D
Free Exam
for 2013-16 VCE study design
Engage
Education
Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology
Practice Exam Question and Answer Booklet
Duration: 15 minutes reading time, 2 hours writing time
Structure of book:
Section
Number of questions
A
B
C
65
13
4



Number of questions to
be answered
65
13
4
Total
Number of marks
65
60
15
140
Students are permitted to bring into the examination room: pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers and
rulers.
Students are not permitted to bring into the examination room: blank sheets of paper and/or white
out liquid/tape.
No calculator is allowed in this examination.
Materials supplied:
 This question and answer booklet of 28 pages.
Instructions:
 You must complete all questions of the examination.
 Write all your answers in the spaces provided in this booklet.
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Section A – Multiple-choice questions
Instructions
Answer all questions by circling your choice.
Choose the response that is correct or that best answers the question.
A correct answer scores 1, an incorrect answer scores 0.
Marks will not be deducted for incorrect answers.
No marks will be given if more than one answer is completed for any question.
Questions
Question 1
An example of behaviour dependent on maturation would include:
A.
B.
C.
D.
a child standing for the first time
a dog learning how to play fetch
a newborn's sucking reflex
a child learning times tables
Question 2
Normal Waking Consciousness is associated with:
A.
B.
C.
D.
performing controlled processing, but not automatic processing.
emotional behaviour being uninhibited.
one being able to control the content of their thoughts.
blackouts and an inability to recall memory and process information.
Question 3
Which of the following is true of daydreaming?
A.
B.
C.
D.
attention shifts from internal to external thoughts, feelings and imagined scenarios
is not a naturally occurring altered state of consciousness
attention shifts from external to internal thoughts, feelings and imagined scenarios
is a deliberately induced altered state of consciousness characterised by relaxation and an
increase in internal awareness
Question 4
A year 12 Psychology class were investigating the role caffeine plays on stress, as measured by a selfreport questionnaire completed both before and after the administration of the independent variable. The
cohort was randomly allocated into control and experimental groups. The control group ate and drank
food and beverages not containing any caffeine, whereas the experimental group consumed 3 serves of
caffeine a day (150mg) in three doses with main meals. What is the independent variable of this
experiment?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Page 1
results of the questionnaire
whether or not the students consumed caffeine
the way the participants were assigned into the control/experimental group
the time of day the caffeine was consumed
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 5
Which of the following is true of adaptive plasticity?
A.
B.
C.
D.
adaptive plasticity diminishes with age
adaptive plasticity is less substantial during infancy
adaptive plasticity occurs throughout learning and experiences
adaptive plasticity means that there is no compensation for lost function due to brain injuries
Question 6
Ben's older brother is very talented at gymnastics and performing tricks on trampolines. After watching
his older brother many times, Ben found that he was able to replicate the trick on his second attempt.
This is an example of:
A.
B.
C.
D.
observational learning
operant learning
classical conditioning
trial and error learning
Question 7
The machine often used in polysomnography (overnight sleep studies) that detects, amplifies and
records electrical activity generated by the muscles surrounding the eyes is known as:
A.
B.
C.
D.
EEG
EOG
EMG
GSR
Question 8
After several unpleasant experiences involving white rabbits, Lachlan now exhibits fear not only in
response to white rabbits but also to any white fluffy object. This is an example of:
A.
B.
C.
D.
stimulus discrimination
a conditioned response
stimulus generalisation
negative reinforcement
Question 9
Ross is petrified of snakes. Bering surrounded by pythons and locked in a room until he calms down
would be an example of:
A.
B.
C.
D.
aversion therapy
shaping
trial and error
flooding
Question 10
Behaviour is considered abnormal if it is:
A.
B.
C.
D.
deviant distressing and dysfunctional
derogatory, degrading and disorderly
strange and quiet
avoidant, unsociable and compulsive
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 2
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Question 11
As measured by an EEG or EOG, stage four sleep would show:
A.
B.
C.
D.
alpha and beta waves as measured by an EEG
K complexes and sleep spindles as measured by an EEG
50% delta waves as measured by an EEG
rapid eye movement as measured by an EOG
Question 12
Which of the following is true of REM sleep?
A.
B.
C.
D.
REM sleep increases in length towards the end of the sleeping period
the eyes do not move and are relaxed in a state of atonia
K complexes occur and the EEG shows high amplitude, low frequency waves
each REM cycle lasts 150 minutes
Question 13
The lobe of the brain responsible for enabling us to sense spatial position and perform spatial reasoning
is:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Frontal
Occipital
Parietal
Temporal
Question 14
Which of the following is an example of a reflex action?
A.
B.
C.
D.
migration patterns in salmon
a ten month old learning to crawl
mating behavior in birds
an infant suckling when it is touched lightly on its cheek
Question 15
Ben has Broca's aphasia. What area of his brain has most likely been damaged?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Right temporal lobe
Left frontal lobe
Right frontal lobe
Medial temporal lobe
Question 16
Operant actions are behaviours that:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Page 3
act upon the environment
are involuntary
are learnt purely through observation
have no consequences for the person performing the behaviour
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 17
Phineas Gage suffered damage to his frontal lobe. What important information about the frontal lobe was
discovered from his accident?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The frontal lobe is important in regulating personality.
The frontal lobe, when damaged, results in complete behavioural dysfunction.
The frontal lobe solely controls the peripheral nervous system.
The frontal lobe contains the hippocampus and amygdala and is therefore responsible for the
storage of memories.
Question 18
HM suffered epilepsy and had surgery to his medial temporal lobe. The operation fixed his epilepsy, but
HM lost the ability to form new long-term memories. HM now suffers:
A.
B.
C.
D.
anterograde amnesia
retrograde amnesia
retroactive interference
dementia
Question 19
The area of the brain examined in split brain studies is known as:
A.
B.
C.
D.
the corpus callosum
the cerebral cortex
neuronal matter
hemispheric bridge
Question 20
If Mary were to sing, dance and talk loudly in a church, behaving as if she were at a party, which of the
following would she be exhibiting:
A.
B.
C.
D.
functional abnormality
situational abnormality
historical abnormality
medical abnormality
Question 21
The axes of the DSM-IV-TR, in order, are:
A. clinical, personality and mental retardation, psychosocial and environmental problems, general
medical conditions, global assessment of functioning
B. clinical, personality and mental retardation, general medical conditions, psychosocial and
environmental problems, global assessment of functioning
C. general medical conditions, personality and mental retardation, psychosocial and environmental
problems, clinical, global assessment of functioning
D. general medical conditions, clinical, personality and mental retardation, psychosocial and
environmental problems, global assessment of functioning
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 4
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Question 22
What is the main function of the thalamus?
A.
B.
C.
D.
storing declarative and episodic memories
enabling us to pay attention to stimuli and rout sensory information to the relevant cortex
enabling us to smell
linking emotions with memories
Question 23
Brian's puppy, Samson, has spatial neglect. What is likely to happen when Samson eats dinner out of his
bowl?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Samson will eat all the food on the right side of the bowl.
Samson will eat all the food on the left side of the bowl.
Samson will be unable to see the bowl at all.
Samson will not be able to smell the bowl and will not eat.
Question 24
Samson, the puppy referred to in question 23, suffers spatial neglect because of damage to what part of
his brain?
A.
B.
C.
D.
the medial temporal lobe
the left parietal lobe
the right parietal lobe
the occipital lobe
Question 25
The major stages of 'General Adaptive Syndrome', in order, are:
A.
B.
C.
D.
shock, resistance, exhaustion
alarm reaction, counter shock, exhaustion
alarm reaction, resistance, exhaustion
shock, counter-shock, exhaustion
Question 26
Feeling jittery and excited before a sports match is an example of:
A.
B.
C.
D.
eustress
distress
shock
primary appraisal
Question 27
Glutamate is an ______________ neurotransmitter, which makes the post synaptic neuron ______ likely
to fire, whereas gamma amino butyric acid is an ____________ neurotransmitter, which makes the postsynaptic neuron _______ likely to fire.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Page 5
excitatory, less, inhibitory, more
excitatory, more, inhibitory, less
inhibitory, less, excitatory, more
inhibitory, more, excitatory, less
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 28
Someone experiencing a micro sleep is likely to:
A.
B.
C.
D.
have no recollection of the micro sleeps
be asleep for over 45 seconds
be in REM sleep
experience K Complexes
Question 29
Paris' goal directed behaviour is likely to be associated with which area of the brain?
A.
B.
C.
D.
parietal lobe
somatosensory cortex
frontal lobe
hippocampus
Question 30
People with amnesia have damage to which lobe of the brain?
A.
B.
C.
D.
frontal
parietal
temporal
occipital
Question 31
Which of the following constructs is the process of synaptic pruning a part of?
A.
B.
C.
D.
adaptive plasticity
neural transmission
developmental plasticity
long-term potentiation
Question 32
Which subset of the Multi-Store model has a capacity of 7 plus or minus 2 items?
A.
B.
C.
D.
sensory register
sensory memory
short term memory
long term memory
Question 33
Neuroplasticity refers to:
A.
B.
C.
D.
the changes our brains go through (neural structure) because of maturation only
the changes in neural structure which occurs in response to environmental stimulation.
the stages of proliferation, migration, circuit formation, circuit pruning, myelination
sensitive periods for learning
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 6
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Question 34
The stage of neuroplasticity characterised by the elimination of excess neurones and synapses
strengthening and weakening is:
A.
B.
C.
D.
migration
circuit formation
circuit pruning
myelination
Question 35
In classical conditioning, the learner is ______________, and in operant conditioning, the learner is
_______.
A.
B.
C.
D.
passive, passive
passive, active
active, passive
active, active
Question 36
Which is the following is a factor is necessary for classical conditioning to occur?
A.
B.
C.
D.
positive reinforcement
variable interval reinforcement
no punishment
the order of stimuli presentation
Question 37
The four elements of observational learning are (in order):
A.
B.
C.
D.
attention, reproduction, motivation, retention
motivation, attention, retention, reproduction
attention, retention, reproduction, motivation
motivation, attention, reproduction, retention
Question 38
Working through a hierarchy of fears to extinguish a conditioned phobic response is known as:
A.
B.
C.
D.
phobia therapy
classical conditioning
graduated exposure
flooding
Question 39
What is needed for information to travel between the sensory memory and the short term memory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Page 7
attention
consolidation
encoding
chunking
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 40
Declarative memories can further be broken down into:
A.
B.
C.
D.
procedural and semantic
procedural and episodic
semantic and episodic
episodic and general knowledge
Question 41
Trial and error learning involves:
A.
B.
C.
D.
the law of effect
shaping
one trial learning
aversion therapy
Question 42
Bandura's experiment proposed that vicarious conditioning involves:
A. reinforcement or punishment of another person's behaviour, subsequently modifying the
learner’s behaviour
B. the children only seeing the positive outcomes of the model, and no matter the consequences,
modelling the behaviour
C. the children only seeing the negative outcomes of the model, and no matter the consequences,
avoiding the behaviour
D. the model learning from performing the behaviour itself, not the children
Question 43
Mental wellbeing involves:
A. personal relationships with others and includes such activities as getting along with family,
friends and acquaintances, giving and receiving social support when needed and making and
keeping friends
B. such activities as exercising regularly, eating a well-balanced diet, and getting rest as required
and maintaining body weight appropriate to the individual
C. the mind, and such activities as expressing feelings calmly, even when happy or sad, rationally
thinking about personal problems and issues that arise in everyday life
D. the soul, and such activities as talking to others about their feelings and carrying a sense of
clarity
Question 44
What are the three components of the Baddely and Hitch model of working memory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, central executive
phonemic, structural, semantic
nodes, links, hierarchy
sensory, short term, long term
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 8
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Question 45
Which component of the model of working memory interacts with long term memory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
phonemic loop
episodic buffer
central executive
visuo-spatial sketchpad
Use the following information to answer questions 46 to 48:
Boris studies English, Literature and Biology in School, amongst other subjects. He always studies these
subjects on Monday nights, and studies English first.
Question 46
When the learnt information that Boris takes in during his English study interferes with his Literature
study, this is known as:
A.
B.
C.
D.
retroactive interference
proactive interference
motivated forgetting
retroactive amnesia
Question 47
Which two subjects would cause the most interference for Boris out of his study sessions?
A.
B.
C.
D.
English and Biology
English and Literature
Business Management and Chemistry
Maths and English
Question 48
If Boris wanted to forego the limitations of interference theory, he should:
A.
B.
C.
D.
eat while studying
study similar subjects together to consolidate information
take a break in between subjects
study in big blocks of multiple subjects
Question 49
Allostasis involves:
A. the body's ability to maintain a state of physiological stability by adjusting and changing to meet
internal and external demands
B. the body's ability to maintain a state of physiological equilibrium by adjusting to meet internal
demands
C. the body's ability to maintain a state of psychological equilibrium by adjusting to meet external
demands
D. the body's ability to maintain a state of physiological stability by adjusting and changing to meet
the fluctuations in the external environment only
Page 9
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 50
GABA stands for:
A.
B.
C.
D.
gamma amino butyric acid
gamma alkaline butyric acid
gamma amino bromine acetylcholine
gamma alkaline bromine acid
Question 51
Any activity that involves a state of reduced psychological and physiological tension, describes:
A.
B.
C.
D.
meditation
relaxation
biofeedback
daydreaming
Question 52
Sean learned a list of 13 nonsense syllables until he could recite them. According to the work of Herman
Ebbinghaus, after 20 minutes, what percentage of the syllables should Sean be able to recall?
A.
B.
C.
D.
47%
58%
63%
72%
Question 53
Sophie tries to create mental markers to remember her shopping list. 'Meg likes eggs', 'I boast about my
toast', etc.
Which mnemonic device is this?
A.
B.
C.
D.
acrostics
rhyme
context dependent cues
state dependent cues
Question 54
The amygdala:
A.
B.
C.
D.
allows us to remember unemotional experiences, creating weak memories
allows us to regulate temperature through the hippocampus
resides in the frontal lobe, and in the left hemisphere only
allows us to link emotional responses with memories, creating strong semantic memories
Question 55
In relation to semantic memories, according to the general trend of memory decline over the lifespan:
A.
B.
C.
D.
older people perform worse than younger people
older people perform better than younger people
older people perform the same as younger people
older people cannot create semantic memories
Question 56
In the control condition of an experiment:
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 10
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
A.
B.
C.
D.
The Engage Education Foundation
the independent variable is present
the independent variable is absent
all conditions of the experiment are present
the dependent variable is absent
Question 57
The placebo effect:
A. occurs when there is a change in the responses of participants, due to their belief that they are
not receiving some kind of experimental treatment and they respond in accordance to that belief
B. occurs when there is a change in the responses of participants, due to their belief that they are
receiving some kind of experimental treatment and they respond in accordance to that belief
C. occurs when there is a change in the responses of experimenters, due to their belief that they
are not giving some kind of experimental treatment and they respond in accordance to that
belief
D. occurs when there is a change in the responses of experimenters, due to their belief that they
are giving some kind of experimental treatment and they respond in accordance to that belief
Question 58
Mark is starting an experiment about adult memory functioning. The participants include 100 participants
aged between 21 and 31. Two ethical procedures that need to be administered before the experiment
include:
A.
B.
C.
D.
withdrawal rights and debriefing
deception and debriefing
withdrawal rights and parental signatures of participants
withdrawal rights and informed content
Use the following information to answer questions 59 and 60:
Claire accidentally hit her head on a low beam walking to school. She now cannot retrieve any memories
that occurred before the accident.
Question 59
What is Claire experiencing?
A.
B.
C.
D.
anterograde amnesia
retrograde amnesia
retroactive interference
anterograde interference
Question 60
Which is true of the condition Claire is experiencing?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Page 11
Claire's condition is not reversible
memories will return from earliest to latest (chronologically)
Claire's condition will turn into Alzheimer’s disease
Claire's hippocampus is slowly breaking down
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 61
Which is true regarding the use of animals in experiments?
A. studies that cannot be conducted on humans cannot be administered on animals
B. demand characteristics can influence animals
C. bodily systems of all animals are completely dissimilar to that of humans, so experimenting on
animals is pointless
D. some studies that cannot be conducted on humans can be administered on animals after being
approved by the relevant ethical authorities
Question 62
The difference between illness and disease is:
A.
B.
C.
D.
illness is quantifiable and disease is subjective
disease is quantifiable and illness is subjective
disease is a mental condition and illness is a physical condition
illness is a mental condition and disease is a physical condition
Question 63
Which model of memory did Craik and Lockhart produce?
A.
B.
C.
D.
model of working memory
serial position effect
levels of processing theory
semantic network theory
Question 64
Which brain waves are present in stage one sleep?
A.
B.
C.
D.
theta and delta predominantly
alpha and beta predominantly
alpha and theta predominantly
just alpha waves
Question 65
What stage of sleep is occurring when someone begins a micro sleep?
A.
B.
C.
D.
REM
stage 3 or 4
stage 3
stage 1 or 2
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 12
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Section B – Short-answer questions
Instructions
Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
Questions
Question 1
Reuben has logged three hours on his learner’s permit, driving his mother's car, whereas Monica,
Reuben's mother, has been driving regularly for over 20 years.
a.
Which level of processing would you expect Reuben to use when driving?
1 mark
b.
Which level of processing would you expect Monica to use when driving?
1 mark
c.
Why does Monica find it so easy to talk to passengers whilst driving, whereas Reuben's driving
becomes dangerous when he tries to converse whilst driving?
2 marks
Total: 4 marks
Page 13
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 2
Max has been staying up all night working on his art folio, which due in two weeks. At school his
teachers have noticed a difference in him and have urged him to speak to the school nurse.
a.
Describe three physical symptoms of total sleep deprivation which the nurse might see in Max.
3 marks
b.
Max has been referred to the school counsellor because it is common that total sleep deprivation
can have psychological impacts on humans. List two psychological symptoms that total sleep
deprivation has been known to have on humans.
2 marks
Total: 5 marks
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 14
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Question 3
a. Explain one difference between fixed action patterns and reflexes.
1 mark
b.
Provide an example of a fixed action pattern and one example of a reflex.
2 marks
Total: 3 marks
Question 4
Explain the differences between sensitive periods and a critical periods, using an example of each.
4 marks
Page 15
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 5
a. In Pavlov's experiment, what is the neutral stimulus in the pre conditioning phase?
1 mark
b.
What word completes the following sentence?
During the pre-conditioning phase, the dogs’ salivation was known as the __________ response.
1 mark
c.
During the post-conditioning phase, what are the conditioned stimulus and conditioned response?
2 marks
d.
If Pavlov's dogs were to begin salivating only in response to the bell, but in response to other
similar-sounding stimuli (for example, a doorbell or an alarm clock), what classical conditioning
concept would this demonstrate?
1 mark
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 16
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
e.
The Engage Education Foundation
When Pavlov started ringing the bell, but didn't present the dogs with food, eventually the dogs
stopped salivating. Using classical conditioning terminology, describe what was occurring to the
dogs.
3 marks
Total: 8 marks
Page 17
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 6
The autonomic nervous system connects the central nervous system to the internal organs and glands.
a.
Name the component of the autonomic nervous system that would be activated in Phoebe, if a dog
chased her on her way home from primary school.
1 mark
b.
As soon as she saw the dog, her heart started to race, and her blood diverted to her muscles, so
that she could run away as fast as possible. Describe two other changes to the body in this state.
2 marks
c.
Name the component of the autonomic nervous system that was activated in Phoebe that allowed
her to return to her normal, resting, homeostatic state.
1 mark
Total: 4 marks
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 18
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Question 7
Jason had an accident as an adult. He damaged his right parietal lobe during the accident.
a.
Describe one consequence that Jason might experience as a result of this accident.
2 marks
b.
What is adaptive plasticity, and how might it affect Adam?
2 marks
c.
Adam is an adult. How does this affect adaptive plasticity?
2 marks
Total: 6 marks
Page 19
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 8
Harry was concussed playing football. When he woke up, he was unable to remember the previous 30
minutes of play.
a.
What theory suggests that there was an interruption to Harry’s memory formation?
1 mark
b.
What is needed for the transfer of information between the STM and LTM?
2 marks
c.
Describe two physical changes occur in the brain during this time.
2 marks
Total: 5 marks
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 20
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Question 9
a. Define stress.
1 mark
b.
Explain the difference between eustress and distress using examples.
3 marks
Total: 4 marks
Page 21
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 10
Finn went to a music festival over the summer.
a.
Describe two physical stressors that he may have experienced.
2 marks
b.
Describe two external stressors that Finn may have experienced.
2 marks
Total: 4 marks
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 22
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Question 11
List of words: dog, hat, mug, balloon, plate, pillow, book, cat, chalk, milk
a.
Explain how and why the serial position effect could influence the recall of this list of words.
4 marks
b.
If the participants were asked to wait three minutes after the list was read out before recalling the
items, which component of the serial position effect would be present?
1 mark
c.
If the list took longer than 30 seconds to read out, and had 20 more items to remember, which
component of the serial position effect would be present?
1 mark
Total: 6 marks
Page 23
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 12
According to the semantic network theory, how is information organised and stored in long-term
memory?
2 marks
Question 13
Daniel wants to learn how to spike a volleyball. Explain how observational learning can result in Daniel
being able to spike a volleyball successfully. Break down the 5 stages of observational learning in your
answer.
5 marks
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 24
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Section C – Extended response
Professor Ainsworth is interested in the effect that caffeine consumption at night time has on sleep
quality in human beings. This is a topic of particular interest to him as he is lecturer and knows that many
university students consume large amounts of caffeine, particularly in high stress periods, such as before
exams. He predicts that caffeine consumed at night time has a detrimental impact on the quality of sleep
an individual experiences.
To investigate this issue, Professor Ainsworth designs a one week study, in which half of the participants
are administered caffeine at bed time and the other half are given no caffeine prior to going to sleep.
Participants are randomly allocated to either group
He asks 100 first year psychology from the State University to take part in his experiment. 34 of the
participants were male and 66 were female. Professor Ainsworth did not obtained written consent from
the students as they had discussed the experiment in class. The participants of the experiment were
divided into two groups. One group were administered 100mg of caffeine in the form of a hot drink two
hours before they went to bed. The other group consumed no caffeine before they went to bed and were
given nothing to drink. The study took place over one week in a sleep laboratory. Quality of sleep was
measured in terms of the time each student spent in REM sleep, as recorded by an EOG.
Several students wanted to leave the study midway through the experiment as they found it boring,
Professor Ainsworth told them they would be loose marks on their final assessment if they were to leave
the experiment. After the experiment was finished Professor Ainsworth, explained to participants which
group they had been in and discussed the purpose of the experiment with them.
Professor Ainsworth observed that while participants who had not consumed caffeine prior to going to
sleep, slept a mean of 9 hours asleep, as compared to the group who had consumed caffeine slept a
mean of 8 hours, the mean amount of hours spent in REM differed by 5 minutes. The caffeine group
spent 95 minutes in REM sleep and the non-caffeine group spent an average of 98 minutes in REM
sleep. The p-value obtained was > 0.05.
Question 1
Operationalise the dependent and independent variables for this experiment.
Dependent variable:
Independent variable:
2 marks
Page 25
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
Question 2
What experimental design did Professor Ainsworth use in this experiment?
1 mark
Question 3
What participant right(s) did Professor Ainsworth fail to respect in this experiment and why is this right
important in psychological research?
2 marks
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 26
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
The Engage Education Foundation
Question 4
Construct a discussion containing:



Page 27
the conclusion(s) that can be made based on the hypothesis and the implications of this
conclusion for sleep theorists
the extent to which the results of the experiment can be generalised.
a description of the weaknesses of this experimental design and how these limitations could be
counteracted (find two limitations)
6.5 hour revision seminars for just $56 – visit www.ee.org.au for more info.
The Engage Education Foundation
Units 3 and 4 Psychology: Free Exam D
10 marks
End of Booklet
Looking for solutions? Visit www.engageeducation.org.au/practice-exams
To enrol in one of our Psychology seminars head to: http://engageeducation.org.au/seminars/
www.engageeducation.org.au
Page 28