Free Cognitive Psychology MCQs with Answers

• A. functional fixedness
• B. belief perseverance
• C. the availability heuristic
• D. mental set

Explanation: A mental set is the tendency to keep using a familiar problem-solving method even when a newer or more efficient method is available.

• A. rope; weapon
• B. algorithm; heuristic
• C. couch; bed
• D. rose; flower

Explanation: A prototype is a typical or representative example of a category, so a rose can serve as a prototype for the category flower.

• A. an algorithm
• B. trial and error
• C. a heuristic
• D. a prototype

Explanation: A heuristic is a mental shortcut or rule of thumb that guides a decision without guaranteeing a correct result.

• A. speed up language development in some children
• B. minimize the overconfidence phenomenon
• C. involve greater reliance on language skills
• D. save time in arriving at solutions to problems

Explanation: Heuristics simplify problem-solving by using quick rules of thumb, so they usually require less time than step-by-step algorithms.

• A. availability heuristic
• B. belief perseverance phenomenon
• C. framing effect
• D. confirmation bias

Explanation: The availability heuristic makes memorable or easily recalled examples seem more common than they really are.

• A. syntax
• B. morphemes
• C. overregularization
• D. phonemes

Explanation: A morpheme is the smallest meaningful unit of language, and each item here can function as a meaningful unit: “a,” “an,” and “ill.”…

• A. self-recognition
• B. transmitting cultural innovations
• C. generating category hierarchies
• D. linguistic determinism

Explanation: Pausing to inspect a mark visible only in a mirror suggests that dolphins recognise the reflected body as their own.

• A. chunking
• B. thinking
• C. concepts
• D. symbols

Explanation: Thinking is the mental process through which people use symbols to represent, recall, and manipulate past experiences or information.

• A. personality psychology
• B. cognitive psychology
• C. clinical psychology
• D. developmental psychology

Explanation: Cognitive psychology studies mental processes such as judgment, decision-making, and the use of heuristics.

• A. underestimate the odds of a chance even if that event hasn't occurred recently
• B. overestimate the odds of a chance event if that even hasn't occurred recently
• C. draw general conclusions based on a few isolated cases
• D. believe that the odds of two uncertain events happening together are greater than the odds of either event happening alone

Explanation: The conjunction fallacy occurs when people judge two events occurring together as more likely than either event alone, even though a…

• A. farming effect
• B. the gambler's fallacy
• C. functional fixedness
• D. the conjunction fallacy

Explanation: The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief that a random sequence must soon correct itself, so several answers of A are thought to make…

• A. the representative heuristic
• B. the belief perseverance phenomenon
• C. overconfidence
• D. the framing effect

Explanation: The numerical information is equivalent: a 20% chance of rain means an 80% chance of no rain.

• A. method of hypothesis testing involving trial and error
• B. a mental grouping of similar objects, events or people
• C. best example of particular category
• D. methodical step-by-step procedure for solving problems

Explanation: An algorithm solves a problem through a specified sequence of steps that, when followed correctly, leads to a solution.

• A. humanistic
• B. cognitive
• C. behavioral
• D. biological

Explanation: Cognitive psychology examines internal mental processes, including thinking, perception, memory, language, and information processing.

• A. Behavioural psychologist
• B. Sport psychologist
• C. Cognitive psychologist
• D. Environmental psychologist

Explanation: A cognitive psychologist studies how children think, understand instructions, solve problems, and process information while learning…

• A. The way we feel can determined by immediate responses to situations as they occur
• B. The way we feel can be determined by immediate responses to situations as they occur
• C. Feeling angry anxious or happy might impact on any of the other types of cognition, changing the way we respond
• D. A dispositionally calm person will not become anxious even when the elevator they are travelling in becomes stuck between floors

Explanation: A normally calm person can still become anxious when facing a threatening situation such as being trapped in an elevator.

• A. critical thinking
• B. Transudative thinking
• C. Deductive thinking
• D. Creative thinking

Explanation: Critical thinking involves evaluating evidence and reasoning by comparing, analysing, critiquing, and synthesising information.

• A. neurotransmitters are transported back into their presynaptic areas
• B. vesicles in the axon are blocked from releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse
• C. neurotransmitters continue to stimulate receptors indefinitely
• D. more neurotransmitters are released into the synapseGet Study Guides

Explanation: Reuptake occurs when released neurotransmitters are taken back into the presynaptic neuron, helping end or regulate their action in the…

• A. fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence, and rational intelligence
• B. analytical intelligence, creative intelligence, and practical intelligence
• C. artistic intelligence, performance intelligence, and rational intelligence
• D. crystallized intelligence, fluid intelligence, and transients' intelligenceDiscover Lesson Plans

Explanation: Sternberg’s triarchic theory identifies analytical intelligence for evaluating ideas, creative intelligence for producing novel solutions…

• A. Top-down
• B. Bottom-up
• C. Vertical
• D. Horizontal

Explanation: Top-down processing uses prior knowledge, memories, expectations, and current goals to interpret sensory input.