Question 1

In order to show conclusively that animals do use language, one would have to demonstrate that the __________.
A) language had an auditory, or sound, component
B) language had a genetic or instinctual base
C) language used abstract symbols
D) animals have the same vocal abilities as people

Accepted Answer

The use of abstract symbols is a key characteristic of language, and being able to demonstrate this in animals would provide strong evidence for their use of language. The other choices are not sufficient on their own to prove language use in animals.

Question 2

When a problem is seen as having only one answer, with all lines of thinking leading to that answer, this is known as divergent thinking.

Accepted Answer

This statement describes convergent thinking, not divergent thinking. Divergent thinking involves generating multiple ideas or solutions to a problem, whereas convergent thinking involves narrowing down possibilities to one specific answer.

Question 3

Researchers have found that __________ influenced by culture.
A) neither language nor thought is
B) language, but not thought, is
C) thought, but not language, is
D) both language and thought are

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that both language and thought are influenced by culture. Language is a product of culture and shapes how individuals perceive and understand the world around them. Cultural beliefs and values can also influence how individuals think and make decisions, which can vary across different societies and cultures. Therefore, both language and thought are important aspects to consider when studying cultural differences and their impact on behavior.

Question 4

A 10-year-old child who scored like an average 8-year-old on an intelligence test would have an IQ of 80.

Accepted Answer

This is true as IQ scores are calculated by comparing a person's performance on an intelligence test to the performance of others in their same age group. Therefore, a 10-year-old child who scored like an average 8-year-old would have an IQ score of 80, which is below average.

Question 5

Fragile X, Down syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome are all potential causes of intellectual disability.

Accepted Answer

Fragile X, Down syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome are all known causes of intellectual disability.

Question 6

At the current time, which statement is TRUE about our knowledge of whether animals can use humanlike language?
A) It has been clearly shown that animals cannot use humanlike language.
B) All animal communication is instinctual and, thus, is not language.
C) Only primates, like monkeys and chimps, show any sign of language-like behavior.
D) It is still unclear whether animals can use humanlike language at any level of development.

Accepted Answer

While some animals, like primates, have shown some language-like behavior, it is still unclear whether any animal can use humanlike language at any level of development. Ongoing research and study may give us a clearer answer in the future, but at the current time, D is the most accurate statement.

Question 7

A test can fail in validity while still being reliable.

Accepted Answer

A test can fail in validity if it does not accurately measure what it is intended to measure, but it can still be reliable if it consistently produces consistent results.

Question 8

An IQ test is developed that supposedly measures people's intelligence. It is given to a large and random sample of college students. It is found that the test correlates in a highly positive manner with the students' GPAs. The test designer may be justified in claiming that the test is valid.

Accepted Answer

A high positive correlation between the IQ test scores and the students' GPAs indicates that the test is measuring what it is supposed to measure (intelligence), and that it is a valid measure of intelligence in this context.

Question 9

Which of the following statements BEST describes the general relationship between thinking and language?
A) Language is a tool that may be used in thinking, but it isn't the sole basis of thought.
B) Language is the sole basis of thought.
C) When we think, we always make use of language.
D) Language usually is not required in thought processes.

Accepted Answer

While language can be a useful tool in organizing and expressing our thoughts, it is not the only way we experience and process information. Other forms of thinking, such as visual or spatial thinking, also play a role in our cognitive processes. Therefore, option A best describes the general relationship between thinking and language.

Question 10

Which of the following is one of the animals that has been taught to use language with some success?
A) goat
B) quail
C) dog
D) chimpanzee

Accepted Answer

Chimpanzees, such as Washoe and Koko, have been taught to use sign language and communicate with humans.

Question 11

When people are asked to relate how many windows they have in the place where they live, the amount of time to answer doesn't depend on the number of windows.

Accepted Answer

The amount of time it takes for people to answer how many windows they have in their place of living generally increases with the number of windows. This is because people often need to mentally visualize or count each window, which takes longer as the number of windows increases.

Question 12

If you look at the professors whom you know, you might chuckle at them. They may be very smart but don't understand the real world. According to Robert Sternberg, they may be lacking a bit of practical intelligence.

Accepted Answer

Robert Sternberg's theory of multiple intelligences includes practical intelligence, which is the ability to apply knowledge to everyday situations and solve practical problems. Stereotypically, professors may be highly intelligent in academic domains but lacking in practical skills and experiences.

Question 13

In school, you may have learned the rule of how to determine the area of a circle. The formula was πR2. This formula always guarantees a solution and that you will be able to determine the area. Thus, the formula is an example of an algorithm.

Accepted Answer

The formula πR2 is a set of rules or steps that guarantees a solution and is therefore an example of an algorithm.

Question 14

Researchers have found that, despite the number of color names in a language, the basic abilities to perceive color are unchanged. This finding would be troublesome for the theory of __________.
A) Picard and Worf
B) Sapir and Whorf
C) Skinner and Watson
D) Tolman and Thorndike

Accepted Answer

The finding that the number of color names in a language does not directly affect one's ability to perceive color contradicts the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which suggests that language shapes and influences our thoughts and perception of the world.

Question 15

Let's say we could teach a dolphin to understand the difference between the sentences "The parrot kissed the dolphin" and "The dolphin kissed the parrot." If this were demonstrated, it might mean the dolphin had an understanding of __________.
A) phonemes
B) morphemes
C) syntax
D) pragmatics

Accepted Answer

The difference between these two sentences lies in their syntax, or the arrangement of words to form a sentence with meaning. Phonemes refer to the individual sound units of language, morphemes are the smallest units of meaning in language, and pragmatics refer to the social context and use of language.

Question 16

Standardization refers to the process of giving a test to a group of people that represents the target individuals for whom that test is intended.

Accepted Answer

Standardization is a crucial step in creating valid and reliable assessments. By giving the test to a representative group of individuals, researchers can establish norms and determine how scores on the test relate to important outcomes or characteristics of the target population. This allows test developers to ensure that the test is measuring what it is intended to measure and that scores can be interpreted in a meaningful way.

Question 17

Dolphins, according to TV and movies, are very intelligent and have strong language abilities. They might even be able to talk! However, which statement is TRUE according to the research?
A) Dolphins have been shown to be able to master semantics.
B) Dolphins have the language abilities of a 3-year-old child.
C) Dolphin communication with parrots has been firmly established.
D) Dolphins have not been shown to have the ability to master human syntax.

Accepted Answer

While dolphins do have impressive communication abilities and can understand and convey complex messages, they have not been shown to have the ability to master human syntax or truly "talk" like humans do. Studies have found that their language abilities are more comparable to those of a 3-year-old child, rather than a fully developed adult human language system. And there is no established evidence of dolphin communication with parrots.

Question 18

A test can fail in reliability while still being valid.

Accepted Answer

A test cannot be valid if it is not reliable. Reliability is a prerequisite for validity, meaning a test must consistently produce the same results to be considered valid.

Question 19

Bruce believes that aliens crashed in the western United States in the 1950s. When looking for information about this on the Internet, he ignores any sites that are skeptical of his belief and only visits and talks with his friends about the sites that support his belief. This is an example of confirmation bias.

Accepted Answer

Bruce is only seeking out information that confirms his existing belief and ignoring any contradictory evidence, which is a classic example of confirmation bias.

Question 20

It would take the same amount of time to correctly identify an olive as a fruit as it would to correctly identify an apple as a fruit.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It would take the same amount of...

Quiz 7: Cognition: Thinking, Intelligence, and Language

In order to show conclusively that animals do use language, one would have to demonstrate that the __________.

When a problem is seen as having only one answer, with all lines of thinking leading to that answer, this is known as divergent thinking.

Researchers have found that __________ influenced by culture.

A 10-year-old child who scored like an average 8-year-old on an intelligence test would have an IQ of 80.

Fragile X, Down syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome are all potential causes of intellectual disability.

At the current time, which statement is TRUE about our knowledge of whether animals can use humanlike language?

A test can fail in validity while still being reliable.

An IQ test is developed that supposedly measures people's intelligence. It is given to a large and random sample of college students. It is found that the test correlates in a highly positive manner with the students' GPAs. The test designer may be justified in claiming that the test is valid.

Which of the following statements BEST describes the general relationship between thinking and language?

Which of the following is one of the animals that has been taught to use language with some success?

When people are asked to relate how many windows they have in the place where they live, the amount of time to answer doesn't depend on the number of windows.

If you look at the professors whom you know, you might chuckle at them. They may be very smart but don't understand the real world. According to Robert Sternberg, they may be lacking a bit of practical intelligence.

In school, you may have learned the rule of how to determine the area of a circle. The formula was πR2. This formula always guarantees a solution and that you will be able to determine the area. Thus, the formula is an example of an algorithm.

Researchers have found that, despite the number of color names in a language, the basic abilities to perceive color are unchanged. This finding would be troublesome for the theory of __________.

Let's say we could teach a dolphin to understand the difference between the sentences "The parrot kissed the dolphin" and "The dolphin kissed the parrot." If this were demonstrated, it might mean the dolphin had an understanding of __________.

Standardization refers to the process of giving a test to a group of people that represents the target individuals for whom that test is intended.

Dolphins, according to TV and movies, are very intelligent and have strong language abilities. They might even be able to talk! However, which statement is TRUE according to the research?

A test can fail in reliability while still being valid.

It would take the same amount of time to correctly identify an olive as a fruit as it would to correctly identify an apple as a fruit.