Q.1 Which of the following best defines the concept of expertise in cognitive psychology?
The ability to perform simple tasks quickly
Extensive knowledge and skill in a specific domain
General intelligence across multiple domains
Memorizing large amounts of information without application
Explanation - Expertise refers to advanced knowledge and skills in a particular area, developed through extensive practice and experience.
Correct answer is: Extensive knowledge and skill in a specific domain
Q.2 Which theory suggests that deliberate practice is key to achieving expertise?
Cognitive Load Theory
Dual-Process Theory
Ericsson’s Deliberate Practice Theory
Behaviorist Theory
Explanation - Anders Ericsson proposed that deliberate, structured practice is critical for developing high-level skills and expertise.
Correct answer is: Ericsson’s Deliberate Practice Theory
Q.3 Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of expert performance?
Automaticity in routine tasks
Rapid problem-solving in familiar contexts
Extensive domain-specific knowledge
Equal performance in all domains regardless of practice
Explanation - Experts excel in specific domains due to practice and experience; they are not equally skilled in unrelated areas.
Correct answer is: Equal performance in all domains regardless of practice
Q.4 The 10,000-hour rule is most closely associated with which concept?
General intelligence
Deliberate practice
Short-term memory
Cognitive bias
Explanation - Popularized by Malcolm Gladwell, the 10,000-hour rule emphasizes extensive deliberate practice as essential for developing expertise.
Correct answer is: Deliberate practice
Q.5 Which cognitive process allows experts to recognize patterns more efficiently than novices?
Chunking
Serial processing
Random retrieval
Cognitive interference
Explanation - Experts organize information into meaningful chunks, allowing faster pattern recognition and memory retrieval.
Correct answer is: Chunking
Q.6 Which of the following is a key difference between a novice and an expert in a domain?
Experts rely more on general rules, novices rely on intuition
Experts rely more on pattern recognition, novices rely on step-by-step problem solving
Novices have more knowledge in the domain
Experts use trial-and-error more than novices
Explanation - Experts process information more holistically, recognizing patterns quickly, while novices need stepwise approaches.
Correct answer is: Experts rely more on pattern recognition, novices rely on step-by-step problem solving
Q.7 Which stage in Fitts and Posner's model of skill acquisition involves conscious, effortful performance?
Cognitive stage
Associative stage
Autonomous stage
Expert stage
Explanation - In the cognitive stage, learners consciously think through steps and require significant effort to perform the skill correctly.
Correct answer is: Cognitive stage
Q.8 During which stage of skill acquisition does performance become automatic and require minimal conscious effort?
Cognitive stage
Associative stage
Autonomous stage
Preparatory stage
Explanation - In the autonomous stage, skills are performed automatically, freeing cognitive resources for higher-level problem solving.
Correct answer is: Autonomous stage
Q.9 Which of the following best illustrates deliberate practice?
Playing a game for fun occasionally
Repetitive practice with feedback and correction
Watching others perform without participation
Memorizing facts without application
Explanation - Deliberate practice involves focused, structured practice with immediate feedback to improve performance.
Correct answer is: Repetitive practice with feedback and correction
Q.10 Which factor most strongly influences the development of expertise besides practice?
Innate talent alone
Motivation and perseverance
Random chance
Short-term memory capacity
Explanation - While practice is critical, motivation and sustained effort are essential for developing expertise over time.
Correct answer is: Motivation and perseverance
Q.11 Which concept explains why experts can quickly recognize relevant information in complex situations?
Cognitive load
Pattern recognition
Declarative memory
Interference
Explanation - Experts use pattern recognition to rapidly identify and interpret meaningful information based on experience.
Correct answer is: Pattern recognition
Q.12 Which of the following best describes the associative stage in Fitts and Posner's model?
Learner develops understanding and begins linking actions
Performance is slow and error-prone
Skill is performed automatically
Learner relies entirely on intuition
Explanation - The associative stage involves refining skills, making fewer errors, and forming associations between steps.
Correct answer is: Learner develops understanding and begins linking actions
Q.13 What is the main role of feedback in skill acquisition?
To punish mistakes
To guide improvement and correct errors
To increase cognitive load
To memorize tasks without understanding
Explanation - Feedback provides critical information to adjust and enhance performance, accelerating skill acquisition.
Correct answer is: To guide improvement and correct errors
Q.14 Which type of memory is most critical for expert performance in fast decision-making?
Sensory memory
Short-term memory
Procedural memory
Episodic memory
Explanation - Procedural memory stores skills and routines, allowing experts to perform tasks automatically and efficiently.
Correct answer is: Procedural memory
Q.15 Which term describes breaking complex skills into smaller, manageable components during learning?
Chunking
Segmentation
Automation
Assimilation
Explanation - Segmentation involves dividing a skill into smaller parts to facilitate learning and gradual integration.
Correct answer is: Segmentation
Q.16 Which research method is commonly used to study expertise development over long periods?
Cross-sectional studies
Longitudinal studies
Experimental lab tasks
Case-control studies
Explanation - Longitudinal studies track individuals over time to observe how skills and expertise develop.
Correct answer is: Longitudinal studies
Q.17 In cognitive psychology, the term 'automaticity' refers to:
Performing tasks with conscious attention
Performing tasks efficiently without conscious effort
The initial stage of learning
Randomly attempting a new skill
Explanation - Automaticity develops through practice, allowing complex tasks to be performed effortlessly and quickly.
Correct answer is: Performing tasks efficiently without conscious effort
Q.18 Which factor does NOT typically contribute to differences in expertise among individuals?
Amount of deliberate practice
Access to quality instruction
Innate talent
Random daily routines unrelated to skill
Explanation - Expertise development is influenced by structured practice, guidance, and relevant experiences, not unrelated routines.
Correct answer is: Random daily routines unrelated to skill
Q.19 Which of the following best illustrates the '10,000-hour rule' limitation?
It guarantees anyone will become an expert with enough practice
It emphasizes practice but does not account for quality or guidance
It replaces the need for motivation
It focuses on innate intelligence alone
Explanation - The rule highlights hours of practice but real expertise also requires effective methods, feedback, and motivation.
Correct answer is: It emphasizes practice but does not account for quality or guidance
Q.20 Which type of skill is most likely to benefit from deliberate practice?
Innate reflexes
Complex cognitive or motor tasks
Basic walking or talking
Random daily behaviors
Explanation - Deliberate practice is especially effective for improving skills that require refinement, problem-solving, and expertise.
Correct answer is: Complex cognitive or motor tasks
Q.21 Which of the following is a hallmark of expert decision-making?
Slow, stepwise evaluation of all possibilities
Rapid, accurate judgments based on experience
Random choice under pressure
Inability to adapt to new situations
Explanation - Experts draw on accumulated knowledge and patterns to make fast, reliable decisions.
Correct answer is: Rapid, accurate judgments based on experience
Q.22 Which cognitive factor allows experts to reduce mental effort in familiar tasks?
Cognitive automation
Working memory overload
Sensory adaptation
Declarative overload
Explanation - Cognitive automation allows experts to perform routine or familiar tasks efficiently without using excessive conscious effort.
Correct answer is: Cognitive automation
Q.23 Which statement best describes the relationship between practice and skill retention?
Once a skill is learned, it is permanent
Regular practice enhances long-term retention and expertise
Skills are retained regardless of frequency of use
Practice only affects initial learning, not retention
Explanation - Consistent practice strengthens memory, skills, and automaticity, supporting sustained expertise.
Correct answer is: Regular practice enhances long-term retention and expertise
Q.24 Which term describes the process by which experts selectively attend to relevant information while ignoring irrelevant details?
Selective attention
Random scanning
Divided attention
Cognitive overload
Explanation - Experts focus on key cues and patterns, filtering out unnecessary information to make efficient decisions.
Correct answer is: Selective attention