Cognitive Psychology MCQs ||| PSY504 MCQs ||| Set 2

MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

1)  Schema is a Greek word which means ______________.

    a)        Category

    b)        Frame

    c)        Concept  

    d)        Heart

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'b'.

Explanation:

In cognitive psychology, a schema refers to a mental framework or structure that organizes and represents knowledge about a particular concept, object, event, or situation. It acts as a mental framework that helps individuals to organize and interpret information from the world around them. Schemas are like cognitive templates that influence how we perceive, interpret, and remember information. They play a crucial role in memory, perception, and problem-solving.

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2)  Tip of the tongue phenomenon happens in_______________.

    a)        Recall

    b)        Recognition

    c)        Rehearsal

    d)        Encoding

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'a'.

Explanation:

The "Tip of the tongue" phenomenon happens in Recall.

The Tip of the tongue (TOT) phenomenon is a memory retrieval experience where a person is unable to recall a specific word or piece of information that they know is stored in their memory. They have a strong feeling that the information is there, just out of reach, and they may even remember certain details or characteristics of the word, but they can't quite retrieve the word itself.

This phenomenon occurs during the process of recall when a person is trying to actively retrieve information from their long-term memory. It is often associated with feelings of frustration and the sensation that the information is "on the tip of the tongue," hence the name. The TOT phenomenon is a common experience and is related to how our memory retrieval processes work.

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3)  Which method derives its name from the six phases it advocates for studying a chapter in a textbook?

    a)        Elaborate 

    b)       Spacing Effect

    c)        Encoding Variability

    d)        PQ4R Method

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'd'.

Explanation:

The method that derives its name from the six phases it advocates for studying a chapter in a textbook is the PQ4R Method.

The PQ4R Method stands for the following six phases:

Preview: Skim through the chapter to get an overview of the content, headings, subheadings, and any summary or concluding sections.

Question: Formulate questions based on the headings and subheadings to create a purpose for your reading and to actively engage with the material.

Read: Read the chapter actively and attentively, keeping the questions in mind and looking for answers.

Reflect: Pause periodically during your reading to reflect on the material, connect it with your prior knowledge, and ensure understanding.

Recite: After each section, try to recall the main points and key concepts without looking at the text. This helps reinforce memory and comprehension.

Review: Once you have finished reading the chapter, review the content and your notes to reinforce your understanding and retention.

The PQ4R Method is a study strategy that promotes active reading and enhances comprehension, retention, and learning from textbook materials.

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4) Analyze which of the following statement is WRONG about the results of the Bartlett’s experiment on the role of schema in memory?

    a)        Subjects omitted much of the story 

    b)        Subjects changed many of the facts

    c)         Subjects imported much new information

    d)        Inaccuracies were completely unsystematic

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'd'.

Explanation:

In Bartlett's experiment, he found that when participants were asked to recall a story, they tended to omit some details, change certain facts to fit their cultural norms or schemas, and even import new information that was not part of the original story. The inaccuracies in their recall were not completely unsystematic; rather, they were influenced by the participants' existing schemas and cultural backgrounds. This phenomenon is known as "schema-driven reconstruction" or "schema-consistent errors."

Bartlett's experiment highlighted how memory is not a passive recording of events but is influenced by our preexisting knowledge structures (schemas), leading to selective processing and reconstruction of information during recall. The inaccuracies observed were consistent with the participants' existing schemas and cultural expectations, making the process of memory retrieval a reconstructive one rather than an exact reproduction of the original information.

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5)  Schank an Abelson have worked extensively on event schemas or on which of the following? 

    a)        Imagination

    b)        Prototype 

    c)        Scripts 

    d)        Exemplar

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'c'.

Explanation:

Schank and Abelson have worked extensively on scripts.

In the context of cognitive psychology, a script is a type of schema that represents a typical sequence of events or actions related to a particular situation or activity. Scripts help individuals to mentally organize and predict the typical sequence of events that occur in familiar situations. For example, a restaurant script may include actions like entering the restaurant, being seated, ordering food, eating, and paying the bill.

Schank and Abelson's work on scripts has been influential in understanding how individuals use these mental frameworks to process and interpret information, make predictions, and guide their behavior in various everyday situations. Their research has contributed to our understanding of cognitive processes related to memory, learning, and problem-solving.

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6) Analyze which of the following is typically better than human ability to recall with reference to memory?

    a)        Recognition

    b)        Conversation

    c)        Recall

    d)        Tip of the tongue phenomenon

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'a'.

Explanation:

Recognition is typically better than human ability to recall with reference to memory.

Recognition is the cognitive process of identifying or selecting previously encountered information or stimuli from a list or set of options. In recognition tasks, individuals are presented with a stimulus (e.g., a word, image, or face) and asked to determine whether they have encountered that stimulus before or if it is new to them. They don't need to generate the information from memory; they only need to recognize it as familiar.

Recognition memory is generally more accurate and reliable than recall memory. When presented with a list of items, people can often identify the ones they have seen before with high accuracy. However, in recall tasks, individuals are required to retrieve information from memory without any external cues or options provided, which can be more challenging and prone to errors.

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7)  According to propositional network theory, in which form do we store information regarding abstract ideas in our memory?

    a)        Sentences

    b)        Images 

    c)        Waves

    d)        Dreams

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'a'.

Explanation:

According to propositional network theory, we store information regarding abstract ideas in our memory in the form of Sentences.

Propositional network theory posits that knowledge in our memory is represented as a network of interconnected propositions. Propositions are statements that convey relationships between concepts or ideas. In the case of abstract ideas, they are often represented and stored in the form of sentences that describe the relationships and connections between various concepts. 

Unlike concrete and sensory-based information, abstract ideas may not have direct sensory images associated with them. Instead, they are represented through language and sentences that capture the meaning and relationships between the abstract concepts. Thus, sentences play a crucial role in representing and storing information about abstract ideas in our memory according to propositional network theory.

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8) Categorization helps us order and _______________ objects.  

    a)        Enhance

    b)        Modify 

    c)        Relate

    d)        Change

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'c'.

Explanation:

Categorization helps us order and relate objects.

Categorization is a cognitive process through which we group objects, events, or concepts into categories based on their similarities or shared features. By categorizing objects, we can create a sense of order and organization in our understanding of the world. It allows us to relate different objects to each other based on common attributes and helps in making sense of the vast amount of information we encounter in our daily lives.

For example, when we categorize various animals into groups like mammals, birds, reptiles, etc., we are ordering and relating them based on their shared characteristics, which simplifies our understanding of the animal kingdom. Categorization is a fundamental cognitive process that helps us navigate and comprehend the complexities of our environment more effectively. Chunking refers to the cognitive process of organizing and grouping individual pieces of information into larger, meaningful chunks. In the context of chess, expert players are able to recognize familiar patterns and configurations of chess pieces on the board, which allows them to chunk the positions into meaningful units. These meaningful chunks make it easier for them to recall and remember the positions compared to a novice player who might perceive the positions as a collection of individual pieces without any meaningful structure.

By chunking the information into recognizable patterns, expert chess players can effectively store and retrieve the positions from their long-term memory, enhancing their ability to remember complex game positions and make informed decisions during gameplay.

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9)  Representation of knowledge is an issue of which of the following?

    a)        Short term memory

    b)        Long term memory

    c)        Chunking

    d)       Priming

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'b'.

Explanation:

Representation of knowledge is an issue of Long term memory.

Long term memory is the part of memory that is responsible for the storage of information over an extended period, from minutes to a lifetime. It includes our knowledge about the world, facts, events, concepts, and skills that we have acquired through learning and experiences. How knowledge is represented and organized in long-term memory is a significant area of study in cognitive psychology.

The way information is represented in long-term memory affects how we retrieve and use that information in various situations. The process of encoding, storing, and retrieving knowledge plays a crucial role in how we think, solve problems, and make decisions based on our past experiences and understanding of the world. Understanding the nature of representation in long-term memory is essential for comprehending the mechanisms of human cognition and memory processes.

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10) A special slot in each schema is its _______________schema.

    a)        Sublevel

    b)        Subordinate

    c)        Superset

    d)        Scripted level

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'c'.

Explanation:

For instance, consider a person's schema for the concept of "vehicle." The superset schema for this concept might include different sub-level schemas for cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, and so on. Each of these sub-level schemas contains specific attributes and knowledge related to the individual types of vehicles, but they all fall under the broader category of "vehicle."

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