MS Master of Psychology 2

Question 1

What is the concept of 'attachment theory' as developed by John Bowlby?

Accepted Answer

Infants form strong emotional bonds with caregivers that serve as a secure base for exploration and shape future relationships

Answer

Bowlby's attachment theory holds that infants have an innate need to form close emotional bonds with caregivers, with the quality of early attachment shaping expectations about relationships throughout life.

Question 2

In neuropsychology, what is the function of the prefrontal cortex?

Accepted Answer

Executive functions including planning, decision-making, impulse control, and working memory

Answer

The prefrontal cortex supports executive functions — the cognitive processes that regulate goal-directed behavior, including planning, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and working memory.

Question 3

What is the difference between reliability and validity in psychological assessment?

Accepted Answer

Reliability is consistency across measurements; validity is whether the test measures what it claims to measure

Answer

A reliable test produces consistent results across administrations, while a valid test accurately measures the construct it claims to assess; a test can be reliable but not valid.

Question 4

What does the concept of 'self-efficacy' in Bandura's social cognitive theory refer to?

Accepted Answer

An individual's belief in their own ability to successfully perform specific tasks

Answer

Self-efficacy is the subjective belief in one's capability to execute behaviors required to produce specific outcomes, strongly predicting motivation, persistence, and achievement.

Question 5

What is the bystander effect in social psychology?

Accepted Answer

The tendency for individuals to be less likely to help in an emergency when other people are present

Answer

The bystander effect (Darley & Latané) demonstrates that as the number of bystanders increases, the likelihood that any individual will intervene in an emergency decreases due to diffusion of responsibility.

MS - Master of Science Practice Test

MS - Master of Science Practice Test

MS Master of Psychology 2