1.Cognitive psychologyMedium
Which working memory component is most heavily used when you switch between two tasks and decide what to focus on?
- AThe phonological loop
- BThe visuospatial sketchpad
- CIconic memory
- DThe central executive
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
A patient with a long history of heavy alcohol use cannot form new memories and fills gaps with invented stories that he believes. This is typical of:
- AKorsakoff's syndrome
- BWernicke's aphasia
- CRetrograde amnesia only
- DDissociative amnesia
3.Developmental psychologyMedium
Which attachment type is shown by an infant who is very distressed at separation and both seeks and resists contact at reunion?
- AInsecure-avoidant
- BSecure
- CInsecure-resistant (ambivalent)
- DDisorganised only
4.Developmental psychologyHard
In sociometric studies, how do "rejected" children differ from "neglected" children?
- ARejected children are disliked; neglected ones are rarely named
- BThe two groups get exactly the same pattern of nominations
- CRejected children are named as liked more often than other children
- DNeglected children are the most actively disliked in the class
5.Social psychologyMedium
Tom says he tripped because the floor was wet, but when he sees someone else trip he thinks they are clumsy. This is the:
- AActor–observer bias
- BSelf-serving bias
- CFalse consensus effect
- DHalo effect
6.Social psychologyHard
After choosing between two similarly rated household appliances, participants rated the chosen one higher and the rejected one lower than before. This is called:
- AThe mere exposure effect for owned items
- BThe sleeper effect in product judgements
- CSpreading of alternatives after a decision
- DReactance against the rejected option
7.Clinical psychologyMedium
Which personality disorder is marked by instability in relationships, self-image and emotions, together with marked impulsivity?
- ASchizoid personality disorder
- BAvoidant personality disorder
- CBorderline personality disorder
- DNarcissistic 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 participants cannot be randomised
- BWaiting lists remove the placebo effect completely, so any benefit must come from the therapy itself
- CWaiting-list controls always receive the same therapy
- DA waiting list controls for time passing but not for attention, expectation or the alliance
2Solutions
1.Cognitive psychology
Answer: D · The central executive
Why this is the answer
The central executive controls attention, coordinates the subsystems and handles task switching and planning. It has very limited capacity.
Answer
D · The central executive
2.Cognitive psychology
Answer: A · Korsakoff's syndrome
Why this is the answer
Korsakoff's syndrome causes severe anterograde amnesia, some retrograde amnesia and confabulation, while procedural learning is often relatively preserved.
Answer
A · Korsakoff's syndrome
3.Developmental psychology
Answer: C · Insecure-resistant (ambivalent)
Why this is the answer
Insecure-resistant infants are highly upset when the caregiver leaves and show ambivalence on reunion, seeking contact but also pushing away.
Answer
C · Insecure-resistant (ambivalent)
4.Developmental psychology
Answer: A · Rejected children are disliked; neglected ones are rarely named
Why this is the answer
Rejected children receive many negative and few positive nominations and are at greater risk of later problems. Neglected children receive few nominations of either kind.
Answer
A · Rejected children are disliked; neglected ones are rarely named
5.Social psychology
Answer: A · Actor–observer bias
Why this is the answer
As actors we see the situation around us, so we make situational attributions for ourselves and dispositional attributions for others.
Answer
A · Actor–observer bias
6.Social psychology
Answer: C · Spreading of alternatives after a decision
Why this is the answer
Post-decision dissonance is reduced by increasing the attractiveness of the chosen option and lowering that of the rejected one.
Answer
C · Spreading of alternatives after a decision
7.Clinical psychology
Answer: C · Borderline personality disorder
Why this is the answer
Borderline personality disorder involves unstable relationships and identity, affective instability, fear of abandonment, impulsivity and recurrent self-harm. DBT is a well-supported treatment.
Answer
C · Borderline 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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