COGS 100 Exam Questions & Answers
2025/2026
What is voluntarism? - ANSWERSFounded by WIlliam Wundt
Proposes that the mind consists of elements that are put together to form higher-level cognitive
components voluntarily.
Uses introspection.
What is introspection? - ANSWERSThe examination or observation of one's own mental and
emotional processes.
What is structuralism? - ANSWERSFounded by Edward Titchener
Proposes that the mind is passive, and has a structure that is understood in terms of basic
elements and how they combine.
Uses introspection too
Titchener thought that there was a chemical binding between components of the mind.
What is functionalism? - ANSWERSFounded by William James
Looks at what the mind does, rather what it's made up of.
,Believed that mental processes were continuously changing.
What is substantive thought and transitive thought? - ANSWERSSubstantive Thought - mind
slows down to focus
Transitive Thought - mind is less focused
What is behaviourism? - ANSWERSFounded by Watson and Skinner
Deals with studying behaviour only and not worrying about mental operations
What is the "black box analogy"? - ANSWERSMind is a black box that produces a response after
receiving a stimulus. Part of behaviourist approach.
S --> [O] --> R
What is Gestalt psychology? - ANSWERSFounded by Wertheimer, Kofka, and Kohler
Explored the mind as being a conscious whole more than the components, which countered
structuralism.
Used a method called phenomenology - the subjective experience of immediate stimuli.
What is insight learning? - ANSWERSWallas, 1926
Four Stages:
- Preparation (understand the problem, first attempts)
,- Incubation (problem put aside, unconscious thoughts)
- Illumination (lightbulb moment)
- Verification (confirm insight)
What is psychoanalytic psychology? - ANSWERSFounded by Sigmund Freud
The mind is composed of "mini minds" fighting for control of behaviour.
Influenced by:
- Conscious Thoughts (aware)
- Preconscious Thoughts (able to be brought to awareness)
- Unconscious Thoughts (fully unaware)
Criticized because it relied on Freud's subjective notes with no verification
What is the Iceberg Model as designed by Freud? - ANSWERSA model that demonstrated his
idea of the 3 main mental structures:
- The Id (desires and unconscious impulses that run off pleasure principle)
- The Superego (ethical responses based off idealistic principle, controls Id)
- The Ego (the balanced response that is based off the reality principle)
The Id is completely submerged on the iceberg, while the Superego and the Ego are partly
submerged and above water.
, Why was introspection criticised as a method of study? - ANSWERSIt's subjective. Can't really
prove it if it's the thoughts of people's own mental states, which are all different.
What is a dependent variable? - ANSWERSThe variable in an experiment that is measured.
What is an independent variable? - ANSWERSThe variable in an experiment that is changed.
Explain Pavlov's classical conditioning in terms of the UCS, CS, UCR, and CR. - ANSWERSUCS -
food
UCR - salivation
CS - bell
CR - salivation (caused by bell)
What is the difference between operant conditioning and classical conditioning? -
ANSWERSClassical Conditioning - applies to reflexive, involuntary behaviour.
Operant Conditioning - applies to voluntary motor acts, uses reinforcements and punishments.
What is psychology? - ANSWERSThe study of mind and behaviour. Uses the scientific method to
gain knowledge and validate theories.
What is cognition? - ANSWERSThe act of knowing and perception, and that our mind is an
abstract entity of the brain (our hardware).
What is intelligence? - ANSWERSThe linking of information from the past.
What three key concepts are our mental processes linked to? - ANSWERSMemory, attention,
and consciousness
2025/2026
What is voluntarism? - ANSWERSFounded by WIlliam Wundt
Proposes that the mind consists of elements that are put together to form higher-level cognitive
components voluntarily.
Uses introspection.
What is introspection? - ANSWERSThe examination or observation of one's own mental and
emotional processes.
What is structuralism? - ANSWERSFounded by Edward Titchener
Proposes that the mind is passive, and has a structure that is understood in terms of basic
elements and how they combine.
Uses introspection too
Titchener thought that there was a chemical binding between components of the mind.
What is functionalism? - ANSWERSFounded by William James
Looks at what the mind does, rather what it's made up of.
,Believed that mental processes were continuously changing.
What is substantive thought and transitive thought? - ANSWERSSubstantive Thought - mind
slows down to focus
Transitive Thought - mind is less focused
What is behaviourism? - ANSWERSFounded by Watson and Skinner
Deals with studying behaviour only and not worrying about mental operations
What is the "black box analogy"? - ANSWERSMind is a black box that produces a response after
receiving a stimulus. Part of behaviourist approach.
S --> [O] --> R
What is Gestalt psychology? - ANSWERSFounded by Wertheimer, Kofka, and Kohler
Explored the mind as being a conscious whole more than the components, which countered
structuralism.
Used a method called phenomenology - the subjective experience of immediate stimuli.
What is insight learning? - ANSWERSWallas, 1926
Four Stages:
- Preparation (understand the problem, first attempts)
,- Incubation (problem put aside, unconscious thoughts)
- Illumination (lightbulb moment)
- Verification (confirm insight)
What is psychoanalytic psychology? - ANSWERSFounded by Sigmund Freud
The mind is composed of "mini minds" fighting for control of behaviour.
Influenced by:
- Conscious Thoughts (aware)
- Preconscious Thoughts (able to be brought to awareness)
- Unconscious Thoughts (fully unaware)
Criticized because it relied on Freud's subjective notes with no verification
What is the Iceberg Model as designed by Freud? - ANSWERSA model that demonstrated his
idea of the 3 main mental structures:
- The Id (desires and unconscious impulses that run off pleasure principle)
- The Superego (ethical responses based off idealistic principle, controls Id)
- The Ego (the balanced response that is based off the reality principle)
The Id is completely submerged on the iceberg, while the Superego and the Ego are partly
submerged and above water.
, Why was introspection criticised as a method of study? - ANSWERSIt's subjective. Can't really
prove it if it's the thoughts of people's own mental states, which are all different.
What is a dependent variable? - ANSWERSThe variable in an experiment that is measured.
What is an independent variable? - ANSWERSThe variable in an experiment that is changed.
Explain Pavlov's classical conditioning in terms of the UCS, CS, UCR, and CR. - ANSWERSUCS -
food
UCR - salivation
CS - bell
CR - salivation (caused by bell)
What is the difference between operant conditioning and classical conditioning? -
ANSWERSClassical Conditioning - applies to reflexive, involuntary behaviour.
Operant Conditioning - applies to voluntary motor acts, uses reinforcements and punishments.
What is psychology? - ANSWERSThe study of mind and behaviour. Uses the scientific method to
gain knowledge and validate theories.
What is cognition? - ANSWERSThe act of knowing and perception, and that our mind is an
abstract entity of the brain (our hardware).
What is intelligence? - ANSWERSThe linking of information from the past.
What three key concepts are our mental processes linked to? - ANSWERSMemory, attention,
and consciousness
