Fixed Ratio Schedule, Display Rules, Conformity, and Acute Stress

Question 2

Four-year-old Pam and ten-year-old Sue are shown two rows of beads, as depicted in the picture below. Sue knows that both rows have the same number of beads. However, Pam insists that the bottom row has more beads.

a)      According to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, Pam and Sue are at different stages of cognitive development. Identify the stages that apply to Pam and Sue, and describe the differences between these stages that explain why the girls differ in their responses.

(15 marks)

b)      Peter is Pam’s twin brother. When Peter is shown the same two rows of beads, he agrees with Sue that both rows have the same number of beads. Briefly discuss how the criticisms against Piaget’s theory support this difference in cognitive development between the twins.

(15 marks)

Question 3

Jon worries about his exams and occasionally fears that he may not get good grades. Before going into the exam hall, he has a little ritual where he rubs a “lucky” coin that he has kept throughout his schooling years, and this helps to relieve the anxiety that he feels about the exam. At his previous exam, Jon could not find his lucky coin and he was greatly distressed. He could not concentrate on the exam and did badly

a)      Beyond the classic symptoms of severe psychopathology which include hallucinations and delusions, what qualifies as “abnormal” becomes a judgement call because there is no clear boundary that separates normal and abnormal thought and behaviour. Use your understanding of the general indicators of abnormality to explain whether or not Jon would likely be diagnosed with a psychological disorder.

(15 marks)

b)      Aside from Jon’s “lucky” coin, every time he handles money, he has the urge to wash his hands because he does not want to be contaminated by it. He would immediately wash his hands with soap at least five or six times each time he handles notes or coins. He would then sanitise his hands with copious amounts of hand sanitiser before he feels relieved. Identify which psychological disorder Jon’s behaviour resembles more – phobic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder, and explain your choice.

(15 marks)