Deck 1: Psychology, Critical Thinking, and Science

Question 1

Progress in psychology often depends on

A)the majority opinion of experts in that particular psychological specialty.
B)the development of suitable research methods.
C)the use of commonsense approaches to the solution of human problems.
D)all of these.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Psychologists study which of the following TOPIC (B-HEAD)s?

A)love and sexuality
B)memory, learning, and creativity
C)aging and death
D)all of these

Answer 2

D

Question 3

In order to study the mind, the early psychologists examined their own thoughts, feelings, and sensations and then reported what they had observed. This technique is called

A)meta-analysis.
B)transduction.
C)introspection.
D)depersonalization.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The part of the mind of which we are subjectively unaware and therefore not open to introspection is called the

A)alter ego.
B)preconscious mind.
C)cognitive unconscious.
D)dissociative state.

Question 5

Margot believes that people from New York City are rude. Her belief is based on

A)empirical evidence.
B)intersubjective data.
C)limited casual observations or hearsay.
D)objective data gained through scientific observations.

Question 6

Regarding commonsense theories of behavior, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Commonsense theories tend to work best after the fact or in hindsight.
B)Commonsense theories tend to be vague and inconsistent.
C)Commonsense theories are most often based on scientific observation.
D)Commonsense statements often depend on limited personal observations.

Question 7

In Wilson and Nesbitt's experiment, shoppers were asked to examine four pairs of silk stockings hanging on a rack, choose the highest quality pair, and explain their choice. Although the serial position of the stockings on the rack strongly influenced the shopper's choices, no shopper gave serial position as a subjective reason for his or her choice. Thus, the results of this experiment indicated that much of our thinking, like the shoppers, actually takes place in the part of the mind of which we are subjectively unaware and therefore not open to our introspection. This part of the mind is referred to as the

A)autokinetic level.
B)fluid intelligence.
C)cognitive unconscious.
D)dissociative state.

Question 8

Which of the following is the best description of the field of psychology?

A)the study of human origins, evolution, and cultures
B)the scientific study of overt behavior and mental processes
C)a natural science integrating physiology and neurology
D)the deductive study of forms and functions of human groups

Question 9

The word psychology is thousands of years old and comes from the ancient Greek roots psyche and logos , which mean respectively

A)behavior and science .
B)brain and science .
C)mind and knowledge or study .
D)personality and knowledge or study .

Question 10

At one time, psychologists had to rely on the subjective reports of people who said that they never dream. When the EEG was invented, it was found that everyone dreams every night. Thus, until the invention of the EEG, sleep and dreaming were not objectively studied because

A)it was unethical to watch people sleep.
B)it was not considered a suitable TOPIC (B-HEAD)for psychological research.
C)there was not a suitable research method available to study the TOPIC (B-HEAD).
D)there was a lack of interest in understanding sleep and dreaming.

Question 11

Psychology is currently defined as the

A)empirical study of the human personality.
B)study of individual differences in the group behavior of humans and animals.
C)scientific study of overt behavior and mental processes.
D)scientific study of the relationship between mind and body.

Question 12

A psychologist might know more about what's going on in your mind than you do because objective scientific methods are more accurate than the subjective technique of

A)introspection.
B)behaviorism.
C)correlation.
D)meta-analysis.

Question 13

A commonsense approach to psychology

A)is the most reliable.
B)is often contradicted by scientific observation.
C)is the basis for most psychological theories.
D)provides information that is specific and consistent.

Question 14

Regarding the study of psychology, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Psychology is defined as the scientific study of overt behavior and mental processes.
B)The field of psychology studies such TOPIC (B-HEAD)s as love, stress, persuasion, aging, happiness, and wisdom.
C)The field of psychology can help us to better understand ourselves and others.
D)Most psychologists believe that the mind can be fully understood from a subjective viewpoint.

Question 15

The research conducted by psychologists involves

A)the validation of commonsense beliefs in predicting everyday experiences.
B)the systematic use of commonsense beliefs in solving new problems.
C)gathering information through direct observation.
D)a reliance on subjective opinions and rationalizations.

Question 16

The cognitive unconscious is the part of the mind

A)that stores long-term memories and utilizes crystallized intelligence.
B)that holds memories in short-term memory and utilizes fluid intelligence.
C)of which we are objectively aware and that is open to introspection.
D)of which we are subjectively unaware and therefore not open to introspection.

Question 17

Regarding psychologists and the field of psychology, which of the following statements is\are TRUE?

A)Today, psychology is both a science and a profession.
B)The word psychology is thousands of years old and comes from ancient Greek roots for mind and study .
C)Psychologists apply psychological principles to solve problems in fields, such as business, sports, law, and the design of machines.
D)All of these statements are true.

Question 18

Since you are the only person who can directly observe the inner workings of your own mind, early psychologists would have studied your mind by relying upon your subjective ability to "look inward" at your own thoughts and feelings and reported what you had observed. This technique is called

A)introspection.
B)meta-analysis.
C)transduction.
D)dissociation.

Question 19

Psychology is distinguished from other fields, such as history, law, art, and business, because of its reliance on

A)commonsense to understand and solve human problems.
B)subjective analysis to answer questions about the mind and behavior.
C)objective scientific observation to systematically answer questions about behavior.
D)introspection to understand the cognitive unconscious.

Question 20

Which of the following descriptions of commonsense is FALSE?

A)"Strike while the iron is hot" and "Haste makes waste" would both be considered commonsense statements.
B)Commonsense statements tend to work best after the fact.
C)Commonsense requires planned and systematic observations.
D)Commonsense often provides vague and inconsistent pieces of information.

Question 21

An empirical investigation that is structured to answer questions about the world in a systematic and intersubjective fashion is called a(n)

A)scientific observation.
B)interpretative research.
C)investigative analysis.
D)experiential analysis.

Question 22

If you are conducting research to determine why people tend to be more aggressive when they are uncomfortable, then you are attempting to meet which goal in psychology?

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

Question 23

Scientific observation is based on the

A)gathering of introspective data.
B)utilization of personal, subjective data.
C)utilization of common sense theories and everyday personal experiences.
D)systematic gathering of empirical evidence.

Question 24

The goals of psychology are to

A)develop effective methods of psychotherapy and cure mental illness.
B)describe, understand, predict, and control behavior.
C)research, infer, summarize, and publish.
D)compare, analyze, and control human behavior.

Question 25

When current knowledge about an individual and his or her environment can be used to accurately forecast behavior at another time or in another setting, which scientific goal has been achieved?

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

Question 26

As scientists, the ultimate goal of psychologists is to

A)utilize logic and commonsense.
B)benefit humanity.
C)solve life's mysteries.
D)covertly manipulate behavior.

Question 27

John's poor performance in reading was found to be due to visual discrimination problems. This determination of the cause for his poor reading performance illustrates which goal of psychology?

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

Question 28

The psychological goal of understanding behavior is achieved when

A)control over behavior is made possible.
B)a careful description of behavior is made.
C)psychologists can explain why a behavioral phenomenon occurs.
D)empirical evidence is obtained.

Question 29

Which goal of psychology involves naming or classifying behaviors and is based on making a detailed record of scientific observations?

A)describe
B)understand
C)predict
D)control

Question 30

Research on "bystander apathy" reveals that people often fail to help when other possible helpers are nearby due to a "diffusion of responsibility." Explaining this perplexing problem meets which goal of psychology?

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

Question 31

When a psychologist uses scientific observation, these observations must

A)involve logic and commonsense reasoning.
B)be conducted using animals rather than humans.
C)be carefully planned and able to be confirmed by more than one observer.
D)involve all of these.

Question 32

A psychologist who observes a child for a week and writes a report that identifies and classifies the child's behavior is working toward the goal of

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

Question 33

To find out whether it really is "the thought that counts" when giving a gift, Gino and Flynn asked gift recipients to rate how much they would appreciate getting a gift they requested as opposed to one chosen by the gift giver. According to the empirical evidence gathered, these researchers found that the

A)recipients were more appreciative of a requested gift.
B)recipients were more appreciative of an unrequested gift.
C)recipients were equally appreciative of the gift whether requested or unrequested.
D)gift givers believed that recipients would be significantly more likely to appreciate a requested gift.

Question 34

When observations are reliably confirmed by multiple observers, this is referred to as

A)multimodal.
B)intersubjective.
C)multidisciplinary.
D)correlational.

Question 35

As an experimental psychologist, Dr. Gandis utilizes information gained through direct observation and systematic measurement. Dr. Gandis is using

A)introspective data.
B)subjective data.
C)commonsense.
D)empirical evidence.

Question 36

When researchers set out to determine why more women attempted suicide but more men succeeded at it, they were attempting to meet which goal in psychology?

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

Question 37

Dr. Santel is conducting a study in which she will use five different observers to reliably confirm the observations within her study. Thus, Dr. Santel's scientific observations would be considered

A)multimodal.
B)intersubjective.
C)multidisciplinary.
D)correlational.

Question 38

Information gained from direct observation and measurement defines

A)introspective data.
B)subjective data.
C)a scientific hypothesis.
D)empirical evidence.

Question 39

Why questions refer to which of psychology's goals?

A)description
B)understanding
C)preservation
D)control

Question 40

Gino and Flynn wanted to find out whether people prefer to receive a requested gift, an unrequested gift, or money as a gift. According to the empirical evidence gathered, these researchers found that the gift recipients

A)preferred a requested gift.
B)preferred an unrequested gift.
C)preferred money as a gift.
D)showed an equal preference for all three types of gifts.

Question 41

According to the authors of your textbook, the most important principle of critical thinking is that critical thinkers

A)keep an open mind regarding all experiences.
B)evaluate all ideas using the scientific method.
C)adopt an attitude of actively seeking to falsify beliefs, including their own.
D)do not automatically accept the viewpoint of authorities.

Question 42

Critical thinking does NOT include which of the following?

A)the use of empirical testing
B)a balance between healthy skepticism and an openness to new ideas
C)a constant revision of one's view of the world and the ability to admit one can be wrong
D)a strong reliance on the conventional wisdom of experts mixed with a healthy dose of common sense

Question 43

Critical thinking involves

A)using conventional wisdom and common sense.
B)a reliance on the opinions of experts.
C)a willingness to actively reflect on ideas.
D)all of these.

Question 44

Regarding the principles of critical thinking, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Whereas religious beliefs and personal values may be held as matters of faith, most other ideas can and should be evaluated by applying the rules of logic, evidence, and the scientific method.
B)If a teacher or another authority is convinced or sincere regarding an issue, then critical thinkers will be convinced and follow this person's viewpoint.
C)Critical thinkers adopt an attitude of actively seeking to falsify beliefs, including their own.
D)To decide correctly, critical thinkers do not just weigh the amount of evidence, but critically evaluate the quality of the evidence.

Question 45

Because we are often tempted to accept commonsense beliefs, urban legends, and even outrageous claims about the powers of "healing" crystals and "miraculous" herbal remedies, it is important that we learn to think

A)concretely.
B)divergently.
C)convergently.
D)critically.

Question 46

For most psychologists, control refers to

A)punishment of unwanted responses.
B)legal limitations on the use of conditioning principles.
C)techniques for reducing personal freedom of choice.
D)altering conditions that influence behavior.

Question 47

An environmental psychologist helps redesign a college dorm to reduce feelings of crowding. The psychologist's work reflects which of psychology's goals?

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

Question 48

Karilynn's professor poses the following question to the psychology class: "When it comes to achieving our goals, is it better to focus on how far we still have to go before we reach a goal, or should we focus on what we have already accomplished?" Karilynn immediately asks herself whether there is any theory or empirical evidence to support stressing either a goal focus or an accomplishment focus. She also wonders what research method could be used to find out this information if no empirical evidence presently exists. Karilynn is exhibiting

A)critical thinking.
B)transductive reasoning.
C)commonsense reasoning.
D)intuitive thinking.

Question 49

When people use critical thinking, they

A)validate conventional wisdom.
B)constantly revise their understanding of the world.
C)give greater weight to the overall amount of evidence than specific credible facts.
D)show such a strong conviction to their beliefs that they rarely admit they are wrong about their ideas.

Question 50

Which question below relates most directly to the goal of controlling behavior?

A)Do men and women differ in intellectual abilities?
B)How can child abuse be prevented?
C)Why does a blow to the head cause memory loss?
D)Does depth perception occur when an individual has only one eye?

Question 51

In making decisions about various issues, Dannon engages in a type of reflection that involves asking whether a particular idea or belief can be supported by scientific theory and observation. Dannon is utilizing a type of __________ thinking.

A)critical
B)deductive
C)transductive
D)creative

Question 52

Two research studies are conducted on the effects of body piercing on self-esteem. One study found that body piercing increased self-esteem, while the other one found a decrease in self-esteem. If you are a critical thinker, you would

A)reject both studies since conflicting results were obtained.
B)compare the credentials of the psychologists that conducted the studies.
C)compare how each study was conducted.
D)accept the one that best fits within your frame of reference.

Question 53

A psychologist uses systematic desensitization to assist a student in overcoming test anxiety. This illustrates the goal of

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

Question 54

Critical thinking includes which of the following?

A)a strong reliance on commonsense reasoning
B)the sincere and convincing testimony of a recognized expert
C)the ability to admit that one can be wrong about one's ideas
D)being persuaded more by the amount of evidence presented

Question 55

As part of critical thinking, the deliberate attempt to uncover how a commonsense belief or scientific theory might be false is called

A)falsification.
B)introspection.
C)confirmation bias.
D)uncritical acceptance.

Question 56

An industrial psychologist uses psychometric tests and interviews to select the best candidate for a specialized task. The psychologist's work directly illustrates which goal of psychology?

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

Question 57

Students who do well on an intelligence test tend to do well in their school grades. This ability of the IQ tests to forecast future school success illustrates which goal of psychology?

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

Question 58

Critical thinkers can be more confident in beliefs that have survived

A)uncritical acceptance.
B)introspection.
C)the confirmation bias.
D)their attempts at falsification.

Question 59

An expert tells you that "you can catch a cold by not wearing a coat when it is cold." If you are a critical thinker, you would

A)accept his statement since you remember catching a cold after you forgot your coat.
B)accept his statement because it is based on commonsense reasoning.
C)ask him to list additional experts that support his theory.
D)ask to see the empirical evidence that supports his theory.

Question 60

In her psychology classes, Dr. Murphey uses problem-based learning cases in order to enhance her students' abilities to actively reflect, analyze, and evaluate information about real-life cases involving troubled marriages and caring for elderly parents. Dr. Murphey is attempting to increase her students'

A)experimental analysisskills.
B)commonsense reasoning.
C)correlational skills.
D)critical thinking skills.

Question 61

Empirical studies have shown that astrology

A)has no supporting scientific evidence.
B)has scientific validity if you correct for planetary drift.
C)is a useful guide for making personal decisions, such as career choices or mate selection.
D)is only valid in predicting general historical events.

Question 62

When people read their horoscopes, they often believe these flattering descriptions of themselves, a tendency referred to as

A)critical thinking.
B)astrologer's dilemma.
C)confirmation bias.
D)uncritical acceptance.

Question 63

Which of the following is NOT one of the six elements of the scientific method?

A)making observations
B)intuitive analysis
C)proposing a hypothesis
D)theory building

Question 64

Even when an astrological description contains a mixture of good and bad traits, it may seem accurate because the person remembers or notices the parts of the description that backs up his or her expectations and forgets or ignores the discrepancies. This illustrates

A)pseudoscience.
B)confirmation bias.
C)the astrologer's dilemma.
D)uncritical acceptance.

Question 65

Regarding graphology, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Graphologists score close to zero on tests of accuracy in rating personality.
B)The use of graphology in personality assessment is considered a pseudoscience.
C)A graphological society concluded that handwriting analysis should not be used to select people for jobs.
D)Graphology cannot be used to detect forgeries.

Question 66

Unlike psychology, superstitions change little over time because their followers succumb to

A)introspection and experiential processing.
B)the observer effect and observer bias.
C)uncritical acceptance and the confirmation bias.
D)falsification and the anthropomorphic error.

Question 67

If you are interested in whether gift recipients prefer gifts that they requested or gifts that were chosen for them, you will learn little by making haphazard observations of gift-giving at family birthday parties. To be of value, your observations must be planned and

A)intuitive.
B)systematic.
C)introspective.
D)dynamic.

Question 68

Some superstitious beliefs can seem to be scientific, but are actually false. These are referred to as

A)humanism.
B)pseudoscience.
C)introspection.
D)divergent thinking.

Question 69

To be scientific, our observations must be

A)systematic.
B)intuitive.
C)haphazard.
D)related to common sense.

Question 70

An elderly lady is greatly impressed by an astrologer who describes her as physically vigorous, innovative, and artistically creative. Her reaction to this flattering description is an example of

A)uncritical acceptance.
B)confirmation bias.
C)pseudoscience.
D)the confusion of cause and effect.

Question 71

In the prediction of personality, which of the following would be considered a pseudoscience?

A)graphology
B)psychoanalysis
C)humanism
D)psychometrics

Question 72

The scientific method is NOT based on which of the following?

A)careful collection of evidence
B)accurate descriptions and measurements
C)repeatable results
D)theoretical projection and intuitive analysis

Question 73

Which of the following is similar to "cherry picking" evidence and arguments to support your own beliefs, can occur unconsciously, and ultimately prevents you from confronting your mistaken beliefs?

A)uncritical acceptance
B)introspection
C)confirmation bias
D)experiential processing

Question 74

Which of the following is a form of critical thinking based on a careful collection of evidence, accurate descriptions and measurements, precise definitions, controlled observations, and repeatable results?

A)intuitive analysis
B)the introspective method
C)the scientific method
D)theoretical projection

Question 75

Sid believes his dreams forecast the future. He describes all the dreams that came true in the last month. His friend Joey asks him about all the times his dreams did not come true. Sid's tendency to remember the times his dreams came true and forget the times they did not is known as

A)confirmation bias.
B)uncritical acceptance.
C)the observer effect.
D)critical thinking.

Question 76

The entire belief system of astrology is held without objective evidence and in the face of falsifying evidence. Thus, this unfounded belief in astrology would be considered

A)intersubjective.
B)empirically-based.
C)an experiential cognition.
D)a superstition.

Question 77

When a person remembers or notices only things that back up his or her expectations and forgets or ignores discrepancies, he or she is experiencing

A)pseudoscience.
B)confirmation bias.
C)the introspective dilemma.
D)uncritical acceptance.

Question 78

Regarding astrology, which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)No connection has been found between people's astrological signs and their intelligence, personality traits, leadership ability, or career choices.
B)The basic underpinnings of astrology have remained relatively unchanged since its invention several thousand years ago.
C)One study of more than 3,000 predictions by famous astrologers found that about half of their predictions were accurate.
D)No connection has been found between the "compatibility" of couples' astrological signs and their marriage and divorce rates.

Question 79

Unfounded beliefs held without evidence or in the face of falsifying evidence are called

A)superstitions.
B)experiential cognitions.
C)intersubjective data.
D)introspections.

Question 80

The tendency to believe claims because they seem true or because it would be nice if they were true is called

A)uncritical acceptance.
B)confirmation bias.
C)"cherry picking."
D)falsification.