Answers to MA Psychology TU Entrance Model Questions.
Early Psychology (Questions 1-4)
Q1: Introspection (c)
Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory and pioneered introspection as a systematic method of studying conscious experiences by having subjects report their mental processes.
Q2: Sociology (a)
While physiology, medicine, and philosophy formed the historical foundation of psychology, sociology emerged later as a separate social science discipline.
Q3: Use systematic, objective methods of observation (d)
Scientific method in psychology requires systematic observation and measurement of behavior using objective methods.
Q4: Observable behaviour (c)
John Watson, founder of behaviorism, emphasized studying only observable behavior rather than mental processes or consciousness.
Sensation and Perception (Questions 5-8)
Q5: Perception (d)
Perception involves interpreting sensory information, organizing it into meaningful patterns.
Q6: Continuous ones, with no clear, identifiable line dividing them (c)
Modern understanding views sensation and perception as interconnected processes that work together seamlessly.
Q7: Kinesthetic (b)
The kinesthetic system provides information about body position and movement, essential for such physical tasks.
Q8: The same sensory input may be interpreted in very different ways (a)
This demonstrates perceptual interpretation, where identical stimuli can lead to different perceptions.
Learning and Conditioning (Questions 9-12)
Q9: A more or less lasting change in behaviour or knowledge (a)
Learning involves relatively permanent changes in behavior or knowledge based on experience.
Q10: Association (b)
Classical conditioning works through association between stimuli – linking a neutral stimulus with a naturally occurring response.
Q11: CS (c)
The coffee smell is a conditioned stimulus (CS) that has been associated with food/drinking through learning.
Q12: The relationship between behaviours and their consequences (b)
Operant conditioning focuses on how behavior is influenced by its consequences (rewards or punishments).
Memory and Cognition (Questions 13-16)
Q13: Retrieval cue (a)
A retrieval cue is any stimulus that helps access information stored in long-term memory. These cues can be contextual, emotional, or sensory triggers that aid memory recall.
Q14: Proactive interference (b)
Previous learning (tennis) interferes with new learning (squash). This demonstrates how old knowledge can disrupt the acquisition of new, similar skills.
Q15: Repression (c)
In cases of traumatic experiences, repression serves as a defense mechanism where painful memories are pushed into the unconscious mind.
Q16: Less than a second (a)
Iconic memory is a type of sensory memory that holds visual information for a very brief duration, typically less than one second.
Emotion and Motivation (Questions 17-24)
Q17: James-Lange (c)
This theory suggests that physiological arousal precedes emotional experience – we feel happy because we cry, not cry because we’re happy.
Q18: Label their arousal with emotion in keeping with social situation (a)
Schachter’s theory emphasizes the role of cognitive interpretation and social context in emotional experiences.
Q19: Emotion (b)
The definition describes emotion, which involves physiological arousal, expressive behavior, and intense feelings – these are the key components that distinguish emotions from other psychological states.
Q20: Frustration (a)
Frustration occurs when progress toward a goal is blocked, creating psychological tension. This is a fundamental concept in understanding motivated behavior and emotional responses.
Q21: Goal (c)
Motivated behavior is always directed toward a goal – this is a basic principle of motivation theory. Goals provide direction and purpose to behavior.
Q22: Drive state (a)
The motivational cycle begins with a drive state (like hunger or thirst), which creates the initial impetus for behavior. This is followed by instrumental behavior and goal attainment.
Q23: Desire to be competent (d)
Primary motives are biological (hunger, sex, rest/sleep) while secondary motives are learned/acquired through experience. The desire to be competent is a secondary motive.
Q24: Self-esteem (c)
In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-esteem needs are the second highest level, below only self-actualization. This includes feelings of achievement, recognition, and respect.
Intelligence and Personality (Questions 25-31)
Q25: Information processing (c)
Gardner’s logical-mathematical intelligence aligns with Sternberg’s information processing component, focusing on analytical thinking.
Q26: An astronaut (a)
Astronauts require exceptional spatial intelligence for:
- Navigation in zero gravity environments
- Operating complex spacecraft systems
- Understanding three-dimensional spatial relationships
This makes them the best example of high spatial intelligence among the given options
Q27: Nature vs. nurture (a)
The ongoing debates about racial, ethnic, and gender differences in intelligence fundamentally come down to whether these differences are:
- Biologically determined (nature)
- Result of environmental factors (nurture)
This remains a central question in intelligence research
Q28: 122 (c)
The IQ calculation here uses the mental age/chronological age formula:
- Mental age (11) / Chronological age (9) × 100 = 122
This shows Geeta is performing above her age level
Q29: Carl Jung (a)
The collective unconscious is a core concept in Jungian psychology that refers to:
- Inherited, universal aspects of the unconscious mind
- Shared ancestral memories and archetypal experiences
- Universal symbols and patterns across cultures
Q30: Preconscious (b)
According to Freud’s theory of consciousness:
- The preconscious contains information that isn’t currently conscious but can be easily retrieved
- Questions about factual information like distance would be stored in the preconscious
- This differs from unconscious material which is deeply repressed
Q31: One’s distinct pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving (b)
This is the most comprehensive definition of personality because it:
- Encompasses all aspects of individual differences
- Includes both internal (thinking, feeling) and external (behaving) components
- Represents stable patterns rather than temporary states
Q32: Unconditional positive regard (a)
Rogers emphasized that self-actualization requires:
- Complete acceptance without conditions
- Genuine positive regard from significant others
- An environment of psychological safety and acceptance
Problem Solving (Questions 33-36)
Q33: Are human beings rational or irrational? (a)
This fundamental question underlies problem-solving research because:
- It addresses how humans make decisions
- It examines the logic vs. emotion in decision-making
- It influences theories about judgment and reasoning
Q34: Consulting semantic networks (b)
This is not a step in problem-solving. The actual steps include:
- Generating possible solutions
- Representing the problem mentally
- Evaluating solutions
Semantic networks relate to memory organization, not problem-solving steps.
Q35: Algorithm (d)
Calculating square roots requires a specific, step-by-step mathematical procedure (algorithm) rather than shortcuts or estimates.
Q36: Heuristics (b)
Chess players rely on mental shortcuts (heuristics) to evaluate positions and make decisions quickly during games.
Q37: (a) The components of attitude are affect, behavior, cognition (a).This is known as the ABC model or tripartite model of attitudes:
- Affect: emotional reactions and feelings
- Behavior: actions and responses
- Cognition: thoughts, beliefs, and knowledge
Social Psychology (Questions 38-40)
Q38: Stereotyping (d)
This is a classic example of stereotyping where a generalized belief about a group (males) is applied to an individual (Mohan) without considering individual differences.
Q39: Door-in-the-face (d)
This technique involves making a large request (Rs.1000) followed by a smaller one (Rs.400), making the second request seem more reasonable.
Q40: Projection (d)
A defense mechanism where one’s own unacceptable thoughts or behaviors are attributed to others. The unfaithful husband projects his own infidelity onto his wife.
Research Methodology (Questions 41-45)
Q41: Empirical (b)
Empirical information is knowledge gained through direct observation or experimentation rather than theoretical deduction.
Q42: Scientific method (b)
The scientific method is a systematic approach involving observation, hypothesis formation, and testing.
Q43: Inferential statistics (a)
Testing hypotheses falls under inferential statistics as it involves making predictions about populations based on sample data.
Q44: Snowball (a)
Snowball sampling is a non-probability sampling method where existing participants recruit future participants.
Q45: Triangulation (b)
Triangulation refers to using multiple methods or data sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of phenomena.
Research Purpose and Types (Questions 46-50)
Q46: Both a and b (c)
Research serves dual purposes: identifying problems and finding solutions.
Q47: Both a and b (d)
Basic research and pure research are essentially the same, both aimed at expanding fundamental knowledge.
Q48: Artificiality (b)
A key limitation of experimental methods is their artificial nature, which may not reflect real-world conditions.
Q49: Causal variable (d)
Independent variables are called causal variables because they are manipulated to observe their effect on dependent variables.
Q50: 95% (c)
The standard confidence interval in statistical analysis is 95%, representing a balance between precision and reliability.
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