Tutorial Letter 101 (Both) For PYC1501 2018
Tutorial Letter 101 (Both) For PYC1501 2018
Tutorial Letter 101 (Both) For PYC1501 2018
Basic Psychology
PYC1501
Semesters 1 and 2
Department of Psychology
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.
BARCODE
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4
2. PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES ...................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 5
2.2 Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 5
3. LECTURERS AND CONTACT DETAILS ..................................................................................... 5
3.1 Lecturers....................................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Department ................................................................................................................................... 5
3.3 University ...................................................................................................................................... 6
4. RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Prescribed book ............................................................................................................................ 6
4.2 Recommended books ................................................................................................................... 7
4.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ................................................................................................... 7
4.4 Library services and resources information ................................................................................... 7
5. STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................ 7
5.1 Free computer and internet access ............................................................................................... 7
5.2 Contact with fellow students.......................................................................................................... 7
5.3 myUnisa........................................................................................................................................ 8
5.4 Discussion classes........................................................................................................................ 8
5.5 Tutorial classes ............................................................................................................................. 8
6. STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................................................... 9
7. PRACTICAL WORK AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING ................................................... 13
8. ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................................... 13
8.1 Assessment criteria..................................................................................................................... 13
8.2 Assessment plan ........................................................................................................................ 14
8.3 General assignment numbers ..................................................................................................... 14
8.3.1 Unique assignment numbers ...................................................................................................... 15
8.3.2 Due dates for assignments ......................................................................................................... 15
8.4 Submission of assignments ........................................................................................................ 16
8.5 The assignments ........................................................................................................................ 16
9 OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS ........................................................................................... 42
10 EXAMINATION ........................................................................................................................... 42
11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ........................................................................................ 42
12 SOURCES CONSULTED ........................................................................................................... 42
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13 CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................ 42
14 ADDENDUM ............................................................................................................................... 43
15 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION .................................................................................................... 43
15.1 Invitation to visit the website of New Voices in Psychology ................................................. 43
15.2 Previous examination papers .................................................................................................. 43
15.3 Professional communication ................................................................................................... 43
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1. INTRODUCTION
Dear student
Welcome to the module Basic Psychology (PYC1501).We hope you will enjoy studying the
topics we offer here, and we hope that you will find the information useful. Please do not
hesitate to let us know what you like and what you do not like about this module. We need your
input to improve the subject material we offer to our students.
When you register, you receive an Inventory letter containing information about your tutorial
matter. More details are contained in the document entitled my Studies @ Unisa which you
receive with your tutorial matter. Tutorial matter that is not available when you register will be
posted to you as soon as possible, but is also available on myUnisa.
The Despatch department should supply you with the following study material for this module:
Please note that your lecturers cannot help you with the missing study material.
You can also access study guides and tutorial letters for all modules on myUnisa at
http://my.unisa.ac.za. These materials will be available here long before you can
possibly receive it by post. We suggest that you check the site on a regular basis.
Apart from the tutorial letters mentioned above, you will receive other tutorial letters during the
semester. These will be despatched to you as soon as they are available or needed (for
instance for feedback on assignments).
This tutorial letter deals with the work covered in the module PYC1501. We urge you to read it
carefully and to keep it at hand when working through the study material, preparing for the
assignments, preparing for the examination and addressing questions to your lecturers. In this
tutorial letter you will find the assignments as well as instructions on the preparation and
submission of the assignments. This tutorial letter also provides all the information you need
with regard to the prescribed study material and other resources and how to obtain it. Please
study this information carefully and make sure that you obtain the prescribed material as soon
as possible.
We have also included certain general and administrative information about this module. Please
study this section of the tutorial letter carefully. Right from the start we would like to point out
that you must read all the tutorial letters you receive during the semester immediately and
carefully, as they always contain important and sometimes, urgent information.
We hope that you will enjoy this module and wish you all the best!
Students who complete the module can demonstrate introductory knowledge about a variety of
topics from the intrapersonal and health domains of Psychology, and assess the acquisition,
presentation and application of psychological knowledge for selected purposes. The knowledge,
skills and values required for successful completion of the module are fundamental to further
studies in Psychology.
2.2 Outcomes
These are the lecturers that are responsible for this module:
3.2 Department
You can contact the teaching team for Basic Psychology per telephone, letter, fax, and by e-
mail. We handle three different kinds of enquiries about Basic Psychology. As the different kinds
of enquiries are handled in different ways, it is important that you decide before you contact us
which category your enquiry belongs to. The categories are:
By telephone You can phone the University between 08:00 and 16:00 on weekdays. The
contact numbers are as follows:
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By e-mail You can contact the teaching team for Basic psychology on the following e-
mail addresses:
When you submit an e-mail letter please write one of the following codes in
the subject line space of your e-mail:
The subject line code is used to route your e-mail to the proper folder for
quick attention.
By Fax The fax number for Basic psychology is: (012) 429 - 3414.
Please indicate in the upper left-hand corner of all facsimiles whether your
enquiry is a Category A or Category B or Category C enquiry.
3.3 University
If you need to contact the University about matters not related to the content of this module,
please consult the publication my Studies @ Unisa that you received with your study material.
This booklet contains information on how to contact the University (e.g. to whom you can write
for different queries, important telephone and fax numbers, addresses and details of the times
certain facilities are open). Always have your student number at hand when you contact the
University.
4. RESOURCES
The prescribed textbook is: Van Deventer, V., & Mojapelo-Batka, M. (2013). A student’s A-Z of
Psychology. (2nd ed.). Juta: Cape Town.The textbook is also prescribed for another module in
psychology namely, Psychology in Society (PYC1502).
Prescribed books can be obtained from the University’s official booksellers. Please refer to the
list of official booksellers and their addresses in my Studies @ Unisa brochure. If you have
difficulty in locating your book(s) at these booksellers, please contact the Prescribed Book
Section at Tel: (012) 429 - 4152 or e-mail: [email protected]
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The decision to prescribe a book written by the members of the department of psychology is
informed by UNISA Code of Ethics and Conduct. The School Teaching and Learning
Committee has considered the ethical implications of prescribing the book and has approved it.
Unisa has entered into partnerships with establishments (referred to as Telecentres) in various
locations across South Africa to enable you (as a Unisa student) free access to computers and
the Internet. This access enables you to conduct the following academic related activities:
registration; online submission of assignments; engaging in e-tutoring activities and signature
courses; etc. Please note that any other activity outside of these is for your own costing e.g.
printing, photocopying, etc. For more information on the Telecentre nearest to you, please visit
www.unisa.ac.za/telecentres.
Study groups: It is advisable to have contact with fellow students. One way to do this is to form
study groups. The addresses of students in your area may be obtained from the following
department:
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Directorate: Student Administration and Registration
P O Box 392
UNISA
0003
5.3 myUnisa
If you have access to a computer that is linked to the internet, you can quickly access resources
and information at the University. The myUnisa system is Unisa’s online campus that will help
you communicate with other students, your lecturers and the administrative departments of the
University.
To go to the myUnisa website, start at the main Unisa website, http://www.unisa.ac.za and then
click on the ‘Login to myUnisa’ link on the right-hand side of the screen. This should take you to
myUnisa website. You can also go there directly by typing in http://my.unisa.ac.za. Please
consult the publication my Studies @ Unisa which you received with you study material for more
information on myUnisa.
UNISA is committed to supporting you in your studies. E-tutors have been appointed to assist
you to achieve your educational goals. This module is one of those which have e-tutors
available. The e-tutors will provide online support and guidance on the myUnisa portal. Please
interact actively and participate on the group site as this has the dual function of providing
tutorial guidance and opportunities for you to engage meaningfully with fellow students. Activate
your myLife account to make use of this added advantage. You can identify your group site by
the letter E at the end. For example: PYC1501-18-S1-3E. This means that you are registered
for PYC1501 in 2018 for semester 1 and you are in group 3E. Face-to-face tutorial classes are
also offered for this module at various Unisa Learning Centres around the country. Please
attend these tutorial classes in your area in order to benefit from them.
In addition to the use of myUnisa, you will be informed of any important information regarding
the module on Facebook. Posts on Facebook will enable you to access the information much
faster. The webpage address is: Unisa_pyc1501/2 - Facebook.
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6. STUDY PLAN
Refer to my Studies @Unisa brochure for general time management and planning skills.
You always start with learning opportunities for application of psychological knowledge. In other
words, you always begin with learning opportunities from the Study Guide Section A. These
learning opportunities refer you to relevant resource material and to learning opportunities in the
Study Guide Section B for exploring the required resource material. The first learning
opportunity you should study is learning opportunity A1501-HCW from the Study Guide.
This learning opportunity shows you how the module works.
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Resource
A-Z
R
Learning Learning Resource
Opportunity opportunity Material e
s
Learning Learning Resource o
opportunity opportunity Material u
r
c
e
Begin your
studies here M
a
t
e
r
i
a
Learning opportunity
l
LO A1501-HCW
e
in the Study Guide
s
o
u
Module components r
c
The module that you are about to study is called Basic psychology. The module has a unique
e You will notice that
module identifier. The module identifier for Basic psychology is PYC1501.
modules presented by the Department of Psychology start with the letters PYC. The first-year
level modules are numbered in the 100 series. Thus, module identifiers M for first-year level
modules in psychology begin with PYC1. Modules presented during the asecond-year level of
study are numbered in the 200 series. Therefore the module identifiers tfor second-year level
modules begin with PYC2, and the third-year level modules begin with PYC3.
e
r
` The module has three main components
i
1. The administrative component a
2. The assessment component and l
3. The instructional component
e
s
o
10 u
r
c
PYC1501/101
The administrative and assessment components of the module consist of:
Tutorial Letter 101: This tutorial letter explains administrative processes and procedures
important for studying the module. It also contains assignments 01, 02
and 91 as well as the examination preparation (assignment 92 or self-
test).
Tutorial Letter 201: This tutorial letter contains the answers and further feedback discussion
on assignment 01.
Tutorial Letter 202: This tutorial letter contains the answers and feedback discussions on
assignment 02 and the self-test. It also contains information on exam
preparation.
Prescribed textbook: The prescribed textbook contains resource material required for
executing the learning opportunities presented in the Study Guide (PYC1501).
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Module learning method
Learning The module learning method is the process that the learner should follow to
process achieve the module outcomes. The learning process is guided by the idea
that learning happens in a more efficient and effective way if information is
studied for the purpose of practical application. One learns best if knowledge
is selected and applied in particular situations. One should not sit with the
prescribed textbook for hours trying to learn one chapter after another without
a particular goal in mind because this is not how people learn in real life. In
real life people learn new things because they need to know those things in
order to do something.
Learning Sometimes the learner has to work through a substantial amount of resource
opportunities material to complete an application task. When this is the case further
in the Study learning opportunities are provided to help the learner work through the
Guide- resource material. These learning opportunities are provided in the Study
Section B Guide Section B.
Title The title is a short heading indicating the meaning and/or content of the
learning opportunity.
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Unique The learning opportunity’s unique identifier enables the learner to locate the
identifier learning opportunity. The first part of the learning opportunity’s identifier is
the section of the Study Guide in which the learning opportunity appears.
The second part is a unique combination of three letters. Learning
opportunities are arranged alphabetically (except in section A of the Study
Guide PYC1501, where they are arranged in the sequence required by the
study programme). The letter combination determines the alphabetical
order. For example, LO A1501-HCW comes before LO A1501-POP in
Section A of the Study Guide PYC1501. Note: LO is the abbreviation for the
term, learning opportunity.
Outcome The outcome product definition of the learning opportunity has the following
product components:
definition a description that indicates the expected outcome of the learning efforts
a standard that indicates the minimum standards that the outcome
product must comply with and,
assessment criteria that indicate what the learner has to do to prove
his/her competency with regard to the outcome product.
Method The method definition indicates a way to achieve the outcome product.
definition The method definition of a learning opportunity has the following components:
one or more tasks, each consisting of one or more activities and, references
to the resources required for the execution of the tasks.
SG CONTENT
Section A Learning opportunities for the application of psychological
knowledge
Section B Learning opportunities for exploring topics in the field of
psychology
8. ASSESSMENT
8.1 Assessment criteria
The students are assessed by means of two assignments and the examination. The value of the
two assignments contributes 20% for the year-mark and the examination contributes 80%
towards the final mark. The topics are assessed in terms of terminology, constructs, theory, and
critical perspectives.
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8.2 Assessment plan
The marking of the assignments is computerised. Assignments are seen as part of the learning
material for this module. Looking at the assessment criteria given for each assignment will help
you understand what is required of you more clearly.
There are three assignments for Basic Psychology. You will find these assignments in this
tutorial letter 101. Please refer to the assignment info in my Studies @ Unisa for general
assignment information and rules.
(Please note that you have to submit the assignments ONLY for the semester you are
registered. Thus, if you are registered for semester 1, then submit the assignments for
semester 1 ONLY).
From Study Guide Section A: SEC.A-RIG, SEC.A-CFS, SEC.A-PPR, SEC.A-DPP, and SEC.A-
POP.
From Study Guide Section B: SEC.B-01, SEC.B-02, SEC.B-03, SEC.B-04, and SEC.B-05.
FROM A-Z:
Note that you have to submit assignment 01 and at least one of the remaining assignments to
gain examination admission.
- Intelligence (3 sub-sections)
- Emotion (6 sub-sections)
- Learning (4 sub-sections)
- Personality (3 sub-sections)
- Memory
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Assignment 91: This assignment is a course-evaluation assignment. It consists of 50 multiple-
choice questions concerning your experience of the course material. The aim of the assignment
is to reflect on what you have learned and why you enjoyed (or why you did not enjoy) certain
learning experiences.
Assignment 92: Apart from the assignments you also receive a self-test. You cannot submit
the self-test for evaluation. Please use the self-test to determine how well you are prepared for
the examination.
Year-mark: An average of assignments 01 and 02 counts 20% towards the year mark. This
year mark will contribute towards the final mark. Assignment 91 does not contribute towards the
year mark.
You will receive feedback on your assignments as well as the self-test. Feedback on
assignment 01 is provided in Tutorial Letter 201. Feedback on assignment 02 and the self-test
is provided in Tutorial Letter 202. You get the answers to the questions, as well as further
discussion of these answers. You will receive two kinds of feedback: (1) a computer printout
showing your own answers, the correct answers, and the mark you obtained, (2) a tutorial letter
with detailed feedback about each question. Assignment 91 does not have any feedback.
Each assignment has a unique number. Please make sure that you indicate this number
according to the assignment that you have to submit.
Do your assignments while you study, and submit them well before the closing dates. Do not
contact the department of Psychology to request an extension of time. This is because the
marking has to resume on a set date. Credits are automatically deducted for late submissions of
the assignments.
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8.4 Submission of assignments
Assignment submission by post: The postal address is: Assignments (PYC1501), The
Registrar (Academic), UNISA, PO Box 392, Unisa 0003.
Assignment submission via myUnisa: Visit the Unisa home page at http://www.unisa.ac.za and
go to myUnisa for a detailed explanation. Please note: assignments may not be submitted
by fax or e-mail. Should you encounter problems in submitting an assignment on myUnisa, you
may contact the help line at: [email protected]
Go to myUnisa.
Log in with your student number and password.
Select the module.
Click on assignments in the menu on the left-hand side of the screen.
Click on the assignment number you wish to submit.
Follow the instructions.
(Please note that you must submit the assignments ONLY for the semester you are
registered. Thus, if you are registered for semester 1, then submit the assignments for
semester 1 ONLY).
SEMESTER 1 ASSIGNMENTS
Note: This assignment is compulsory. You must submit this assignment to gain
examination admission.
Question1
Which of the following combination of statements about the nature of impulse conduction are
correct?
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The correct answer is:: :
1. A, B, D, and E
2. B, C, D, and E
3. A, B, C, and E
4. A, C, D, and E
Question 2
During impulse conduction the resting membrane potential occurs when the sodium ions are . . .
charged and the potassium ions are . . . charged. The total electrical charge on the inside of the
membrane is . . . charged.
Question 3
Which one of the following neurotransmitters helps to control aggression and appetite?
1. Endorphin
2. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
3. Acetylcholine
4. Dopamine
Question 4
The opening across which one neuron communicates with another neuron is known as the . . .
1. threshold
2. channel
3. synaptic cleft
4. membrane
Question 5
Which of the following illustrates the correct sequence of events in the process of synaptic
transmission?
1. Nerve impulse stimulates the terminal bouton - Neurotransmitter diffuses across synaptic
cleft - Vesicles attach to presynaptic membrane
2. Nerve impulse stimulates the terminal bouton - Transmitter deactivated by bouton -
Electrical changes in receiving cell
3. Nerve impulse stimulates terminal bouton - Neurotransmitters attach to receptors -
Neurotransmitters cross synaptic cleft
4. Nerve impulse stimulates terminal bouton - Vesicles attach to the membrane -
Neurotransmitters are released - Neurotransmitters attach to receptors on postsynaptic
membrane
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Question 6
1. regulating temperature
2. memory
3. planning
4. relaying sensory information
Question 7
Complete the following statement by choosing the correct options from the list below: “The . . .
activates the body while the . . . restores normal functioning”.
Question 8
Susan tends to always fall asleep during group discussions. One group member asks why
Susan always falls asleep and you explain to the group that Susan is suffering from a sleep
disorder called . . .
1. catalepsy
2. sleep apnea
3. insomnia
4. narcolepsy
Question 9
Question 10
One of your groupmate on myUnisa gives a brief description on the nature of sleep. After the
description the tutor says that three statements are incorrect. The tutor then asks you to identify
the correct statement about sleep.
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Question 11
Stimulants act by increasing alertness, boost energy and activity and produce a pleasant
feeling. Which of the following is an example of a stimulant?
1. Marijuana
2. Alcohol
3. Ecstasy
4. Caffeine
Question 12
Psychologists and therapists have used hypnosis in various settings for specific purposes. The
chief characteristic of hypnosis is . . .
1. increased suggestibility
2. enhanced creativity
3. improved memory
4. heightened ability to concentrate
Question 13
When you wake up and clearly remember what you were dreaming about, what stage of sleep
have you woken up?
1. S-sleep
2. phase 3 sleep
3. D-sleep
4. phase 4 sleep
Question 14
What type of reasoning refers to the process of drawing a conclusion that follows logically from
two or more statements or premises?
1. Logical reasoning
2. Inductive reasoning
3. Critical reasoning
4. Deductive reasoning
Question 15
Conceptual errors can lead to errors of thinking. Which of the following is not an example of
conceptual errors?
1. All-or-nothing thought
2. Stereotypes
3. Prototypes
4. Oversimplification of complex concepts
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Question 16
Your tutor asks your group to explain how informal reasoning differs from formal reasoning. One
student answers: “formal reasoning is logical whereas informal reasoning is illogical.” This
answer is . . .
1. correct
2. incorrect, because formal reasoning is based on premises and conclusions
3. incorrect, because formal reasoning is based on inductive and deductive reasoning
4. incorrect, the difference is that premises and conclusions are explicitly stated in formal
reasoning but usually not so in informal reasoning
Question 17
When John came back from a party in the middle of the night, he found that the electricity was
off in the house. Because the doorway was dark, John decided to try each key to open the door.
In this case, John used . . . to open the door.
1. heurestic strategy
2. trial and error strategy
3. insight
4. inductive reasoning
Question 18
Critical reasoning consists of a variety of attitudes, procedures and skills. Which of the following
is not part of critical reasoning?
Question 19
Which of the following is not one of the steps in the process of problem-solving?
1. Gaining insight
2. Identify the problem and define it clearly
3. Explore various strategies
4. Explore possible solutions
Question 20
A white shirt may look slightly grey when viewed in a shade, but you still perceive it as white.
Which type of perceptual constancy refers to this phenomenon?
1. Constant brightness
2. Constant shape
3. Constant size
4. None of the above
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Question 21
We have a tendency to group elements that are close together as though they represent a
meaningful figure. Which aspect of perceptual organisation is operative here?
1. Principle of closure
2. Perceptual constancy
3. Principle of symmetry
4. Principle of proximity
Question 22
You are walking through the garden and you smell the scent of the flowers. Your friend tells you
that your olfactory nerve has been triggered. Of which sensory system does the olfactory nerve
form a part?
1. Proprioceptive system
2. Chemical system
3. Auditory system
4. Somaesthetic system
Question 23
The use of hierarchical concepts helps us to classify things and make sense of our world. Items
such as apples, bananas, tomatoes, and onions are classified at . . . level(s) of classification.
1. subordinate
2. superordinate
3. intermediate
4. 1 and 3
Question 24
A critical point which determines whether a stimulus is intense enough to lead to a sensory
experience is called…
1. a differential threshold
2. an absolute threshold
3. a receptor potential
4. a generator potential
Question 25
When sensory information is received in the brain, the process of interpreting and making
meaning is called . . .
1. sensation
2. adaptation
3. perception
4. transduction
End of assignment 01
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Semester 1: Assignment 02 (Unique number: 781604)
Note: You must submit assignment 01 before you can submit this assignment.
Question 1
Rifumo says that she finds tasks to be easier with practice no matter how difficult they may be
after the first try. This is an example of . . . intelligence.
1. interpersonal
2. emotional
3. intrapersonal
4. experiential
Question 2
Which of the following statements is correct about emotional intelligence? People with high
emotional intelligence are able to . . .
Question 3
Your neighbour asked you to explain the probability that her twin daughters who are living apart
would get similar scores on intelligence test. Your explanation is based on the research findings
that children who are more likely to obtain similar scores on an intelligence test are the . . .
Question 4
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Question 5
Which one of the following criteria is incorrect for identifying primary emotions?
Question 6
Which of the following provides the correct sequence in the experience of emotion according to
Schacter’s two-factor theory?
Question 7
Which of the following statement(s) is (are) correct about motivation and emotions?
Question 8
Question 9
Which one of the following is not associated with the cognitive appraisal theory of emotion?
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Question 10
Emotions are usually expressed in body language or non-verbal behaviour. This is an example
of . . . component of emotion.
1. cognitive- perceptual
2. behavioural
3. social
4. physiological
Question 11
1. Social learning
2. Cognitive learning
3. Classical learning
4. Observational learning
Question 12
1. Shakira does not want to put on her sunglasses but she eventually puts them on to avoid
the sun
2. Every time Sarah is cheeky, she is sent to her room
3. Themba did not do well in a test so his mother has reduced his television viewing time
4. Every time you pass your psychology assignment, your parents buy you a gift
Question 13
1. To pick up a glass of water, then a spoon and then a dish-cloth lying on the floor
2. To dive from a high diving-board
3. To get the soccer ball from the goalkeeper and pass it to the strikers
4. To cut a diamond to show off its beauty
Question 14
Thembi ate spoiled apples and now she feels nauseous whenever she sees a packet of apples.
Which of the following describe(s) this state of affairs?
1. The sight of a packet of apples acts as an unconditioned stimulus for becoming nauseous
2. Eating spoiled apples was an unconditioned stimulus for becoming nauseous
3. Becoming nauseous at the sight of a packet of apples is a classically conditioned response
4. 2 and 3
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Question 15
1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Reproduction
4. Association
Question 16
You are teaching your dog to catch a ball and bring it back to you. On every third occasion that
the dog brings the ball back, you give him a biscuit as a reward. What kind of reinforcement
schedule are you using?
Question 17
The method of improving memory by summarising aloud while you are learning is called . . .
1. serial position
2. recitation
3. whole learning
4. space practice
Question 18
The tutor asked you to name the country that hosted the 2014 FiFA Soccer World Cup and you
said you cannot think of the name then but you would remember it in a minute or so. This
indicates a problem with . . .
1. recognition
2. decay of information
3. storage of information
4. retrieval
Question 19
The term . . . refers to the process of being unable to retrieve the information stored in memory.
1. forgetting
2. memory decay
3. retrieval
4. interference
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Question 20
The . . . memory system refers to the storing of explicit, factual information whereas . . . memory
system deals with actions, conditioned responses and implicit memories.
1. non-declarative; semantic
2. short-term; declarative
3. long-term; short-term
4. declarative; non-declarative
Question 21
The . . . monitors and regulates the information needed for reasoning and problem solving.
1. visuospatial sketchpad
2. phonological loop
3. executive control system
4. long-term memory
Question 22
You are about to call your friend when you hear a knock on your door. After opening the door
you don’t remember who you wanted to call and why. The reason that you forgot is due to . . .
Question 23
Sam’s personality test results indicate that he is an extrovert. Extroversion describes Sam’s . . .
1. temperament
2. personality type
3. character
4. self-concept
Question 24
The term . . . refers to the manner in which people express and deal with their emotions.
1. character
2. personality
3. temperament
4. trait
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Question 25
According to research, people with . . . personalities are at high risk for developing coronary
heart disease.
1. Type A
2. Type B
3. hardy
4. 1 and 3
End of assignment 02
Assignment 91 (Course-evaluation)
Note: You have to submit assignments 01 and 02 before you can submit this assignment. This
assignment does not have any feedback, and does not contribute towards a year-mark.
The following statements are about the learning tasks in general for the whole course. In each case
please indicate your response to each of these statements. In other words:
A Please indicate how you feel about each of the learning opportunities listed below
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4 Learn to provide an expert opinion
Remember to:
End of assignment 91
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SEMESTER 2 ASSIGNMENTS
Note: This assignment is compulsory. You must submit this assignment to gain
examination admission.
Question 1
Which of the following combination of statements about the nature of impulse conduction are
correct?
Question 2
The tutor explains the nature of impulse transmission and asks you to complete the following
sentence: Stimulus intensity is to impulse frequency as . . . is to the amplitude of the impulse.
1. a synapse
2. conduction speed
3. intensity of light stimulus
4. diameter of the nerve fibre
Question 3
During the group discussion, one student mentions that neurons can send impulses
continuously. You say that this statement is . . .
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Question 4
In the hindbrain, the part that prevents the brain from over-stimulation and maintains an optimal
arousal level for brain functioning is called . . .
1. medulla oblongata
2. cerebellum
3. pons
4. reticular formation
Question 5
Which part of the brain distributes motor fibres to the muscles and conveys somato-sensory
information to the brain?
1. Thalamus
2. Somatic nervous system
3. Spinal cord
4. Spinal afferent nerves
Question 6
Question 7
Low serotonin level is associated with . . . just as dopamine deficiency is associated with
Parkinson’s disease.
1. seasonal depression
2. muscle spasm
3. suppression of pain
4. mania
Question 8
While spending time with his friends John suddenly collapsed and could not move. John is
suffering from a sleep disorder called . . .
1. catalepsy
2. insomnia
3. sleep apnea
4. narcolepsy
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Question 9
Which of the following refers to the condition of breathing difficulties during sleep, whereby an
individual wakes up gasping for breath, and then goes back to sleep?
1. Insomnia
2. Catalepsy
3. Sleep apnea
4. Narcolepsy
Question 10
James got hold of some drugs at school and decided to use them. After few minutes of taking
drugs, James entered a dreamlike state and started to experience distorted sensory
experiences and imaginary visions and realities. What type of drugs induce this kind of mental
state?
1. Inhalants
2. Stimulants
3. Hallucinogens
4. Depressants
Question 11
Question 12
Question 13
When you wake up and clearly remember what you were dreaming about, what stage of sleep
have you woken up from?
1. S-sleep
2. phase 3 sleep
3. phase 4 sleep
4. D-sleep
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Question 14
The tutor gives your group a task to explain what problem-solving is. Which of the following
statements should be included in the explanation?
Question 15
Peter wants to see the movie at 20:00. He reasons that he must be in the queue around 19:30
to get a seat. He also works out that it would take him about 15 minutes to find the parking slot
and another five minutes to walk from the parking to the movie house and 30 minutes to drive
from his home to the parking. So he works out that he must leave home around 18:30 to get to
the ticket office on time. Which of the following methods did Peter apply to solve his problem of
time calculation?
1. Analogic analysis
2. Analysing the available means to attain the desired goal
3. Analysing the steps necessary to attain the desired goal
4. Checklist analysis
Question 16
1. On the basis of high humidity, James states that it could rain later tonight
2. After making some observations at the crime scene, detective Sherlock Holmes formed a
theory about who might have committed the crime
3. If Emily studies very hard, she will pass her psychology exam
4. 1 and 2
Question 17
Critical reasoning consists of a variety of attitudes, procedures and skills. Which of the following
is not part of critical reasoning?
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Question 18
The tutor asks you to think of different possible uses for an old car tyre. You suggest that an old
car tyre could be used as a flowerpot in the garden. This is an example of . . .
1. cognitive complexity
2. convergent thinking
3. divergent thinking
4. insight
Question 19
Zodwa has failed the psychology exam and decided to ask the lecturer to give her a pass mark
because of her difficult personal circumstances. Which fallacy in reasoning is Zodwa using
here?
Question 20
A process of perceptual organisation that refers to our tendency to group elements in a way that
creates a balanced figure refers to the principle of . . .
1. symmetry
2. contour
3. continuity
4. similarity
Question 21
You are watching a six-year-old child playing with Lego toy blocks. He starts arranging the
blocks according to their shapes and sizes. What principle of perceptual grouping is the child
using?
1. Principle of symmetry
2. Principle of proximity
3. Principle of similarity
4. Principle of continuity
Question 22
1. Attention is an automatic process that takes place below the awareness level
2. There are external and internal determinants of attention
3. People cannot pay attention to more than one thing at a time
4. Parallel processing is easier when two or more tasks require an individual to pay close
attention
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Question 23
When sensory information is received in the brain, the process of interpreting and making
meaning is called . . .
1. sensation
2. adaptation
3. transduction
4. perception
Question 24
The brain’s ability to process incoming information rapidly and without any level of awareness to
enable a person to respond quickly to potentially important events is called . . .
1. monitoring
2. perceptual organization
3. generator potential
4. sensation
Question 25
End of assignment 01
Note: You must submit assignment 01 before you can submit this assignment.
Question 1
There has been a debate in psychology about the role played by the environment and heredity
in intelligence. This led to the emergence of the “nature versus nurture” controversy. Which of
the following theorists coined the term “nature versus nurture” about intelligence?
1. Galton
2. Gardner
3. Spearman
4. Sternberg
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Question 2
Rifumo says that she is able to evaluate and understand her emotions and those of others. This
is an example of . . . intelligence.
1. interpersonal
2. emotional
3. intrapersonal
4. experiential
Question 3
Question 4
Which one of the following statements about the nature of intelligence is incorrect?
Question 5
Question 6
Cindy is creative, peaceful, silent and submissive. Arny is intelligent, aggressive, hardy and an
achiever. Solomon is sensitive to the feelings of others, persistent, self-motivating and
controlled. Resh is witty, extrovert, anxious and rational. Which one of these four friends is
emotionally intelligent?
1. Arny
2. Cindy
3. Solomon
4. Resh
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Question 7
Thapelo’s mother asks why her son scored low on an intelligence test while his friend who lives
in the same community, scored high. Your explanation is based on the findings that children
that have . . . are less likely to obtain similar scores on an intelligence test.
Question 8
Which of the following is a possible explanation for the finding that highly creative people often
do not perform well on traditional tests of intelligence?
Question 9
Question 10
1. Social learning
2. Operant learning
3. Cognitive learning
4. Discovery learning
Question 11
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Question 12
1. To pick up a glass of water, then a spoon and then a dish-cloth lying on the floor
2. To dive from a high diving-board
3. To get the rugby ball from the scrum and pass it to the fly-half
4. To cut a diamond to show off its beauty
Question 13
Michael’s parents have decided to punish him for using bad language at home and at school.
They decided to stop this behaviour by taking away 50 cents from his pocket money every time
he swears. Within a month Michael’s swearing has almost disappeared. What type of learning is
illustrated in this scenario?
1. Observational learning
2. Operant learning
3. Cognitive learning
4. Social learning
Question 14
Remembering how to ride a bicycle many years after you first learned to ride, is an example of .
..
1. semantic memory
2. explicit memory
3. episodic memory
4. procedural memory
Question 15
The tutor asks you the name of the country that hosted the 2014 FIFA Soccer World Cup and
you say: “I cannot think of the name now but I will remember it in a minute or so.” This indicates
a problem with . . .
1. retrieval
2. recognition
3. decay of information
4. storage of information
Question 16
The term . . . refers to the process of being unable to retrieve the information we have stored in
memory.
1. encoding
2. forgetting
3. retrieval
4. decay
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Question 17
The . . . memory system deals with actions, conditioned responses and implicit memories.
1. declarative
2. procedural
3. non-declarative
4. long-term
Question 18
1. phonological loop
2. visuospatial sketchpad
3. executive control system
4. long-term memory
Question 19
A person who is able to cope with stress by means of personal commitment, taking control over
the situation, and see challenges rather than problems can be described as having . . .
Question 20
1. The most important traits are motivational traits related to our values
2. Personality is made up of cardinal, central and secondary traits
3. The core of human nature can be described in terms of five basic personality factors
4. Source traits represent underlying personality characteristics
Question 21
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Question 22
Dimensions such as general activity level, sociability, impulsivity, and emotionality are part of . .
. of a person.
1. traits
2. character
3. temperament
4. self-esteem
Question 23
Question 24
Emotions are usually expressed in body language or non-verbal behaviour. This is an example
of . . . component of emotion.
1. cognitive- perceptual
2. physiological
3. social
4. behavioural
Question 25
Which of the following statement(s) about emotions and motivation is (are) incorrect?
End of assignment 02
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Assignment 92 (Self-test)
Question 1
You logged onto the internet because you wanted to book a holiday. Your phone rings and you
talk for 10 minutes with an old friend. After the conversation, you don’t remember what you
wanted to do on the internet. The reason that you forgot is due to . . .
1. interference
2. ineffective selection
3. lack of rehearsal
4. poor organisation
Question 2
A strong smell may seem less intense as time passes by. This is because receptor cells get
tired of firing in response to continuous presentation of a stimulus. This process is called . . .
1. habituation
2. sensory adaptation
3. transduction
4. sensation
Question 3
Question 4
Emotions are usually expressed in body language, whereby bodily gestures and facial
expressions are used to show a variety of emotions. This is a … of emotions.
1. physiological component
2. psychological component
3. cognitive-perceptual component
4. behavioural component
Question 5
Many researchers use four criteria to identify primary emotions. Which of the following is not a
criterion for identifying primary emotions?
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Question 6
Thandi is 13 years old. The intelligence test results show that Thandi can perform all the tasks
designed for children of 14 years old, half of the tasks for children of 15 years old. Therefore,
Thandi’s mental age is . . .
1. 13 years
2. 13 years, 6 months
3. 14 years
4. 14 years, 6 months
Question 7
Question 8
1. postsynaptic gap
2. threshold
3. action potential
4. resting potential
Question 9
Question 10
Which of the following refers to the condition of breathing difficulties during sleep, whereby an
individual wakes up gasping for breath, and then goes back to sleep?
1. Insomnia
2. Catalepsy
3. sleep apnea
4. narcolepsy
End of assignment 92
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9 OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS
There are no other assessment methods for this module.
10 EXAMINATION
The nature of The examination is a two-hour paper consisting of 50 multiple-choice
the questions based on the information provided in the Study Guide as well as
examination the prescribed resource textbook (A-Z). Further information about the
paper examination and the self-test is provided in Tutorial Letter 202, which you
will receive later. Refer to my Studies @ Unisa brochure for general
examination guidelines and examination preparation guidelines.
Examination You need to submit the compulsory assignment 01 to be allowed to sit for
the examination. We, however, strongly advise you to complete and submit
admission all the assignments because the assignments are designed to help you in
your studies.
Pass mark The marks you score in the examination paper are converted to a
percentage point (a mark out of 100). You must obtain at least 50% to pass
the examination. Note that the final mark is an average of 20% year mark
and 80% examination mark.
What if I fail? Examinations for first semester are written in May/June with the
supplementary examinations being written in October/November.
Examinations for the second semester are written in October/November with
the supplementary examinations being written in May/June of the following
year. Please see my Studies @ Unisa containing general Information and
rules for full details of examination regulations.
12 SOURCES CONSULTED
The source for this module is the prescribed textbook.
13 CONCLUSION
Tutorial letters contain important information about your studies. It is therefore, important to
read all tutorial letters when you receive them and to keep them in a safe place. This first
tutorial letter (Tutorial Letter 101) contains valuable general information for this module. Keep
this tutorial letter at hand - you will have to use it more often. The other tutorial letters contain
information about feedback on assignments, and examination information.
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14 ADDENDUM
You will be notified if any addendum is available for this module.
15 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
15.1 Invitation to visit the website of New Voices in Psychology
Previous exam papers are made available on myUnisa at certain times. Therefore, we suggest
that you make use of the previous examination papers in terms of familiarizing yourself with the
structure of the examination when preparing for the examinations. Please note that past
examination papers do not form part of your 2018 syllabus. Therefore we do NOT discuss past
examination papers and we do NOT provide model answers for previous examination papers.
Also, please note that we cannot take responsibility for changes in syllabi emphasis or content
not reflected in past papers.
Make sure your The ability to communicate in a professional manner is an important aspect of
communication graduateness. Professional communication means:
is professional o to know exactly what your enquiry is about
o to make an effort to ensure you contact the right person, and
o to communicate in a formal, friendly and courteous manner.
It is unprofessional:
o to start a telephone conversation with: “Hi, I wonder whether you could
help me . . . ’’, or: “Oh, finally you answer your phone”, or “Just quickly tell
me . . .”
o to write an email without indicating who the message is addressed to
o to launch into accusations without first establishing the facts of the matter
o to use threatening, derogatory and abusive language
Unprofessional Please note that the teaching team will not accept unprofessional
communication communication. Such communication will be returned with an indication that
is not the communication is unprofessional and therefore unacceptable.
acceptable
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