Wgu D570 Cognitive Psychology Western Governors University
Cognitive Psychology Study Guide Questions And Correct
Answers Plus Rationales| Instant Download
This exam assesses mastery of the historical and philosophical foundations of cognitive psychology, including the
cognitive revolution, major theoretical paradigms, and methodological innovations. It emphasizes critical
analysis of seminal experiments, competing models, and the integration of cognitive psychology with neuroscience
and computational approaches. It contains 100 multiple-choice questions, each with four distractors and a fully
worked rationale that explains why the keyed answer is correct. Content is organized into 12 focused sections:
History and Foundations of Cognitive Psychology, Research Methods and Cognitive Neuroscience, Sensation,
Perception, and Attention, Memory Systems (Sensory, Working, Long-Term), Memory Processes (Encoding,
Storage, Retrieval, Forgetting), Knowledge Representation and Organization, Language Comprehension and
Production, Problem Solving, Reasoning, and Decision Making, Judgment, Heuristics, and Biases, Cognitive
Development and Individual Differences, Consciousness, Metacognition, and Executive Function, Applied
Cognitive Psychology and Assessment. Targeted learning outcomes include: Analyze the historical antecedents
and philosophical debates that shaped cognitive psychology.; Evaluate the impact of the cognitive revolution on
psychological research and theory.; Synthesize knowledge of foundational experiments and their implications for
modern cognitive science.. Every item has been reviewed for clinical accuracy, current guidelines, and clarity so
that students can study with confidence and self-correct as they work through the bank. Use it as a high-yield
Section 1: History and Foundations of Cognitive Psychology (Questions 1-9)
1 Which methodological innovation most directly enabled the cognitive
revolution by allowing inference of internal mental processes?
A) Behaviorist stimulus-response conditioning paradigms
B) Information-processing models and computer simulation
C) Psychoanalytic dream analysis
D) Gestalt principles of perceptual organization
Answer: B
Rationale: Information-processing models and computer simulation provided a
framework for hypothesizing internal mental operations, which was central to
the cognitive revolution. Behaviorism avoided mentalistic explanations,
psychoanalysis was not empirically testable in this context, and Gestalt
principles, while important, did not offer the same computational rigor.
2 Broadbent's filter model and Treisman's attenuation model differ primarily in
their explanation of:
A) The location of the bottleneck in processing
B) Whether unattended information is completely blocked or merely
weakened
C) The role of working memory in attention
,D) The distinction between early and late selection
Answer: B
Rationale: Broadbent proposed that unattended information is completely
filtered out, whereas Treisman suggested it is attenuated but still processed.
Both are early-selection models, so the bottleneck location is similar, and
working memory is not the central difference.
3 In the context of the cognitive revolution, which of the following best
characterizes the shift from behaviorism?
A) A rejection of empirical methods in favor of introspection
B) A focus on observable behavior to the exclusion of mental states
C) An embrace of mental representations and internal processes as legitimate
scientific targets
D) A return to structuralist introspection as the primary method
Answer: C
Rationale: The cognitive revolution legitimized the study of mental
representations and processes, often using behavioral data to infer them. It did
not reject empiricism, exclude mental states, or revert to introspection.
4 Sperling's partial report technique demonstrated that iconic memory has:
A) Unlimited capacity and unlimited duration
B) Limited capacity but long duration
C) Large capacity but rapid decay
D) Small capacity and rapid decay
Answer: C
Rationale: Sperling showed that participants could report any cued row with
high accuracy immediately after display, indicating a large capacity iconic
store that decays quickly. Unlimited capacity/duration is incorrect, and limited
capacity with long duration or small capacity with rapid decay mischaracterize
the findings.
5 Which of the following best illustrates the principle of ecological validity in
cognitive psychology research?
A) Conducting a study using abstract stimuli in a controlled lab setting
B) Using a naturalistic task that mimics real-world cognitive demands
C) Ensuring high internal validity through random assignment
,D) Replicating a classic experiment with minor modifications
Answer: B
Rationale: Ecological validity refers to the extent to which research findings
generalize to real-world settings, so a naturalistic task is key. Abstract lab
stimuli, internal validity, and replication do not directly address ecological
validity.
6 The concept of 'levels of processing' challenged which earlier assumption
about memory?
A) That memory is a single unitary store
B) That rehearsal alone determines memory strength
C) That memory is modality-specific
D) That memory is purely associative
Answer: B
Rationale: Craik and Lockhart's levels-of-processing framework showed that
depth of processing, not mere repetition, affects memory. It did not primarily
challenge unitary store, modality-specificity, or associativity.
7 In the context of the cognitive revolution, which of the following was a key
contribution of Noam Chomsky?
A) Demonstrating that language acquisition is purely behaviorist
B) Proposing that language is an innate cognitive capacity with universal
grammar
C) Developing the first computer model of language processing
D) Showing that language is entirely determined by environmental input
Answer: B
Rationale: Chomsky argued against behaviorist accounts, proposing innate
universal grammar. He did not support behaviorist language acquisition,
develop the first computer model, or claim language is entirely environmental.
8 Which of the following best describes the Atkinson-Shiffrin model's
contribution to cognitive psychology?
A) It provided a detailed neural account of memory
B) It introduced the concept of working memory
C) It proposed a multi-store model with sensory, short-term, and long-term
stores
, D) It emphasized implicit memory processes
Answer: C
Rationale: The Atkinson-Shiffrin model was a foundational multi-store model,
delineating sensory, short-term, and long-term memory. It did not provide
neural detail, introduce working memory (that was Baddeley), or focus on
implicit memory.
9 The term 'cognitive neuroscience' emerged primarily from the integration of
cognitive psychology with:
A) Behavioral genetics
B) Computer science
C) Neuroscience
D) Anthropology
Answer: C
Rationale: Cognitive neuroscience combines cognitive psychology with
neuroscience to study the neural basis of cognition. While computer science
influenced cognitive psychology, the specific term emphasizes neuroscience
integration.
Section 2: Research Methods and Cognitive Neuroscience (Questions 10-18)
10 A researcher using fMRI observes BOLD signal increases in the fusiform
face area (FFA) when participants view faces versus houses. Which
interpretation is most warranted?
A) FFA activity is necessary for face perception.
B) FFA activity is correlated with face perception.
C) FFA activity is specific to faces only.
D) FFA activity reflects general visual processing.
Answer: B
Rationale: fMRI provides correlational evidence; increased BOLD signal in
FFA during face viewing indicates a correlation, not necessity. Necessity
would require lesion or TMS evidence. Specificity is challenged by other
categories, and general visual processing would not differentiate faces from
houses.
Cognitive Psychology Study Guide Questions And Correct
Answers Plus Rationales| Instant Download
This exam assesses mastery of the historical and philosophical foundations of cognitive psychology, including the
cognitive revolution, major theoretical paradigms, and methodological innovations. It emphasizes critical
analysis of seminal experiments, competing models, and the integration of cognitive psychology with neuroscience
and computational approaches. It contains 100 multiple-choice questions, each with four distractors and a fully
worked rationale that explains why the keyed answer is correct. Content is organized into 12 focused sections:
History and Foundations of Cognitive Psychology, Research Methods and Cognitive Neuroscience, Sensation,
Perception, and Attention, Memory Systems (Sensory, Working, Long-Term), Memory Processes (Encoding,
Storage, Retrieval, Forgetting), Knowledge Representation and Organization, Language Comprehension and
Production, Problem Solving, Reasoning, and Decision Making, Judgment, Heuristics, and Biases, Cognitive
Development and Individual Differences, Consciousness, Metacognition, and Executive Function, Applied
Cognitive Psychology and Assessment. Targeted learning outcomes include: Analyze the historical antecedents
and philosophical debates that shaped cognitive psychology.; Evaluate the impact of the cognitive revolution on
psychological research and theory.; Synthesize knowledge of foundational experiments and their implications for
modern cognitive science.. Every item has been reviewed for clinical accuracy, current guidelines, and clarity so
that students can study with confidence and self-correct as they work through the bank. Use it as a high-yield
Section 1: History and Foundations of Cognitive Psychology (Questions 1-9)
1 Which methodological innovation most directly enabled the cognitive
revolution by allowing inference of internal mental processes?
A) Behaviorist stimulus-response conditioning paradigms
B) Information-processing models and computer simulation
C) Psychoanalytic dream analysis
D) Gestalt principles of perceptual organization
Answer: B
Rationale: Information-processing models and computer simulation provided a
framework for hypothesizing internal mental operations, which was central to
the cognitive revolution. Behaviorism avoided mentalistic explanations,
psychoanalysis was not empirically testable in this context, and Gestalt
principles, while important, did not offer the same computational rigor.
2 Broadbent's filter model and Treisman's attenuation model differ primarily in
their explanation of:
A) The location of the bottleneck in processing
B) Whether unattended information is completely blocked or merely
weakened
C) The role of working memory in attention
,D) The distinction between early and late selection
Answer: B
Rationale: Broadbent proposed that unattended information is completely
filtered out, whereas Treisman suggested it is attenuated but still processed.
Both are early-selection models, so the bottleneck location is similar, and
working memory is not the central difference.
3 In the context of the cognitive revolution, which of the following best
characterizes the shift from behaviorism?
A) A rejection of empirical methods in favor of introspection
B) A focus on observable behavior to the exclusion of mental states
C) An embrace of mental representations and internal processes as legitimate
scientific targets
D) A return to structuralist introspection as the primary method
Answer: C
Rationale: The cognitive revolution legitimized the study of mental
representations and processes, often using behavioral data to infer them. It did
not reject empiricism, exclude mental states, or revert to introspection.
4 Sperling's partial report technique demonstrated that iconic memory has:
A) Unlimited capacity and unlimited duration
B) Limited capacity but long duration
C) Large capacity but rapid decay
D) Small capacity and rapid decay
Answer: C
Rationale: Sperling showed that participants could report any cued row with
high accuracy immediately after display, indicating a large capacity iconic
store that decays quickly. Unlimited capacity/duration is incorrect, and limited
capacity with long duration or small capacity with rapid decay mischaracterize
the findings.
5 Which of the following best illustrates the principle of ecological validity in
cognitive psychology research?
A) Conducting a study using abstract stimuli in a controlled lab setting
B) Using a naturalistic task that mimics real-world cognitive demands
C) Ensuring high internal validity through random assignment
,D) Replicating a classic experiment with minor modifications
Answer: B
Rationale: Ecological validity refers to the extent to which research findings
generalize to real-world settings, so a naturalistic task is key. Abstract lab
stimuli, internal validity, and replication do not directly address ecological
validity.
6 The concept of 'levels of processing' challenged which earlier assumption
about memory?
A) That memory is a single unitary store
B) That rehearsal alone determines memory strength
C) That memory is modality-specific
D) That memory is purely associative
Answer: B
Rationale: Craik and Lockhart's levels-of-processing framework showed that
depth of processing, not mere repetition, affects memory. It did not primarily
challenge unitary store, modality-specificity, or associativity.
7 In the context of the cognitive revolution, which of the following was a key
contribution of Noam Chomsky?
A) Demonstrating that language acquisition is purely behaviorist
B) Proposing that language is an innate cognitive capacity with universal
grammar
C) Developing the first computer model of language processing
D) Showing that language is entirely determined by environmental input
Answer: B
Rationale: Chomsky argued against behaviorist accounts, proposing innate
universal grammar. He did not support behaviorist language acquisition,
develop the first computer model, or claim language is entirely environmental.
8 Which of the following best describes the Atkinson-Shiffrin model's
contribution to cognitive psychology?
A) It provided a detailed neural account of memory
B) It introduced the concept of working memory
C) It proposed a multi-store model with sensory, short-term, and long-term
stores
, D) It emphasized implicit memory processes
Answer: C
Rationale: The Atkinson-Shiffrin model was a foundational multi-store model,
delineating sensory, short-term, and long-term memory. It did not provide
neural detail, introduce working memory (that was Baddeley), or focus on
implicit memory.
9 The term 'cognitive neuroscience' emerged primarily from the integration of
cognitive psychology with:
A) Behavioral genetics
B) Computer science
C) Neuroscience
D) Anthropology
Answer: C
Rationale: Cognitive neuroscience combines cognitive psychology with
neuroscience to study the neural basis of cognition. While computer science
influenced cognitive psychology, the specific term emphasizes neuroscience
integration.
Section 2: Research Methods and Cognitive Neuroscience (Questions 10-18)
10 A researcher using fMRI observes BOLD signal increases in the fusiform
face area (FFA) when participants view faces versus houses. Which
interpretation is most warranted?
A) FFA activity is necessary for face perception.
B) FFA activity is correlated with face perception.
C) FFA activity is specific to faces only.
D) FFA activity reflects general visual processing.
Answer: B
Rationale: fMRI provides correlational evidence; increased BOLD signal in
FFA during face viewing indicates a correlation, not necessity. Necessity
would require lesion or TMS evidence. Specificity is challenged by other
categories, and general visual processing would not differentiate faces from
houses.
