Deck 1: What Is Psychology?

Question 1

Psychology is formally defined as:

A)the study of the human mind.
B)the subjective study of human behavior.
C)the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
D)the exclusive study of abnormal behavior.

Answer 1

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Question 2

According to the science of psychology,which of the following is a mental process?

A)Swimming
B)Feeling proud
C)Crying
D)Reading out loud

Answer 2

Feeling proud

Question 3

In psychological studies,being open to the evidence means thinking _____.

A)skeptically
B)objectively
C)critically
D)curiously

Answer 3

objectively

Question 4

The method of study used by Wilhelm Wundt and his collaborators to discover the basic elements,or "structures," of mental processes was _____.

A)psychonautics
B)natural selection
C)introspection
D)psychoanalysis

Question 5

In psychology,being skeptical means:

A)using personal opinions to predict behavior.
B)arriving at conclusions through conjecture.
C)questioning what everybody knows.
D)accepting viewpoints without evidence.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of psychology as a science?

A)It uses systematic methods to observe the natural world.
B)It draws conclusions from data.
C)It tests assumptions.
D)It uses speculation to form opinions about behavior.

Question 7

In psychology,which of the following is NOT considered to be a behavior?

A)Smiling at a newborn baby
B)Watching children play in a group
C)Sleeping through a lecture
D)Thinking about a conversation with a friend

Question 8

Which of the following statements best defines critical thinking in psychology?

A)It is the process of accepting observed facts as true.
B)It is the process of reflecting deeply, asking questions, and evaluating evidence.
C)It is a form of thinking intended to create something new and different.
D)It is a form of thinking that has been rejected by contemporary psychologists.

Question 9

Professor Scott is a psychologist conducting research on the behavior of children.He observes them in an amusement park as they take turns on the new carousel.He records how many times a child complains to his or her parent about not getting a turn.In this scenario,which goal of psychological science is Professor Scott utilizing in his research?

A)To describe
B)To explain
C)To predict
D)To control

Question 10

Psychologists rely on _____,which is the process of thinking reflectively and actively and evaluating evidence.

A)subjectivity
B)creative thinking
C)critical thinking
D)selective wisdom

Question 11

Which school of psychology is Wilhelm Wundt associated with?

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

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a goal of psychological science?

A)To describe
B)To explain
C)To predict
D)To speculate

Question 13

Rena's boss,a criminal lawyer,informs her that after studying all the material on their prospective client,he has realized that the client has committed the crime;therefore,they cannot represent him.Rena is not convinced.She wants to take another look at the data and make sure that he has come to the right conclusion.In this scenario,Rena is exhibiting an attitude of:

A)secrecy.
B)ignorance.
C)problem solving.
D)critical thinking.

Question 14

Psychology emerged as a science from the field of:

A)philosophy.
B)physics.
C)chemistry
D)spirituality.

Question 15

According to the science of psychology,a behavior is a(n):

A)feeling that is acknowledged.
B)attitude that can be changed.
C)action that can be directly observed.
D)goal for life.

Question 16

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that emphasizes:

A)all sides of human experience.
B)human strengths.
C)the unconscious experiences of people.
D)psychological problems.

Question 17

Which of the following scenarios demonstrates the attitude of skepticism in psychology?

A)Martina asks her pharmacist to repeat the instructions for taking her medication.
B)Doug tells a customer at his clothing boutique that she can buy clothes that are cheaper at another store.
C)Lindsey wonders if the sleeping pill she has been prescribed can really help her sleep.
D)Alex buys the newest exercise ball in the market to help him lose weight in just five days.

Question 18

Psychology has advanced as a field because:

A)psychologists always agree with one another about why the mind and behavior work as they do.
B)it does not foster controversies.
C)psychologists think deeply and reflectively and examine the evidence on all sides.
D)it is not based on an empirical method.

Question 19

The small town of Adasia experienced its first horrific crime when a family of six was murdered in broad daylight.The perpetrator committed the crime and then killed himself.Instead of hating the murderer,the people of Adasia focused on forgiving him for his sins.They set up a fund for his family.Which of the following approaches to psychology would be best able to rationalize the people's behavior?

A)Positive psychology
B)Psychoanalysis
C)Biopsychology
D)Psychopathology

Question 20

Introspection as the method of study used by Wilhelm Wundt involved:

A)studying the physiology of the human brain.
B)evaluating the thoughts of other people.
C)interpreting the results of experimental data.
D)looking inside one's own mind.

Question 21

Mark,a psychologist,is researching how mothers feel when their babies cry.He asks his first subject to reflect upon her thoughts and feelings while her baby is crying.In this scenario,which of the following psychological approaches is Mark most likely using for his research?

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

Question 22

Which of the following theorists proposed that organisms that are best adapted to their environment will survive?

A)Plato
B)Aristotle
C)Wilhelm Wundt
D)Charles Darwin

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT true of the principle of natural selection proposed by Darwin?

A)Some members of a species are born with specific genetic mutations that help them adapt to a particular change in the environment.
B)When there is a change in the environment, the species with a characteristic that helps it to adapt to the change will survive.
C)A characteristic can be passed from one generation to the next without being recorded in the genes.
D)A species that produces many offspring will survive.

Question 24

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the method of introspection used by Wilhelm Wundt?

A)A researcher documents his subject's description of an experience.
B)A scientist asks her subject to remember and recall a list of words.
C)A scientist observes rats in a maze to see how fast they learn to find their way out.
D)A researcher attributes a species' characteristics to natural selection.

Question 25

In which early school of thought in psychology did researchers ask participants to think about what was going on mentally as various events took place?

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

Question 26

Will and Megan are student researchers in the field of psychology.In trying to understand mental processes,they attempt to analyze the mind in terms of its basic elements.In the context of psychological approaches,their research represents:

A)functionalism.
B)structuralism.
C)behavioral psychology.
D)insight psychology.

Question 27

In a psychological study,Danny is asked to report the sensations he experiences when he is subjected to the persistent sound of an ambulance siren.In this scenario,Danny is most likely being studied through the method of:

A)introspection.
B)pseudoscience.
C)functionalism.
D)psychoanalysis.

Question 28

Which of the following psychologists is most often known as the founding father of modern psychology?

A)William James
B)Sigmund Freud
C)Charles Darwin
D)Wilhelm Wundt

Question 29

Which of the following is true about Wilhelm Wundt's early work in psychology?

A)He was the first person to think about the mind as a separate entity from the body.
B)He was the first person to connect the soul to the body.
C)He was the first person to connect the brain to the mind.
D)He was the first person to introduce the idea that mental processes could be measured.

Question 30

Charles Darwin argued that _____ determines which species wins the competition for scarce resources.

A)cognition
B)natural selection
C)unconscious motivation
D)introspection

Question 31

William James,a prominent American psychologist and philosopher,focused on human interactions with the outside world and the purpose of thoughts.His view is known as:

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

Question 32

Which of the following concepts would a student be most familiar with if he or she was a proponent of functionalism?

A)Defense mechanisms
B)Introspection
C)Free will
D)Stream of consciousness

Question 33

In the field of psychology,individuals who advocate _____ are most likely to consider the mind as flexible and fluid,characterized by constant change in response to a continuous flow of information from the world.

A)structuralism
B)functionalism
C)the humanistic approach
D)the behavioral approach

Question 34

William James called the natural flow of thought _____.

A)free recall
B)a stream of consciousness
C)an association of ideas
D)natural selection

Question 35

The historical perspective known as _____ concentrates on discovering the basic elements of mental processes in psychology.

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

Question 36

Which of the following statements correctly differentiates between structuralism and functionalism in early psychology?

A)Functionalism focused on the elements of the mind; structuralism focused on the purpose of thoughts.
B)Functionalism focused on the functions of the mind; structuralism focused on the functions of behavior.
C)Functionalism relied on introspection; structuralism relied on a stream of consciousness.
D)Functionalism was about the "why" of the mind; structuralism was about the "what" of the mind.

Question 37

Wendy,a psychology student,is keen to learn why human beings cry when they are sad and laugh when they are happy.She wants to know how these emotions help human beings adapt to changes in the environment.Which historical perspective of psychology are Wendy's interests most reflective of?

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

Question 38

In psychology,William James was highly influential in developing the school of thought known as:

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

Question 39

In the context of structuralism as a perspective of psychology,the primary research method used was _____.

A)hypnosis
B)pscyhoanalysis
C)natural selection
D)introspection

Question 40

When describing the process of natural selection,Charles Darwin claimed that:

A)genes only carry physical traits and not the traits associated with survival and reproduction.
B)environments that do not favor certain organisms will help these organisms propagate their species.
C)organisms that are best adapted to their environment will survive and produce offspring.
D)genetic mutations are initiated by human beings and are not responsible for evolution.

Question 41

Annette is an adolescent with extreme social anxiety.Dr.Benson's treatment plan for Annette focuses on rewarding her whenever she takes a step toward conquering her fears.In this scenario,Dr.Benson adheres most closely to the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 42

A family therapist tells Mr.and Mrs.Johnson that they will have to take away some of their son's privileges if they want him to stop bullying his younger brother.In the context of psychological perspectives,the family therapist most likely follows the _____ approach to psychology.

A)evolutionary
B)cognitive
C)behavioral
D)psychodynamic

Question 43

Eva is a five-year-old girl who has been brought to Dr.Frost for therapy because she has suddenly stopped speaking;she answers no questions and communicates with no one.Dr.Frost uses techniques intended to uncover Eva's unconscious thoughts or experiences.He believes that the answer lies within her mind.In this scenario,Dr.Frost is following the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 44

Which of the following psychologists was a leading proponent of behaviorism?

A)Carl Rogers
B)B.F.Skinner
C)Ivan Pavlov
D)Sigmund Freud

Question 45

Which of the following is true of neuroscience as a contemporary approach to psychology?

A)It focuses on natural selection as the method of evolution for any species.
B)It focuses on the unconscious elements of behavior, thought, and emotion.
C)It emphasizes that behavior can only be understood through direct observation.
D)It emphasizes that the brain is central to understanding behavior, thought, and emotion.

Question 46

Which of the following best describes

A)Adult behaviors are best understood by examining childhood experiences.
B)The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
C)What people do is most important.
D)The structure of the mind can be understood through the use of introspection.

Question 47

The _____ approach to psychology emphasizes the scientific study of observable responses and their environmental determinants.

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

Question 48

The emergence of _____ has perhaps contributed the most to physiological psychology.

A)psychoanalysis
B)behaviorism
C)neuroscience
D)biofeedback

Question 49

Katherine,a socially inhibited teenager,has always been withdrawn and isolated at her rehabilitation center.However,one day she voluntarily initiates and maintains a conversation with another teenager.Which of the following explanations is most applicable to her behavior in the context of the behavioral approach?

A)She has finally recognized her need for affiliation.
B)She is using a defense mechanism.
C)She has been promised a reward if she initiates contact with another person.
D)She has been prescribed a drug that makes her less socially awkward.

Question 50

Professor Alan is studying the regions of the brain that are activated when his subjects view disturbing images from horror movies In the context of perspectives in psychology,the professor is using the _____ approach in his study.

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

Question 51

Psychologists use the perspective of _____ to study the role of the brain in psychological processes.

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

Question 52

Jason,a nineteen-year-old,has been depressed for a few years.Even after talking to various therapists,he is unable to get to the cause of his depression.He worries that his symptoms may be the result of experiences in his childhood that he has no memory of.In this scenario,the causes of Jason's depression may be best uncovered by a _____.

A)neuroscientist
B)psychoanalyst
C)cognitive psychologist
D)behavioral psychologist

Question 53

A psychologist who is more interested in what a person does than how a person feels,has most likely adopted the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 54

Which of the following is most likely to be the focus of study for a behavioral psychologist?

A)The feelings of rejection a person experiences during childhood
B)The sensations a person reports when he or she is tapped on the knee
C)The effect of rewards and punishments on a child's behavior
D)The mental images a person conjures up when reflecting on a pleasant vacation

Question 55

Jake,a researcher,measures the levels of testosterone in adult males when they perform aggressive acts.He is of the opinion that hormone levels are the single-most prominent cause of male aggression.In this scenario,Jake is most likely using the _____ approach in his study.

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

Question 56

Timothy is a behavioral psychologist.Which of the following techniques is he most likely to use to motivate a little girl to clean her room?

A)Stimulating certain parts of the little girl's brain
B)Suggesting the idea to the little girl while she is hypnotized
C)Letting the little girl feel a sense of intrinsic achievement
D)Offering the little girl ten dollars for cleaning her room

Question 57

Individuals who believe that rewards and punishments determine our actions are following the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 58

Which perspective of psychology most clearly focuses on observable responses?

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

Question 59

Dr.Stanley,a psychologist,conducts a study on the effect of the color red on babies.Although there is no visible change in the babies when they see the color red,he studies their neural patterns and notes that specific sections of their brains are being stimulated by the color.In this scenario,which of the following approaches has Dr.Stanley used for his research?

A)The psychodynamic approach
B)The cognitive approach
C)The biological approach
D)The behavioral approach

Question 60

In psychology,John

A)consciousness should be investigated through the process of introspection.
B)psychology focuses on interactions with the environment that can be seen and measured.
C)psychology is the study of both outwardly observed behaviors and inborn mental processes.
D)behavior is completely controlled by unconscious thoughts and desires.

Question 61

Dr.White,a therapist,tells her clients that she is less interested in their day-to-day lives and more interested in their childhood experiences.Which approach to psychology is Dr.White most likely a proponent of?

A)The psychodynamic approach
B)The behavioral approach
C)The evolutionary approach
D)The humanistic approach

Question 62

The humanistic approach to psychology emphasizes the role of _____ as a determinant of behavior.

A)introspection
B)unconscious thoughts
C)free will
D)natural selection

Question 63

Which of the following psychologists would be most likely to conduct research on how a child processes information and solves problems?

A)A psychoanalyst
B)A cognitive psychologist
C)A psychotherapist
D)A behavioral psychologist

Question 64

A psychologist following the humanistic approach to psychology would be most interested in how:

A)children learn about relationships by observing their parents' interactions.
B)people make choices that lead to positive growth.
C)drugs affect one's capability to accurately judge one's abilities.
D)people interpret behavior according to the cultures they belong to.

Question 65

Cognitive psychology is best described as:

A)a study of the mental processes involved in knowing.
B)the therapeutic applications of critical thinking.
C)an area of psychology that attempts to reduce the focus on internal processes.
D)a subspecialty of psychology based exclusively on observable behavior.

Question 66

In his psychotherapeutic practice,Dr.Wagner stresses on his clients' unconscious processes as well as their unresolved conflicts.Dr.Wagner most likely adheres to the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 67

During a therapy session,Mrs.Brown's therapist,Donald,asks Mrs.Brown about her dreams because he believes that they are a key to her unconscious mind.In this scenario,Donald is most likely using the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 68

Which of the following psychological approaches focuses on the mental processes involved in knowing?

A)The psychodynamic approach
B)The behavioral approach
C)The humanistic approach
D)The cognitive approach

Question 69

With which of the following psychological approaches is Sigmund Freud associated?

A)The psychodynamic approach
B)The humanistic approach
C)The cognitive approach
D)The sociocultural approach

Question 70

Abe and Carl are psychologists who believe that people have free will and can make choices based on higher human values.Abe and Carl's views reflect the _____ approach to psychology.

A)sociocultural
B)behavioral
C)humanistic
D)psychodynamic

Question 71

Anna and Diane are psychologists.Anna follows a psychodynamic perspective,while Diane embraces a humanistic perspective.Although they disagree in a number of ways,their approaches are similar in that both:

A)emphasize the importance of biological and genetic factors.
B)acknowledge the importance of internal mental processes.
C)owe their philosophical roots to British empiricism.
D)focus exclusively on the impact of culture and society on an individual.

Question 72

How do today's psychodynamic theories differ from Freud's original psychodynamic approach to psychology?

A)Freud's original psychodynamic approach did not pay any attention to unconscious motivation.
B)Freud's original psychodynamic approach was focused primarily on observable behaviors.
C)Today's theories place less emphasis on sexual drives as determinants of behavior.
D)Today's theories place less emphasis on social and cultural experiences as determinants of behavior.

Question 73

After a few months of therapy,Michelle's therapist,Allen,reveals to her that her symptoms of anxiety are most likely a result of her troubled childhood,which was spent in fear of a very strict father.Which of the following approaches to psychology is Allen most likely using to understand and explain Michelle's symptoms?

A)The evolutionary approach
B)The behavioral approach
C)The psychodynamic approach
D)The sociocultural approach

Question 74

The _____ approach to psychology emphasizes unconscious thought,the conflict between biological drives and society's demands,and early childhood family experiences.

A)evolutionary
B)behavioral
C)psychodynamic
D)cognitive

Question 75

Henry,the seven-year-old subject of an experiment,has been acting out by hitting his little brother often.Observing psychologists attempt to explain Henry's violent behavior.Which of the following is the explanation most likely to be provided by a humanistic psychologist?

A)Henry's aggression is caused by a chemical imbalance in his brain.
B)Henry's aggression is facilitated by the feelings of abandonment he experienced as a toddler.
C)Henry's aggression is facilitated by the attention he receives when he hits his brother.
D)Henry's aggression is caused by Henry's use of his free will.

Question 76

According to the _____ approach to psychology,a person is in control of his or her life and has the capacity for positive growth.

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

Question 77

Dr.Brian,a therapist,explains to fifteen-year-old Darcy's parents that Darcy fears his stepmother because most of the fairy tales he heard in his childhood portrayed stepmothers as evil people.Which of the following approaches is Dr.Brian using to explain Darcy's behavior?

A)The psychodynamic approach
B)The humanistic approach
C)The cognitive approach
D)The sociocultural approach

Question 78

Dennis,a psychologist,conducts a survey on why most people tend to help a crying child.After the survey,he explains that most people help a crying child because they choose to live by higher human values such as altruism.In this scenario,Dennis's explanation is reflective of the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 79

Nineteen-year-old Steve is extremely antisocial.He often gets into trouble with the law and is unable to hold on to any of his part-time jobs for long.His best friend is determined to find out about his childhood because she believes that his experiences as a child will help explain his adjustment problems as an adult.In this scenario,his best friend's approach is most similar to the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 80

Which of the following contemporary approaches to psychology emphasizes a person's positive qualities?

A)The psychodynamic approach
B)The behavioral approach
C)The humanistic approach
D)The biological approach