IB Psychology SL : IB Psychology SL

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for IB Psychology SL

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Biological Level Of Analysis

__________ receive messages from other neurons. Sufficient levels of stimulation trigger the cell’s own __________, sending an electrical current down the __________ to the cell’s __________, which join with yet more cells.

Possible Answers:

Neurotransmitters. . . signal. . . myelin sheath. . . dendrites

Axons. . . signal. . . myelin sheath. . . terminal buttons

Dendrites. . . neurotransmitter. . . axon. . . nerve ending

Neurotransmitter. . . action potential. . . signal. . . terminal buttons

Dendrites. . . action potential. . . axon. . . terminal buttons

Correct answer:

Dendrites. . . action potential. . . axon. . . terminal buttons

Explanation:

Nerve cells, or neurons, have a basic tree-like structure, which allows them to communicate with other nerve cells. Branch-like dendrites extend from the cell body (i.e. soma) and receive electrochemical signals from other cells. The long, thin axon endings—terminal buttons—extend from the other end of the soma. If the positively-charged signals received into the cell from the dendrites exceed the cell’s normally negative charge, then the axon allows the excess positive ions to travel down it to the terminal buttons, which in turn send neurotransmitters into the gap (i.e. synapse) between them and other cell’s dendrites. The myelin sheath does not itself relay signals, but rather is a natural lipid insulation on the axons of some cells. 

Example Question #1 : Biological Level Of Analysis

__________ receive messages from other neurons. Sufficient levels of stimulation trigger the cell’s own __________, sending an electrical current down the __________ to the cell’s __________, which join with yet more cells.

Possible Answers:

Axons. . . signal. . . myelin sheath. . . terminal buttons

Dendrites. . . action potential. . . axon. . . terminal buttons

Dendrites. . . neurotransmitter. . . axon. . . nerve ending

Neurotransmitters. . . signal. . . myelin sheath. . . dendrites

Neurotransmitter. . . action potential. . . signal. . . terminal buttons

Correct answer:

Dendrites. . . action potential. . . axon. . . terminal buttons

Explanation:

Nerve cells, or neurons, have a basic tree-like structure, which allows them to communicate with other nerve cells. Branch-like dendrites extend from the cell body (i.e. soma) and receive electrochemical signals from other cells. The long, thin axon endings—terminal buttons—extend from the other end of the soma. If the positively-charged signals received into the cell from the dendrites exceed the cell’s normally negative charge, then the axon allows the excess positive ions to travel down it to the terminal buttons, which in turn send neurotransmitters into the gap (i.e. synapse) between them and other cell’s dendrites. The myelin sheath does not itself relay signals, but rather is a natural lipid insulation on the axons of some cells. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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 #1 : Core

Which of the following is an instance of cognitive dissonance?

Possible Answers:

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. 

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

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 : Core

Which of the following factors is most likely to cause an individual to conform their opinion to match that of a group?

Possible Answers:

The individual has not yet voiced their opinions, though others have been given a chance to speak

The presence of an authority figure, even if the authority figure does not give a personal opinion

The topic in discussion bears personal meaning to the individual

None of these

The group's view contradicts to the religious beliefs of the individual

Correct answer:

The individual has not yet voiced their opinions, though others have been given a chance to speak

Explanation:

Solomon Asch is most well-known for his social psychology studies on conformity. Individuals are most likely to conform when they are in a group. Social normative refers to the influence other people have on an individual that leads to conformity, driven by a desire to fit in. If an individual has not yet voiced their opinions, they are also more likely to conform to a group's view. Outside influences such as these have a major impact on conformity.

Example Question #3 : Core

Which of the following factors is most likely to cause an individual to conform their opinion to match that of a group?

Possible Answers:

The individual has not yet voiced their opinions, though others have been given a chance to speak

The group's view contradicts to the religious beliefs of the individual

The presence of an authority figure, even if the authority figure does not give a personal opinion

The topic in discussion bears personal meaning to the individual

None of these

Correct answer:

The individual has not yet voiced their opinions, though others have been given a chance to speak

Explanation:

Solomon Asch is most well-known for his social psychology studies on conformity. Individuals are most likely to conform when they are in a group. Social normative refers to the influence other people have on an individual that leads to conformity, driven by a desire to fit in. If an individual has not yet voiced their opinions, they are also more likely to conform to a group's view. Outside influences such as these have a major impact on conformity.

Example Question #1 : Ib Psychology Sl

Which of the following is not hypothesized as a contributing factor of depression?

Possible Answers:

Learned helplessness

Excess levels of dopamine in the brain

Low levels of serotonin in the brain

The cognitive triad

Genetic predisposition

Correct answer:

Excess levels of dopamine in the brain

Explanation:

Genetics, low serotonin, learned helplessness, and the cognitive triad are all hypothesized to be contributing factors to depression; however, excess levels of dopamine contribute to schizophrenia, not depression.

Learned helplessness is the idea that a person has learned from past experiences that they cannot control parts of their life, which can contribute to depression. Beck's cognitive triad examines the explanations people make about themselves, their future, and their world. When something happens, someone can decide that it was either caused by them or caused by an external factor (internal/external), generalize the event to all events or keep it specific to the event at hand (global / specific), and decide whether he or she thinks it will continue in the future or will end soon (stable/unstable). When someone is depressed, they tend to believe that good events are external, specific, and unstable, while bad events are internal, global, and stable.

Example Question #1 : Options

Which of the following is not hypothesized as a contributing factor of depression?

Possible Answers:

Excess levels of dopamine in the brain

Learned helplessness

The cognitive triad

Low levels of serotonin in the brain

Genetic predisposition

Correct answer:

Excess levels of dopamine in the brain

Explanation:

Genetics, low serotonin, learned helplessness, and the cognitive triad are all hypothesized to be contributing factors to depression; however, excess levels of dopamine contribute to schizophrenia, not depression.

Learned helplessness is the idea that a person has learned from past experiences that they cannot control parts of their life, which can contribute to depression. Beck's cognitive triad examines the explanations people make about themselves, their future, and their world. When something happens, someone can decide that it was either caused by them or caused by an external factor (internal/external), generalize the event to all events or keep it specific to the event at hand (global / specific), and decide whether he or she thinks it will continue in the future or will end soon (stable/unstable). When someone is depressed, they tend to believe that good events are external, specific, and unstable, while bad events are internal, global, and stable.

Example Question #1 : Developmental Psychology

Five-year-old Jane uses words, images, and symbols to understand her world. She cannot yet reason logically and is egocentric. Which of Jean Piaget's developmental stages is Jane most likely experiencing?

Possible Answers:

Preoperational

Concrete operational

Sensorimotor

Object permanence

Formal operational

Correct answer:

Preoperational

Explanation:

Jane is in the preoperational stage of development, which occurs between ages two and seven. During this stage a child is egocentric, or unable to understand the perspective of others, and uses imagery and symbols. Sensorimotor is the first stage that occurs from birth to age two. During this stage a child uses the senses and develops object permanence, or the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible. Note that object permanence is not a stage. The concrete operational stage occurs from ages seven to eleven. During this stage a child develops conservation, where a he or she understands that a substance does not change size just because its form changes. The formal operational stage occurs after age eleven and involves abstract logic and reasoning. 

Example Question #2 : Ib Psychology Sl

Five-year-old Jane uses words, images, and symbols to understand her world. She cannot yet reason logically and is egocentric. Which of Jean Piaget's developmental stages is Jane most likely experiencing?

Possible Answers:

Preoperational

Concrete operational

Object permanence

Formal operational

Sensorimotor

Correct answer:

Preoperational

Explanation:

Jane is in the preoperational stage of development, which occurs between ages two and seven. During this stage a child is egocentric, or unable to understand the perspective of others, and uses imagery and symbols. Sensorimotor is the first stage that occurs from birth to age two. During this stage a child uses the senses and develops object permanence, or the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible. Note that object permanence is not a stage. The concrete operational stage occurs from ages seven to eleven. During this stage a child develops conservation, where a he or she understands that a substance does not change size just because its form changes. The formal operational stage occurs after age eleven and involves abstract logic and reasoning. 

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