into the memory system?
A. Encoding
B. Retrieval
C. Storage
D. Rehearsal
Answer: A
Rationale: Encoding is the first stage of the memory process where information is
transformed into a neural code. It allows the brain to process sensory input into a format
that can be stored for later use. Without effective encoding, the information cannot be
successfully moved into long-term storage.
2. In Pavlov’s classic study, what did the bell represent after the dog learned to salivate to it?
A. Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
B. Unconditioned Response (UCR)
C. Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
D. Conditioned Response (CR)
Answer: C
Rationale: The bell initially served as a neutral stimulus that did not elicit a specific
response from the dog. Through repeated pairing with the food, the bell became a
conditioned stimulus (CS). This illustrates the fundamental principle of classical
conditioning where associations are formed between stimuli.
3. A student studies hard to avoid the embarrassment of a low grade. This is an example of:
A. Positive Reinforcement
B. Positive Punishment
C. Negative Reinforcement
D. Negative Punishment
Answer: C
Rationale: Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an unpleasant or aversive
stimulus to increase a desired behavior. In this case, studying is increased to remove or
,avoid the negative state of embarrassment. It is distinct from punishment because it aims
to strengthen, rather than weaken, a behavior.
4. According to George Miller, what is the average capacity of short-term memory?
A. 3 to 5 items
B. Unlimited
C. 10 to 12 items
D. 5 to 9 items
Answer: D
Rationale: George Miller’s research famously identified ‘the magical number seven, plus or
minus two’ as the capacity of short-term memory. This suggests that most adults can hold
between five and nine bits of information simultaneously. This capacity can be effectively
increased through techniques such as chunking.
5. Memory for skills and habits, such as riding a bike, is known as:
A. Semantic Memory
B. Episodic Memory
C. Declarative Memory
D. Procedural Memory
Answer: D
Rationale: Procedural memory is a type of implicit memory that involves motor skills and
behavioral habits. These memories are typically acquired through practice and are often
difficult to verbalize. Unlike declarative memory, procedural memory does not require
conscious awareness to be retrieved.
6. A paycheck received every two weeks represents which schedule of reinforcement?
A. Fixed-interval
B. Variable-ratio
C. Fixed-ratio
D. Variable-interval
Answer: A
Rationale: A fixed-interval schedule provides reinforcement after a specific, set amount of
time has passed. Because the paycheck occurs consistently every two weeks, it follows this
predictable temporal pattern. This schedule often leads to a ‘scalloped’ response pattern in
behavioral studies.
, 7. In Piaget’s theory, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight
is:
A. Object Permanence
B. Conservation
C. Egocentrism
D. Reversibility
Answer: A
Rationale: Object permanence is a key developmental milestone typically achieved during
the sensorimotor stage. It signifies that a child can mentally represent an object even when
it is not perceived. This cognitive shift allows for more complex interactions with the
environment and the development of memory.
8. Judging the likelihood of an event based on how well it matches a specific stereotype is
known as:
A. Availability Heuristic
B. Hindsight Bias
C. Confirmation Bias
D. Representativeness Heuristic
Answer: D
Rationale: The representativeness heuristic is a mental shortcut used to categorize items
based on their similarity to a prototype. While efficient, it can lead to errors by ignoring
base rates and statistical probabilities. It essentially relies on how ‘typical’ an instance
seems to be relative to a category.
9. The extent to which a test yields consistent results over time is its:
A. Validity
B. Reliability
C. Standardization
D. Normalization
Answer: B
Rationale: Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of a measurement tool across
different administrations. If a person takes the same test twice and receives a similar score,
the test is considered reliable. High reliability is necessary but not sufficient for a test to be
considered valid.
