Question 1

The idea that the mind was designed to process and manipulate information is known as the
A) computer metaphor
B) information-processing approach
C) computational theory of mind
D) cognitive theory of mind

Accepted Answer

The computational theory of mind proposes that the mind functions like a computer, manipulating and processing information. This idea is sometimes referred to as the computer metaphor or the information-processing approach, but the specific name for the theory is the computational theory of mind.

Question 2

This interdisciplinary science that studies the collecting, processing, storing, retrieving, and manipulating of information is called
A) cognitive neuroscience
B) cognitive science
C) behavioural computation
D) computational cognition

Accepted Answer

The interdisciplinary science that studies the collecting, processing, storing, retrieving, and manipulating of information is Cognitive Science. Choice A (cognitive neuroscience) is more focused on the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes, and choices C and D are not commonly used terms in the field of cognitive science.

Question 3

Which of the following statements is most consistent with Fodor's computational theory of mind?
A) The mind is designed exactly like a PC or MAC.
B) People tend to think and act the same as a robot.
C) Computers are better than humans at detecting patterns.
D) The mind operates according to universal rules of processing.

Accepted Answer

Fodor's computational theory of mind suggests that the mind operates according to universal rules of processing, similar to how computers follow a set of rules to process information. This is consistent with option D, which states that the mind operates according to universal rules of processing. Options A and B are too extreme and suggest a complete similarity between humans and machines, which Fodor's theory would not support. Option C is not directly related to Fodor's theory and instead implies that computers are better at a specific task, rather than discussing the overall nature of the mind.

Question 4

Dr. Plant uses laboratory methods to study thinking, learning and memory, and language. Thus, Dr. Plant focuses his study on
A) cognition
B) behaviour
C) mental illness
D) adaptation

Accepted Answer

Dr. Plant's focus on thinking, learning, memory, and language falls under the realm of cognition, which is the study of mental processes such as perception, attention, and problem-solving.

Question 5

Thought can be described as the active process of mentally manipulating information, and is comprised of two primary components:
A) neurons and glia
B) mental images and concepts
C) concepts and schemas
D) mental images and mental logic

Accepted Answer

Mental images and concepts are the two primary components that make up thought. Mental images are visual or sensory representations of information, while concepts are abstract ideas or categories that help to organize and interpret information.

Question 6

When research participants engage in tasks that require the construction of this type of mental representation, they utilize parts of their occipital lobes
A) schema
B) mental image
C) script
D) concept

Accepted Answer

Mental images are mental representations of sensory information, including visual images. The occipital lobes are responsible for processing visual information, so when participants construct mental images, they rely on this region of the brain. Schemas and scripts are more abstract mental representations, while concepts are general ideas or categories.

Question 7

Which mental representation would we need to utilize to think about abstract words like time, ambivalence, and fatigue?
A) schema
B) script
C) concept
D) mental image

Accepted Answer

Concepts are mental representations that allow us to categorize and understand abstract ideas such as time, ambivalence, and fatigue. Schemas and scripts tend to be more focused on organizing information about specific events or situations, while mental images are visual mental representations that relate to concrete objects or events.

Question 8

Which of the following concepts most likely has fuzzy boundaries?
A) triangle
B) oxygen
C) life
D) water

Accepted Answer

While all concepts have some degree of fuzziness or ambiguity, "life" is a particularly difficult concept to define and delineate. It is difficult to clearly define what separates living things from non-living things, and there are many grey areas and exceptions to any definition. In contrast, a triangle, oxygen, and water all have more precise definitions and boundaries.

Question 9

One conclusion that can be drawn from the debate about when life begins-with conception or with birth-is that the concept of life has
A) clear boundaries
B) fuzzy boundaries
C) strict rules for inclusion
D) specific starting and ending points

Accepted Answer

The debate surrounding when life begins suggests that the concept of life has fuzzy boundaries rather than clear boundaries, as there is no clear consensus on when it begins.

Question 10

A person is more likely to see the "family resemblance" between an item and other members of a concept if the item matches this representative member of the concept
A) geon
B) prototype
C) exemplar
D) instance

Accepted Answer

The concept of prototypes suggests that there is a central, representative member of a category that helps form the basis for how people perceive and identify items within the category. Therefore, if an item matches the prototype, it is more likely to be recognized as part of that category and share characteristics with other items in the category (i.e. demonstrate "family resemblance"). The other answer options, geon, exemplar, and instance, do not directly correspond to the concept of prototypes in the same way.

Question 11

According to Daniel Kahneman, this system of thought is rapid, intuitive, effortless, and automatic.
A) System 1
B) System 2
C) consciousness
D) System B

Accepted Answer

According to Daniel Kahneman, System 1 is the rapid, intuitive, effortless, and automatic system of thought. It operates quickly and automatically without requiring conscious effort or reasoning, and it is involved in many aspects of daily life, from perception and memory to decision-making and language comprehension.

Question 12

According to Daniel Kahneman, this system of thought is slow, effortful, and requires attention to work properly
A) System 1
B) System 2
C) consciousness
D) System A

Accepted Answer

System 2 is the slow, effortful, and attention-requiring system of thought described by Daniel Kahneman. System 1 is the intuitive, automatic system of thought. Consciousness is a general term that refers to awareness and perception, but it is not specific to Kahneman's theories of dual systems of thought. System A is not a term used by Kahneman.

Question 13

One way to measure the extent to which a person is utilizing System 2 on any mental task is to observe
A) the accuracy of their answers
B) the time it takes for a person to finish the task
C) a change in the galvanic skin response
D) a change in pupil dilation

Accepted Answer

Pupil dilation is a physiological response that has been linked to the mental effort associated with engaging System 2 thinking. When a person is concentrating on a task that requires deep thought or complex reasoning, their pupils can dilate as a part of the brain's effort to allocate more resources to the task. This is a direct measure of cognitive load and effort, making it a useful indicator of System 2 utilization.

Question 14

Which of the following presents the most valid conclusion regarding the existence of Systems 1 and 2?
A) The gorilla suit experiment demonstrates that System 1 and 2 exist in the frontal lobes.
B) Systems 1 and 2 do not physically exist in separate brain areas but are convenient metaphors for complex attention processes.
C) Experiments using the Müller-Lyer illusion demonstrate that System 1 is a part of the occipital lobe.
D) Most cognitive psychologists believe that System 2 is not a part of the function of the frontal lobe.

Accepted Answer

While there is evidence of different cognitive processes that align with the concepts of System 1 and 2, they are not physically localized in separate brain areas. Instead, they are conceptual frameworks for explaining complex attention processes. The other options either do not accurately reflect the current understanding of Systems 1 and 2 or are too narrow in their focus.

Question 15

This thought process is characterized by the movement from a situation that exists to a situation that is desired by removing obstacles.
A) decision making
B) problem solving
C) mental representation
D) concept formation

Accepted Answer

Problem solving involves identifying obstacles or barriers to a desired situation and finding ways to overcome them. Decision making involves making a choice between different alternatives. Mental representation refers to the internal models or images we have of objects or situations. Concept formation involves grouping things based on shared characteristics.

Question 16

If you forgot the combination to your locker, you might fiddle with it for a while hoping eventually to hit upon the right numbers. This is an example of which basic problem-solving strategy?
A) trial and error
B) insight
C) algorithm
D) heuristic

Accepted Answer

Trial and error involves trying different solutions until the correct one is found. In this scenario, the person is attempting different combinations (trial) until they finally unlock the locker (error).

Question 17

This problem-solving procedure always remains the same, and will work as long as you input information in the appropriate manner.
A) heuristic
B) algorithm
C) means-end
D) trial and error

Accepted Answer

The description of a problem-solving procedure that always remains the same and works as long as information is inputted in the appropriate manner matches the characteristics of an algorithm. An algorithm is a step-by-step approach to solving a problem that always produces the correct solution if executed correctly. Heuristics involve using shortcuts or rules of thumb to solve problems, while means-end analysis involves evaluating the difference between the current state and the desired goal state and making changes to reach the goal. Trial and error involves testing different solutions until one works, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.

Question 18

This aspect of thinking is a mental shortcut designed to help us make judgments and decisions when all the facts are not known
A) algorithm
B) concept
C) heuristic
D) mental image

Accepted Answer

A heuristic is a mental shortcut that helps us make judgments and decisions when we don't have all of the information. Heuristics can be useful in many situations, but they can also lead to errors in thinking, such as biases and stereotypes. Algorithms are step-by-step procedures for solving problems, concepts are abstract ideas or categories, and mental images are mental representations of objects or events. None of these are specifically designed to help us make judgments and decisions when all the facts are not known.

Question 19

This heuristic works by biasing us toward mental information, memories, or images that are more easily "accessible" to our consciousness
A) availability heuristic
B) representativeness heuristic
C) base rate heuristic
D) probability heuristic

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic works by relying on information that is more easily accessible in our minds, such as recent or vivid experiences, to make a decision or judgment. It can lead to biased thinking because we may overlook important information that is less memorable or noticeable. The other heuristics listed do not involve accessibility to memory or mental images.

Question 20

When people fear boarding a plane because of a recent terrorist attack, while ignoring the fact that the likelihood of experiencing a terrorist attack while aboard a plane is extremely small, this heuristic is at work
A) availability heuristic
B) representativeness heuristic
C) base rate heuristic
D) probability heuristic

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic occurs when people base the likelihood of an event on how easily examples come to mind. In this case, the recent terrorist attack is what comes to mind, even though the probability of experiencing a terrorist attack on a plane is very low.

Quiz 10: Thinking and Language

The idea that the mind was designed to process and manipulate information is known as the

This interdisciplinary science that studies the collecting, processing, storing, retrieving, and manipulating of information is called

Which of the following statements is most consistent with Fodor's computational theory of mind?

Dr. Plant uses laboratory methods to study thinking, learning and memory, and language. Thus, Dr. Plant focuses his study on

Thought can be described as the active process of mentally manipulating information, and is comprised of two primary components:

When research participants engage in tasks that require the construction of this type of mental representation, they utilize parts of their occipital lobes

Which mental representation would we need to utilize to think about abstract words like time, ambivalence, and fatigue?

Which of the following concepts most likely has fuzzy boundaries?

One conclusion that can be drawn from the debate about when life begins-with conception or with birth-is that the concept of life has

A person is more likely to see the "family resemblance" between an item and other members of a concept if the item matches this representative member of the concept

According to Daniel Kahneman, this system of thought is rapid, intuitive, effortless, and automatic.

According to Daniel Kahneman, this system of thought is slow, effortful, and requires attention to work properly

One way to measure the extent to which a person is utilizing System 2 on any mental task is to observe

Which of the following presents the most valid conclusion regarding the existence of Systems 1 and 2?

This thought process is characterized by the movement from a situation that exists to a situation that is desired by removing obstacles.

If you forgot the combination to your locker, you might fiddle with it for a while hoping eventually to hit upon the right numbers. This is an example of which basic problem-solving strategy?

This problem-solving procedure always remains the same, and will work as long as you input information in the appropriate manner.

This aspect of thinking is a mental shortcut designed to help us make judgments and decisions when all the facts are not known

This heuristic works by biasing us toward mental information, memories, or images that are more easily "accessible" to our consciousness

When people fear boarding a plane because of a recent terrorist attack, while ignoring the fact that the likelihood of experiencing a terrorist attack while aboard a plane is extremely small, this heuristic is at work