Exam 1: The Science of Psychology

A research method in which the real-life behavior of a pre-selected person is studied at an in-depth level for some time through the use of observation, interviews, and writings (such as letters) is the __________ method of research.

While on a visit to a large city, you observe several billboards in which a series of lights seems to move. Which perspective in psychology would most likely help you understand this phenomenon?

Misaki was sent to the school psychologist to be tested. Based on her IQ scores, it was decided that she would do well in the gifted child program. This is an example of which goal of psychology?

In an experiment, a researcher manipulates one variable to see how it affects a second variable. The manipulated variable is called the __________.

In the definition of psychology, the term behavior means __________.

The placebo effect means __________.

Based on her review of relevant scientific studies, Dr. Tanaka believes that there is a relationship between the frequency of a baby's crying and whether it was nursed at set intervals or on a demand schedule. If this belief were tested by experimentally manipulating feeding schedules, the feeding schedule would be called the __________.

What is random assignment?

To determine if sugar-rich diets affect hyperactivity in kids, a researcher prepared two daily menus that children would receive for a 30-day period. A high-sugar diet was given to the boys, while the girls had a menu that seemed identical but was not a high-sugar diet. At the end of 30 days, the boys and girls were evaluated to determine their levels of hyperactivity. In this study, the high-sugar diet is the __________.

As part of a psychology experiment, Santiago decides to measure a person's "anxiety" by noting the number of blinks a person makes in a 20-minute social interaction with a stranger. Santiago appears to have offered a(n) __________ of anxiety.

The question "What is happening?" refers to which of the following goals in psychology?

In an experiment on the effects of level of motivation on the performance of typists, the researcher randomly assigned one-third of her subjects to each of three levels of motivation (and then induced different levels of motivation in the three groups). She measured the average words typed per minute by each group, and found that performance was highest under medium motivation, average under low motivation, and worst under high motivation. What was the independent variable in this experiment?

Jake's car broke down and smoke started rising from the engine. He felt lucky to have broken down while parked in the center of town during lunch hour, when many people were outside and could help. However, 30 minutes has passed and despite the heavily populated area, nobody has offered assistance. Jake's experience is an example of the __________.

In addition to describing and explaining mental processes and behavior, psychology also attempts to __________ these phenomena.

You overhear psychology students preparing for a test. They note that one of the research methods often "fails to generalize." Which method is the MOST likely topic of their discussion?

__________ was an early proponent of functionalism.

Which of the following statements concerning the field of psychology is correct?

Zoe wanted to study the effects of having the oldest child in a family go off to college. She decided to use her own family after her brother left for a college in Spain. She took notes each day on her parents' behavior and kept a diary on her own reactions. Zoe was using the technique called __________.

The first step in any scientific investigation is __________.

A teacher tells the school psychologist that Billie is late to class, does not turn in her homework, squirms around a lot in her seat, and swings her feet constantly. This is an example of which goal of psychology?