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

In Shepard and Metzler's mental rotation task, the time to decide whether two 3D shapes are the same:

  1. AIncreases with the angle between the two shapes
  2. BDecreases as the angle between them gets larger
  3. CDepends mainly on how complex the shapes are
  4. DIs the same whatever the angle of rotation is
2.Cognitive psychologyHard

In Luchins' water jar problems, after solving several problems with the formula B − A − 2C, many participants kept using it even when a simpler solution (A − C) worked. This shows:

  1. AA mental set (Einstellung) that hides simpler solutions
  2. BSudden insight into the structure of the problem
  3. CFunctional fixedness about what the jars can be used for
  4. DProactive interference in short-term memory
3.Developmental psychologyMedium

In Vygotsky's theory, an older sibling who helps a child learn to tie shoelaces is acting as:

  1. AA primary attachment figure
  2. BA formal operational thinker
  3. CA more knowledgeable other
  4. DAn imaginary audience
4.Developmental psychologyHard

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

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

A message from a low-credibility source becomes more persuasive weeks later, as people forget where it came from. This is the:

  1. AMere exposure effect
  2. BPrimacy effect
  3. CSleeper effect
  4. DBoomerang effect
6.Social psychologyHard

Reactance theory predicts that when people feel their freedom is threatened by a persuasive message, they will:

  1. ABe motivated to do the opposite of what is urged
  2. BIgnore the message entirely, without any emotional reaction
  3. CComply more strongly
  4. DForget the message immediately
7.Clinical psychologyMedium

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has best evidence for:

  1. ATreating acute psychosis
  2. BTreating attention problems in young children with ADHD
  3. CPreventing relapse in people with recurrent depression
  4. DCuring dementia
8.Clinical psychologyHard

Which evidence best supports CBT as a treatment for anxiety disorders, rather than a placebo effect?

  1. ACBT is cheaper than medication
  2. BClients say they like their therapists
  3. CCBT has been used for over fifty years
  4. DRandomised trials show CBT outperforms credible attention-placebo control conditions

2Solutions

1.Cognitive psychology

Answer: A · Increases with the angle between the two shapes

Why this is the answer

Reaction times increased roughly linearly with the angle of difference, suggesting that mental images are rotated in a way that resembles physical rotation.

Answer

A · Increases with the angle between the two shapes
2.Cognitive psychology

Answer: A · A mental set (Einstellung) that hides simpler solutions

Why this is the answer

Einstellung is a mental set: prior success with one method makes people repeat it and miss easier alternatives. Functional fixedness concerns objects' uses, not methods.

Answer

A · A mental set (Einstellung) that hides simpler solutions
3.Developmental psychology

Answer: C · A more knowledgeable other

Why this is the answer

The more knowledgeable other is a person with more skill who guides the learner within the zone of proximal development. It can be a parent, teacher or peer.

Answer

C · A more knowledgeable other
4.Developmental psychology

Answer: C · 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

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

Answer: C · Sleeper effect

Why this is the answer

Hovland found that the discounting cue (an untrustworthy source) fades from memory faster than the message, so persuasion can increase over time.

Answer

C · Sleeper effect
6.Social psychology

Answer: A · Be motivated to do the opposite of what is urged

Why this is the answer

Psychological reactance (Brehm) is the motivation to restore threatened freedom, often by resisting or doing the forbidden behaviour.

Answer

A · Be motivated to do the opposite of what is urged
7.Clinical psychology

Answer: C · Preventing relapse in people with recurrent depression

Why this is the answer

MBCT combines mindfulness practice with cognitive therapy. Trials show it reduces relapse in people with three or more previous depressive episodes.

Answer

C · Preventing relapse in people with recurrent depression
8.Clinical psychology

Answer: D · Randomised trials show CBT outperforms credible attention-placebo control conditions

Why this is the answer

Showing superiority over a credible placebo control rules out non-specific factors as the only explanation. Many trials and meta-analyses report this for CBT in anxiety disorders.

Answer

D · Randomised trials show CBT outperforms credible attention-placebo control conditions

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