Deck 1: Introduction and Research Methods

Question 1

The textbook describes the plight of 33 trapped Chilean miners.Which aspect(s)of this situation would most interest a psychologist,and why?

A) the miners' actions,such as praying or screaming; because psychology is the science of behavior
B) the miners' thoughts and feelings; because psychology is the study of mental processes
C) the potential for the miners to develop post-traumatic stress disorder; because psychology emphasizes mental disorders
D) all of these aspects; because psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes

Answer 1

all of these aspects; because psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes

Question 2

Which professional is MOST likely to have a master's degree as her most advanced credential?

A) a psychiatrist
B) a counseling psychologist
C) a mental health counselor
D) a clinical psychologist

Answer 2

a mental health counselor

Question 3

When psychologists want to describe behavior,they:

A) project future behavior.
B) shape desirable behavior.
C) observe behavior systematically.
D) make sense of behavior.

Answer 3

observe behavior systematically.

Question 4

Research focused on changing behaviors or outcomes is called _____ research.

A) basic
B) practical
C) experimental
D) applied

Question 5

Organizing and making sense of behavioral observations is central to psychology's goal of:

A) description.
B) prediction.
C) control.
D) explanation.

Question 6

Brenda says,"Psychology is the study of behavior." Chase responds,"No,psychologists study emotions." Which statement BEST evaluates these two remarks?

A) Brenda's statement is too broad; Chase's is too narrow.
B) Brenda's statement is too narrow; Chase's is correct
C) Brenda's statement is correct; Chase's is incorrect.
D) Brenda's statement is too narrow.Chase's is also too narrow.

Question 7

The largest area of specialization in psychology is _____ psychology.

A) developmental
B) clinical/counseling
C) educational
D) social/personality

Question 8

With respect to the goals of psychology,understanding behavior is to applying findings as _____ is to _____.

A) describing; controlling
B) explaining; controlling
C) explaining; describing
D) controlling; explaining

Question 9

Psychology is defined as the:

A) study of mental processes.
B) scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
C) study of mental disorders and their treatment.
D) science of behavior.

Question 10

With respect to the goals of psychology,prediction is to projecting outcomes as _____ is to _____.

A) explanation; making observations
B) explanation; applying findings
C) description; making observations
D) description; applying findings

Question 11

Whether a field of study is a science is determined by the:

A) credentials of those who specialize in that field.
B) methods used to collect information in that field.
C) technological sophistication of the equipment used in that field.
D) subject matter of that field.

Question 12

An MD is to a PhD as a _____ is to a _____.

A) psychiatrist; clinical psychologist
B) clinical psychologist; psychiatrist
C) clinical psychologist; counseling psychologist
D) counseling psychologist; clinical psychologist

Question 13

Which proportion BEST approximates the percentage of psychologists who provide therapy?

A) one-quarter
B) one-third
C) one-half
D) three-quarters

Question 14

Beatriz has just received her doctoral degree in psychology.In which setting is she MOST likely to find employment,all else being equal?

A) academia
B) a hospital
C) the military
D) a large corporation

Question 15

Which statement BEST expresses the relationship between psychology and the study of behavior?

A) The study of behavior is part of psychology.
B) Psychology does not include the study of behavior; it focuses on the mind.
C) The study of behavior is the same thing as psychology.
D) At one time,psychology was defined as the study of behavior.It is now considered the science of the mind.

Question 16

Akira has declared psychology as his major.He will be studying:

A) mental processes.
B) behavior.
C) mental disorders and their treatment.
D) behavior and mental processes.

Question 17

In the context of psychology's goals,observe is to describe as understand is to:

A) analyze.
B) predict.
C) control.
D) explain.

Question 18

Shaping and modifying behavior is the essence of psychology's goal of:.

A) control.
B) prediction.
C) explanation.
D) description.

Question 19

Which of these individuals is MOST likely to be a psychiatrist?

A) Dionne,who holds a PhD degree
B) Everett,who has an MD degree
C) Fallon,who graduated with a PsyD degree
D) Greta,who has an MS degree

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT one of the goals of psychology?

A) to explain
B) to analyze
C) to predict
D) to control

Question 21

"He wanted to do for psychology what the Periodic Table of the Elements did for chemistry," lectures a psychology professor.To whom is the professor MOST likely referring?

A) Edward Titchener
B) William James
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Abraham Maslow

Question 22

Lassandra takes a sip of cola."Sweet ...cold,wet,tingly ...slightly bitter," she reports.Lassandra is:

A) introspecting.
B) interviewing.
C) suffering a stroke.
D) taking an intelligence test.

Question 23

Dr.Leleux asserts that psychologists should attempt to identify the fundamental attributes of mental experience.Dr.Leleux appears most sympathetic to psychology's school of:

A) humanism.
B) behaviorism.
C) structuralism.
D) functionalism.

Question 24

The formal beginning of psychology is associated with:

A) William James.
B) Wilhelm Wundt.
C) Edward Titchener.
D) René Descartes.

Question 25

Which activity is NOT part of psychology's goal of explanation?

A) shaping behavior
B) noticing patterns
C) seeking clues in the literature
D) identifying causes

Question 26

The title of the American jazz classic "Body and Soul" echoes a view known as dualism,a view associated MOST prominently with the philosopher:

A) Plato.
B) René Descartes.
C) Aristotle.
D) Gustav Fechner.

Question 27

A psychologist is pursuing psychology's goal of _____ when she observes aggressive behavior among patrons in a bar.

A) description
B) prediction
C) explanation
D) control

Question 28

A psychologist advises a petroleum company on how to select offshore oil rig workers who are likely to comply with safety regulations.The psychologist is pursuing psychology's goal of:

A) description.
B) prediction.
C) explanation.
D) control.

Question 29

Whereas the philosopher _____ believed that humans possessed some innate knowledge,the philosopher _____ believed that all knowledge is derived from experience.

A) Plato; Aristotle
B) Aristotle; Plato
C) Aristotle; Descartes
D) Descartes; Plato

Question 30

The saying "mind over matter" reflects a philosophical view called _____,which is associated with _____.

A) dualism; René Descartes
B) empiricism; Aristotle
C) dualism; Aristotle
D) empiricism; René Descartes

Question 31

Which statement BEST expresses the aim of functionalism?

A) It seeks to identify what the mind contains.
B) It seeks to understand the purpose of thought processes,feelings,and behaviors.
C) It seeks to determine how mental experience is organized.
D) It seeks to understand the influence of the unconscious mind.

Question 32

Planning research,making observations,and communicating findings are all part of psychology's goal of:

A) description.
B) explanation.
C) prediction.
D) control.

Question 33

Which of the following statements BEST expresses the fate of structuralism in psychology?

A) It triumphed over alternative ones.
B) It was supplanted by other views.
C) Its importance has waned slightly,but it remains highly influential today.
D) It continues to coexist with other views in psychology.

Question 34

A procedure in which an observer describes the simple elements of a complex experience in as much detail as possible is called:

A) inner perception.
B) subjective perception.
C) internal observation.
D) introspection.

Question 35

In which answer is the philosopher correctly paired with the concept with which he is associated?

A) Plato - empiricism
B) Aristotle - nativism
C) Aristotle - dualism
D) René Descartes - dualism

Question 36

_____ offered an alternative to structuralism in the early days of scientific psychology.

A) Humanism
B) The cognitive perspective
C) Functionalism
D) The psychoanalytic perspective

Question 37

With respect to the psychology of emotion,William James would be MOST interested in the:

A) contribution of unconscious memories to one's emotional experience.
B) observable behaviors associated with emotion.
C) way in which emotions aid one's adaptation to the environment.
D) basic nature of an emotional feeling or experience.

Question 38

It is the year 2029.At the American Psychological Association's annual conference,a special keynote address commemorates the 150th anniversary of a historic event in psychology's early days.What event is celebrated in the address?

A) Wilhelm Wundt founding the first psychology laboratory
B) Mary Whiton Calkins becoming the first female president of the APA
C) Edward Titchener opening a lab at Cornell University
D) John B.Watson establishing behaviorism

Question 39

Who was the first to suggest that the mind-body problem could be solved by studying sensation?

A) Plato
B) René Descartes
C) Gustav Fechner
D) Wilhelm Wundt

Question 40

Which location is associated with the formal beginning of psychology?

A) Vienna,Austria
B) Berlin,Germany
C) Leipzig,Germany
D) Cambridge,England

Question 41

An approach that attempts to explain behavior but is without empirical support is labeled:

A) parapsychology.
B) pop psychology.
C) pseudopsychology.
D) critical psychology.

Question 42

Dr.Greenway argues that psychology should focus on observable,measurable behavior.Dr.Cech suggests that psychology should study how people think and process information.Which option correctly pairs the psychologists with their respective perspectives?

A) Dr.Greenway - behavioral perspective; Dr.Cech -- cognitive perspective
B) Dr.Greenway - cognitive perspective; Dr.Cech - behavioral perspective
C) Dr.Greenway - psychoanalytic perspective; Dr.Cech - cognitive perspective
D) Dr.Greenway - behavioral perspective; Dr.Cech - psychoanaytic perspective

Question 43

In recent years,psychologists have identified potential differences in the brain anatomy of gay men and their straight counterparts.This finding supports the _____ perspective in psychology.

A) psychoanalytic
B) biological
C) sociocultural
D) cognitive

Question 44

Which psychologist helped pioneer the cognitive perspective?

A) George Miller
B) John Watson
C) Carl Rogers
D) Lev Vygotsky

Question 45

Owen is asked if he can identify a suspect in a lineup.He thinks his fear at the time of the crime may have impaired his memory for what the perpetrator looked like.This hypothesis would MOST likely be tested by a _____ psychologist.

A) behavioral
B) psychoanalytic
C) humanistic
D) cognitive

Question 46

In which answer is a psychologist NOT matched with the correct perspective?

A) Abraham Maslow - humanistic
B) B.F.Skinner - behavioral
C) Lev Vygotsky - biological
D) Sigmund Freud - psychoanalytic

Question 47

Which early female psychologist might be considered a developmental psychologist?

A) Mary Whiton Calkins
B) Margaret Floy Washburn
C) Mamie Phipps Clark
D) Elizabeth Loftus

Question 48

In which answer is a contemporary perspective correctly matched with its description?

A) psychoanalytic perspective - emphasizes people's motivation to grow and develop
B) cognitive perspective - emphasizes underlying conflicts
C) behavioral perspective - emphasizes learning through association,reinforcement,and observation
D) humanistic perspective - emphasizes the mental processes guiding behavior

Question 49

In the 1980s,research began questioning whether psychology's findings could be applied universally.This research sparked the ____ perspective.

A) cognitive
B) biological
C) sociocultural
D) evolutionary

Question 50

Currently,women earn ____ percent of the advanced psychology degrees in the United States.

A) 50
B) 65
C) 75
D) 90

Question 51

The cognitive perspective may be said to represent a reaction to the _____ view.

A) humanistic
B) behavioral
C) biological
D) evolutionary

Question 52

In which answer is a pioneering woman in psychology paired correctly with a "first"?

A) Mamie Phipps Clark - first woman of color to be awarded a PhD in Psychology
B) Christine Ladd Franklin - first female president of the APA
C) Margaret Floy Washburn - first woman of color to be awarded a PhD in Psychology
D) Mary Whiton Calkins - first woman to earn a PhD in psychology

Question 53

Noreen asserts that our behavior often reflects unconscious motives and conflicts.This viewpoint is MOST consistent with the _____ perspective in psychology.

A) psychoanalytic
B) cognitive
C) humanistic
D) biological

Question 54

The humanistic perspective represents a reaction to both the _____ and the ______ views.

A) psychoanalytic; cognitive
B) psychoanalytic; behavioral
C) behavioral; cognitive
D) behavioral; sociocultural

Question 55

At the heart of the humanistic perspective is the concept of:

A) free will.
B) environmental determinism.
C) natural selection.
D) unconscious conflict.

Question 56

Dr.Petrovic's goal is to help his clients channel their motivation for positive growth and to realize their potential.He is MOST likely a _____ therapist.

A) cognitive
B) humanistic
C) behavioral
D) psychoanalytic

Question 57

Dr.Franklin is examining the association between the experience of discrimination and self-esteem among children and adolescents.Her research reflects the pioneering work of _____,one of psychology's "founding mothers."

A) Elizabeth Loftus
B) Margaret Floy Washburn
C) Mary Whiton Calkins
D) Mamie Phipps Clark

Question 58

The advent of brain-imaging techniques has been a boon for the biological and _____ perspectives in modern-day psychology.

A) psychoanalytic
B) sociocultural
C) cognitive
D) humanistic

Question 59

Penny is a recovering drug addict.Her treatment program emphasizes the influence of stimuli and reinforcers in her environment-"people,places,and things"-on the use of her drug of choice.Her program reflects the _____ perspective in psychology.

A) sociocultural
B) cognitive
C) behavioral
D) psychoanalytic

Question 60

Perhaps the broadest,most integrative approach in psychology is the _____ perspective.

A) biological
B) psychoanalytic
C) humanistic
D) biopsychosocial

Question 61

In a scientific journal article,the abstract:

A) lists all the articles cited.
B) details the participants,materials,and procedures.
C) offers a brief description of the entire article.
D) interprets the results with respect to the hypothesis.

Question 62

Madame Oolong claims that she can answer questions about one's career,finances,and relationships by reading tea leaves.Madame Oolong practices:

A) psychology.
B) critical thinking.
C) a pseudopsychology.
D) a parapsychology.

Question 63

As Morgana writes her psychology article,she summarizes the scientific literature relevant to her hypothesis before she discusses her research; she is writing the article's:

A) discussion.
B) abstract.
C) introduction.
D) methods.

Question 64

Numerology is:

A) a critical psychology.
B) part of psychology.
C) a pseudopsychology.
D) a parapsychology.

Question 65

The process of weighing,synthesizing,and evaluating evidence is called _____ thinking.

A) critical
B) scientific
C) empirical
D) experimental

Question 66

Andrea is reading an introduction to a research report in psychology in which there is a general,comprehensive account of human aggression.Andrea is reading a(n):

A) theory.
B) hypothesis.
C) operational definition.
D) explanation.

Question 67

The first step in the scientific method is:

A) developing a hypothesis.
B) publishing findings.
C) developing a question.
D) designing a study.

Question 68

What is the relationship among psychology,pseudopsychology,and critical thinking?

A) Critical thinking is important in pseudopsychology but absent from psychology.
B) Critical thinking is important in psychology but absent from pseudopsychology.
C) Critical thinking is important in both psychology and pseudopsychology.
D) Psychology,pseudopsychology,and critical thinking are three different ways of understanding behavior.

Question 69

In a psychology journal article,the specific hypothesis tested in the research usually appears in the:

A) abstract.
B) introduction.
C) method section.
D) discussion.

Question 70

A list of all the articles cited appears at the end of a journal article in psychology.This list is called the:

A) reference list.
B) bibliography.
C) works cited list.
D) list of sources.

Question 71

Dr.Jensen is organizing and evaluating the evidence related to aggression in children.Dr.Jensen is engaged in ______ thinking.

A) pseudopsychological
B) critical
C) empirical
D) scientific

Question 72

In a scientific journal article,keywords:

A) outline relevant previous research.
B) briefly describe the entire article.
C) report the study's limitations.
D) identify the article's topics or themes.

Question 73

The major problem with pseudotheories is that:

A) they do not provide explanations for interesting questions.
B) they cannot be used to make accurate predictions.
C) they are rarely believable.
D) hypotheses cannot be derived from them.

Question 74

A hypothesis is BEST defined as a:

A) statement that can be used to test a prediction.
B) broad,general explanation of the phenomenon of interest.
C) specification of the precise manner in which a variable will be measured.
D) behavior,event,or other characteristic that can assume different values.

Question 75

An advertisement touts the muscle-building benefits of a new herbal supplement.Before she purchases the supplement,Jana investigates the credentials of the individuals testifying to its benefits and does research on the company that manufactures the supplement.She also searches the scientific literature for any controlled research that might attest to the action of the supplement.Jana is engaging in _____ thinking.

A) logical
B) analytical
C) high-level
D) critical

Question 76

The process psychologists use to conduct research is called:

A) critical thinking.
B) informed speculation.
C) the scientific method.
D) educated guessing.

Question 77

Numerology and astrology cannot tell us what will happen in the future.They therefore fail to achieve psychology's goal of:

A) describing.
B) predicting.
C) explaining.
D) controlling.

Question 78

"Opposites attract." "Birds of a feather flock together." These aphorisms make predictions and are therefore:

A) hypotheses.
B) variables.
C) theories.
D) operational definitions.

Question 79

Numerology is a:

A) science,because it seeks to identify patterns.
B) science,because its predictions are empirically verified.
C) pseudopsychology,because its predictions are not supported by observation.
D) pseudopsychology,because it does not share psychology's goals of prediction and explanation.

Question 80

In psychology,scientific journal articles generally begin with a brief description of the entire article.This description is called a(n):

A) summary.
B) abstract.
C) synopsis.
D) precis.