Exam 1: Introduction and Research Methods

The dependent measure(s) obtained in Crum and Langer's hotel experiment was (were):

Researchers who were interested in the effects of alcohol consumption on perceived attractiveness of members of the opposite sex randomly assigned participants to two groups. Each participant in the first group received a fruit flavored drink containing a set amount of alcohol and those in the second group received an identical tasting drink with no alcohol. Next, the participants viewed pictures of members of the opposite sex and rated their attractiveness on a scale of 1 to 10. Why did the researchers include a group that drank a nonalcoholic beverage that tasted identical to the alcoholic beverage?

In striving to identify and understand consistent patterns of behavior, psychologists are _____. That is, they are willing to consider new or alternative explanations of behavior and mental processes.

Briefly describe the steps in the scientific method.

One limitation of the experimental method is that experiments are often conducted in highly controlled laboratory environments and thus may have little to do with actual behavior.

Independent variable is to dependent variable as deliberately varied is to measured.

The experimental method is a research method used to demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships by purposely manipulating one factor thought to produce change in another factor.

Which early school of psychology examined how psychology could be applied to education, child rearing, and the work environment?

Physiology is a branch of biology that studies the functions and parts of living organisms, including humans.

Psychologists who counsel students, perform assessments, and help teachers, school administrators, and parents understand how children learn and develop are known as _____ psychologists.

Dr. Professor has used a relatively new technique called the fMRI scan to examine changes in the brain that occur with age. Dr. Professor most likely subscribes to the _____ perspective of psychology.

Psychologists' open-minded attitude is tempered by a healthy sense of scientific _____. That is, psychologists critically evaluate the evidence for new findings, especially those that seem contrary to established knowledge.

The _____ perspective of psychology emphasizes the importance of unconscious influences and early life experiences in explaining the underlying dynamics of behavior.

Psychologists' open-minded attitude is tempered by a healthy sense of scientific skepticism. That is, psychologists critically evaluate the evidence for new findings, especially those that seem contrary to established knowledge.

Participants in the control group receive none of the experimental conditions except the independent variable or treatment variable.

Both the functionalists and the structuralists thought that psychology should focus on the study of conscious experiences.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is one type of brain-imaging technology discussed in the Focus on Neuroscience feature in Chapter 1, along with MRI, fMRI, and PET scans.

What were the independent variable and the dependent variables in Crum and Langer's hotel experiment?

Of the psychological studies conducted in the United States that use animals, which animals are most commonly used?

Freud's landmark theory of psychoanalysis became the basis for which perspective in contemporary psychology?