Psychology Degree Psychology 101 3

Question 1

Piaget's stage of cognitive development characterized by object permanence and symbolic thinking emerging around age 2 is called:

Accepted Answer

Sensorimotor stage

Answer

The sensorimotor stage (birth to ~2 years) ends with the acquisition of object permanence and the beginning of symbolic representation.

Question 2

Which defense mechanism involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to another person?

Accepted Answer

Projection

Answer

Projection involves unconsciously attributing one's own threatening impulses or feelings onto someone else.

Question 3

The bystander effect refers to the phenomenon where:

Accepted Answer

Individuals are less likely to help in an emergency when others are present

Answer

Diffusion of responsibility causes each bystander to feel less personally obligated to intervene as group size increases.

Question 4

Which brain structure serves as the brain's relay station, routing sensory signals (except smell) to the appropriate cortical areas?

Accepted Answer

Thalamus

Answer

The thalamus acts as a sensory switchboard, directing incoming information to the correct cortical region for processing.

Question 5

In classical conditioning, 'extinction' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The gradual weakening of a conditioned response when the CS is repeatedly presented without the UCS

Answer

Extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus no longer predicts the unconditioned stimulus, causing the conditioned response to diminish.

Psychology Degree Practice Test