Study Guide Part A (Scenarios)

During a dance class, Mia is learning how to perform a complex spin move. Which sense is primarily responsible for detecting her body position and movement in space?

• Vestibular sense

• Kinesthetic sense

• Olfactory sense

• Auditory sense

Answer explanation

The kinesthetic sense is responsible for detecting body position and movement in space, which is crucial for performing complex dance moves like spins. The vestibular sense relates to balance, while olfactory and auditory senses are unrelated.

Emma is learning to ice skate for the first time. As she glides across the ice, what sense is primarily helping her maintain her balance and spatial orientation?

• Detecting sound waves

• Sensing body position and movement

• Maintaining balance and spatial orientation

• Processing visual information

Answer explanation

Emma primarily relies on her sense of maintaining balance and spatial orientation, which helps her stay upright and navigate the ice effectively while skating.

Scarlett is organizing her bookshelf and notices that she tends to group books that are close to each other. Which principle of Gestalt psychology does this behavior illustrate?

• Semantic encoding

• Law of proximity

• Phonological loop

• Iconic memory

Answer explanation

Scarlett's behavior of grouping nearby books illustrates the Law of Proximity, a principle of Gestalt psychology that states objects close to each other are perceived as a group, highlighting how spatial arrangement influences perception.

When Isla is studying for her history exam, she focuses on understanding the significance of historical events. This approach is an example of:

• The sound of words

• The meaning of information

• The visual appearance of objects

• The sequence of events

Answer explanation

Isla's focus on understanding the significance of historical events highlights her emphasis on grasping the meaning of information, making 'The meaning of information' the correct choice.

During a psychology class, Benjamin is learning about different memory models. He is particularly interested in the component known as the phonological loop. Which memory model does this component belong to?

• Multi-store model

• Levels of processing model

• Working memory model

• Dual coding theory

Answer explanation

The phonological loop is a component of the working memory model, which explains how we process and store verbal and auditory information. It is not part of the multi-store model, levels of processing model, or dual coding theory.

When Noah quickly glances at a bright billboard while driving, the brief image he retains in his mind is an example of:

• Long-term memory

• Sensory memory

• Short-term memory

• Procedural memory

Answer explanation

The brief image Noah retains from the billboard is an example of sensory memory, which captures fleeting sensory impressions. It lasts only a short time, unlike long-term or short-term memory, which involve more processing.

Ethan has been working on a project for several months and has already invested a lot of time and money into it. Despite realizing that the project might not be successful, he decides to continue working on it. This is an example of:

• Ignoring past investments

• Continuing an endeavor due to previously invested resources

• Making decisions based on future benefits

• Evaluating options based on current costs

Answer explanation

Ethan's decision to continue working on the project despite its potential failure illustrates the concept of 'sunk cost fallacy', where he persists due to the resources already invested, rather than evaluating future benefits.

When Lily is trying to organize her study materials for an exam, she uses a schema. A schema is best described as:

• A mental framework for organizing information

• A detailed memory of a specific event

• A list of unrelated facts

• A random thought process

Answer explanation

A schema is a mental framework that helps organize and interpret information, making it easier for Lily to structure her study materials effectively. The other options do not accurately describe a schema.

When Zoe learns about a new type of fruit, she adds this information to her existing knowledge of fruits. This process is an example of:

• Adjusting existing schemas to incorporate new information

• Integrating new experiences into existing schemas

• Forgetting outdated information

• Creating entirely new schemas

Answer explanation

Zoe's process of adding new fruit information to her existing knowledge exemplifies integrating new experiences into existing schemas, as she is enhancing her understanding without discarding prior knowledge.

When Benjamin learns about a new type of animal that doesn't fit into his existing categories, he adjusts his understanding to include this new information. This process is an example of:

• Ignoring new information

• Modifying existing schemas to fit new information

• Reinforcing existing beliefs

• Rejecting conflicting data

Answer explanation

This process illustrates modifying existing schemas to fit new information, as Benjamin adapts his understanding to incorporate the new type of animal rather than ignoring or rejecting it.