Cognitive Psychology MCQs ||| PSY504 MCQs ||| Set 1

MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

1)  Which of the following statement about chunking is TRUE? 

    a)        With the help of chunking we can learn up to 21 digits

    b)        For learning words, the limit is eighteen

    c)        Chunking is a way to increase long-term memory capacity.

    d)        Capacity to learn sentences is much higher than letters and words.

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'c'.

Explanation:

Chunking is a cognitive process that involves breaking down information into smaller, manageable units or "chunks." By grouping individual pieces of information into larger chunks, it becomes easier for the brain to process and retain that information in long-term memory. This technique can be applied to various types of information, such as digits, words, or sentences, to improve memory and learning efficiency. The specific capacity for learning digits, words, or sentences may vary depending on individual differences and learning strategies, but chunking, in general, is a useful tool to enhance memory retention.

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2)  Which form of long-term memory contains information about our knowledge of the world, such as the rules and words of our language?

    a)        Cortical memory

    b)        Episodic memory

    c)        Semantic memory

    d)        Explicit memory

Correct Answer:

The correct answer is  'c'.

Explanation:

Semantic memory is the form of long-term memory that contains information about our knowledge of the world, including facts, concepts, rules, and the meaning of words. It is responsible for storing general knowledge about the world and does not involve personal experiences or specific events (which are stored in episodic memory). Semantic memory allows us to remember things like language, historical facts, scientific principles, and other general knowledge that we acquire over time

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3)  Which of the following is NOT a recognized theory of forgetting?

    a)        Interference theory 

    b)       Trace decay theory

    c)        Hierarchy theory 

    d)        Cue dependent forgetting

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'c'.

Explanation:

Hierarchy theory is NOT a recognized theory of forgetting. It does not pertain to the process of forgetting but rather is a concept used in various fields like science and philosophy to describe complex systems organized in hierarchical structures.

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4) Meaning of memory to a 9th class student is:

    a)        Childhood memories 

    b)        Finding keys

    c)        Remembering science formulas

    d)        Remembering birthdays of friends

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'c'.

Explanation:

In To a 9th class student, the meaning of memory is most likely associated with the task of remembering science formulas. As they are studying various scientific concepts in school, memorizing formulas is a crucial aspect of their academic learning. While childhood memories, finding keys, and remembering birthdays of friends are also aspects of memory, for a 9th class student, the immediate and relevant context of memory would often revolve around academic subjects and the need to retain and recall important information, such as science formulas, to perform well in exams and tests.

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5)  Who is the writer of the book “Thought and Choice in Chess?” 

    a)        De Groot

    b)        Baddeley 

    c)        Miller 

    d)        Cherry

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'a'.

Explanation:

The writer of the book "Thought and Choice in Chess" is De Groot. The book, written by Adriaan de Groot, is a classic work in the field of cognitive psychology and explores the thought processes and decision-making of chess players. It was first published in 1946 and has been influential in the study of expertise and problem-solving in chess and other domains.

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6) What is the process of transferring information from short term memory to long term memory through codes?

    a)        Encoding

    b)        Rehearsal

    c)        Recognition 

    d)        Priming

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'a'.

Explanation:

The process of transferring information from short-term memory to long-term memory through codes is called encoding. Encoding involves converting sensory input and information into a form that can be stored in long-term memory. Different types of codes, such as visual, auditory, semantic, or motor codes, can be used to facilitate the transfer of
information from short-term memory to long-term memory. It is a crucial process in memory consolidation and retention.

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7)  What characterises the condition of amnesia?

    a)        Loss of most of the information held in both short-term and long-term memory stores

    b)        Loss of memory for names and places 

    c)        Loss of memory for people's faces

    d)        Loss of most of the long-term memory, with a fairly intact short-term memory

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'a'.

Explanation:

The condition of amnesia is characterized by the loss of most of the information held in both short-term and long-term memory stores. Amnesia can be caused by various factors, such as brain injuries, strokes, certain diseases, or psychological trauma. Depending on the  type and severity of amnesia, individuals may experience difficulties in recalling past events, forming new memories, or both. In some cases, short-term memory may remain relatively intact while long-term memory is significantly impaired, but in other cases, both memory stores can be affected.

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8) The superior ability of expert chess players to remember positions of pieces from an actual game underscores which of the following?  

    a)        Power of encoding visual information in working memory

    b)        Fact that information coding is negatively affected by complexity 

    c)        Advantages of chunking information 

    d)        Ability to manipulate information in long-term memory

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'c'.

Explanation:

The superior ability of expert chess players to remember positions of pieces from an actual game underscores the advantages of chunking information.

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)  Mayer and Schvaneveldt performed classic demonstration of _______________. 

    a)        Support paradigm

    b)        Partial-report-paradigm

    c)        Associative Priming

    d)        Dichotic listening tasks

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'c'.

Explanation:

Associative priming is a cognitive phenomenon where the presentation of one stimulus (e.g., a word) influences the processing of another related stimulus that follows it. In their
study, Mayer and Schvaneveldt demonstrated how the presentation of a related word could prime the activation and recognition of a target word. This kind of priming is often used in experiments to study the semantic networks and associations in memory. The study by Mayer and Schvaneveldt has been influential in understanding how words and concepts are connected in memory and how one word can activate or facilitate the recognition of related words.

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10) According to Alan Baddeley’s model of working memory, visual memories pertain to which of the following?

    a)        Executive control system

    b)        Phonological loop system

    c)        Visio-spatial sketch pad

    d)        Imagery

Correct Answer: 

The correct answer is  'c'.

Explanation:

The Visio-spatial sketch pad is one of the components of Baddeley's model of working memory, which is responsible for processing and temporarily holding visual and spatial information. It allows individuals to mentally visualize and manipulate images, objects, and spatial relationships in their mind's eye. The Visio-spatial sketch pad works alongside other components of working memory, such as the phonological loop                 (for processing verbal information) and the central executive (for attentional control and coordination), to facilitate various cognitive tasks.

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