Basic Psychology (PYC 1501)
Exam Paper:
Questions 1 to 6 refer to the following scenario:
During a class for the first-year psychology students, the tutor asks the students to draw up a step-by-step
representation of the sequence of events during impulse conduction. One of the students provides the following:
a) Stimulus received by soma.
b) Resting membrane potential changes into action potential.
c) Refractory period during which the impulse is generated.
d) Neurotransmitters allow synaptic transmission of the impulse.
e) Postsynaptic potentials determine whether the nect neuron will produce an action potential.
1) The correct order in the sequence of events is ………………
1 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e)
2 (a), (b), (d), (e)
3 (a), (b), (e), (d), (c)
4 (a), (c), (b), (d)
2) The process whereby impulse is conducted much faster by jumping from node to node when travelling
through the myelin sheats is called ………………………
1 myelination
2 frequency
p70 3 saltatory conduction
4 strength and speed
3) During the presentation, one student mentions that neurons can send impulses continuously.
This statement …………………………
1 is correct, because neurons are always active
2 is not correct, because impulses cannot be conducted during the reletive refractory period.
3 is correct, because the refractory period prevents over-stimulation of the nervous system.
pg63 4 is not correct, because the resting potential has to be restored before another impulse can fire.
4) The trigger point at which a neuron will "fire" is called ……………………
pg62 1 ion channel
2 threshold
3 action potential
4 resting potential
5) Which of the following neurotransmitters is accociated with increased heart beat and the
contraction of blood vessels, skeletal muscles and heart muscle?
1 Acetylcholine
2 Serotonin
3 Adrenalin
pg67 4 Endorphin
6) The time during which a neuron is ready to fire is called ………………
1 action potential
pg69 2 resting membrane potential
3 refractory period
4 postsynaptic potential
1
,Questions 7 to 12 refer to the following scenario:
The tutor realises that many students experience difficulty mastering the structure of the human nervous system
and its functions. The tutor then decides to prepare a presentation to help them understand the topic.
7) Which of the following is the most approprate title for the presentation?
1 The division of the human nervous system
2 Human nervous system: structure and function
pg71 3 The biological basis of behaviour
4 The brain and behaviour
8) Which of the following is tha main function of temporal lobes?
pg74 1 The perception of sound, such as spoken words and other sound patterns.
2 To interpret visual input and combine it into meaningful patterns.
3 To regulate complex mental activities and behaviours.
4 To receive input from the senses, and information from muscles and jounts.
9) The tutor asks the students to compile questions for a quiz to test each others' understanding of the work.
One student ask:
"What area of the brain controls the performance of a skilled soccer player?
Another student answers:
"The front lobe".
This answer is:
1 Correct, because there is a map of the areas of the lobe that control certain parts of the body.
2 Incorrect, because the parietal lobe gives feedback based on somatosensory information.
pg78 3 Incorrect, because the function of the cerebellum is to co-ordinate motor movement.
4 Partially correct, because the subcortical structures also play a role in skilled motor movements.
10) One of the functions of the limbic system is to help an individual to adapt to situations.
This is achieved by:
1 regulating motived behaviour
2 evaluating the reward value of situations and linking this to information in memory
3 comparing new information with existing information in memory
pg78 4 all of the above
11) You run away from a large, snarling dog that comes towards you in the park.
When you are some distance away and realise that you are safe, you stop to catch your breath.
The physical symptoms that you now experience are controlled mainly by the ………………
1 sympathetic nervous system
2 central nervous system
3 neurotransmitters
p81 4 parasympathetic nervous system
12) The tutor asks the students to identifiy the correct statement about the brain.
The CORRECT statement is:
p74 1 both hemispheres have to work together for effective language use
2 the cerebral hemisphereare connected by the cerebral cortex
3 the left hemisphere regulates the logical and holistic organisation of information
4 the blood-brain barrier protects the brain from being bumped or injured
13) Which psycho-active drugs bring about disorted sensory experiences whereby people experience
imaginary visions and realities?
p321 1 hallucinogens
2 inhalants
3 stimulants
4 depressants
2
, 14) The chief characteristic of hypnosis is:
1 enhanced creativity
2 heightened arousal
p317 3 increased suggestibility
4 heightened ability to concentrate
15) Which of the following refers to the condition of breathing difficulties during sleep, whereby an
individual wakes up gasping from breath, and then goes back to sleep?
1 insomnia
2 catalepsy
p317 3 sleep apnea
4 narcolepsy
Questions 16 to 18 refer to the following scenario:
Psychology students are required to write an essay on perception and sensation. Sarah decides to write her essay on
the topic of perceptual constancy as an error of perception. She writes the following introduction:
"Although the world is viewed as a fairly constant place, percetual constancy is actually a percetual error because
our perceptions are note the same as the information we receive on the retina. However, perceptual constancy allows
us to see the world as a stable place despite changing conditions aroud us. This essay deals with the interplay of
senation and perception in contributing to our understanding of the environment".
16) Evaluate this introduction of the essay.
1 The introduction contextualies the topic.
2 The relevant argument to be discussed is well formulated.
3 The outline of how the topic will be dealt with is correctly conceptualised.
4 All of the above.
17) You like to play music when you are studying.
The fact that music does not disturb you refers to the phenomen of ……………………
1 monitoring information rapibly and below the level of awareness
2 automatic attention, because you are not listening to the music
3 accomodation to interfering stimuli
4 habituation, which is a heightened state of responding
18) The student asks her classmates for help in organising her information on perceptual constancy in a
logical sequence.
Which of the following is correct?
1 Stimulus received on retina, nerve impulses sent to the brain, threshold crossed, perceptual constancy.
2 Sensory information sent to the brain, information organised, meaning given.
3 Sensory stimulus, transduction, monitoring, perceptual organisation.
4 Sensory stimulus, transduction, increase in conscious awareness, perceptual constancy.
19) Which of the following is NOT one of the factors that influence perceptual organisation?
1 Individual's characteristics and past experience
2 The state of the nervous system
3 Individual's arousal level
4 The characteristics of the stimulus
20) The system that provide people with information about their movements and orientation in spaceis
called ………………
1 chemical system
2 visual system
3 propioceptive system
4 somaesthetic system
3
, 21) Which principle refers to the tendency to group elements that are close together as though
represent a figure?
1 Principle of symmetry
2 Principle of proximity
3 Principle of stimilarity
4 Principle of continuity
22) The categories we form as mental representations of groups of related items are called …………
1 concepts
2 thougths
3 images
4 prototypes
23) The process that refers to the decline in the generator potential due to the persistent stimulation
of the receptors is called ……………………
1 habitiation
2 transduction
3 adaptation
4 conversion
24) What type of reasoning refers to the process of drawing a conclusion that follows logically from
two or more statements or premises?
1 logical reasoning
2 inductive reasoning
3 critical reasoning
4 deductive reasoning
25) Companies that design motor cars have decided to save money by developing a basic design that they can
use and then individualise for each different company.
The basic design is an example of ……………………
1 a conceptual model
2 the superordinate level of a hierarchy
3 a prototype
4 1 and 3
26) Zodwa, a first year student, has failed an examination and decides to ask the lecturer to give her a
pass mark because of her difficult personal circumstances.
Which fallacy in reasoning is Zodwa using here?
1 Trying to discredit an issue by discrediting a person who supports the issue.
2 Playing on someone's sympathy to get something done.
3 Relying on the characteristics of a certain group in order to gain support for a particular conclusion.
4 Using a slightly changed version of someone else's point of view as basis for reasoning.
27) Which of the following is NOT an example of visual representation as a form of thinking?
1 Remembering somebody you oncee saw at the bus stop.
2 Remembering a love song.
3 Recognising a route to your friend's house.
4 Using visual cues to make meaning.
28) Which of the following is NOT one of the steps in the process of problem-sovling?
1 Identify the problem and define it clearly.
2 Explore various strategies.
3 Ask anyone about the problem.
4 Explore possible solutions.
4
Exam Paper:
Questions 1 to 6 refer to the following scenario:
During a class for the first-year psychology students, the tutor asks the students to draw up a step-by-step
representation of the sequence of events during impulse conduction. One of the students provides the following:
a) Stimulus received by soma.
b) Resting membrane potential changes into action potential.
c) Refractory period during which the impulse is generated.
d) Neurotransmitters allow synaptic transmission of the impulse.
e) Postsynaptic potentials determine whether the nect neuron will produce an action potential.
1) The correct order in the sequence of events is ………………
1 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e)
2 (a), (b), (d), (e)
3 (a), (b), (e), (d), (c)
4 (a), (c), (b), (d)
2) The process whereby impulse is conducted much faster by jumping from node to node when travelling
through the myelin sheats is called ………………………
1 myelination
2 frequency
p70 3 saltatory conduction
4 strength and speed
3) During the presentation, one student mentions that neurons can send impulses continuously.
This statement …………………………
1 is correct, because neurons are always active
2 is not correct, because impulses cannot be conducted during the reletive refractory period.
3 is correct, because the refractory period prevents over-stimulation of the nervous system.
pg63 4 is not correct, because the resting potential has to be restored before another impulse can fire.
4) The trigger point at which a neuron will "fire" is called ……………………
pg62 1 ion channel
2 threshold
3 action potential
4 resting potential
5) Which of the following neurotransmitters is accociated with increased heart beat and the
contraction of blood vessels, skeletal muscles and heart muscle?
1 Acetylcholine
2 Serotonin
3 Adrenalin
pg67 4 Endorphin
6) The time during which a neuron is ready to fire is called ………………
1 action potential
pg69 2 resting membrane potential
3 refractory period
4 postsynaptic potential
1
,Questions 7 to 12 refer to the following scenario:
The tutor realises that many students experience difficulty mastering the structure of the human nervous system
and its functions. The tutor then decides to prepare a presentation to help them understand the topic.
7) Which of the following is the most approprate title for the presentation?
1 The division of the human nervous system
2 Human nervous system: structure and function
pg71 3 The biological basis of behaviour
4 The brain and behaviour
8) Which of the following is tha main function of temporal lobes?
pg74 1 The perception of sound, such as spoken words and other sound patterns.
2 To interpret visual input and combine it into meaningful patterns.
3 To regulate complex mental activities and behaviours.
4 To receive input from the senses, and information from muscles and jounts.
9) The tutor asks the students to compile questions for a quiz to test each others' understanding of the work.
One student ask:
"What area of the brain controls the performance of a skilled soccer player?
Another student answers:
"The front lobe".
This answer is:
1 Correct, because there is a map of the areas of the lobe that control certain parts of the body.
2 Incorrect, because the parietal lobe gives feedback based on somatosensory information.
pg78 3 Incorrect, because the function of the cerebellum is to co-ordinate motor movement.
4 Partially correct, because the subcortical structures also play a role in skilled motor movements.
10) One of the functions of the limbic system is to help an individual to adapt to situations.
This is achieved by:
1 regulating motived behaviour
2 evaluating the reward value of situations and linking this to information in memory
3 comparing new information with existing information in memory
pg78 4 all of the above
11) You run away from a large, snarling dog that comes towards you in the park.
When you are some distance away and realise that you are safe, you stop to catch your breath.
The physical symptoms that you now experience are controlled mainly by the ………………
1 sympathetic nervous system
2 central nervous system
3 neurotransmitters
p81 4 parasympathetic nervous system
12) The tutor asks the students to identifiy the correct statement about the brain.
The CORRECT statement is:
p74 1 both hemispheres have to work together for effective language use
2 the cerebral hemisphereare connected by the cerebral cortex
3 the left hemisphere regulates the logical and holistic organisation of information
4 the blood-brain barrier protects the brain from being bumped or injured
13) Which psycho-active drugs bring about disorted sensory experiences whereby people experience
imaginary visions and realities?
p321 1 hallucinogens
2 inhalants
3 stimulants
4 depressants
2
, 14) The chief characteristic of hypnosis is:
1 enhanced creativity
2 heightened arousal
p317 3 increased suggestibility
4 heightened ability to concentrate
15) Which of the following refers to the condition of breathing difficulties during sleep, whereby an
individual wakes up gasping from breath, and then goes back to sleep?
1 insomnia
2 catalepsy
p317 3 sleep apnea
4 narcolepsy
Questions 16 to 18 refer to the following scenario:
Psychology students are required to write an essay on perception and sensation. Sarah decides to write her essay on
the topic of perceptual constancy as an error of perception. She writes the following introduction:
"Although the world is viewed as a fairly constant place, percetual constancy is actually a percetual error because
our perceptions are note the same as the information we receive on the retina. However, perceptual constancy allows
us to see the world as a stable place despite changing conditions aroud us. This essay deals with the interplay of
senation and perception in contributing to our understanding of the environment".
16) Evaluate this introduction of the essay.
1 The introduction contextualies the topic.
2 The relevant argument to be discussed is well formulated.
3 The outline of how the topic will be dealt with is correctly conceptualised.
4 All of the above.
17) You like to play music when you are studying.
The fact that music does not disturb you refers to the phenomen of ……………………
1 monitoring information rapibly and below the level of awareness
2 automatic attention, because you are not listening to the music
3 accomodation to interfering stimuli
4 habituation, which is a heightened state of responding
18) The student asks her classmates for help in organising her information on perceptual constancy in a
logical sequence.
Which of the following is correct?
1 Stimulus received on retina, nerve impulses sent to the brain, threshold crossed, perceptual constancy.
2 Sensory information sent to the brain, information organised, meaning given.
3 Sensory stimulus, transduction, monitoring, perceptual organisation.
4 Sensory stimulus, transduction, increase in conscious awareness, perceptual constancy.
19) Which of the following is NOT one of the factors that influence perceptual organisation?
1 Individual's characteristics and past experience
2 The state of the nervous system
3 Individual's arousal level
4 The characteristics of the stimulus
20) The system that provide people with information about their movements and orientation in spaceis
called ………………
1 chemical system
2 visual system
3 propioceptive system
4 somaesthetic system
3
, 21) Which principle refers to the tendency to group elements that are close together as though
represent a figure?
1 Principle of symmetry
2 Principle of proximity
3 Principle of stimilarity
4 Principle of continuity
22) The categories we form as mental representations of groups of related items are called …………
1 concepts
2 thougths
3 images
4 prototypes
23) The process that refers to the decline in the generator potential due to the persistent stimulation
of the receptors is called ……………………
1 habitiation
2 transduction
3 adaptation
4 conversion
24) What type of reasoning refers to the process of drawing a conclusion that follows logically from
two or more statements or premises?
1 logical reasoning
2 inductive reasoning
3 critical reasoning
4 deductive reasoning
25) Companies that design motor cars have decided to save money by developing a basic design that they can
use and then individualise for each different company.
The basic design is an example of ……………………
1 a conceptual model
2 the superordinate level of a hierarchy
3 a prototype
4 1 and 3
26) Zodwa, a first year student, has failed an examination and decides to ask the lecturer to give her a
pass mark because of her difficult personal circumstances.
Which fallacy in reasoning is Zodwa using here?
1 Trying to discredit an issue by discrediting a person who supports the issue.
2 Playing on someone's sympathy to get something done.
3 Relying on the characteristics of a certain group in order to gain support for a particular conclusion.
4 Using a slightly changed version of someone else's point of view as basis for reasoning.
27) Which of the following is NOT an example of visual representation as a form of thinking?
1 Remembering somebody you oncee saw at the bus stop.
2 Remembering a love song.
3 Recognising a route to your friend's house.
4 Using visual cues to make meaning.
28) Which of the following is NOT one of the steps in the process of problem-sovling?
1 Identify the problem and define it clearly.
2 Explore various strategies.
3 Ask anyone about the problem.
4 Explore possible solutions.
4
