BAPSY Cognitive Psychology and Processes 2

Question 1

Which concept describes the tendency to seek information that confirms existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence?

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information that supports one's preexisting beliefs and to discount evidence that contradicts them.

Question 2

In Baddeley's model of working memory, which component is responsible for coordinating the other subsystems?

Accepted Answer

Central executive

Answer

The central executive serves as the supervisory attentional system in Baddeley's model, controlling and coordinating the other slave systems.

Question 3

Which phenomenon occurs when learning new information interferes with the recall of previously learned information?

Accepted Answer

Retroactive interference

Answer

Retroactive interference occurs when newly acquired information disrupts the retrieval of older, previously stored memories.

Question 4

A patient can recognize objects visually but cannot name them, despite having intact language. This condition is called:

Accepted Answer

Visual object agnosia

Answer

Visual object agnosia is the inability to name or recognize objects visually despite intact basic visual processing and language ability.

Question 5

The 'magic number 7, plus or minus 2' proposed by George Miller refers to the capacity of:

Accepted Answer

Short-term memory

Answer

Miller's (1956) classic paper established that short-term memory can hold approximately 7 ± 2 chunks of information at one time.

BAPSY - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Practice Test