Deck 1: The Science of Psychology

Question 1

After completing a one-year-long research project, Dr. Singh is ready to make his research findings known to others. To determine whether Dr. Singh's research is worthy to be shared with the professional community, his next step would MOST likely involve the:

A) peer review process.
B) critical thinking analysis.
C) hypothesis generation.
D) critical appraisal.

Answer 1

peer review process.

Question 2

Dr. Cunningham is conducting a study to determine if loneliness and lack of a support system could be contributing factors to a compromised immune system. Dr. Cunningham MOST likely has a research specialization in _____ psychology.

A) health
B) comparative
C) physiological
D) clinical

Answer 2

health

Question 3

Psychology is the:

A) study of the brain.
B) study of behaviors.
C) scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
D) study of the mind.

Answer 3

scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Question 4

Generally speaking, applied psychologists _____, whereas basic research psychologists _____.

A) conduct real-world studies; conduct therapy
B) practice; run studies
C) prescribe medications; conduct assessments
D) teach classes; practice counseling

Question 5

The pseudopsychology known as _____ stated that features of the face such as your eyelids, cheekbones, and shape of your lips revealed personality characteristics and mental abilities.

A) phrenology
B) physiognomy
C) mesmerism
D) spiritualism

Question 6

In-depth research in which the sample consists of just one person, or a small group, is called a(n):

A) naturalistic observation.
B) case study.
C) laboratory observation.
D) experimental observation.

Question 7

The research specialization in which psychologists focus on how people change throughout the lifespan is known as:

A) personality psychology.
B) developmental psychology.
C) social psychology.
D) health psychology.

Question 8

Reggie wants to study attitudes toward sexual harassment and whether people's self-reported attitudes will be different in the presence of predominantly male versus predominantly female groups. Reggie would MOST likely be a _____ psychologist.

A) social
B) personality
C) community
D) comparative

Question 9

Clairvoyants, fortunetellers, palm readers, and séance conductors all belong to which pseudopsychology?

A) phrenology
B) physiognomy
C) mesmerism
D) spiritualism

Question 10

_____ is a psychological perspective that emphasizes measuring observable actions.

A) Psychoanalysis
B) Functionalism
C) Humanism
D) Behaviorism

Question 11

Psychologists are conducting _____ research when they are conducting scientific studies simply to describe a characteristic of the population.

A) correlational
B) experimental
C) descriptive
D) nondescriptive

Question 12

A defense attorney hired Dr. Hannibal to assist with jury selection in a high-profile murder case. Dr. Hannibal's specialty is MOST likely in _____ psychology.

A) clinical
B) forensic
C) counseling
D) educational

Question 13

As an evolutionary psychologist, Dr. Shein would MOST likely posit that aggression:

A) is a trait that may have increased our ancestors' chances of survival.
B) is learned from one's family and peers.
C) results from conflict deep in one's unconscious mind.
D) is due to unusually high activity of certain brain regions.

Question 14

Dr. Suki was conducting a study on a new antidepressant. Half of the participants were given the new drug and the other half were given an inactive drug. Dr. Suki found that the group given the new antidepressant was reporting less depression, and the group given the inactive drug was also reporting less depression. That the group given the inactive drug was also reporting less depression, most likely due to:

A) a mistake.
B) trickery.
C) random assignment.
D) the placebo effect.

Question 15

According to the American Psychological Association, which of the following statements is MOST accurate?

A) There are far more females earning graduate degrees in psychology than males.
B) Members of ethnic minority groups now comprise a majority of those earning doctoral degrees in psychology.
C) Among psychology graduate students, males continue to outnumber females.
D) Psychology is a relatively small field with only a few hundred people earning a doctoral degree in any given year.

Question 16

A student answering questions about herself, including her opinions, feelings, and experiences, is called a _____ format.

A) self-report
B) self-analysis
C) self-esteem
D) self-diagnosis

Question 17

_____ is the process that focuses on breaking down mental processes into their most basic parts.

A) Functionalism
B) Structuralism
C) Psychoanalysis
D) Behaviorism

Question 18

Researchers have discovered that people who have more education tend to make more money in their careers. They discovered this finding by doing _____ research.

A) descriptive
B) nondescriptive
C) naturalistic observation
D) correlational

Question 19

_____ created the first laboratory to be used for psychological experiments.

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

Question 20

Many psychologists hold academic jobs in universities and run studies to enhance the understanding of behavior and mental processes. Into which category of specialization in psychology would these educators MOST likely fall?

A) education
B) applied
C) clinical
D) basic research

Question 21

_____ psychology research fulfills two purposes, including understanding the behavior of animals and applying that understanding to human beings.

A) Clinical
B) Social
C) Comparative
D) Physiological

Question 22

Psychoanalysis was created by:

A) Wilhelm Wundt.
B) William James.
C) John Watson.
D) Sigmund Freud.

Question 23

Liam was diagnosed with depression and feels he would benefit from medication. Liam would need to make an appointment with a:

A) clinical psychologist.
B) psychiatrist.
C) clinical social worker.
D) counseling psychologist.

Question 24

Researchers tell their possible participants enough about the study beforehand to enable them to make an educated decision about whether to participate; this is an ethical requirement called:

A) debriefing.
B) voluntary participation.
C) involuntary participation.
D) informed consent.

Question 25

Psychologists employ the _____ method when conducting research.

A) scientific
B) pseudopsychological
C) random control
D) naturalistic

Question 26

You believe that using chemical pesticides labeled as toxic in your home garden is perfectly safe for the environment because that is what people in your parents', grandparents', and great-grandparents' generations believed. Your belief BEST exemplifies which kind of thinking error?

A) antiquity fallacy
B) bandwagon fallacy
C) black-or-white fallacy
D) emotional reasoning

Question 27

The name of the organization at each university or research center that protects research participants from harm is called the:

A) American Psychological Association.
B) Psychologists' Union.
C) Institutional Review Board.
D) American Psychiatric Association.

Question 28

When psychologists focus on thinking, language, attention, memory, and intelligence, they are probably _____ psychologists.

A) neuro
B) personality
C) cognitive
D) evolutionary

Question 29

_____ psychology is one of the research specializations where psychologists focus on how people relate to one another.

A) Physiological
B) Social
C) Health
D) Comparative

Question 30

Being able to access the inner workings of the brain to study the link between behavior and the biological functions is emphasized in:

A) neuroscience.
B) behaviorism.
C) psychoanalysis.
D) humanism.

Question 31

A psychologist studying a behavior, such as aggressiveness in monkeys, and researching to see how pervasive this behavior is across species would MOST likely be a _____ psychologist.

A) health
B) social
C) comparative
D) physiological

Question 32

According to psychologists' research on academic success in college students, _____ is positively correlated with GPAs.

A) time spent socializing on Facebook
B) engagement in extracurricular activities
C) cramming for tests
D) a focus on getting rich quick

Question 33

Dr. Phan is conducting research on how our preferences for certain kinds of food can be traced back to our ancestors. Dr. Phan is MOST likely what type of psychologist?

A) physiological
B) evolutionary
C) personality
D) developmental

Question 34

Dr. McKibben is conducting research on adolescents and their usage of social media. She is keeping track of how many hours per day the adolescents spend on social media. This research is MOST likely an example of _____ research.

A) descriptive
B) nondescriptive
C) correlational
D) exploratory

Question 35

The purpose of replication is to:

A) modify one's thinking.
B) add credibility to the results.
C) publish the findings in a scientific journal.
D) add variety to the study.

Question 36

When Dr. Carol decides she is going to do a study on the reasons for aggression in children, she decides to read what other researchers have discovered. This is called a _____ review.

A) research
B) literature
C) replication
D) scientific

Question 37

When research psychologists focus on people's traits, they are MOST likely known as _____ psychologists.

A) personality
B) health
C) developmental
D) physiological

Question 38

Marty describes himself as a positive psychologist. As such, he MOST likely sees psychology as a(n):

A) field that recognizes the impacts of cultural variables on people's behavior.
B) way to understand the adaptive nature of traits across people.
C) opportunity to help people flourish and be happy.
D) tool for helping people overcome misery and impairment.

Question 39

In experimental research examining the effects of two different kinds of therapy for adolescents with anxiety, which item would MOST likely serve as the independent variable?

A) number of times anxiety is measured
B) level of anxiety before and after treatment
C) gender of the participants
D) type of treatment given to the adolescents

Question 40

Dr. Wu studied the effects of sugar consumption on hyperactive behavior in children. He found a correlation coefficient of +.72. What might this number tell us about the variables?

A) As sugar consumption decreases, hyperactive behavior increases.
B) As sugar consumption increases, hyperactive behavior decreases.
C) As sugar consumption increases, hyperactive behavior increases.
D) There is no relationship between these two variables.

Question 41

LaToria feels extremely depressed and is having a hard time functioning. She does not know what type of psychologist to make an appointment with. Because you are well-versed in the specializations within psychology, you recommend that she see a(n):

A) developmental psychologist.
B) educational psychologist.
C) forensic psychologist.
D) clinical psychologist.

Question 42

Dr. Nguyen works with various school districts to determine effective teaching strategies. Dr. Nguyen is MOST likely a(n) _____ psychologist.

A) community
B) forensic
C) educational
D) clinical

Question 43

The research specialization that relies on technological advances, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET), to look at the brain is:

A) cognitive psychology.
B) evolutionary psychology.
C) neuroscience.
D) behaviorism.

Question 44

Three big questions underlie the field of psychology. These questions include nature or nurture, universal or unique, and:

A) cognitive or behavioral.
B) change or stability.
C) inherited or learned.
D) cultural or social.

Question 45

Dr. Su is conducting a study on a new antidepressant. Half of the participants are given the new drug and the other half are given a placebo. The participants are not told which treatment they receive, and neither are the nurses handing out the treatment, so that the nurses do not offer the participants any clues. As such, Dr. Su is using a ___________ procedure to minimize the placebo effect.

A) random selection
B) double-blind
C) confirmation
D) limited exposure

Question 46

Psychology emerged from two older academic fields. They are:

A) philosophy and sociology.
B) philosophy and physiology.
C) sociology and science.
D) history and sociology.

Question 47

What is the name of the largest organization of psychologists in the United States?

A) American Psychiatric Association
B) Psychologists of America
C) Association of American Psychologists
D) American Psychological Association

Question 48

_____ psychotherapy is another name for the "talking cure" that Freud emphasized.

A) Subjective
B) Psychoanalytic
C) Behavioral
D) Humanistic

Question 49

Dr. Varga studies how moral reasoning changes as people age. Dr. Varga's research MOST aligns with which basic research specialization?

A) personality
B) educational
C) clinical
D) developmental

Question 50

The training of psychologists focuses on behavior and mental processes, while the training of psychiatrists focuses on:

A) physical and biological systems.
B) therapy and counseling.
C) mental and mood disorders.
D) cognitive and emotional processes.

Question 51

Diana is in a psychology doctoral program and is focusing her research on the factors that influence people's traits such as extraversion, agreeableness, and openness to experience. Diana is MOST likely studying to become what type of psychologist?

A) developmental
B) physiological
C) health
D) personality

Question 52

There is a theory in psychology that recognizes that your brain and genetic inheritance AND your thoughts and feelings AND your family and culture all interact to explain your behavior. This theory is called the _____ theory.

A) neurological
B) evolutionary
C) biopsychosocial
D) positive

Question 53

Psychologists who come into schools and determine which teaching styles and classroom arrangements are conducive to learning are MOST likely _____ psychologists.

A) community
B) forensic
C) educational
D) clinical

Question 54

A large corporation is struggling with complaints of sexual harassment. The company decides to hire a consultant to train its employees on a healthy and safe work environment. This company would MOST likely hire a consultant specializing in:

A) clinical psychology.
B) educational psychology.
C) industrial/organizational psychology.
D) forensic psychology.

Question 55

The need to be true to yourself to achieve ultimate happiness would be a belief of which school of thought?

A) humanism
B) behaviorism
C) functionalism
D) psychoanalysis

Question 56

Dr. Cartwright studies sleeping patterns of individuals who are having difficulty sleeping. These patients come into his office and spend the night attached to monitors and cameras, and then Dr. Cartwright analyzes their sleep patterns. This is an example of a(n):

A) naturalistic observation.
B) case study.
C) laboratory observation.
D) exploratory observation.

Question 57

Which statement BEST exemplifies the bandwagon fallacy?

A) "This feels right, so don't try to confuse me with facts and logic."
B) "Let's all listen to what the expert has to say."
C) "It's been this way for ages, so it must be right."
D) "Everyone in town believes it, so it must be true."

Question 58

When conducting research, the last step in the scientific method is:

A) conducting the literature review.
B) developing a hypothesis.
C) analyzing the data and drawing conclusions.
D) collecting the data to test the hypothesis.

Question 59

When a researcher wants to discover what other researchers have already learned about their topic, the researcher conducts a(n):

A) operational review.
B) random assignment.
C) literature review.
D) hypothetical development.

Question 60

Three big questions underlie the field of psychology. These questions include nature or nurture, change or stability, and:

A) cognitive or behavioral.
B) universal or unique.
C) inherited or learned.
D) cultural or social.

Question 61

Dr. Sampson is studying the effects of caffeine on hunger. He hypothesizes that people who ingest more caffeine experience less hunger pangs throughout the day. He designs a study where one group of participants is given caffeine throughout the day, and the other group is not allowed to have any caffeine. He then has the two groups journal their hunger pangs throughout the day and he compares the results. In this study, the experimental group consists of the participants who:

A) were not allowed caffeine.
B) had the most hunger pangs.
C) did not have any hunger pangs.
D) were given the caffeine.

Question 62

When researchers focus on the psychological effects, as well as the physical effects, of stress on the mind and body, they are MOST likely interested in which research specialty of psychology?

A) health
B) social
C) comparative
D) developmental

Question 63

Psychologists who do psychological assessments and psychotherapy are called:

A) industrial/organizational psychologists.
B) community psychologists.
C) clinical psychologists.
D) forensic psychologists.

Question 64

Psychologists who practice and apply their expertise to real-world problems would MOST likely fall into which area of psychology?

A) basic research
B) applied
C) scientific
D) exploratory

Question 65

Yawei recently moved to the United States from China and is struggling to adjust to his new workplace, so he begins seeking help from a psychologist. Yawei tells his psychologist that he is very stressed and anxious because he does not understand many of the social values of his new workplace, and he also fears that he may be offending some of his coworkers without even knowing it. Yawei's psychologist will MOST likely take a _____ approach to Yawei's therapy.

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

Question 66

In experimental research, a study where neither the participants nor the researchers are aware of which participants are in the experimental group and which are in the control group is called a _____ study.

A) correlational-causation
B) placebo effect
C) double-blind
D) random assignment

Question 67

A proposed explanation for observed events is called a:

A) theory.
B) hypothesis.
C) idea.
D) definition.

Question 68

Amara is struggling with low self-esteem. She learned in her psychology course that it is important to pay attention to her behaviors, such as how much she shies away from conversations in groups. Amara also knows it is just as important to pay attention to her mental processes, such as:

A) thoughts and feelings about her self-worth.
B) her other social mannerisms.
C) her inability to look people in the eyes.
D) her self-destructive behaviors.

Question 69

The statistic that measures the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables is called the:

A) standard deviation.
B) correlation coefficient.
C) absolute deviation.
D) variation coefficient.

Question 70

The steps of the scientific method follow a certain order. The correct order is:

A) Conducting a literature review → Posing a question → Developing a hypothesis → Analyzing the data and drawing conclusions
B) Posing a question → Developing a hypothesis → Collecting data → Drawing conclusions
C) Posing a question → Conducting a literature review → Developing a hypothesis → Testing the hypothesis by collecting data → Analyzing the data and drawing conclusions
D) Developing a hypothesis → Testing the hypothesis by collecting data → Posing a question → Conducting a literature review → Analyzing the data and drawing conclusions

Question 71

Tabitha is reading an article for her research paper on dorm life. The paper supports dorm life and states that college students learn better in that type of environment than they do isolated and alone. This article was MOST likely written by which type of psychologist?

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

Question 72

Child protective services hires psychologists to conduct evaluations on parents they are investigating. These psychologists are MOST likely:

A) clinical psychologists.
B) forensic psychologists.
C) counseling psychologists.
D) educational psychologists.

Question 73

_____ is a perspective in psychology that focuses on the idea that human nature is generally good and humans are naturally motivated to grow to their fullest potential.

A) Humanism
B) Psychoanalysis
C) Behaviorism
D) Functionalism

Question 74

When scientists take an inquisitive, challenging approach to assumptions and ideas, they are employing:

A) confirmation bias.
B) critical thinking.
C) common sense.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 75

In psychological research, replication means:

A) finding mistakes in the collected data.
B) revising the results of the study.
C) conducting the study again.
D) collecting more support from the literature.

Question 76

Psychiatry, the medical specialization, focuses on the brain and its:

A) structures.
B) growth.
C) disorders.
D) limitations.

Question 77

Which statement is true about the history of psychology?

A) Psychology is a global science with a global history.
B) Psychology was confined to Europe until it traveled to the United States.
C) Psychology is recognized in only a few countries around the world.
D) Psychology historically has always been a small field.

Question 78

Dr. Spivey spends the majority of his workday conducting psychotherapy with individuals and families. Dr. Spivey is MOST likely a:

A) clinical psychologist.
B) forensic psychologist.
C) educational psychologist.
D) industrial/organizational psychologist.

Question 79

Which psychological perspective can be traced back to functionalism and is heavily influenced by Charles Darwin's ideas?

A) multicultural
B) neuroscience
C) humanism
D) evolutionary

Question 80

The word scientific is important when defining psychology because:

A) it makes the definition sound more professional.
B) experiments are conducted in psychology.
C) it makes the psychology field less credible.
D) psychologists use the scientific method to verify their findings in research.