Question 1

Semantic long-term memory refers to
A)the preservation of auditory stimulation.
B)the type of information pertaining to the unique experiences of the individual.
C)the preservation of a person's general conceptual world.
D)the preservation of iconic stimulation.

Accepted Answer

Semantic long-term memory refers to the preservation of a person's general conceptual world, including their knowledge of language, concepts, and facts. It is a type of non-personal memory, as opposed to autobiographical memory which pertains to the unique experiences of the individual. Auditory and iconic (visual) stimulations refer to sensory memory, which is distinct from semantic memory.

Question 2

Perception is defined as
A)the long-term cognitive processing of information.
B)the short-term cognitive processing of information.
C)the mental interpretation of external stimuli via sensation.
D)the cognitive interpretation of selective attention.

Accepted Answer

Perception involves the mental interpretation of external stimuli through sensation, so option C is the most appropriate answer. Option A describes memory rather than perception, while option B describes the processing of information at the level of sensory memory. Option D describes a process that is related to perception but not the definition of perception itself.

Question 3

Ethnocentrism refers to a belief that one racial group is superior to others and that other racial groups are necessarily inferior.

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture or ethnic group is superior to others, rather than specifically about racial superiority. It involves judging other cultures by the standards and values of one's own culture.

Question 4

Classifying,sorting,or arranging information into identifiable compartments that share certain features or characteristics is called
A)iconic perception.
B)sensory reproduction.
C)sensory replication.
D)categorization.

Accepted Answer

Categorization is the process of grouping information or objects based on similar characteristics or features. It helps to organize information and make sense of the world around us.

Question 5

Persons in cultures with little formal education tend to remember information based on its
A)uniqueness.
B)novelty.
C)organization of unrelated items.
D)functionality.

Accepted Answer

In cultures with little formal education, individuals tend to remember information based on its functionality or usefulness, as practical knowledge is highly valued in these societies. This is in contrast to cultures with higher levels of education, where memory may be more closely linked to organization and categorization of information.

Question 6

Episodic long-term memory refers to
A)the preservation of auditory stimulation.
B)the preservation of information pertaining to the unique experiences of the individual.
C)the preservation of a person's general conceptual world.
D)the preservation of iconic stimulation.

Accepted Answer

Episodic long-term memory refers to the preservation of information related to personal experiences or events, such as a specific memory of a vacation or a wedding. It is distinct from semantic memory, which refers to general knowledge and concepts, and sensory memory, which refers to the brief retention of sensory information. Therefore, option B is the best choice.

Question 7

Ethnocentrism serves a valuable function when one's central group is under actual attack or threat of attack because it forms the basis for patriotism and the willingness to sacrifice for one's central group.

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism can bolster group cohesion and solidarity, and in situations where the group is facing a real or perceived threat, it can be a powerful motivating force for defending the group and promoting its interests. In this sense, ethnocentrism can serve a protective function and can help rally members of the group behind a common cause. However, it's important to note that extreme forms of ethnocentrism can also lead to aggression and prejudice towards out-groups, which can have negative consequences.

Question 8

The essential difference between short- and long-term memory is the type of information that is stored.

Accepted Answer

The essential difference between short- and long-term memory is not the type of information stored, but rather the duration for which the information is retained and the capacity of storage. Short-term memory has a limited capacity and holds information for a brief period, while long-term memory can store larger quantities of information for extended periods.

Question 9

Negative arousal,or anxiety,is also thought to interfere with the retrieval of information from long-term memory.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that anxiety can cause interference with the retrieval of information from long-term memory.

Question 10

Information in short-term memory is usually lost because of
A)sensory register errors.
B)olfactic stimulation.
C)iconic stimulation.
D)interference.

Accepted Answer

Information in short-term memory is often lost due to interference from other information competing for attention or similar information that may already be stored in memory. Sensory register errors, olfactic stimulation, and iconic stimulation do not typically affect short-term memory storage.

Question 11

Some psychologists believe that stereotyping is an automatic information-processing strategy,meaning that
A)stereotyping is an unintentional and/or instinctive activation of thoughts that have been learned through repeated stimulation.
B)stereotyping is intentional and requires the conscious attention of the information processor.
C)stereotyping is a subset of categorization with an added attitudinal component.
D)most people are innately prejudiced against people different from themselves.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists who believe in the automaticity theory of stereotyping argue that stereotypes are activated automatically and unconsciously as a result of prior exposure to particular stimuli. This means that our brains automatically process information and associate certain traits or characteristics with particular groups of people without us consciously intending to do so.

Question 12

Persons in Western cultures tend to classify objects into discrete categories based on their similarity while persons in Eastern cultures tend to classify objects into categories based on their relationships.

Accepted Answer

This is a known cultural difference in cognitive processing and perception. Westerners tend to use a more analytical thinking style and focus on the characteristics of objects while Easterners tend to use a more holistic thinking style and focus on the context and relationships between objects.

Question 13

The function of the sensory register is
A)to store information long enough for an individual to decide which to process and which to ignore.
B)to store information long enough to categorize incoming information.
C)to encode sensation.
D)to encode iconic information.

Accepted Answer

The sensory register is responsible for briefly holding incoming sensory information so that the brain can decide which information to pay attention to and which to ignore. It acts as a filter for the massive amount of sensory information the brain receives. Therefore, the correct choice is A. B is incorrect because the process of categorizing most likely occurs in short-term or working memory. C and D are also incorrect because they only describe a part of what the sensory register does - encoding sensory information - but do not capture its main function.

Question 14

The illusory correlation principle refers to the tendency for people to see members of an out-group as less diverse and more stereotypic than the members of that group see themselves.

Accepted Answer

The illusory correlation principle refers to the phenomenon where people perceive a relationship between two variables (e.g., group membership and behavior) even when no such relationship exists. It is not specifically about seeing out-group members as less diverse or more stereotypic.

Question 15

Perceptual filters alter and change how humans interpret information physiologically,sociologically,and
A)genetically.
B)descriptively.
C)prescriptively.
D)psychologically.

Accepted Answer

Perceptual filters affect how individuals interpret sensory information psychologically, which includes mental processes such as attention, perception, association, and memory.

Question 16

The first stage of information processing is the input stage,where raw information is taken in through the senses.

Accepted Answer

The input stage is the first stage of information processing where raw information is taken in through the senses.

Question 17

Most cognitive psychologists argue that all people,regardless of culture,engage in categorization and that it is a necessary part of everyday life.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychologists have found that categorization is a universal cognitive process that all people engage in, regardless of culture. It helps us organize and make sense of the world around us, and is crucial for efficient cognitive processing.

Question 18

One reason for cross-cultural differences in perception is due to
A)conditions in the physical environment.
B)short-term memory loss.
C)long-term memory loss.
D)interference.

Accepted Answer

Conditions in the physical environment, such as lighting, climate, and geography, can vary greatly between cultures and can affect how individuals perceive different stimuli. For example, a color that is considered soothing or calming in one culture may be seen as aggressive or unsettling in another culture, depending on the physical environment and its association with certain experiences.

Question 19

Although the amount of information stored in short-term memory is quite limited,it can be stored permanently.

Accepted Answer

Short-term memory has limited capacity and duration, and information is not stored permanently unless it is transferred to long-term memory through processes such as encoding and consolidation.

Question 20

According to the Stereotype Content Model,an individual's stereotypes about others are based on the two judgments of warmth and competence.

Accepted Answer

According to the Stereotype Content Model, an individual's stereotypes about others are based on the two dimensions of warmth and competence. These dimensions are believed to underlie many social judgments and perceptions of groups and individuals.

Quiz 5: The Perceptual Context

Semantic long-term memory refers to

Perception is defined as

Ethnocentrism refers to a belief that one racial group is superior to others and that other racial groups are necessarily inferior.

Classifying,sorting,or arranging information into identifiable compartments that share certain features or characteristics is called

Persons in cultures with little formal education tend to remember information based on its

Episodic long-term memory refers to

Ethnocentrism serves a valuable function when one's central group is under actual attack or threat of attack because it forms the basis for patriotism and the willingness to sacrifice for one's central group.

The essential difference between short- and long-term memory is the type of information that is stored.

Negative arousal,or anxiety,is also thought to interfere with the retrieval of information from long-term memory.

Information in short-term memory is usually lost because of

Some psychologists believe that stereotyping is an automatic information-processing strategy,meaning that

Persons in Western cultures tend to classify objects into discrete categories based on their similarity while persons in Eastern cultures tend to classify objects into categories based on their relationships.

The function of the sensory register is

The illusory correlation principle refers to the tendency for people to see members of an out-group as less diverse and more stereotypic than the members of that group see themselves.

Perceptual filters alter and change how humans interpret information physiologically,sociologically,and

The first stage of information processing is the input stage,where raw information is taken in through the senses.

Most cognitive psychologists argue that all people,regardless of culture,engage in categorization and that it is a necessary part of everyday life.

One reason for cross-cultural differences in perception is due to

Although the amount of information stored in short-term memory is quite limited,it can be stored permanently.

According to the Stereotype Content Model,an individual's stereotypes about others are based on the two judgments of warmth and competence.