Basics of Cognitive Psychology - Practice MCQs

Test your knowledge of cognitive psychology fundamentals with 30 expertly crafted multiple-choice questions. Ideal for students and psychology enthusiasts to enhance understanding and exam preparation.

Questions (30)


  1. What is cognitive psychology primarily concerned with?

    • a) The study of visible behaviors
    • b) The study of mental processes
    • c) The study of emotions
    • d) The study of cultural norms
    View Answer
    Correct The study of mental processes
  2. What is the main focus of perception in cognitive psychology?

    • a) How we react emotionally
    • b) How we interpret and organize sensory information
    • c) How we communicate with others
    • d) How we behave in groups
    View Answer
    Correct How we interpret and organize sensory information
  3. Which method is commonly used in cognitive psychology research?

    • a) Introspection
    • b) Observational studies
    • c) Experiments
    • d) Case studies
    View Answer
    Correct Experiments
  4. What is selective attention?

    • a) Focusing on all stimuli equally
    • b) Ignoring irrelevant stimuli to focus on a particular task
    • c) Forgetting important information
    • d) Randomly shifting focus
    View Answer
    Correct Ignoring irrelevant stimuli to focus on a particular task
  5. Which cognitive process is involved in problem-solving?

    • a) Attention
    • b) Reasoning
    • c) Memory
    • d) All of the above
    View Answer
    Correct All of the above
  6. What is the term for mental shortcuts used to make quick decisions?

    • a) Algorithms
    • b) Heuristics
    • c) Biases
    • d) Strategies
    View Answer
    Correct Heuristics
  7. What role does working memory play in cognition?

    • a) Long-term storage of memories
    • b) Temporary storage and manipulation of information
    • c) Emotional regulation
    • d) Physical coordination
    View Answer
    Correct Temporary storage and manipulation of information
  8. What is cognitive load theory?

    • a) A theory about emotional stress
    • b) A theory about the capacity of working memory
    • c) A theory about sensory processing
    • d) A theory about long-term memory
    View Answer
    Correct A theory about the capacity of working memory
  9. What is schema theory?

    • a) The study of emotional responses
    • b) A model of cultural development
    • c) A theory of biological influences
    • d) A framework for organizing and interpreting information
    View Answer
    Correct A framework for organizing and interpreting information
  10. What is the main focus of decision-making in cognitive psychology?

    • a) The influence of group opinions
    • b) The evaluation of options and selecting a course of action
    • c) The role of cultural norms
    • d) The process of learning motor skills
    View Answer
    Correct The evaluation of options and selecting a course of action
  11. What is the Stroop effect an example of?

    • a) Emotional interference
    • b) Cognitive interference
    • c) Memory retention
    • d) Sensory overload
    View Answer
    Correct Cognitive interference
  12. How does cognitive psychology define learning?

    • a) A process of acquiring physical skills
    • b) Memorizing facts
    • c) A change in knowledge or behavior due to experience
    • d) Following instructions
    View Answer
    Correct A change in knowledge or behavior due to experience
  13. What does the term "cognitive bias" refer to?

    • a) A logical decision-making process
    • b) A systematic error in thinking
    • c) A temporary lapse in attention
    • d) A physical reaction to stress
    View Answer
    Correct A systematic error in thinking
  14. What is the primary focus of language processing in cognitive psychology?

    • a) How language is stored and understood
    • b) How language influences emotions
    • c) How language impacts physical health
    • d) How language develops socially
    View Answer
    Correct How language is stored and understood
  15. What does metacognition mean?

    • a) Thinking about thinking
    • b) Emotional awareness
    • c) Sensory perception
    • d) Cognitive interference
    View Answer
    Correct Thinking about thinking
  16. How does attention affect cognitive processing?

    • a) It decreases efficiency
    • b) It directs mental resources to relevant stimuli
    • c) It leads to multitasking
    • d) It reduces memory capacity
    View Answer
    Correct It directs mental resources to relevant stimuli
  17. Which part of the brain is most associated with decision-making?

    • a) Occipital lobe
    • b) Prefrontal cortex
    • c) Temporal lobe
    • d) Parietal lobe
    View Answer
    Correct Prefrontal cortex
  18. What is the role of cognitive psychology in artificial intelligence?

    • a) Improving emotional responses
    • b) Developing social norms
    • c) Analyzing physical behaviors
    • d) Modeling human thought processes
    View Answer
    Correct Modeling human thought processes
  19. What is dual-process theory?

    • a) A theory of sensory processing
    • b) A theory that describes two systems of thinking
    • c) A model of physical coordination
    • d) A theory about memory consolidation
    View Answer
    Correct A theory that describes two systems of thinking
  20. What is the purpose of cognitive-behavioral therapy?

    • a) To address cognitive distortions and improve mental health
    • b) To enhance memory retention
    • c) To study group dynamics
    • d) To explore cultural influences
    View Answer
    Correct To address cognitive distortions and improve mental health
  21. What does "cognitive restructuring" involve?

    • a) Identifying and changing negative thought patterns
    • b) Enhancing sensory perception
    • c) Developing physical coordination
    • d) Simplifying communication
    View Answer
    Correct Identifying and changing negative thought patterns
  22. How does rehearsal improve memory?

    • a) By strengthening neural connections
    • b) By reducing cognitive load
    • c) By eliminating distractions
    • d) By increasing emotional attachment
    View Answer
    Correct By strengthening neural connections
  23. What is episodic memory?

    • a) Memory of general facts
    • b) Memory of personal experiences
    • c) Memory of motor skills
    • d) Memory of sensory inputs
    View Answer
    Correct Memory of personal experiences
  24. What is the role of the hippocampus in cognition?

    • a) Regulating emotions
    • b) Processing long-term memories
    • c) Controlling motor skills
    • d) Enhancing sensory perception
    View Answer
    Correct Processing long-term memories
  25. What is the function of cognitive maps?

    • a) Representing spatial information
    • b) Encoding emotions
    • c) Organizing verbal information
    • d) Enhancing auditory processing
    View Answer
    Correct Representing spatial information
  26. What is the purpose of attention in learning?

    • a) To manage cognitive load
    • b) To ignore irrelevant stimuli
    • c) To focus on relevant information
    • d) All of the above
    View Answer
    Correct All of the above
  27. How does stress impact cognitive performance?

    • a) It always enhances memory
    • b) It can impair decision-making and memory
    • c) It has no effect
    • d) It simplifies learning
    View Answer
    Correct It can impair decision-making and memory
  28. What does the term "cognitive load" refer to in cognitive psychology?

    • a) The amount of information that can be processed by working memory
    • b) The capacity of long-term memory
    • c) The time taken to encode information
    • d) The influence of emotions on memory recall
    View Answer
    Correct The amount of information that can be processed by working memory
  29. In cognitive psychology- what is "working memory" primarily responsible for?

    • a) Storing long-term knowledge
    • b) Temporary storage and manipulation of information
    • c) Immediate recall of sensory information
    • d) Encoding information into long-term memory
    View Answer
    Correct Temporary storage and manipulation of information
  30. According to the Atkinson-Shiffrin model- which memory store holds sensory information for a very short period?

    • a) Short-term memory
    • b) Sensory memory
    • c) Long-term memory
    • d) Working memory
    View Answer
    Correct Sensory memory

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