PSYC339

Question 1

Approximate Number System (ANS)

Answer 1

Fast, intuitive, imprecise number sense based on ratios; present in infants & animals

Question 2

Object Tracking System (OTS)

Answer 2

Exact system for small numbers (≈3–4 items); used for subitizing

Question 3

Subitizing

Answer 3

Instantly recognizing small quantities without counting (≤4 items)

Question 4

Weber’s Law

Answer 4

Ability to distinguish numbers depends on ratio, not absolute difference

Question 5

Distance Effect

Answer 5

Numbers closer together (8 vs 9) are harder to compare than far apart (2 vs 9)

Question 6

Size Effect

Answer 6

Larger numbers are harder to compare than smaller ones (8 vs 9 harder than 2 vs 3)

Question 7

Intraparietal Sulcus (IPS)

Answer 7

Brain region involved in number processing

Question 8

Symbolic Number System

Answer 8

Uses language (e.g., “5”); allows exact large-number representation

Question 9

ANS vs OTS

Answer 9

ANS = approximate & large; OTS = exact & small

Question 10

Evolutionary purpose of ANS

Answer 10

Quick quantity judgments (e.g., more predators vs allies)

Question 11

Fusiform Face Area (FFA)

Answer 11

Brain region specialized for face identity recognition

Question 12

Occipital Face Area (OFA)

Answer 12

Early-stage face processing (basic features)

Question 13

Superior Temporal Sulcus (STS)

Answer 13

Processes gaze, movement, and facial expressions

Question 14

Holistic Processing

Answer 14

Faces are processed as a whole, not individual parts

Question 15

Face Inversion Effect

Answer 15

Upside-down faces are much harder to recognize → evidence faces are special

Question 16

Composite Face Effect

Answer 16

Combining halves of faces interferes with recognition → shows holistic processing

Question 17

Prosopagnosia

Answer 17

Face blindness; inability to recognize faces despite normal vision

Question 18

Other-Race Effect

Answer 18

Better recognition of faces from one’s own social group

Question 19

Why faces are special

Answer 19

Critical for identity, emotion, and social interaction

Question 20

STS vs FFA

Answer 20

STS = dynamic (gaze/emotion), FFA = identity

Question 21

Incongruity Theory

Answer 21

Humor comes from violated expectations

Question 22

Superiority Theory

Answer 22

We laugh because we feel above others

Question 23

Relief Theory

Answer 23

Humor releases psychological tension (associated with Sigmund Freud)

Question 24

Benign Violation Theory

Answer 24

Humor occurs when something is wrong but safe

Question 25

When humor fails (too far)

Answer 25

Violation is not benign (too offensive)

Question 26

When humor fails (too weak)

Answer 26

No real violation (too predictable)

Question 27

Cognitive steps in humor

Answer 27

Expectation → violation → reinterpretation

Question 28

Social function of humor

Answer 28

Builds bonds and reinforces group norms

Question 29

Example of benign violation

Answer 29

Minor social mistake (awkward but safe)

Question 30

Context in humor

Answer 30

Determines whether something feels “benign”

Question 31

Social Identity Theory

Answer 31

Identity partly based on group membership (Henri Tajfel)

Question 32

In-group

Answer 32

Group you belong to

Question 33

Out-group

Answer 33

Group you don’t belong to

Question 34

In-group Favoritism

Answer 34

Preferring your own group over others

Question 35

Out-group Homogeneity Effect

Answer 35

Seeing out-group members as more similar than they are

Question 36

Minimal Group Paradigm

Answer 36

Even random group assignment creates bias

Question 37

Stereotypes

Answer 37

Cognitive shortcuts about groups (can be inaccurate)

Question 38

Implicit Bias

Answer 38

Unconscious attitudes toward groups

Question 39

Evolution of groups

Answer 39

Groups helped survival (cooperation, protection)

Question 40

Cost of group bias

Answer 40

Leads to discrimination and conflict

Question 41

Other-race effect connection

Answer 41

Social groups influence perception (face processing)

Question 42

ANS + evolution

Answer 42

Fast quantity judgments helped survival

Question 43

Humor + social groups

Answer 43

Humor signals group norms and belonging

Question 44

Face processing + survival

Answer 44

Recognizing allies/enemies quickly

Question 45

Why bias happens easily

Answer 45

Brain naturally categorizes for efficiency