1.Cognitive psychologyMedium
People often accept an invalid syllogism if its conclusion sounds true, such as "Some vitamins are healthy". This is called:
- ASelf-serving bias
- BHindsight bias
- CAnchoring
- DBelief bias
Introduction to Psychology: cram pack
Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 8 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.
1Practice problems
2.Cognitive psychologyHard
According to Lavie's load theory of attention, an irrelevant distractor is most likely to be processed when:
- AThe distractor is presented to the blind spot
- BThe main task has high perceptual load
- CThe participant is told to ignore it
- DThe main task has low perceptual load
3.Developmental psychologyMedium
Kagan described some toddlers who are consistently shy, cautious and quiet with unfamiliar people and situations. This temperament is called:
- ALearned helplessness
- BBehavioural inhibition
- CIdentity diffusion
- DDisorganised attachment
4.Developmental psychologyHard
Main's Adult Attachment Interview found that parents who describe their own childhood in a coherent, balanced way tend to have infants who:
- AShow no attachment at all
- BAre always insecure-avoidant
- CDevelop formal operational thought earlier
- DAre securely attached in the Strange Situation
5.Social psychologyMedium
Hatfield distinguished passionate love from companionate love. Companionate love is best described as:
- ALove based only on physical attractiveness
- BDeep affection and commitment that grows over time
- CIntense longing and strong physical arousal for the partner
- DA brief infatuation with someone new
6.Social psychologyHard
The stereotype content model places groups on two dimensions. Elderly people are often seen as warm but low in competence. Which emotion does the model predict they receive?
- AEnvy
- BAdmiration
- CPity
- DContempt
7.Clinical psychologyMedium
In suicide risk assessment, which factor is one of the strongest predictors of a future suicide attempt?
- ATalking openly to a therapist
- BBeing a university student
- CHaving a large circle of friends
- DA previous suicide attempt
8.Clinical psychologyHard
A clinician considers whether a categorical or dimensional approach to personality disorders is better. Which point favours a dimensional approach?
- APersonality traits are either fully present or fully absent in any one person
- BTraits vary continuously, and categories overlap with arbitrary cut-offs
- CDimensional models cannot be measured with questionnaires or interviews
- DCategories have been shown to give perfect inter-rater reliability
2Solutions
1.Cognitive psychology
Answer: D · Belief bias
Why this is the answer
Belief bias is the tendency to judge arguments by how believable their conclusions are rather than by whether the conclusion follows logically.
Answer
D · Belief bias
2.Cognitive psychology
Answer: D · The main task has low perceptual load
Why this is the answer
When the main task uses little perceptual capacity, leftover capacity processes distractors involuntarily. High perceptual load uses up capacity and reduces distractor processing.
Answer
D · The main task has low perceptual load
3.Developmental psychology
Answer: B · Behavioural inhibition
Why this is the answer
Behaviourally inhibited children react to novelty with wariness and withdrawal. The trait shows moderate stability and has a biological basis.
Answer
B · Behavioural inhibition
4.Developmental psychology
Answer: D · Are securely attached in the Strange Situation
Why this is the answer
Parents classified as "secure-autonomous" on the AAI are more likely to have securely attached infants, consistent with internal working models passing between generations.
Answer
D · Are securely attached in the Strange Situation
5.Social psychology
Answer: B · Deep affection and commitment that grows over time
Why this is the answer
Passionate love is intense and often fades. Companionate love involves trust, friendship and commitment, and often becomes stronger over time.
Answer
B · Deep affection and commitment that grows over time
6.Social psychology
Answer: C · Pity
Why this is the answer
Fiske and colleagues proposed that warmth and competence combine into emotions: warm and competent gives admiration; warm and incompetent gives pity; cold and competent gives envy; cold and incompetent gives contempt.
Answer
C · Pity
7.Clinical psychology
Answer: D · A previous suicide attempt
Why this is the answer
A history of suicide attempts is among the strongest risk factors. Asking directly about suicidal thoughts does not increase risk and is part of good assessment.
Answer
D · A previous suicide attempt
8.Clinical psychology
Answer: B · Traits vary continuously, and categories overlap with arbitrary cut-offs
Why this is the answer
Categorical diagnoses overlap heavily and treat a continuum as present/absent. DSM-5 Section III and ICD-11 therefore offer trait-based dimensional models of personality disorder.
Answer
B · Traits vary continuously, and categories overlap with arbitrary cut-offs
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