Psychology Chapter 8

Gladys is about to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Most of her life, even in high school, she was told that women were inferior to men at math, and racial minorities were inferior to White students in most subjects. As a person of color and a woman, Gladys feels extra anxiety that her performance will confirm such negative stereotypes, even though she does not believe in them. Identify which of the following are true.

Applicable to Gladys Gladys is suffering from stereotype threat. The "worry" portion of test anxiety is having a negative impact on Gladys. Not Applicable to Gladys Any test anxiety that Gladys feels is detrimental to her test taking. The "emotionality" portion of test anxiety is having a negative impact on Gladys.

Robert is applying to colleges. There are many options for him to consider beyond just tuition and location. What can Robert add to further define the problem and narrow the scope of his options?

Attribute That Should Be Considered Constraints. Assumptions. Attribute That Should Not Be Considered More alternatives. Other opinions.

Identify which system is in action, according to dual-processing theories, when each of the following decisions is made.

Controlled System Looking up movie reviews before choosing a movie. Researching which car to buy. Picking a summer travel destination based on affordability. Automatic System Channel surfing to find something to watch on TV. Stopping at a random restaurant by the freeway off-ramp when tired and hungry. Buying candy at the grocery store checkout.

Which of the following are true of test anxiety?

Feature of Test Anxiety Test anxiety is made up of two parts: emotionality and worry. Some elements of test anxiety actually make people perform better. Certain groups of people are more susceptible to test anxiety. Not a Feature of Test Anxiety Test anxiety rarely causes people to actually underperform. Of individuals that suffer test anxiety, it always has some negative impact on their performance.

Match each of the following examples with the type of intelligence used the most in the given scenario.

Fluid Intelligence Raul dismantles his malfunctioning vacuum and is able to fix the mechanism despite having no training or knowledge of vacuum repair. You accomplish a task that you have never been faced with before. Crystallized Intelligence Azazea has a concrete plan of how she will register for all of her college classes without any overlap and before they become full so that her schedule remains manageable. You use your repertoire of skills and strategies to deal with several familiar problems.

With the goal of eugenics in mind (the selective breeding of only the most intelligent people), what were some inherent flaws in the Stanford-Binet test?

Inherent Flaw The designer was biased. The designer had an agenda other than studying human intelligence. Not an Inherent Flaw The test was designed with nonverbal components so that illiterate children could be tested. The test was administered to individuals of different racial and cultural backgrounds.

Bernard and Janna disagree on whether student athletes should receive compensation if they play for their college. A third friend offers several articles from equally reputable sources, half of which support one side of the argument and half the other. Due to belief perseverance, what are the likely outcomes if Bernard and Janna both read all the articles?

Likely Bernard and Janna will both question the credibility of the articles that oppose their point of view. Both Bernard and Janna will strengthen their respective beliefs. Unlikely Both Bernard and Janna will be more receptive to opposing information in the future. Bernard and Janna will come to an agreement.

Which of the following are expressions of overconfidence bias?

Overconfidence Bias Certainty in answering a question that does not actually have a correct answer. Overestimating the accuracy of one's knowledge or judgments. Not Overconfidence Bias Belief that one would have gotten the right answer to a question if one had been asked. Ignoring evidence that implies that one is mistaken.

Identify each scenario as an example of overconfidence bias or hindsight bias.

Overconfidence Bias You underestimate how long it will take you to get ready to go out with your friends, and you end up being late to dinner. Maribel says that she knows the answer to a question but cannot think of it at the time, despite the question not having a correct answer. William overestimates his grade before taking a final exam and even after taking it. Hindsight Bias An investigator reviewing a case is influenced by the fact that she already knew the outcome. A football coach reprimands his assistant for calling a play that has failed, despite the previous success of the play in the past. A jury in a medical malpractice case assumes that if the patient died, the doctor should have been able to predict this outcome.

Identify whether or not each of the following is consistent with the definition of intelligence as described in the text.

Part of Intelligence Learning from experience. The capacity to think abstractly. Comprehension of complex ideas. Not Part of Intelligence Accumulated knowledge. Knowledge of current events.

The graph displays the results of a study in 2012. The subjects were school-aged children. The treatment group was offered vegetables with "fun" names while the control group was offered the same vegetables with standard names. What can be inferred about the results?

Representative of the Data The vegetables with fun names were much more popular due to a positive affective response. Vegetables with standard names are not popular with school-aged children. Not Representative of the Data It is difficult to influence the decisions of children through their emotions. The students enjoyed eating the vegetables with fun names more than eating those with standard names.

The following graph is adapted from a study of adopted children across time that measured how their intelligence scores resembled those of their biological or adoptive parents (Plomin & Bergeman, 1991). What can be inferred from the data in the graph?

Represented by the Study Over time, the intelligence scores of adopted children increasingly resembled their biological parents. Early in a child's life, intelligence scores are more reflective of environment than of biology. Not Represented by the Study Over time, the intelligence scores of adopted children increasingly resembled their adoptive parents.

The following graph from the text shows the success that two groups of rats had in three different environments (adapted from Cooper & Zubek, 1958). Their success was measured in their ability to learn mazes. What can be inferred about the data represented in the graph?

Supported by the Graph The rats in the normal environment performed as expected. The restricted environment reduced the genetic potential of the bright rats. Environment can practically nullify genetic potential. The enriched environment allowed the dull rats to outperform their "genetic destiny." Not Supported by the Graph The environment only affected the dull rats. The bright rats were overwhelmingly more successful in every environment.

Identify the best definition for heritability.

The amount of measurable difference in a trait that can be attributed to genetics

Match each example with the problem-solving strategy.

Trial and Error Random actions or strategies. Solving a maze by repeatedly starting over. Algorithm solving a maze by following a single wall. step-by-step procedures.

Identify the true and false statements about heuristics.

True Statements Heuristics are mental shortcuts that are intuitive and automatic. Heuristics usually lead to good judgments and decisions. False Statements Heuristics require enough time and mental focus to engage in complex thought. Heuristics are most useful after thorough research.

Identify which of the following are true of achievement gaps.

True of Achievement Gaps Are persistent differences in educational outcomes of certain groups of people (often based on race or gender). Differ greatly from culture to culture. Not True of Achievement Gaps Are not directly affected by expected gender roles.

Which of the following are true for enrichment-based preschool programs?

True of Enrichment-Based Programs They have been shown to have positive effects well past intellectual-development years. They are more critical to areas of low socioeconomic status. Not True of Enrichment-Based Programs They have similar results with children of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Their positive results are difficult to verify.

Match each situation with the proper heuristic.

availability heuristic, Making judgments or decisions based on how frequently one has heard about a situation affect heuristic, Making judgments or decisions based on how someone feels about a subject Deciding in favor of something because you find it attractive representativeness heuristic Making judgments or decisions based on comparing available observations to prototypical concepts

Complete the interactive, then choose the term that describes the way information is presented.

framing

What is the term for a previously used approach to problem solving that acts as a mental framework to solve later problems?

mental set

Based on the example of rational decision making in the text, order the following controlled system processes a person would complete when using an online dating website to choose a potential partner.

select criteria on which to make judgments give each criterion a relative weight rate each partner option on each criterion

Match each description to the level of concept hierarchy it describes.

superordinate, Encompasses multiple basic-level concepts Most abstract basic, The level where one would find the prototype of the concept Includes many members but still maintains many common features subordinate, Least abstract Most specific

Match each term to the correct definition.

the ability to tackle new and unusual situations- fluid intelligence the inspection of patterns of correlation to look for common factors or underlying connection- factor analysis accumulated knowledge- crystallized intelligence a capacity that is advantageous on all mental tasks- general intelligence

Match each of the following with the appropriate test criterion.

validity, the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to do Jamie is asked to make judgments about language on the verbal ability portion. standardization, Jamie is given a percentile rank after taking the test. making scores more meaningful by comparing them to a group reliability, Jamie has taken the test three times and scored similarly each time. producing consistent results.

Imagine that you have to choose a healthy meal. Without any nutritional information, what information would you use to apply a representativeness heuristic?

visible ingredients

In 1960, Peter Wason conducted a study in which students were asked to figure out a rule that governed sequences of three numbers. Their testing methods were limited to submitting sequences of three numbers and finding out whether or not those sequences followed the rule. Only 20 percent of his students succeeded, as many others fell prey to confirmation bias. Which of the following results were aspects of confirmation bias that the students displayed?

Aspects of Confirmation Bias Students tended to test only sequences that supported their guesses. Most students were confident in their answers. Not Aspects of Confirmation Bias The rule most students imagined was too complex. The students were intimidated by Wason's authority as a professor.

Identify the statements that correctly describe characteristics of insight during problem solving.

Attribute of Insight Feels like a sudden change in a person's understanding. Can give a person the feeling of spontaneous inspiration. Involves subconscious cognitive work. Not an Attribute of Insight Is made more difficult when a person is prompted by clues. Is improved by practice.

Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon developed a comprehensive test to determine the mental age of students in an effort to increase overall student performance. The test included a broad range of tasks that varied in content and difficulty. Why?

Goal of the Test They wanted to measure overall ability. They wanted to compare children of different ages and different levels of social privilege. Not a Goal of the Test They wanted to isolate only the most intelligent students. They wanted to identify students with specialized skills.

Identify whether each of the following is part of a growth mindset or a fixed mindset.

Growth Mindset Albert goes out of his way to try new things, even if he will be unsuccessful. Anna believes that when she fails, it shows room for growth and improvement. Tsiana believes she can learn to do anything she wants to do. Fixed Mindset Thomas believes that when he fails, it shows the limit of his abilities. Amber likes to stick to what she is best at. Acacia believes that she is naturally good at some activities but not at others.

In a study by Marteau (1989), his medical students were given a scenario where they had to choose whether or not they would undergo surgery to extend their life expectancy from 1 year to 5 years. Twice as many students chose the hypothetical surgery when it was described as having a 40 percent survival rate instead of a 60 percent mortality rate. Identify the explanations that best describe the students' responses.

Influenced the Students' Responses A 40 percent chance of survival sounds like a gain compared to the worst possible outcome (death). Compared to the best possible outcome (life), a 60 percent mortality rate made the surgery sound like a loss. Did Not Influence the Students' Responses The students were not affected by the survival statistic, as it was 40 percent versus 60 percent regardless. The students that chose the hypothetical surgery were only given half the information (namely just the survival rate).

Identify the three criteria that are required for an intelligence test to be deemed useful.

Intelligence Test Criteria reliability. standardization. validity. Not Intelligence Test Criteria currency. adjustability.

Identify whether each of the following is an internal or external barrier to enrichment opportunities.

Internal Beliefs about the nature of intelligence. Attitude about one's self-efficacy. External Poor health care in the community. An unstable home life that prevents regular attendance to school.

Which of the following are considered key concepts or concerns of cognitive psychology?

Key Concept The way individuals think about solving problems. What mental steps a person uses to make a decision. How a person remembers something. Not a Key Concept how individuals and their communities interact. how various psychological disorders should be treated. how peoples' psychology changes as they grow older.

Identify the situations in which confirmation bias could create serious problems.

Risks of Confirmation Bias Jamil, a biologist, favors research findings that confirm his hypothesis. Sharon continues to abuse drugs, ignoring medical statistics in favor of anecdotal evidence she heard from her friends. Samin, a detective, discounts findings that do not confirm her beliefs Not Risks of Confirmation Bias Andrea commits a crime because she believes that it is not illegal. Lau is persuaded to undergo a dangerous medical procedure without properly understanding it.

Identify the statements that accurately describe the disparity in organ donation represented in the graph (adapted from Johnson & Goldstein, 2003).

Supported by the Graph Whether donation is the default option or the opt-in option makes a big difference in donation rates. Where organ donation is framed as the default, people were more likely to be an organ donor. Not Supported by the Graph Donation rates are highly variable in nations where donation is framed as the default option.

Samuel is required to take two tests for his various college applications. After taking both tests, he finds that he scores in the 75th percentile on his aptitude test but only in the 55th percentile on his achievement test. Identify the information that these tests reveal about Samuel.

Supported by the Tests Samuel's ability to learn was scored much higher than what he has already learned. Samuel's ability to learn new skills is in the top 25 percent of individuals who were tested. Not Supported by the Tests Samuel's accumulated knowledge is much higher than the average person who is tested. Samuel's potential to learn new skills is only marginally higher than the average person who is tested.

Based on the graph showing the results when individuals were offered samples of jam, which of the following statements is consistent with Herbert Simon's claim that people experience bounded rationality?

Supports Bounded Rationality Individuals given fewer varieties to choose from were not overwhelmed and were more likely to make a purchase. Most individuals given 24 varieties to choose from did not make a purchase because people have limited memory capabilities. The individuals given 24 varieties to choose from were overwhelmed because people have limited attention. Does Not Support Bounded Rationality The number of sample choices had no bearing on whether people made a purchase. People generally like to have a lot of choices.

Which of the following, developed by Professor Lewis Terman, is a method of identifying intelligence level by dividing a child's mental age by their chronological age and then multiplying by 100 (with a 100 being an average child)?

intelligence quotient

Identify each statement as framing a choice using loss aversion, maintenance of the status quo, or neither.

loss aversion, This option guarantees that 30 percent of the people will survive. This surgery has a 40 percent survival rate. maintenance of status quo, Would you like to opt out of being an organ donor? Most people go with the PPO insurance plan. neither, This is the only model of implant available. All the options are covered by your insurance.

What is the term for one's internal mental symbols that represent objects, events, or states of affairs in the world?

mental representations

Lexi is refurbishing a cabin in the mountains. After successfully connecting the water lines, she tries to attach a propane tank to an outdoor stove using the spare waterline fittings. She finds that none of the spare waterline connectors work for the propane tank connection, despite being the correct size. Match each approach to the problem with the term that best describes it.

mental set, Since Lexi had success connecting the water lines, she plans to apply the same process to attach the propane tank. functional fixedness Lexi becomes frustrated because she assumes that identically sized and shaped fittings should work interchangeably. restructure Lexi decides to begin focusing on the type of material being transported, rather than the shape and size of the connectors.

Winters is baking a pie. She has always used store-bought crust in the past and is attempting to make her own crust for the first time. After mixing the pie crust and leaving it in the refrigerator overnight, she plans to roll the crust out on the counter. Winters becomes frustrated as she realizes she has loaned her rolling pin to a friend and does not have another. Match each approach to the problem with the term that best describes it.

mental set, Winters envisions rolling out the crust using a rolling pin, as she has seen others do. functional fixedness Winters becomes frustrated because she believes that she cannot continue with the pie without a rolling pin. restructure, Winters realizes that she can use a large mason jar to roll the crust out flat. While cumbersome, it is round and heavy enough to substitute for a rolling pin.

Match each description with its corresponding type of intelligence according to Sternberg (1985).

practical intelligence, "street smarts" The ability to solve everyday problems, sometimes using alternate means. analytical intelligence Academic intelligence. The ability to reduce a complex math problem into component parts to efficiently solve it. creative intelligence, Innovative ideas The ability to come up with a clever caption to a strange photograph