D 570 Exam 4 V3 | D 570 Cognitive Psychology |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (D570 Exam 4) |
Western Governors University
1. Which cognitive bias involves the tendency to search for, interpret, and favor information
that confirms one’s pre-existing beliefs?
A. Availability heuristic
B. Hindsight bias
C. Confirmation bias
D. Anchoring effect
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Confirmation bias is a significant concept in decision-making psychology
where individuals selectively attend to evidence that supports their hypothesis. It leads to
the dismissal of contradictory evidence, which can severely impact the objectivity of
scientific or everyday reasoning. This phenomenon is a primary reason why people
maintain false beliefs even in the face of logic.
2. In the context of problem solving, what is the term for a mental shortcut that allows for
quick, though not always accurate, decision making?
A. Algorithm
B. Mental set
,C. Heuristic
D. Operator
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Heuristics are ‘rules of thumb’ that simplify complex tasks to make them
manageable within the constraints of limited cognitive resources. Unlike algorithms, they
do not guarantee a correct solution but are efficient for everyday problem solving.
Cognitive psychologists study heuristics to understand why human judgment frequently
deviates from normative models.
3. Which theory of intelligence proposes that there are eight or more distinct types of
intelligence, such as musical, spatial, and interpersonal?
A. Spearman’s Two-Factor Theory
B. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
C. Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory
D. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences challenges the traditional
view of a single general intelligence factor (g). It suggests that human competence is better
described by a set of relatively independent abilities. This model has significant
implications for educational practices and the assessment of diverse human talents.
, 4. What is the smallest unit of sound in a language that can distinguish one word from
another?
A. Phoneme
B. Morpheme
C. Syntax
D. Semantics
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Phonemes are the basic building blocks of spoken language, representing
individual speech sounds. A change in a single phoneme, such as ‘p’ to ‘b’ in ‘pat’ vs ‘bat,’
completely alters the meaning of the word. Understanding phonemes is critical for the
study of language acquisition and speech perception.
5. According to the Whorfian hypothesis (linguistic relativity), how does language influence
cognition?
A. Language is a direct reflection of universal cognitive structures.
B. Cognition is entirely independent of linguistic ability.
C. The structure of a language shapes the way its speakers perceive and think about the
world.
D. Language development follows a rigid biological schedule regardless of culture.
Correct Answer: C
Actual Q&A with Rationale (D570 Exam 4) |
Western Governors University
1. Which cognitive bias involves the tendency to search for, interpret, and favor information
that confirms one’s pre-existing beliefs?
A. Availability heuristic
B. Hindsight bias
C. Confirmation bias
D. Anchoring effect
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Confirmation bias is a significant concept in decision-making psychology
where individuals selectively attend to evidence that supports their hypothesis. It leads to
the dismissal of contradictory evidence, which can severely impact the objectivity of
scientific or everyday reasoning. This phenomenon is a primary reason why people
maintain false beliefs even in the face of logic.
2. In the context of problem solving, what is the term for a mental shortcut that allows for
quick, though not always accurate, decision making?
A. Algorithm
B. Mental set
,C. Heuristic
D. Operator
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Heuristics are ‘rules of thumb’ that simplify complex tasks to make them
manageable within the constraints of limited cognitive resources. Unlike algorithms, they
do not guarantee a correct solution but are efficient for everyday problem solving.
Cognitive psychologists study heuristics to understand why human judgment frequently
deviates from normative models.
3. Which theory of intelligence proposes that there are eight or more distinct types of
intelligence, such as musical, spatial, and interpersonal?
A. Spearman’s Two-Factor Theory
B. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
C. Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory
D. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences challenges the traditional
view of a single general intelligence factor (g). It suggests that human competence is better
described by a set of relatively independent abilities. This model has significant
implications for educational practices and the assessment of diverse human talents.
, 4. What is the smallest unit of sound in a language that can distinguish one word from
another?
A. Phoneme
B. Morpheme
C. Syntax
D. Semantics
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Phonemes are the basic building blocks of spoken language, representing
individual speech sounds. A change in a single phoneme, such as ‘p’ to ‘b’ in ‘pat’ vs ‘bat,’
completely alters the meaning of the word. Understanding phonemes is critical for the
study of language acquisition and speech perception.
5. According to the Whorfian hypothesis (linguistic relativity), how does language influence
cognition?
A. Language is a direct reflection of universal cognitive structures.
B. Cognition is entirely independent of linguistic ability.
C. The structure of a language shapes the way its speakers perceive and think about the
world.
D. Language development follows a rigid biological schedule regardless of culture.
Correct Answer: C
