Psy 204: Cognitive Psychology

Mid-term Take Home Exam

First Semester, AY 2010-2011
In not more than one and a half (1-1/2) pages, answer as completely and as succinctly any four
(4) of the following questions. Answers are to be printed on a short bond paper, double spaced,
using Times New Roman font at 12 cpi. This is due on 25 August 2010, Wednesday, at 6pm. (25
points X 4 questions = 100 points)
1. The cognitive revolution is said to have overcome the field of psychology. Is this an accurate
way of describing the growth of psychology as field of science? In what ways is the current
science indeed scientific? What makes an area of study even scientific? What progress do
you see in the current study of psychology, as you take up Cognitive Psychology? Justify
your answers with concrete examples.
2. Compare and contrast basic and applied research, particularly in the area of cognitive
psychology. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing one over the other? As
there are strictly no graduate programs in the Philippines covering the specialization of
Cognitive Psychology, how do you think this specialization is relevant to your area of
concentration? Illustrate your answer with specific theories and landmark studies.
3. We often have intuitive theories and explanations of the events and experiences that happen
within and around us. To what extent are they accurate in as far as research findings suggest?
Cite two examples where findings were counterintuitive and discuss how these cast a doubt
on our own intuitive interpretations of reality.
4. As an adult, what strategies do you use in learning something new? Use relevant theories in
learning and cognitive psychology to clarify your understanding of yourself and the methods
you use in absorbing and constructing new information.
5. Concepts are integral in human existence. We make sense of and interact with our
environments based on these mental representations. Name an example when our concepts
and categories do not make our lives easier, as they are meant to do. Explain your answer
using relevant theories and experiments.
6. The hierarchies of our representations change as we develop expertise in a given area of
study/interest. What constitutes this change and how do theories explain this? Illustrate this
phenomenon using your own experience of gaining expertise in an area of study/interest.
How does this influence communication among people who are interested in the same topic
and who may have developed a similar taxonomy? What is the importance of understanding
this phenomenon in disseminating knowledge to those who are not experts in the field?