AP Psychology : Cognition and Consciousness

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #24 : Language

How does a prototype relate to a concept?

Possible Answers:

A prototype is the word that defines a concept

A prototype contradicts a concept

A prototype justifies a concept

None of these

A prototype is a typical example of a concept

Correct answer:

A prototype is a typical example of a concept

Explanation:

A "prototype" is a typical example of a concept. That is, it is a part of the data set that a concept embodies and is most commonly though of when the concept is being referenced. For instance, when we think of the concept of color we will more often think of blue instead of black, where blue is more representative of the concept of "color" then black is.

Example Question #25 : Language

Which of the following are necessary qualifications for a system of communication be considered a language?

Possible Answers:

All speakers can comprehend it

All of these

Some form of symbolic representation

Rules for symbolic representation

Generativity

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Although there are many systems of communication present in nature, that doesn't mean they are all considered languages. There are certain properties of human language that make it universally distinct from all other forms of communication. These properties, as laid out by linguists, are generativity, universal comprehension, symbolic representation and rules for how the symbols are combined. The ability to talk about things that are not immediately apparent is included in symbolic representation, which most other systems of communication do not include.

Example Question #26 : Language

In language acquisition theory, empiricism states that which of the following achieves learning?

Possible Answers:

Survival necessity

Sensory input

Cognitive reasoning

Environmental input

Perception

Correct answer:

Sensory input

Explanation:

Empiricism states that sensory input informs learning, and that learning is a series of trial and error processes. 

Example Question #151 : Cognition And Consciousness

Which of the following is a body of thought that contradicts Noam Chomsky's view of generative grammar?

Possible Answers:

Socialism

Dialectical Materialism

Gramscism

Functionalism

Existentialism 

Correct answer:

Functionalism

Explanation:

Functionalism is a body of thought that contradicts Chomsky's theory of generative grammar. Functionalism holds that language is ultimately limited and not infinite and generative grammar proposes. Chomsky also proposes there is not particular reason motivating syntax. As in, a noun isn't at the beginning of a sentence because it is particularly more important than any other word. Functionalists believe there are reasons like these motivating and influencing grammar.

The other answers are philosophical bodies of thought that have more to do with human organization and identity than anything to do with language.

Example Question #152 : Cognition And Consciousness

Saying that a job demotion is a "growth opportunity" is an example of which of the following linguistic phenomena?

Possible Answers:

Contrastive distribution

Semantic slanting

Manipulative speech

Common distribution

Disturbing speech

Correct answer:

Semantic slanting

Explanation:

Semantic slanting is used when a person wants to say the same thing but affect their listener in a different way. It can be highly manipulative and is often used in advertising or politically sensitive situations. Take as an example the given question, a person gets demoted but is told that they are being "given" a "growth opportunity" as opposed to having their current position taken away from them. Semantic slanting is not always necessarily manipulative. The speaker may regard what they are framing in a different light as true; therefore, he or she will be using semantic slanting in a genuine manner. For instance, if I want to say a person does not look good in a hat, then I might say, "I think other hats suit you better.”

Example Question #74 : Cognition

Which of the following is an example of a sound error?

Possible Answers:

Saying "my mom went to the store" instead of "my dad went to the store"

Saying "cart smat" instead of "smart cat"

None of these

Saying "me goes to the store"

Saying "ran" instead of "running"

Correct answer:

Saying "cart smat" instead of "smart cat"

Explanation:

Saying "cart smat" instead of "smart cat" is an example of a sound error. This is because the speaker knows the final sounds of each word is similar and mixes up their initial sounds. This is an easy mistake because the resulting error words sound like they could reasonably be a part of the English language. The other answers were examples of grammatical or content errors.

Example Question #75 : Cognition

Which of the following is performed first when when we construct a sentence?

Possible Answers:

Convert intentions into speech

Mentally plan overall meaning of the message we want to generate. 

Devise the general structure of the sentence. 

Select specific words

None of these

Correct answer:

Mentally plan overall meaning of the message we want to generate. 

Explanation:

Before anyone utters a sentence, there is a lot of work involved in order to produce it. This may be misleading due to how fast we speak; however, there are at least four known steps involved in producing sentences. Before anything, we must have a hunch of what we want to say. That is, we must have an idea of the semantics of our sentence, which composes a "deep structure" for us to subsequently impose grammar and phonology.

Example Question #81 : Cognition

Which of the following is done second when we construct a sentence?

Possible Answers:

Devise the general structure of the sentence

None of these

Convert feelings into thought

Select specific words

Convert intentions into speech

Correct answer:

Devise the general structure of the sentence

Explanation:

After we have a "feeling" of what we want to say, the grammatical structure (i.e. the syntax) is formed as a template for the words we will pick. The term "template" means the categories of words that are being used as well as the combinational rules used to arrange them.

Example Question #82 : Cognition

Which of the following is done third when we create a sentence?

Possible Answers:

Articulate the sentence

Plan out intentions

None of these

Devise the general structure of the sentence

Select specific words

Correct answer:

Select specific words

Explanation:

After getting a "hunch" of what we want to say, we create the grammatical structure for our sentence. Once that is constructed, it becomes our so-called "template.” We fill this template with semantically relevant words. These words are as specific to the meaning we want to convey as possible. For instance, if we want the person we are speaking to know that the cat we are talking about is a young cat, then we would use the word "kitten" instead of "cat.”

Example Question #83 : Cognition

Which of the following is the fourth—and final—step associated with the creation of a sentence?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Subconciously relax our articulation muscles in preparation for the utterance

Get an idea of what we are going to say

Devise the grammatical structure

Articulate the sentence out loud

Correct answer:

Articulate the sentence out loud

Explanation:

Once we have an idea of what we want to say, create the general structure of our sentence, and select the semantically relevant words to use, we have completed the conceptual part of sentence processing. During the fourth step, we are ready to solve how our sentence will sound. This is a complex process, which involves subconsciously knowing the phonemes and their variants of the language.

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