but the example just describes an automatic thought about another person, not an example of the
fundamental attribution error being committed. The student establishes clearly that the thought is
“automatic” and nonconscious, but the example is not specific enough to the fundamental attribution error
to match the rubric.
POINT 7
Definition, Perceptual set
Scores in the third paragraph when the student says: “They are like rules that help our
brains figure out what to do with what we see, hear, etc.” This definition matches the
rubric requirement for the definition, since it implies that perceptual sets are predispositions to
perceiving sensations in certain ways. Notice that the first sentence comes close to a valid definition, but
the student uses the word “things,” which is too vague because it does not establish that these “things” are
cognitive rules, predispositions, and so on.
POINT 8
Description, Perceptual set
Scores in the third paragraph when the student says: “we don’t really know what these rules
are, and these perceptual set rules determine how we see the world around us even
though we aren’t aware of them.” This example matches the rubric requirement that students need
to describe how perceptual sets determine perceptions without our conscious choice or awareness.
POINT 9
Definition, Sensory Memory
Does NOT score. The student defines sensory memory in a very vague way in paragraph six, and the
definition does not match the rubric requirement. The student does not say that sensory memory is a split-
second holding area, and “sensory things” is too vague to imply sensory information.
POINT 10
Description, Sensory Memory
Scores in the sixth paragraph when the student says: “Everything that happens around us ends
up in sensory memory at least for a little while, so that happens outside our
conscious awareness.” This is a good example of how a student may not be able to define a concept
well, but does understand the concept well enough to apply it to lack of conscious awareness. The student
describes how all sensory events are encoded into sensory memory for a short time without our conscious
awareness. This matches the rubric requirement well and scores the point.
Overall, this essay scores 5 points out of 10.