IB Psychology SL : Cognitive level of analysis

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for IB Psychology SL

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Cognitive Level Of Analysis

Which of the following is an instance of cognitive dissonance?

Possible Answers:

A person experiences severe disconnection from their surroundings and psychological distress at the thought of the loneliness of their condition. This kind of alienation is termed cognitive dissonance. 

All of these

A man steals money from his friend and then experiences a state of stress due to contradicting beliefs. On the one hand, he believed that he was a good person, but he also believes good people don't steal. These two beliefs cannot be true at the same time, so he is in a state of dissonance.

A person's consciousness becomes fractured and they start to act like two different people at random times. Their behavior begins to represent two antagonistic forces in their consciousness that are fighting each other.

A woman sees her friend in pain and immediately starts to cry. She finds the exact emotions of her friend to be mirrored within herself. She would then be in a state of dissonance because she finds herself completely immersed in her friend's psychological state of mind. 

Correct answer:

A man steals money from his friend and then experiences a state of stress due to contradicting beliefs. On the one hand, he believed that he was a good person, but he also believes good people don't steal. These two beliefs cannot be true at the same time, so he is in a state of dissonance.

Explanation:

Cognitive dissonance has to do with the beliefs we hold, namely when they come into conflict with one another. For instance, the man has belief number one: Good people do not steal. At the same time, he also believes that he is a good person. When he is confronted with the reality of his actions (i.e. that he stole money from his friend), he experiences dissonance since those two beliefs now contradict each other.

Example Question #2 : Cognitive Level Of Analysis

Which of the following is an instance of cognitive dissonance?

Possible Answers:

A person experiences severe disconnection from their surroundings and psychological distress at the thought of the loneliness of their condition. This kind of alienation is termed cognitive dissonance. 

All of these

A person's consciousness becomes fractured and they start to act like two different people at random times. Their behavior begins to represent two antagonistic forces in their consciousness that are fighting each other.

A woman sees her friend in pain and immediately starts to cry. She finds the exact emotions of her friend to be mirrored within herself. She would then be in a state of dissonance because she finds herself completely immersed in her friend's psychological state of mind. 

A man steals money from his friend and then experiences a state of stress due to contradicting beliefs. On the one hand, he believed that he was a good person, but he also believes good people don't steal. These two beliefs cannot be true at the same time, so he is in a state of dissonance.

Correct answer:

A man steals money from his friend and then experiences a state of stress due to contradicting beliefs. On the one hand, he believed that he was a good person, but he also believes good people don't steal. These two beliefs cannot be true at the same time, so he is in a state of dissonance.

Explanation:

Cognitive dissonance has to do with the beliefs we hold, namely when they come into conflict with one another. For instance, the man has belief number one: Good people do not steal. At the same time, he also believes that he is a good person. When he is confronted with the reality of his actions (i.e. that he stole money from his friend), he experiences dissonance since those two beliefs now contradict each other.

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