FRQ FRIDAY!

1. One of the most useful generalizations in psychology is that "behavior is adaptive." Explain this generalization and then identify each of the following and describe how each could be adaptive.

A. Repression
B. Loss of information from short-term memory.

2. Describe the psychological concept of expectancy or set. Discuss a specific example of how each expectancy or set affects each of the following.

A. Human perception
B. The effects of a psychoactive drug on a human
C. Memory

3. In a study, researchers use a photograph taken in a public park to examine how people perceive, learn, and remember information. In the photograph, a woman is standing near a man who is seated on a park bench. The woman appears to be shouting at the man.

Participants int he study are exposed to the photograph for ten seconds and then are shown, each for ten seconds, several other photographs of people interacting. When all the photos have been shown, the participants are asked about what they saw in the "public park" photo. A significant number of participants describe the man as being the aggressor in an apparent disagreement with the woman. Describe how each of the following concepts helps explain the perception of these participants.

A. Schema
B. Retroactive interference