Introduction to Cognitive Psychology: MCQs on Information Processing Models
Questions: 30
Questions
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1. In the information processing model, which stage is responsible for initially registering environmental stimuli?
- a) Sensory memory
- b) Short-term memory
- c) Long-term memory
- d) Working memory
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2. According to Miller’s theory, the capacity of short-term memory is typically defined as:
- a) 5 ± 2 items
- b) 7 ± 2 items
- c) 9 ± 2 items
- d) 11 ± 2 items
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3. Which process in the information processing model is primarily responsible for converting sensory input into a meaningful representation?
- a) Encoding
- b) Storage
- c) Retrieval
- d) Chunking
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4. What component of the model filters out irrelevant information to focus on significant details?
- a) Encoding
- b) Selective attention
- c) Retrieval
- d) Sensory storage
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5. Atkinson and Shiffrin's multi-store model suggests that information is transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory through:
- a) Rehearsal
- b) Retrieval
- c) Chunking
- d) Attention
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6. Which of the following is NOT a component of the information processing model?
- a) Encoding
- b) Storage
- c) Retrieval
- d) Reflexes
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7. The duration of iconic memory (sensory memory for visual information) is approximately:
- a) 0.1–0.5 seconds
- b) 1–2 seconds
- c) 3–5 seconds
- d) 5–10 seconds
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8. Which type of memory holds information temporarily while it is being processed?
- a) Sensory memory
- b) Short-term memory
- c) Long-term memory
- d) Procedural memory
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9. The primary distinction between short-term memory and working memory is that working memory:
- a) Only stores information temporarily
- b) Actively processes and manipulates information
- c) Has a larger capacity than long-term memory
- d) Is not a part of the cognitive model
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10. What is the role of the central executive in working memory?
- a) Storing long-term memories
- b) Filtering sensory input
- c) Allocating attention and resources to tasks
- d) Rehearsing verbal information
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11. Chunking is a strategy used to increase the capacity of:
- a) Sensory memory
- b) Short-term memory
- c) Long-term memory
- d) Working memory
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12. In Baddeley and Hitch's working memory model, the phonological loop is responsible for:
- a) Processing visual information
- b) Rehearsing auditory information
- c) Storing long-term information
- d) Allocating cognitive resources
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13. Which memory system is described as having unlimited capacity but slow retrieval?
- a) Sensory memory
- b) Short-term memory
- c) Long-term memory
- d) Episodic memory
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14. Semantic memory stores:
- a) Information about personal experiences
- b) Knowledge of facts and concepts
- c) Motor skills and habits
- d) Sensory inputs from the environment
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15. In the levels of processing model, deeper processing typically results in:
- a) Faster retrieval of information
- b) Greater storage capacity
- c) Better retention and recall
- d) Higher attention demands
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16. The term "bottleneck" in information processing refers to:
- a) The capacity limitation of sensory memory
- b) The focus on selective attention due to limited processing resources
- c) The slow transfer of information to long-term memory
- d) The restriction of working memory capacity
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17. Procedural memory is primarily associated with:
- a) Factual knowledge
- b) Skills and tasks
- c) Episodic experiences
- d) Emotional responses
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18. Which model emphasizes parallel processing of information?
- a) Atkinson and Shiffrin's model
- b) Levels of processing model
- c) Connectionist model
- d) Serial position model
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19. Which phenomenon explains why people remember the first and last items in a list better than the middle ones?
- a) Recency effect
- b) Primacy effect
- c) Serial position effect
- d) Encoding specificity principle
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20. The process of actively focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring others is known as:
- a) Storage
- b) Selective attention
- c) Encoding
- d) Retrieval
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21. Which model introduced the idea of parallel distributed processing in cognitive psychology?
- a) Atkinson and Shiffrin's model
- b) Connectionist model
- c) Levels of processing model
- d) Serial processing model
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22. Which type of long-term memory involves remembering personal experiences and specific events?
- a) Procedural memory
- b) Episodic memory
- c) Semantic memory
- d) Implicit memory
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23. What is the primary function of the episodic buffer in Baddeley’s working memory model?
- a) Temporary storage for integrating information from different sources
- b) Rehearsing phonological information
- c) Processing sensory input
- d) Coordinating visual and spatial information
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24. The "primacy effect" in memory is explained by:
- a) The enhanced recall of the most recent items in a list
- b) The enhanced recall of the first items in a list
- c) The retrieval of semantically meaningful items
- d) The consolidation of implicit memories
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25. Which phenomenon occurs when previously learned information interferes with the learning of new information?
- a) Retroactive interference
- b) Proactive interference
- c) Encoding failure
- d) Retrieval failure
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26. In the levels of processing framework, which type of processing leads to better retention?
- a) Shallow processing
- b) Semantic processing
- c) Structural processing
- d) Phonemic processing
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27. What is the primary purpose of chunking in memory processing?
- a) To increase the speed of encoding
- b) To enhance retrieval cues
- c) To increase short-term memory capacity
- d) To reduce interference effects
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28. The sensory memory that retains auditory information for a brief period is called:
- a) Echoic memory
- b) Iconic memory
- c) Semantic memory
- d) Procedural memory
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29. The term "retrieval cue" refers to:
- a) A process of encoding information for long-term storage
- b) A trigger that facilitates the recall of stored information
- c) A mechanism for preventing memory decay
- d) A strategy for improving working memory capacity
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30. The term "schema" in cognitive psychology refers to:
- a) A memory storage system for sensory input
- b) A cognitive framework for organizing and interpreting information
- c) A process of retrieving memories from long-term storage
- d) A technique for improving working memory capacity
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