GRE Subject Test: Psychology : GRE Subject Test: Psychology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Psychology

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All GRE Subject Test: Psychology Resources

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Analyzing Research Findings

Why is it inappropriate to infer casual conclusions from correlative data?

Possible Answers:

Correlations require larger samples

Correlative data contains more than two variables

One variable can be related to another without causing the other variable

Cause-and-effect conclusions require longitudinal data

Correct answer:

One variable can be related to another without causing the other variable

Explanation:

Correlations explain the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables; however, these relationships do not indicate direct causality. For instance, the relationship can be caused by a third variable, called a confounding variable. Correlations—no matter how strong—do not imply causation.

Example Question #1 : Ethical Issues

Internal review boards (IRBs) set ethical guidelines for institutional research. Which of the following studies have been considered unethical by modern standards?

Possible Answers:

None of these

All of these

Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment

Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment

Milgram's Obedience and Authority Experiment

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Modern IRBs have set standards for the ethical treatment of subjects. Each of the studies listed violated the regulations set by IRBs. Milgram’s use of deception violated the rights of his subjects and may have exposed them to unnecessary mental anguish. Zimbardo’s prison experiment was not terminated after “prison guards” inhumanely abused “inmates,” which resulted in both physical and mental harm of subject’s well being. Last, researchers in the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment did not provide treatments to subjects in order to observe the final stages of the disease, which resulted in the death and suffering of many individuals. Each of these violated the rights of subjects involved in varying degrees.

Example Question #2 : Ethical Issues

Internal review boards (IRBs) set ethical guidelines for institutional research. Which of the following studies have been considered unethical by modern standards?

Possible Answers:

Milgram's Obedience and Authority Experiment

All of these

Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment

None of these

Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Modern IRBs have set standards for the ethical treatment of subjects. Each of the studies listed violated the regulations set by IRBs. Milgram’s use of deception violated the rights of his subjects and may have exposed them to unnecessary mental anguish. Zimbardo’s prison experiment was not terminated after “prison guards” inhumanely abused “inmates,” which resulted in both physical and mental harm of subject’s well being. Last, researchers in the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment did not provide treatments to subjects in order to observe the final stages of the disease, which resulted in the death and suffering of many individuals. Each of these violated the rights of subjects involved in varying degrees.

Example Question #1 : Thinking

Which of the following mental processes are promoted by intrinsic motivation, persistence, and expertise?

Possible Answers:

Crystallized intelligence

Convergent thinking

Creativity

Functional fixedness

Correct answer:

Creativity

Explanation:

Creativity is another word for divergent thinking, a type of problem solving ability wherein a person’s brain searches various areas as it seeks the solution to a particular problem. Certain traits—including intrinsic motivation, persistence, expertise, nonconformity, and curiosity—can help promote creative thinking.

Example Question #1 : Theories Of Intelligence

Which of the following terms is used to describe the increase in IQ scores over the past century?

Possible Answers:

Flynn effect

Hawthorne effect

Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory

Zeigarnik effect

Correct answer:

Flynn effect

Explanation:

The "Flynn effect" describes the increase in IQ scores that has been observed over the past century. On the other hand, the "Zeigarnik effect" is the tendency to remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. The "Hawthorne effect" is the change in people's behaviors while they are being observed, and can occur in research subjects. Last, the "Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory" or CHC theory is the most supported intelligence theory, and states that intelligence includes three strata: general ability or "g," broad abilities, and several narrow abilities. 

Example Question #3 : Experimental

Which of the following situations is an example of using fluid (Gf) intelligence abilities?

Possible Answers:

Bob remembers how to ride a bike even after not riding one for several years. 

Bob solves a math equation using familiar formulas. 

Bob is given a math problem using concepts he has never tackled before but is able to arrive at the correct answer. 

Bob can recite all of the former presidents of the United States from memory. 

Correct answer:

Bob is given a math problem using concepts he has never tackled before but is able to arrive at the correct answer. 

Explanation:

Fluid intelligence involves the ability to reason and solve novel problems. The example of Bob solving an unfamiliar math problem is the only example that involves a novel situation. Bob being able to recite the former presidents and solve a math problem using familiar formulas are examples of crystallized intelligence (Gc), which refers to stored knowledge. Bob remembering how to ride a bike does not fit into Gc and Gf theory, but rather is an example of procedural/implicit memory. 

Example Question #2 : Experimental

Who is often considered the father of the multiple intelligences theory?

Possible Answers:

Howard Gardner

Sigmund Freud

Mary Ainsworth

Jakob Pietschnig

Stuart Richie

Correct answer:

Howard Gardner

Explanation:

Howard Gardner is the father of the theory of Multiple Intelligences, which divides intellectual intelligence into seven different modalities (music, logical/mathematical, bodily/kinesthetic, visual/spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic). 

Example Question #1 : Sensation & Perception

People's ability to discern one conversation or focus on one point from another, prioritized by interest, is known as which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Divided attention

Specific attention

Aural wandering

Cocktail party effect

Attentional spotlight 

Correct answer:

Cocktail party effect

Explanation:

The cocktail party effect, demonstrated and named by Colin Cherry, illustrates people's ability to selectively attend to common stimuli--even in the presence of several conflicting conversations or auditory stimuli--which the brain identifies as more important. This is demonstrated by people's ability to hear their name, or the voice of a partner or friend, more clearly than other stimuli in a crowded environment. 

Example Question #1 : Experimental

Which of the following does not act as a cue for depth perception?

Possible Answers:

Binocular disparity

None of these

Interposition

Motion parallax

Dark adaptation

Correct answer:

Dark adaptation

Explanation:

In 1709, George Berkeley noted various depth cues in the human visual system, including interposition, which refers to the depth cue wherein one object covers or overlaps with another object. A second cue is motion parallax wherein the disparity in speed and motion gives us cues about the relative depth of parts of the object. The last cue is binocular disparity, also known as stereopsis. This cue is linked to the fact that our different eyes provide us with two slightly different views of the world around us. When the brain adds together these two images, we get a perception of depth.

Example Question #1 : Experimental

Sensory integration can be best describe as which of the following?

Possible Answers:

When a mixture of lights add together and create the perception of color

None of these

A mathematical technique for computing definite integrals of one real variable

The process of combining different sensory signals

A change in afference caused by external stimuli

Correct answer:

The process of combining different sensory signals

Explanation:

The correct answer is the process of combining different sensory signals. To give cause or equal opportunity to each sense and a mathematical technique for computing definite integrals of one real variable are answers that utilize the incorrect definition of integration for this problem. When a mixture of lights add together and create the perception of color is additive color mixture. 

All GRE Subject Test: Psychology Resources

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