Deck 1: Introducing the World of Psychology

Question 1

Talisa is writing a paper on critical thinking. She wants to explain how critical thinking differs from everyday thinking. Accordingly, which sentence is Talisa most likely to include in her paper about the differences between critical thinking and everyday thinking?

A) Critical thinking evaluates information and scientific research to make reasonable conclusions.
B) Everyday thinking evaluates information and scientific research to make reasonable conclusions.
C) Critical thinking relies on personal examples more than scientific evidence for making conclusions.
D) Critical thinking and everyday thinking often result in the same conclusions.

Answer 1

Critical thinking evaluates information and scientific research to make reasonable conclusions.

Question 2

According to the textbook, "friendly skepticism" is an important aspect in the type of reasoning called

A) functionalism.
B) introspection.
C) structuralism.
D) critical thinking.

Answer 2

critical thinking.

Question 3

Barry states that psychology is the study of mental activity. Candace remarks that psychology is the science of behavior. Which is the correct evaluation of these two statements?

A) Barry's definition is correct; Candace's definition is incorrect.
B) Barry's definition is correct; Candace's definition is correct.
C) Taken together, the statements are correct.
D) Barry's definition is incorrect; Candace's definition is correct.

Answer 3

Taken together, the statements are correct.

Question 4

Which of the following is the best description of the mind, according to your textbook?

A) all of your intuitions
B) your conscience and sense of morality
C) your education, experiences, and beliefs
D) the sum total of your mental activity

Question 5

Dr. Andersen only relies on using holistic methods such as aroma therapy and mindfulness to treat her patients who have depression. Based on these experiences, Dr. Andersen submits a paper to a journal, where it is peer-reviewed and then published. Which of the following is one possible reason to question her results?

A) Her results may be biased because she is relying only on her own experiences.
B) Peer-reviewed journals are notoriously unreliable.
C) The accuracy of her study depends on whether her findings align with common sense.
D) There is no reason to question her results; because she is a scientist, her results must be accurate.

Question 6

You are confident that your new roommate is a critical thinker after noticing the following bumper sticker on his car:

A) "Show me the evidence!"
B) "The only truth is no truth."
C) "Trust your gut!"
D) "What is the meaning of life?"

Question 7

The purpose of psychology is to

A) understand and predict human behavior.
B) verify personal beliefs.
C) help us to respond to the world around us.
D) interpret memories, thoughts, and dreams.

Question 8

How are the act of riding a roller coaster and the fear experienced while riding the roller coaster related?

A) Riding a roller coaster is an intentional behavior and the experienced fear is an instinctual behavior.
B) Riding a roller coaster is a behavior and the experienced fear is a related mental activity.
C) Riding a roller coaster is a behavior and the experienced fear is a psychological disorder.
D) Riding a roller coaster is a mental activity and the experienced fear is a behavior.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of critical thinking?

A) believing that sugar causes headaches because your head hurts after you eat a candy bar
B) concluding that eating spinach leads to a longer life after seeing an ad for spinach on television
C) using a personal example to explain the importance of time management
D) concluding that exercise is beneficial after evaluating the evidence of a research study

Question 10

Actions that result from sensing and interpreting information are called

A) psychological functions.
B) emotions.
C) thoughts.
D) behaviors.

Question 11

Allanah has declared psychology as her major. Because of this, Allanah will most likely study

A) the structure and function of the brain.
B) mental disorders and their treatment.
C) feelings, memory, and other inner states.
D) mental activity, behavior, and the brain.

Question 12

Why do scientists avoid the term fact?

A) Intuition regarding a claim is more likely to be correct.
B) Facts depend on one's own experience and opinion.
C) New evidence can change how claims are interpreted.
D) Beliefs lead to more important findings than facts do.

Question 13

Which of the following is one way to determine if a piece of information is a pseudofact?

A) Determine if the information is true by asking your friends and peers.
B) Locate the source of the claim while remaining skeptical of unreliable sources, like the Internet.
C) If the information feels like it is true and it aligns with your opinion, then it is not a pseudofact.
D) There is no way to tell if a piece of information is a pseudofact.

Question 14

Which of the following is the best definition of psychology?

A) the study of the brain and its inner function
B) the analysis of the mind and its unconscious thoughts
C) the study of mental activity and behavior based on brain processes
D) the study of thoughts, social interactions, and emotions

Question 15

Both behavior and mental activity rely primarily on

A) processing in the brain.
B) subjective experience.
C) the month in which someone was born.
D) one's personality.

Question 16

Why is the first step in critical thinking to ask, "What is the claim I am being asked to accept?"

A) because some claims are so obvious that there is no need for evaluation
B) so that you can evaluate the claim at face value
C) because if the claim fits what you already believe, then you can ignore it
D) because before you can evaluate a claim, you have to recognize and identify it

Question 17

Critical thinking is best defined as thinking that

A) systematically evaluates information.
B) criticizes others' opinions.
C) is open-minded and creative.
D) uses inferences but does not solve problems.

Question 18

What recent advances have helped scientists to better understand the functions of the brain?

A) better nutrition and greater access to improved medications
B) improved therapeutic techniques and methods
C) improved scanning and brain imaging tools
D) better access to psychiatric patients for research

Question 19

"Friendly skepticism" means

A) finding flaws in an argument or claim.
B) being open to new ideas, while also being careful before accepting them.
C) asking a scientist to make his or her findings public so that they can be better evaluated.
D) accepting all claims, as long as they are based on the scientific method.

Question 20

Which of the following is true of objective evidence?

A) Objective evidence refers to information that is not influenced by personal feelings.
B) Objective evidence refers to information that is influenced by personal feelings, beliefs, intuitions, or opinions.
C) Because objective evidence relies on beliefs, personal experience, or intuition it is not important for critical thinking.
D) There is no difference between personal beliefs and objective evidence; both are equally important for critical thinking.

Question 21

Which of the following statements best describes how psychology is useful?

A) Much of psychology is just common sense.
B) Much of psychology is about applying common sense to everyday life.
C) Psychological principles are highly applicable to everyday life.
D) Psychological principles are too scientific to apply to everyday life.

Question 22

Dualism is the classic idea in psychology that

A) the mind and the brain are separate entities.
B) the mind and the brain are the same entity.
C) the mind and the brain are opposing forces.
D) there is no mind, just the brain.

Question 23

The psychologist most closely associated with the school of functionalism is

A) Sigmund Freud.
B) Wilhelm Wundt.
C) Edward Titchener.
D) William James.

Question 24

How did the ancient Greeks and Romans know that the brain was the part of the body essential for normal functioning?

A) They performed carefully controlled experiments similar to those conducted by modern scientists.
B) They assumed the brain was important based on knowledge passed down from earlier civilizations.
C) They observed that people who had suffered blows to the head often lost consciousness or had behavioral changes.
D) They assumed that the heart was the center of the body responsible for normal functioning.

Question 25

The philosopher who promoted dualism as an explanation of the mind/body problem was

A) William James.
B) Charles Darwin.
C) René Descartes.
D) Sigmund Freud.

Question 26

Which of the following questions is debated by both early philosophers and psychologists?

A) Are mental activity and behavior a result of nature or nurture?
B) Are the mind and soul separate or distinct?
C) Is the brain essential for normal mental functioning?
D) Do people have an immortal soul?

Question 27

The concept of nurture includes both ________ and ________.

A) experience; culture
B) genes; metabolism
C) mind; body
D) culture; genes

Question 28

Which of the following has been a topic of discussion and curiosity since the ancient Greeks?

A) dualism
B) structuralism
C) the nature/nurture debate.
D) cognitive psychology

Question 29

Rebecca evaluates a claim and finds scientific evidence in support of the claim. Why should she still use her own logic and reasoning in deciding whether to accept the claim as true?

A) Only research that has been shown to be valid and replicated by other researchers is published in scientific journals.
B) Even research published in peer-reviewed journals can have flaws in the analysis of or methods behind the research.
C) There is no reason for Rebecca to use her own logic and reasoning; scientific evidence is seldom incorrect.
D) Rebecca's intuition should be the ultimate means of establishing whether the evidence is strong.

Question 30

In the nature/nurture debate, the term nature refers to the question of how ________ factors affect the mind, brain, and behavior.

A) biological
B) environmental
C) either biological or environmental
D) conscious or unconscious

Question 31

René Descartes's idea of dualism, that the mind and body are separate, was based largely on ________ beliefs of his time.

A) scientific
B) biological
C) religious
D) humanistic

Question 32

Structuralism is a school of psychology introduced by

A) Edward Titchener.
B) William James.
C) Charles Darwin.
D) Sigmund Freud.

Question 33

Freddy and Mary Anne are having a disagreement about the nature/nurture debate. Freddy correctly says, "Actually, the 'nature' portion of the debate refers to how a person thinks and acts and is a result of

A) early education."
B) inborn influences."
C) prenatal experiences."
D) cultural norms."

Question 34

Jeremy is studying for his final exam. Lauren has taken psychology and gives him a good tip about the best way to study. She correctly says,

A) "Be sure to cram in your studying during the night before the final exam."
B) "As you study, connect the information to something personal."
C) "Memorize bold terms by writing and rewriting the definitions."
D) "Study in the morning right before the exam deadline, because stress improves learning."

Question 35

Functionalism is the school of thought concerned with

A) the structures of the mind.
B) the adaptive purposes of the mind and behavior.
C) how unconscious conflicts can lead to mental disorders.
D) how the presence of others influences behavior.

Question 36

With respect to the nature/nurture debate, psychologists now believe that ________ is/are important in understanding the mind, brain, and behavior.

A) nature
B) nurture
C) both nature and nurture
D) neither nature nor nurture

Question 37

The school of psychology known as ________ used introspection to study the basic elements of mental experiences.

A) functionalism
B) behaviorism
C) cognitivism
D) structuralism

Question 38

Modern psychologists reject Descartes's dualism and instead have shown that the mind is

A) a reflexive process.
B) a result of biological activity in the brain.
C) less complex than Descartes thought.
D) intertwined with the body, but separate from it.

Question 39

Early psychologists and philosophers have debated whether a person's thought and actions were primarily due to nature or nurture. This debate is no longer a focus of psychology because

A) the debate has been resolved: how a person thinks and acts is primarily due to nature.
B) the debate has been resolved: how a person thinks and acts is primarily due to nurture.
C) psychologists now realize that both nature and nurture influence psychological traits.
D) psychologists now realize that neither nature nor nurture influence psychological traits.

Question 40

You are discussing your psychology class with your aunt Annalise. She asks you, "Can psychology really help people study?" You correctly answer,

A) "Not really; psychologists generally agree that the field of education is better suited to provide people with techniques for studying."
B) "Yes; psychological studies have shown that cramming before an exam can improve memory."
C) "Yes; psychology provides us with techniques for improving memory and understanding."
D) "It depends; psychology can enhance students' learning, but most people will have difficulty using psychology to help them study."

Question 41

Structuralists investigated the conscious parts of the mind by having a person describe the elements of their mental experience in as much detail as possible. This technique is known as

A) introspection.
B) inner perception.
C) psychoanalysis.
D) individual analysis.

Question 42

According to structuralism, the goal of psychology is to

A) uncover the unconscious determinants of behavior.
B) focus on observable behavior itself.
C) explore the basic elements of the conscious experience.
D) identify the purposes of our behavior and mental processes.

Question 43

The person who is most closely associated with the study of the unconscious is

A) Sigmund Freud.
B) William James.
C) Wilhelm Wundt.
D) B.F. Skinner.

Question 44

Charles Darwin's observations on how individuals adapt to an environment through natural selection had the strongest influence on which of the following schools of thought?

A) structuralism
B) Gestalt theory
C) functionalism
D) psychoanalytic theory

Question 45

Noreen believes that our behavior often reflects unconscious motives and conflicts. This viewpoint is most consistent with the ________ approach in psychology.

A) psychoanalytic
B) structuralist
C) cognitive
D) behaviorist

Question 46

The unconscious mind influences human behavior, according to

A) structuralism.
B) psychoanalytic theory.
C) functionalism.
D) Gestalt theory.

Question 47

The psychologist who would be mostly likely to focus on mental functions, such as problem solving and decision making, would be a

A) behaviorist.
B) cognitive psychologist.
C) psychoanalyst.
D) humanistic psychologist.

Question 48

According to functionalism, the purpose of the human mind is

A) something we may never fully understand.
B) to overcome unconscious, animalistic desires.
C) to help preserve human life over time.
D) related to human happiness and fulfillment.

Question 49

Four early psychologists suddenly appear in your psychology department. Who would be most discouraged to hear that modern psychology places a lot of emphasis on the study of mental processes?

A) Sigmund Freud
B) Wilhelm Wundt
C) Edward Titchener
D) John Watson

Question 50

Gestalt psychology was developed based on the idea that a person's experiences are more than just the collection of various parts or elements of consciousness. This idea is in direct contrast with the ________ approach.

A) functionalist
B) psychoanalytic
C) cognitive psychology
D) structuralist

Question 51

Psychoanalysis is a type of psychological treatment to resolve unconscious conflicts that cause mental disorders. This treatment was developed by

A) Wilhelm Wundt.
B) Sigmund Freud.
C) William James.
D) Edward Titchener.

Question 52

The theories of Sigmund Freud and his followers

A) state that behavior can be altered by the application of reinforcement and punishment.
B) emphasize the functions or adaptive purposes of the mind.
C) emphasize the concept that the whole is different from the sum of its parts.
D) state that much of human behavior is determined by the unconscious.

Question 53

Dr. Leleux believes that psychologists should focus on identifying the basic elements of mental experience. Dr. Leleux's beliefs are most closely matched with the school of thought called

A) functionalism.
B) behaviorism.
C) structuralism.
D) Gestalt theory.

Question 54

Which statement best captures historical trends in cognitive psychology?

A) Before the 1980s, cognitive psychology emphasized the mind; today, it focuses mostly on behavior.
B) Before the 1980s, cognitive psychology emphasized the mind; today, it focuses mainly on the brain.
C) Before the 1980s, cognitive psychology emphasized the brain; today, it focuses on the mind along with the brain.
D) Before the 1980s, cognitive psychology emphasized the mind; today, it focuses on both the mind and the brain.

Question 55

Which of the following questions do behaviorists attempt to answer?

A) Is behavior influenced by mental processes?
B) Which is more important, the parts or the unified whole?
C) Can unconscious conflicts be fully resolved?
D) How does the environment influence behavior?

Question 56

The psychological approach that emphasizes the role of the environment in influencing behavior is

A) humanism.
B) cognitive.
C) behaviorism.
D) Gestalt theory.

Question 57

If you are asked to list all the thoughts and experiences you have while answering a test question, you would be engaging in

A) critical thinking.
B) psychoanalysis.
C) skepticism.
D) introspection.

Question 58

The person who established the first psychology laboratory, which marked the beginning of experimental psychology, was

A) Wilhelm Wundt.
B) Sigmund Freud.
C) William James.
D) Edward Titchener.

Question 59

Gestalt theory is based on the idea that

A) the whole is different from the sum of its parts.
B) the environment affects behavior.
C) social situations influence behavior.
D) science should be used to understand therapy.

Question 60

Your uncle John always argued, "Stop studying mental events that cannot be directly observed!" Which school of thought would most likely agree with your uncle John?

A) cognitive
B) behaviorism
C) Gestalt
D) psychoanalytic

Question 61

The subfield of cognitive psychology focuses on

A) groups, relationships, and workplace interactions.
B) personality, gender, and self-concept.
C) norms, beliefs, and values.
D) thinking, memory, and attention.

Question 62

In the scientific method, a specific, testable prediction about a theory is called

A) a hypothesis.
B) empiricism.
C) a variable.
D) a theory.

Question 63

Dr. Ebrahim examines how children's friendships change through the elementary and middle school years. Dr. Ebrahim is a(n) ________ psychologist.

A) developmental
B) personality
C) cognitive
D) organizational

Question 64

Dr. Growe is reading an article discussing the effect of group size on the conformity of group members. Dr. Growe is most likely reading the Journal of ________ Psychology.

A) Developmental
B) Social
C) Cultural
D) Personality

Question 65

Your nephew is fascinated with human memory and the strategies that help people remember large amounts of information. If he were to become a psychologist, you suspect that he would be best suited for a career in

A) industrial/organizational psychology.
B) cognitive psychology or neuroscience.
C) developmental psychology.
D) clinical psychology.

Question 66

The type of psychologist who studies how people are affected by the presence of others is called a ________ psychologist.

A) developmental
B) cultural
C) social
D) clinical

Question 67

If Mike wants to use the scientific method, he would use all of the following elements EXCEPT

A) focusing on a theory.
B) stating a hypothesis.
C) using a research method.
D) recalling his personal experiences.

Question 68

Which of the following is a specific, testable prediction?

A) a theory
B) a hypothesis
C) a correlation
D) introspection

Question 69

Daniel is highly interested in workplace training and job placement. He would probably be most interested in speaking to a(n) ________ psychologist.

A) counseling
B) clinical
C) industrial/organizational
D) developmental

Question 70

Psychologists work in many settings. Which are the two main areas?

A) business and government
B) health care settings and private practice
C) government and private practice
D) universities and health care settings

Question 71

A set of interconnected ideas that psychologists use to explain prior research findings and to make predictions about the future is called (a)n

A) theory.
B) hypothesis.
C) literature review.
D) replication.

Question 72

Susannah observes the world around her and measures various aspects of it to gain new knowledge. Susannah is learning about the world by using

A) descriptive statistics.
B) a theory.
C) a hypothesis.
D) empiricism.

Question 73

Dr. Alvarez studies how the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain might contribute to the development of multiple sclerosis. Dr. Alvarez's work best exemplifies the ________ subfield of psychology.

A) cognitive
B) experimental
C) developmental
D) biological

Question 74

You are having a difficult time deciding whether to switch career paths. To help cope with this challenge in your professional life, you should seek help from a ________ psychologist.

A) personality
B) social
C) developmental
D) counseling

Question 75

George is looking for a research project. To get started, he could make use of an existing theory because

A) theories are shown to be true, so subsequent research is successful.
B) one of the benefits of theories is that they lead to testable hypotheses.
C) a theory can be successfully replicated by researchers.
D) theories lead to successful research.

Question 76

Four psychologists, each from a different psychological perspective, are eating dinner. They notice their waitress is crying. When the waitress leaves, they each provide an explanation for why she is crying. What did the humanistic psychologist most likely say?

A) "She is struggling with psychological blockages from unconscious conflicts."
B) "She thinks her job is harming her personal growth and preventing her from realizing her full potential."
C) "She was probably punished by her boss, or denied some expected reward."
D) "She is concerned about her biological clock and that she will not be able to pass on her genes."

Question 77

Which psychological approach focused on the ability of people to choose activities that make them feel happy and bring them fulfillment?

A) humanistic psychology
B) behaviorism
C) gestalt psychology
D) functionalism

Question 78

Why are schools of thought in psychology less important today?

A) Psychology has fully explained human behavior and mental activity.
B) Mental activity and behavior must be examined from many different perspectives.
C) All of the schools of thought were equally correct.
D) None of the schools of thought was correct.

Question 79

Psychologists who study, assess, and treat individuals with psychological disorders are called ________ psychologists.

A) school
B) personality
C) clinical
D) cognitive

Question 80

The shared beliefs, values, rules, and customs that exist within a group make up a person's

A) society.
B) culture.
C) civilization.
D) community.