1.Cognitive psychologyMedium
A friend walking away from you does not seem to shrink, even though their image on your retina gets smaller. This is called:
- ALinear perspective
- BSize constancy
- CFigure–ground organisation
- DShape constancy
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
In rapid serial visual presentation, people often miss a second target that appears about 200–500 ms after the first. This is called:
- AChange blindness
- BIconic decay
- CInhibition of return
- DThe attentional blink
3.Developmental psychologyMedium
Fantz showed infants pairs of patterns and measured how long they looked at each. Many young infants looked longest at:
- ABlank grey cards
- BPlain coloured discs
- CPrinted text
- DFace-like patterns
4.Developmental psychologyHard
Genie was isolated and given almost no language input until she was found at age 13. Later she learned many words but never mastered grammar. This case is often used to support:
- AThe claim that grammar is learned faster than vocabulary
- BThe idea that age has no effect on language learning
- CA critical or sensitive period for language acquisition
- DThe idea that language is learned only through reinforcement
5.Social psychologyMedium
In the Robbers Cave study, hostility between the two groups of boys was reduced most by:
- ASeparating the groups completely
- BSimply having more contact during meals
- CWorking together on superordinate goals
- DCompetitive sports tournaments
6.Social psychologyHard
Students heard a proposal for exams. When told it would affect them personally, argument quality mattered most. When told it would apply in future, the source's expertise mattered most. This supports:
- AThe elaboration likelihood model
- BLatané's social impact theory
- CBrehm's reactance theory
- DMcGuire's inoculation theory
7.Clinical psychologyMedium
Which personality disorder is characterised by a pervasive pattern of disregard for the rights of others?
- ABorderline personality disorder
- BAvoidant personality disorder
- CAntisocial personality disorder
- DDependent personality disorder
8.Clinical psychologyHard
A study compares a new therapy with a waiting-list control and finds a large benefit. Why might this overestimate the therapy's specific effect?
- AWaiting-list controls always receive the same therapy
- BWaiting-list participants cannot be randomised
- CWaiting lists remove the placebo effect completely, so any benefit must come from the therapy itself
- DA waiting list controls for time passing but not for attention, expectation or the alliance
2Solutions
1.Cognitive psychology
Answer: B · Size constancy
Why this is the answer
Size constancy keeps the perceived size of an object stable despite changes in retinal image size, by combining image size with perceived distance.
Answer
B · Size constancy
2.Cognitive psychology
Answer: D · The attentional blink
Why this is the answer
The attentional blink shows a temporal limit on attention: processing the first target temporarily prevents the second from reaching awareness.
Answer
D · The attentional blink
3.Developmental psychology
Answer: D · Face-like patterns
Why this is the answer
Fantz's research suggested that even very young infants prefer complex, face-like stimuli, supporting an early bias towards social information.
Answer
D · Face-like patterns
4.Developmental psychology
Answer: C · A critical or sensitive period for language acquisition
Why this is the answer
Genie's limited grammar is consistent with a sensitive period, though the case is confounded by severe abuse and possible earlier disabilities, so it cannot be conclusive.
Answer
C · A critical or sensitive period for language acquisition
5.Social psychology
Answer: C · Working together on superordinate goals
Why this is the answer
Sherif found that cooperation on shared goals (such as fixing the water supply) reduced conflict, whereas mere contact did not.
Answer
C · Working together on superordinate goals
6.Social psychology
Answer: A · The elaboration likelihood model
Why this is the answer
Petty, Cacioppo and Goldman showed that high involvement leads to central-route processing of arguments, while low involvement leads to peripheral cues like expertise.
Answer
A · The elaboration likelihood model
7.Clinical psychology
Answer: C · Antisocial personality disorder
Why this is the answer
Antisocial personality disorder includes deceitfulness, impulsivity, aggression and lack of remorse, with evidence of conduct disorder in childhood.
Answer
C · Antisocial personality disorder
8.Clinical psychology
Answer: D · A waiting list controls for time passing but not for attention, expectation or the alliance
Why this is the answer
Waiting-list designs show that therapy beats no treatment, but common factors such as hope and therapist contact are not controlled. An active comparison or attention-placebo control is needed to test specific ingredients.
Answer
D · A waiting list controls for time passing but not for attention, expectation or the alliance
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