AP Psych Memory, Cognition, and Intelligence

Hermann Ebbinghaus found that as time since first learning material _____, the time it takes to relearn the material _____.

• increases; also increases
• increases, decreases
• decreases; also decreases
• decreases; increases

Confirmation bias refers to the tendency to:

• Allow preexisting beliefs to distort logical reasoning
• Cling to one’s initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited
• Search randomly through alternative solutions when problem solving
• Look for information that is consistent with one’s beliefs

When Janice forgot to pack a pillow for her camping trip, she used her down-jacket as a substitute pillow. In this situation, Janice:

• Was not constrained by functional fixedness

• Was constrained by a mental set

• Was constrained by functional fixedness

• Used an algorithm to solve her problem

A dessert recipe that gives you the ingredients, their amounts, and the steps to follow is an example of a(n):

• Prototype

• Algorithm

• Heuristic

• Mental set

Stockbrokers often believe that their own expertise will enable them to select stocks that will outperform the market average. This belief best illustrates:

• The representativeness heuristic
• The framing effect
• Overconfidence
• Belief perseverance

A prototype is:

• a step-by-step procedure for solving problems

• a mental grouping of similar objects, events or people

• the best example of a particular concept

• a simple thinking strategy for solving problems efficiently

Marilyn was asked to solve a series of five math problems. The first four problems could only be solved by a particular sequence of operations. The fifth problem could also be solved following this sequence; however, a much simpler solution was possible. Marilyn did not realize this simpler solution and solved the problem in the way she had solved the first four. Her problem-solving strategy was hampered by

• Functional fixedness
• The overconfidence phenomenon
• A mental set
• Her lack of a prototype for the solution

Rudy is 6 feet tall, weighs 210 pounds, and is very muscular. If you think that Rudy is more likely to be a basketball player than a ballet dancer, you are a victim of:

• belief bias

• the availability heuristic

• a mental set

• the representative heuristic

Which of the following is an example of functional fixedness?

• Using a blanket as a floor mat
• Not being able to solve a math problem because you are using the incorrect formula
• Replacing oil with applesauce when baking a cake
• Failing to use your keys to open a package when you can't find a pair of scissors

Which of the following statements best illustrates the concept of framing? 

• A PSA for a vaccine chooses to use the statement "you can die if you don't," rather than "this can save your life."
• Lily assumes her doctor named Chris is a male, when in fact she is a female
• A cigarette company puts beautiful women in its commercial
• An advertiser uses divergent thinking to come up with a commercial slogan