APPSC Paper I · Probation Officer Paper II: Psychology · Topic 10

10 APPSC Paper I Intelligence and Aptitude questions with answers

24 questions from APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology question paper with answers and APPSC DPO Psychology Mock 1 with answers. Try each one, then tap Show answer.

Previous-paper questions are as in the original paper. Medha AI wrote the answers and explanations.

10.1Nature and theories of intelligence; emotional and artificial intelligenceNotes

  1. Q1 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q84

    Which among the following is not the indicator of intelligence?

    1. AAbility to judge well
    2. BAbility to listen well
    3. CAbility to reason well
    4. DAdaptation to the environment
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Ability to listen well

    Binet described intelligence as the ability to judge, comprehend and reason well, and Wechsler stressed dealing effectively with the environment. Listening well is not listed as an indicator.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q87, final key

  2. Q2 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q85

    Which of the following approaches are represented by intelligence theories?

    1. Psychometric Approach

    2. Structural Approach

    3. Information processing approach

    1. A1 & 2
    2. B2 & 3
    3. C1 & 3
    4. D1, 2 & 3
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. 1, 2 & 3

    Theories of intelligence follow the psychometric approach (factor theories), structural approaches (models of the structure of intellect) and the information-processing approach.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q88, final key

  3. Q3 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q86

    Choose your answer based on the statements given below.

    Assertion (A): The major focus of the information processing approach is on how an intelligent person acts.

    Reason (R): The Information processing approach emphasises studying cognitive functions underlying intelligent behaviour.

    1. ABoth the A and R are true, and the R is a correct explanation of the A
    2. BBoth A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
    3. CA is true, but the R is false.
    4. DA is false, but the R is true.
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Both the A and R are true, and the R is a correct explanation of the A

    The information-processing approach studies the cognitive processes behind intelligent behaviour, so its focus is how an intelligent person acts. R explains A.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q89, final key

  4. Q4 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q87

    Match the following:

    NameTheory
    1. BinetAHierarchical model of intelligence
    2. SternbergBPrimary mental abilities
    3. JansenCTriarchic theory
    4. ThurstoneDUni-factor theory
    1. A1-D, 2-C, 3-A, 4-B
    2. B1-D, 2-A, 3-C, 4-B
    3. C1-B, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A
    4. D1-C, 2-A, 3-D, 4-B
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. 1-D, 2-C, 3-A, 4-B

    Binet gave a uni-factor view (general ability), Sternberg the triarchic theory, Jensen a hierarchical model (Level I and Level II abilities) and Thurstone the primary mental abilities.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q90, final key

  5. Q5 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q94

    Which of the multiple intelligences refers to the abilities involved in forming, using, and transforming mental images?

    1. AKinesthetic intelligence
    2. BSpatial intelligence
    3. CNaturalistic intelligence
    4. DLogical-mathematical intelligence
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Spatial intelligence

    In Gardner's theory, spatial intelligence is the ability to form, use and transform mental images.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q97, final key

  6. Q6 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q95

    In Artificial intelligence domain the parallel distributed processing (PDP) model is related to which of the following paradigms which means the use of artificial neural networks to explain the mental abilities of humans?

    1. AConnectionism
    2. BNeural networking
    3. CSynaptic networking
    4. DAssociationism
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Connectionism

    The parallel distributed processing model (Rumelhart and McClelland) belongs to connectionism, which uses artificial neural networks to explain mental abilities.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q98, final key

  7. Q7 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q88

    Which of the following is NOT one of the components of emotional intelligence described by Daniel Goleman?

    1. AAbstract reasoning
    2. BEmpathy
    3. CSelf-regulation
    4. DSelf-awareness
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Abstract reasoning

    Goleman's components are self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills. Abstract reasoning is a cognitive (IQ-type) ability.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  8. Q8 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q91

    Match the following items given in List-I with the items given in List-II.

    List – I (Psychologist)List – II (Contribution)
    a. Charles Spearman1. Structure of intellect
    b. L. L. Thurstone2. Fluid and crystallised intelligence
    c. J. P. Guilford3. General and specific factors
    d. Raymond Cattell4. Primary mental abilities
    1. Aa-3, b-4, c-1, d-2
    2. Ba-2, b-1, c-4, d-3
    3. Ca-3, b-4, c-2, d-1
    4. Da-4, b-3, c-1, d-2
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. a-3, b-4, c-1, d-2

    Spearman – g and s; Thurstone – primary mental abilities; Guilford – structure of intellect; Cattell – fluid and crystallised intelligence.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  9. Q9 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q94

    In Sternberg's componential subtheory, the higher-order processes used to plan, monitor and evaluate problem solving are called

    1. AMetacomponents
    2. BPerformance components
    3. CKnowledge-acquisition components
    4. DGroup factors
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Metacomponents

    Metacomponents are the executive processes; performance components carry out the plan; knowledge-acquisition components learn new information.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  10. Q10 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q97

    E. L. Thorndike distinguished which three kinds of intelligence?

    1. AFluid, crystallised and general
    2. BComponential, experiential and contextual
    3. CVerbal, numerical and spatial
    4. DAbstract, mechanical and social
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. Abstract, mechanical and social

    Thorndike, who saw intelligence as many specific abilities (multifactor view), named abstract, mechanical (concrete) and social intelligence.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

10.2Giftedness and intellectual disability

  1. Q11 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q88

    Who among the following defined that retardation as 2 mental age years below the chronological age?

    1. Alfred Binet

    2. Theodore Simon

    3. William Stern

    1. A1 only
    2. B3 only
    3. C1 & 2
    4. D1 & 3
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. 1 & 2

    Binet and Simon judged a child as retarded if the mental age was two years below the chronological age. Stern later introduced the IQ ratio.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q91, final key

  2. Q12 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q90

    Which among the following is not the characteristic of the gifted child?

    1. ALarger attention span
    2. BGood recognition memory
    3. CConformist thinking
    4. DPreference for solitary academic activities
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. Conformist thinking

    Gifted children show long attention spans, strong memory, independent and divergent thinking and often enjoy working alone; conformist thinking is not typical of them.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q93, final key

  3. Q13 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q91

    According to American Association on Mental Deficiency to judge an individual as mentally retarded she/he should have IQ?

    1. A70 - 75
    2. B75 - 80
    3. C80 - 85
    4. DBelow 70
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. Below 70

    The AAMD treats an IQ below 70, together with deficits in adaptive behaviour, as the mark of mental retardation.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q94, final key

  4. Q14 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q92

    For the categorization of mental retardation which of the age range is considered as a developmental period?

    1. A0-12 years
    2. B0-16 years
    3. C0-18 years
    4. D16 to 24 years
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. 0-18 years

    The AAMD definition requires the deficits to show during the developmental period, up to 18 years of age.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q95, final key

  5. Q15 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q93

    Which of the following levels of mentally retarded people can work independently, hold jobs and families?

    1. AModerate
    2. BMild
    3. CProfound
    4. DSevere
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Mild

    Mildly retarded people (IQ about 55-70) can work independently, hold jobs and raise families.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q96, final key

  6. Q16 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q90

    Match the level of intellectual disability (List I) with what an adult at that level can usually do (List II).

    List I:

    • A. Mild
    • B. Moderate
    • C. Severe
    • D. Profound

    List II: 1. Needs constant care and supervision throughout life

    2. Learns simple self-care and basic speech under close supervision

    3. Reaches about sixth-grade academic skills and can live independently

    4. Learns self-care and simple work skills; works in a sheltered setting

    1. AA-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
    2. BA-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
    3. CA-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
    4. DA-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1

    Mild: about sixth-grade skills, jobs and families. Moderate: self-care and simple work in sheltered settings. Severe: basic self-care and speech with supervision. Profound: lifelong constant care.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  7. Q17 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q93

    In educational terms, children with moderate intellectual disability have traditionally been described as -

    1. AEducable
    2. BCustodial
    3. CTrainable
    4. DGifted
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. Trainable

    The older educational labels were educable (mild), trainable (moderate) and custodial (severe and profound).

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  8. Q18 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q96

    India's Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 replaced the term 'mental retardation' used in the 1995 Act with -

    1. AMental illness
    2. BIntellectual disability
    3. CMental deficiency
    4. DLearning backwardness
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Intellectual disability

    The RPwD Act, 2016 lists intellectual disability (including specific learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder) as a specified disability, replacing the 1995 Act's 'mental retardation'.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  9. Q19 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q99

    Cretinism, which leads to stunted growth and intellectual disability, is due to -

    1. AExcess of growth hormone in childhood
    2. BAn extra copy of chromosome 21
    3. CDeficiency of thyroid hormone in early life
    4. DRubella infection in adulthood
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. Deficiency of thyroid hormone in early life

    Cretinism is congenital hypothyroidism; iodine deficiency in the mother is a major cause, and early thyroid treatment prevents it.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

10.1Measurement of intelligence and aptitudeNotes

  1. Q20 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q89

    In IQ formula what is the basic purpose of using 100?

    1. ATo calculate percentage point
    2. BTo arrive at number understandable to all
    3. CTo avoid decimal point
    4. DTo create uniformity in representing intelligence
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. To avoid decimal point

    IQ = (mental age / chronological age) x 100; multiplying by 100 removes the decimal point.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q92, final key

  2. Q21 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q89

    Which statement about individual intelligence tests is incorrect?

    1. AThey are given to one person at a time by a trained examiner
    2. BThey save time and money compared with group tests
    3. CThe examiner can observe the person's mood, effort and behaviour
    4. DThey suit young children and people who cannot read
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. They save time and money compared with group tests

    Individual tests (Stanford–Binet, Wechsler) allow rapport and observation but need trained examiners and more time; group tests (Army Alpha) test many people at once.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  3. Q22 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q92

    Match the following items given in List-I with the items given in List-II.

    List – I (Test)List – II (Developed by)
    a. Progressive Matrices1. Robert Yerkes and associates
    b. Culture Fair Intelligence Test2. Florence Goodenough
    c. Draw-a-Man Test3. J. C. Raven
    d. Army Alpha Test4. Raymond B. Cattell
    1. Aa-4, b-3, c-2, d-1
    2. Ba-3, b-4, c-1, d-2
    3. Ca-3, b-4, c-2, d-1
    4. Da-2, b-4, c-3, d-1
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. a-3, b-4, c-2, d-1

    Raven – Progressive Matrices (1938); Cattell – Culture Fair Intelligence Test; Goodenough – Draw-a-Man (1926); Yerkes' committee – Army Alpha (1917).

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  4. Q23 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q95

    The Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale (1916), an American revision of Binet's test, was prepared by

    1. AEdward Thorndike
    2. BHenry Goddard
    3. CArthur Jensen
    4. DLewis Terman
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. Lewis Terman

    Terman's Stanford–Binet of 1916 was the first test to report results as IQ.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  5. Q24 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q98

    The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) is meant for

    1. AAdults above sixteen years
    2. BYoung children of about two and a half to seven years
    3. CSchool children of six to sixteen years
    4. DElderly people above sixty-five years
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Young children of about two and a half to seven years

    Wechsler scales by age: WPPSI (young children), WISC (6–16 years), WAIS (adults).

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

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