Introduction to Psychology: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 8 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Practice problems

1.Cognitive psychologyMedium

Two groups study a text. One rereads it; the other takes practice quizzes on it. A week later, the quiz group remembers more. This shows:

  1. AThe testing effect
  2. BThe spacing effect
  3. CProactive interference
  4. DEncoding specificity
2.Cognitive psychologyHard

In Treisman's feature integration theory, why is finding a red X among red Os and blue Xs slow?

  1. ACombining features (a conjunction) requires focused attention to each item
  2. BRed is processed more slowly than blue
  3. CLetters cannot be searched visually
  4. DSingle features cannot be detected without attention
3.Developmental psychologyMedium

A girl pays close attention to information about "girls' toys" and quickly forgets details about "boys' toys". Which theory best explains this?

  1. AGender schema theory
  2. BAttachment theory
  3. CEcological systems theory
  4. DPsychoanalytic theory
4.Developmental psychologyHard

Hazan and Shaver's "love quiz" found that adults' romantic attachment styles:

  1. AWere nearly all insecure-avoidant, unlike the proportions of infant types
  2. BWere completely unrelated to how people recalled their childhood
  3. CChanged completely from one relationship to the next at random
  4. DMatched infant type proportions and related to recalled childhood care
5.Social psychologyMedium

A friend suggests hitting a punching bag to "get anger out of your system". What does research by Bushman and others suggest?

  1. AVenting reliably reduces anger and so lowers later aggression
  2. BVenting helps only if done in front of the target
  3. CVenting has no effect on mood or on later behaviour
  4. DVenting like this tends to increase later aggression
6.Social psychologyHard

Festinger studied a group that predicted the end of the world on a certain date. When the prophecy failed, many members:

  1. ABecame more committed and tried harder to recruit
  2. BAdmitted publicly that they had been foolish
  3. CImmediately abandoned the group and its leader
  4. DWithdrew from contact with all outsiders and the media altogether
7.Clinical psychologyMedium

According to the duty established in the Tarasoff case in California, a therapist may need to:

  1. ATake steps to protect an identifiable person whom a client seriously threatens
  2. BReport every client who expresses anger
  3. CRefuse to treat clients with a history of violence
  4. DKeep all information confidential under every circumstance, whatever the risk to others
8.Clinical psychologyHard

A therapist says: "Rather than fighting the thought 'I'm a failure', notice it as just a thought, and act on what matters to you." Which therapy does this best represent?

  1. AClassical psychoanalysis
  2. BRational emotive behaviour therapy
  3. CAcceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
  4. DSystematic desensitisation

2Solutions

1.Cognitive psychology

Answer: A · The testing effect

Why this is the answer

The testing effect (retrieval practice) shows that actively recalling material produces better long-term retention than passively restudying it.

Answer

A · The testing effect
2.Cognitive psychology

Answer: A · Combining features (a conjunction) requires focused attention to each item

Why this is the answer

Single features are detected in parallel, but conjunctions of features must be bound with serial, focused attention, so search time increases with the number of items.

Answer

A · Combining features (a conjunction) requires focused attention to each item
3.Developmental psychology

Answer: A · Gender schema theory

Why this is the answer

Gender schema theory proposes that children form gender categories and attend to and remember information that fits their own gender's schema.

Answer

A · Gender schema theory
4.Developmental psychology

Answer: D · Matched infant type proportions and related to recalled childhood care

Why this is the answer

Adults' self-reported styles (secure, avoidant, anxious) appeared in proportions similar to infant studies and related to recalled parental relationships, though data were retrospective self-reports.

Answer

D · Matched infant type proportions and related to recalled childhood care
5.Social psychology

Answer: D · Venting like this tends to increase later aggression

Why this is the answer

Studies find that venting anger through aggressive activity tends to keep anger active and increase later aggression, contrary to the catharsis idea.

Answer

D · Venting like this tends to increase later aggression
6.Social psychology

Answer: A · Became more committed and tried harder to recruit

Why this is the answer

Committed members reduced dissonance by reinterpreting the failure and seeking social support for their belief through recruitment ("When Prophecy Fails").

Answer

A · Became more committed and tried harder to recruit
7.Clinical psychology

Answer: A · Take steps to protect an identifiable person whom a client seriously threatens

Why this is the answer

The Tarasoff rulings held that when a client poses a serious danger of violence to an identifiable victim, the therapist has a duty to take reasonable steps to protect that person.

Answer

A · Take steps to protect an identifiable person whom a client seriously threatens
8.Clinical psychology

Answer: C · Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Why this is the answer

ACT (Hayes) uses acceptance, cognitive defusion and values-based action. Unlike traditional cognitive therapy, it does not try to dispute the content of thoughts.

Answer

C · Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

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