Missed BS questions Flashcards
The researchers change the procedure such that instead of placing the objects in a box, the participants have to recall all the objects that they have seen during training. According to the spreading of activation theory, which type of memory error is most likely?
A.Making source monitoring errors regarding the location of the training objects
B.Poorer memory for the training objects seen at the later points in the experiment
C.Selective forgetting of the training objects that were placed in the center of the box
D.Recalling objects that were not presented but are from the same category as the training objects
The answer to this question is D because spreading activation suggests that, when a concept is activated, the activation spreads to concepts that are semantically or associatively related to it. Thus, people often retrieve unpresented members of a category when tested on their memory for a series of presented concepts from that category
The children from the experiment in the passage participate in a separate study using Piaget’s water conservation task. They are shown two identical beakers, containing equal amounts of water. The water from one of the containers is poured into a thinner and taller beaker. Which prediction is most likely to be confirmed?
A.All three age groups will state that the water in the taller beaker is greater in quantity.
B.The majority of the 11-year-olds will state that the amount of water in the taller beaker is the same as in the original beaker.
C.The majority of the 9- and 11-year-olds will state that the amount of water in the taller beaker is greater in quantity.
D.The majority of the 7-year-olds will state that the amount of water in the taller beaker is the same as in the original beaker
The answer to this question is B because, according to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, conservation tasks are mastered during the concrete operations stage, which starts at approximately 7 years and ends around 11 to 12 years. The majority of the 11-year-olds will have completed this stage, which will allow them to judge that pouring water into a taller beaker does not change its quantity.
What is the difference between a positive punisher and a negative punisher?
Positive punishment involves adding an aversive consequence after an undesired behavior is emitted to decrease future responses. Negative punishment includes taking away a certain reinforcing item after the undesired behavior happens in order to decrease future responses.
Actor-observer bias
actors attribute their own behavior to situational factors (not feeling well) whereas observers attribute actors’ behavior to dispositional factors (social awkwardness)
In a study, each trial involves administering a drop of lemon juice to the participant’s tongue and measuring the participant’s level of salivation. As more trials are conducted, the researcher finds that the magnitude of salivation declines. After a certain point, the researcher switches to administering lime juice. This researcher is most likely studying which process?
A.Sensory perception
B.Habituation and dishabituation
C.Stimulus generalization in classical conditioning
D.Conditioned responses in classical conditioning
The answer to this question is B because the study involves reduced responding to a repeating stimulus, which is best described as habituation. The researcher then changes the stimulus, which will likely lead to dishabituation.
Selye’s general adaptation syndrome
people’s response to various stressors is similar
Often utilized when studying communicable diseases, which type of analysis maps the series of relationships among a set of individuals?
A.Social support analysis
B.Social network analysis
C.Social stratification analysis
D.Social reproduction analysis
The answer to this question is B, social network analysis. Used in some epidemiological studies, social network analysis is the method described in the question. It involves the mapping of social relationships among individuals.
What is gentrification?
the reinvestment in lower income neighborhoods in urban areas, which results from the influx of more affluent groups.
What is generativity versus stagnation?
In Erikson’s theory, the generativity versus self-absorption crisis occurs in mid-adulthood. Thus, the adults compose the only age group that is likely to experience this stage.
If adults performed the block tapping task as a measure of working memory capacity, they would most likely replicate sequences of what length correctly?
A.9 plus or minus 1
B.7 plus or minus 2
C.10 plus or minus 1
D.16 plus or minus 2
The answer to this question is B because early memory research with adults led to the belief that the capacity of working memory was between 5 and 9 items. The so-called “magic number 7 ± 2” was the name George Miller (1956) gave to this estimate.
Which research methodology involves the extended, systematic observation of a complete social environment?
A.Comparative methods
B.Ethnographic methods
C.Experimental methods
D.Survey methods
The answer to this question is B. Ethnographic methods are accurately described in the question as involving systematic observation of a complete social environment.
When do we start to see parallel play?
During the pre-operational stage (2-7 years old)
Cannon-Bard theory of emotion
The Cannon-Bard theory of emotion asserts that the physiological arousal and the subjective feeling of an emotion arise from different parts of the brain and are separate and independent of one another
Schater-Singer theory
starts with physiological arousal, and then the person would then interpret that arousal given the environmental context
When would we start to see symbolic play?
During the pre-operational stage (2-7 years old)
If research continues to indicate that the SAT is biased against students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and does not reflect their knowledge or skills, what does that mean for the test’s psychometric properties?
The test may still have high reliability but low validity.
A test can be reliable but not valid – think of a bathroom scale. If you step on it every day and the weight is the same but wrong, the test has high reliability (consistency) but low validity (accuracy). Students may be getting reliable, consistent scores over time, but if the test isn’t a true measure of their ability and skills, then it is not valid.
Describes a major assumption of the functionalist theory of social stratification
Social stratification is necessary and results from the need for those with special intelligence, knowledge, and skills to be a part of the most important professions and occupations.
Functionalist theories assert that aspects of culture are necessary and need-based.
Conflict theory
emphasizes the role of coercion and power in producing social order. It sees society as fragmented into groups that compete for social and economic resources. Social order is maintained by those with the most power, usually those with the greatest political, economic, and social capital.
Symbolic interactionism
focuses on the symbolic meaning that people develop and rely upon in the process of social interactions. Smoking is an excellent example, because the social symbolism of smoking is a point of contention across social groups. In previous years—and to some extent in certain social circles now—smoking was seen as trendy, whereas in others it may be seen negatively as a symbol of poor self-regard and ignorance
What type of cultural norm is most directly involved in health behaviors?
A. Folkways B. Mores C. Taboos D. Laws
Define each of theses
B is correct. Mores are norms that are deemed highly necessary to the welfare of a society and have consequences if violated. Health behaviors (like seeking help for an acute medical illness) are standards of behavior that are necessary for the well-being of everyone; if a person does not seek help, they may be shunned by family members or friends.
A: Folkways are norms that govern everyday behavior (like holding a door open).
C: Taboos are considered unacceptable by almost every culture (like cannibalism or incest).
D: Laws are established standards of behavior that are written down and have very clear consequences
What is a kinship of affinity?
A kinship of affinity is one in which individuals are related by choice, such as through marriage, rather than through blood, such as the other choices
Which of the following was NOT a finding by Harry Harlow in his experiments with rhesus monkeys and their pairing with a simulated mother made from wire (Wire Mother) or one made from soft cloth (Cloth Mother)?
A. Monkeys paired with Wire Mothers drank similar amounts of milk and grew at a rate comprable to monkeys paired with Cloth Mothers. B. Monkeys paired with a Wire Mother sought soothing from their “mothers,” but at a rate less than monkeys paired with Cloth Mothers. C. After early neglectful conditions, monkeys’ abnormal behavior could be corrected by pairing them with the appropriate simulated mother. D. When given a choice, monkeys spent more time holding Cloth Mothers than Wire Mothers.
C is correct. In Harlow’s experiment, the infant monkeys preferred spending their time clinging to the cloth mother. Even when only the wire mother could provide food, the monkeys visited her just to eat. Harlow concluded that there was much more to the mother/infant relationship than milk and that this “contact comfort” was crucial to the psychological development and health of infants. After monkeys were paired with a Wire Mother, they showed abnormal behavior, which could not be corrected later in life by pairing them with a Cloth Mother.
What characteristics of society are associated with high levels of anomie?
I. Rapid changes in society
II. Low levels of income
III. High heterogeneity
A. I and II only B. I and III only C. II and III only D. I, II, and III
D is correct. Anomie refers to society feeling fragmented and lacking cohesiveness. All of the characteristics listed are associated with anomie.
What is the difference between internal validity and external validity?
Internal validity refers to the degree to which causal conclusions can be drawn from a study, which can include accounting for potential confounding variables. Adding the additional measurement point of pre-intervention condom use and controlling for that variable statistically would considerably improve the degree to which one could make conclusions about how use affected participants’ behavior.
External validity describes the degree to which the findings of a study are generalizable to the population as a whole. Typically, this involves issues regarding the size and representativeness of the sample
What is thinning in operant conditioning?
Reducing the frequency of rewards for a given action.
Difference between a moderating variable and a mediating variable?
A moderating variable is one that either decreases or increases the strength of an association.
A mediating variable is one that provides a causal link between two variables that show a statistical relationship.
Role strain vs. Role conflict
Role strain involves a problem fitting into an existing role, such as a student’s problem with getting good grades. Role conflict involves two roles coming into conflict, such as when a student experiences conflict as a student and worker.
A researcher hypothesizes that there is institutional discrimination, but no individual discrimination, at a particular organization. Which of the following options would allow the researcher to fully confirm this hypothesis?
A. Compare the demographics of individuals hired at the organization with the demographics at similar organizations B. Compare the demographics of individuals hired by several hiring directors within the organization C. Neither A nor B D. Both A and B together
D is correct. Both A and B are required here. Method A could show that there is a difference between organizations with regard to hiring practices, which implies institutional discrimination. Method B could show that no individual discrimination is present. Since the hypothesis proposes that there is institutional discrimination and that there is no individual discrimination at the organization, both A and B are required to fully confirm (or reject) the hypothesis.
What are Erikson’s stages of developments?
Hope: trust vs. mistrust (oral-sensory, infancy, under 2 years)
Will: autonomy vs. shame/doubt (muscular-anal, toddlerhood, 2–4 years)
Purpose: initiative vs. guilt (locomotor-genital, early childhood, 5–8 years)
Competence: industry vs. inferiority (latency, middle childhood, 9–12 years)
Fidelity: identity vs. role confusion (adolescence, 13–19 years)
Love: intimacy vs. isolation (early adulthood, 20–39 years)
Care: generativity vs. stagnation (middle adulthood, 40–59 years)
Wisdom: ego integrity vs. despair (late adulthood, 60 years and above)
Many elderly individuals struggle with the concept of death and dying. The Kübler-Ross model provides a series of stages that most people experience when facing the end of their life. Which of the following is the correct sequence of emotional stages from this model?
A. Anger, denial, depression, acceptance, bargaining B. Denial, depression, bargaining, anger, acceptance C. Bargaining, anger, depression, denial, acceptance D. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance
D is correct. For these stages, you can remember the acronym Death Always Brings Definite Acceptance. The stages are sequenced in the following order: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
A surgeon suspects that the supernatural ability of a dowser to locate a hot coal buried in the ground is best explained by the presence of particularly sensitive thermoreceptors in their hands. Lesioning which area of the brain would best allow the surgeon to test her hypothesis?
A. Lateral geniculate nucleus B. Hippocampus C. Frontal lobe D. Parietal lobe
D is correct. The parietal lobe integrates multiple inputs of sensory information, from spatial sense and navigation (proprioception) to temperature (thermoreceptors) and touch (mechanoreceptors). Lesioning this area of the brain would likely interfere with the dowser’s ability to detect hot objects, if this were the true basis of the ability.
An outspoken skeptic and opponent of automatic writing attends multiple séances where a medium appears to successfully contact someone who has recently died. If the skeptic’s views shift over time to view the practice as harmless entertainment, this evolution is best described by:
A. subjective norms. B. a locus of control. C. cognitive dissonance. D. reciprocal determinism.
D is correct. Reciprocal determinism is the theory set forth by Albert Bandura that a person’s behavior both influences and is influenced by personal factors and the environment. In this scenario, the skeptic does not believe in the supernatural power of a medium, but attends multiple séances where they may see evidence that could soften their views. It appears this behavior of attending séances, in conjunction with the social environment of others who attend the séances, caused the skeptic’s views on supernatural phenomena to shift.
What is social cognitive theory?
Social cognitive theory asserts that people learn by watching others, and if they see someone is rewarded for a behavior, they are more likely to behave that way too.
The media portrayal of shoppers who are violent and aggressive or who misbehave on Black Friday in order to shame or ridicule them is an example of what type of social control?
A. Formal positive sanction B. Formal negative sanction C. Informal negative sanction D. Informal positive sanction
C is correct. An informal sanction is an action by a peer or group of peers that is meant to make behavior more normative. It usually involves shaming or ridicule, which is considered a punishment. When the media shames people who engage in non-normative behavior (acting like a jerk while shopping), they are trying to enforce norms in an informal way.
Which of the following steps could an organization take to make itself into a more ideal bureaucracy?
A. Making distinctions between management and employees less pronounced B. Cross-training employees to be proficient in different skills C. Evaluating how decisions impact stock price to promote value for stockholders in accordance with the company's mission D. Promoting individuals until they reach a level above their skill set
C is correct. An ideal bureaucracy will make decisions in accordance with its mission—in this case, to create value for shareholders.
Which of the following variables are negatively correlated with globalization?
A. Number of multi-national corporations B. Internet usage C. Protectionism D. Trade agreements
C is correct. Protectionism refers to a country rejecting trade with others and being isolative, which is inversely proportional to globalization.
What regulates our fear response?
The amygdala
Based on the concept of the looking-glass self, which reaction is most likely for a male Seattle welfare recipient who has a mental illness?
A. He will redirect feelings of bias towards police during potential MHA incidents. B. He will seek out other welfare recipients. C. He will seek out other welfare recipients with mental illness. D. He will internalize perceived police bias.
D is correct. The looking-glass self is a social psychological concept stating that a person’s self grows out of society’s interpersonal interactions and the perceptions of others. The term refers to people shaping their self-concepts based on their understanding of how others perceive them. If the man feels bias from society and/or police (as mentioned in paragraph 1) the looking-glass self theory states that he will internalize the bias/stigmatization directed towards him.
What is group polarization?
Group polarization is a phenomenon in which a group comes to express a consensus view that is more extreme than the individual views of any one group member before the group discussion began. Here, the more extreme policy is likely the result of group polarization during the discussion
Ecological validity
refers to how findings from an experimental setting can be generalized to the environmental considerations in the real world.
Construct validity
refers to whether measures actually do assess the variables that they are intended to assess.
The Rorschach inkblot test is often used to identify distinct personalities in those with DID. This test is best categorized as a:
I. subjective personality assessment.
II. objective personality assessment.
III. projective personality assessment.
A. I only B. II only C. II and III only D. I and III only
D is correct. Both RN I and III correctly describe the inkblot test. In subjective assessments, patients project their own subjective feelings, perceptions, and thoughts onto the assessment stimuli, yielding results that are open for inaccuracy. For example, physicians may reach a different conclusion despite seeing the same patient who says the same thing. Projective personality assessments require the participant to respond, and then their response is assessed for meaning.
Parkinson’s can result from insufficiencies in which neurotransmitter?
Dopamine
Which of the following strategies would likely reduce the occurrence of criminal behavior from a differential association theoretical perspective?
A. A child in a high-crime area being adopted by an affluent family B. Repeated messages in school that students are expected to uphold prosocial values C. Deemphasizing the importance of values, such as material wealth, that would lead individuals to commit crimes D. Increasing penalties for crime to a degree that individuals are dissuaded from committing it
A is correct. According to differential association theory, individuals engage in criminal choices because they are exposed to it, while individuals who don’t commit crimes have not been exposed to this type of behavior. Thus, a child going from an area in which he is likely to be exposed to crime to an area where he is not likely to be exposed will reduce the likelihood of this individual committing a crime.
What is differential association theory?
Through interaction with others, individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior.
Which of the following would likely decrease an individual’s self-efficacy in regard to a particular task?
A. Seeing a task performed successfully B. Feeling that past failures were due to other individuals C. Being offered positive encouragement by others D. Learning stress-reduction techniques in regard to the task
B is correct. This is an example of an external locus of control, which might increase an individual’s self-esteem, but would be expected to have a negative effect on self-efficacy.
What is a meritocracy?
A meritocracy is a society of people whose progress within the society is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth. This requires that everyone be afforded the same opportunities to advance yet only be rewarded based upon individual outcomes due to their individual talents and/or abilities, which can vary between persons.
A person experiences a prolonged deficiency of thiamine and as a result may develop which of the following neurological disorders?
A. Down syndrome B. Alzheimer's disease C. Korsakoff's syndrome D. Schizophrenia
C is correct. Korsakoff’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that is most often seen in people who have severe prolonged alcoholism, as a result of which they experience severe thiamine deficiency.
