Deck 1: A: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods

Question 1

A commonsense approach to psychology

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

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following statements has empirical evidence shown to be TRUE?

A) To change people's behavior toward members of ethnic minority groups, we must
First change their attitudes.
B) Personality tests reveal your basic motives, including those you may not be aware of.
C) The major cause of forgetting is that memory traces decay or fade as time passes,
Resulting in a loss of memory as one ages.
D) Psychotherapy has had its greatest success in the treatment of milder disorders, not
With psychotic patients who have lost touch with reality.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Professor Reed asked her introductory psychology students to give an example of a covert behavior.Which of the following would be an example of a covert behavior?

A) daydreaming about the coming weekend
B) sneezing into a handkerchief
C) gesturing to someone to come over to the group
D) telling the class to be quiet by saying "shhh" softly

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The word psychology comes from the 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 5

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 empirical evidence.
D) Commonsense statements often depend on limited personal observations.

Question 6

Behavior is best described as

A) anything a person does.
B) only those things a person does that everyone can see.
C) only those things which can be recorded by a camera.
D) those things that a person intentionally does, excluding all behaviors that occur accidentally.

Question 7

Covert behavior involves

A) anything a person does.
B) only those things a person does which another person can see.
C) only those things which can be recorded by a camera.
D) hidden, private, internal thoughts.

Question 8

One of the reasons to study psychology is to

A) understand ourselves and others better.
B) learn how to manipulate others for personal gain.
C) utilize it in combination with the field of astrology in predicting human behavior.
D) have the answers to all of life's questions.

Question 9

Which of the following behaviors can best be described as overt behavior?

A) watching a TV game show
B) thinking about the answer to a contestant's question
C) being sad that the contestant answered incorrectly
D) wondering if there are any frozen waffles left in the freezer

Question 10

Psychology would best be described as

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

Question 11

Professor Windham asks her general psychology students to give an example of an overt behavior.Which of the following would be an example of an overt behavior?

A) feeling happy that class is almost over
B) daydreaming about the coming weekend
C) gesturing to someone to come over to the group
D) remembering the definition of overt behavior

Question 12

Which of the following is the best example of covert behavior?

A) blinking in response to a light
B) imitating a friend's gesture
C) remembering a pleasant experience
D) rapid eye movements while sleeping

Question 13

According to your psychology textbook,which of the following activities would be considered "behavior"?

A) A student feels sad because of her grade.
B) A student daydreams in class.
C) A teacher writes an assignment on the board.
D) All of these would be considered behaviors.

Question 14

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

A) Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
B) The word psychology is thousands of years old and comes from ancient Greek
Roots for mind and study.
C) The field of psychology can help one to better understand him or herself and others.
D) Psychology is a static field that is based to a large extent on commonsense theories
Of behavior.

Question 15

Which of the following statements has empirical evidence shown to be TRUE?

A) Blind people have not been shown to have more sensitive organs of touch than
Sighted individuals.
B) The more motivated you are the better you will be at solving a complex problem.
C) Babies love their mothers because mothers fulfill their babies physiological need for
Food.
D) Most humans use only 10 percent of their potential brainpower.

Question 16

All psychologists do which of the following?

A) They all conduct research to discover new knowledge.
B) They all apply psychology to solve problems in mental health, education, medicine, or business.
C) They are all teachers who pass on knowledge of psychology to their students.
D) They all rely on critical thinking and information gained from scientific research.

Question 17

Psychology is best 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 behavior and mental processes.
D) scientific study of the relationship between mind and body.

Question 18

Which of the following descriptions of common sense is FALSE?

A) "Opposites attract" and "Birds of a feather flock together" would both be considered
Commonsense statements.
B) Commonsense statements tend to work best after the fact.
C) Common sense requires planned and systematic observations.
D) Common sense often provides vague and inconsistent pieces of information.

Question 19

Overt behavior includes

A) anything a person does.
B) things a person does which cannot be seen by others.
C) only those things that can be observed.
D) hidden, private, internal thoughts.

Question 20

Psychologists would best be described as

A) scientists who conduct research.
B) practitioners who apply psychology to solve problems in fields like education and medicine.
C) teachers.
D) scientists, practitioners, and/or teachers.

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

When scientists want to find out if there is empirical evidence,they utilize data,which is defined as __________ facts.

A) commonsense
B) deduced
C) observed
D) inferred

Question 23

Simister and Cooper wanted to find out if people were more hostile when the temperature is hotter.So,they gathered data on temperatures and criminal activity in Los Angeles
Over a four-year period and found that has the temperature increased,so did the criminal
Activity.The information that these researchers gained would be considered __________evidence.

A) intuitive
B) introspective
C) empirical
D) commonsense

Question 24

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 25

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 26

An expert tells you that "you can catch a cold by not wearing a coat when it is cold." 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 27

Psychology is different from the fields of history,law,and business because psychology relies on which of the following to answer questions about behavior?

A) anecdotal evidence
B) scientific observations
C) commonsense reasoning
D) direct philosophic inquiry

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a reason that some topics in psychology are difficult to study?

A) It would be unethical to study the topic.
B) There is no practical way that the research can be conducted.
C) There is no suitable research method available to study the topic.
D) There is a lack of interest in understanding some aspects of human behavior.

Question 29

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) gathering of empirical evidence.

Question 30

When a psychologist uses scientific observation,these observations must

A) involve logic and common-sense 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 31

Information gained from direct observation and measurement defines

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

Question 32

Which of the following is the best description of a research method?

A) an intuitive process by which cause and effect can be established
B) a systematic process for answering scientific questions
C) any experiment that lacks a control group
D) an investigative observation that relies on commonsense reasoning

Question 33

A systematic process for answering scientific questions is called

A) a research method.
B) a scientific deduction.
C) the induction method.
D) the analytical method.

Question 34

Why questions refer to which of psychology's goals?

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

Question 35

It may be difficult to study the difference in academic achievement between children who do and do not eat breakfast at a boarding school because

A) it is impossible to monitor.
B) the scientists would have to rely on the children's self-reports.
C) it is unethical to require that some children not eat breakfast.
D) some children do not like to eat breakfast.

Question 36

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 37

Which of the following statements concerning psychological research is TRUE?

A) The use of the EEG showed that some people never dream.
B) To conduct psychological research, one must systematically gather data.
C) The research method is rarely used in psychological research.
D) Ethical concerns in psychological research are rarely an issue.

Question 38

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 39

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

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

Question 40

In a survey conducted on October 26,researchers find that 55% of the registered voters favor the passage of the school bond issue.These survey results illustrate which goal of psychology?

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

Question 41

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 42

Critical thinking includes which of the following questions?

A) What authority is making the claim?
B) What test of this claim has been made?
C) Are the tests based on a long-accepted "truth"?
D) How can this event be explained by using one's commonsense reasoning?

Question 43

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 44

A type of reflection involving the support of beliefs through scientific explanation and observation is called __________ thinking.

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

Question 45

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 46

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,the scientific goal of __________ has been achieved.

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

Question 47

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 48

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 49

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 50

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 51

Critical thinking does NOT involve which of the following questions?

A) How good is the evidence?
B) What was the nature and quality of the tests?
C) Has any other independent researcher duplicated the findings?
D) How are the findings related to commonsense beliefs?

Question 52

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 53

Which goal of psychology is illustrated by a psychologist seeking to discover why sociopaths tend to repeat their destructive behavior?

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

Question 54

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 55

Critical thinking is used in psychology to evaluate theories by collecting

A) introspective analyses.
B) empirical evidence.
C) intuitive data.
D) expert opinions.

Question 56

In achieving the psychological goals of describing,understanding,predicting,and controlling behavior,Dr.Aron uses the scientific method and

A) uncritical acceptance.
B) intuitive common sense.
C) introspective analysis.
D) critical thinking.

Question 57

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 58

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 59

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) transductive reasoning skills.
B) commonsense reasoning.
C) correlational skills.
D) critical thinking skills.

Question 60

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 61

According to your textbook,which of the following is NOT a pseudopsychology?

A) psychoanalysis
B) palmistry
C) phrenology
D) astrology

Question 62

Jay pays $5.00 to have a personality profile made through an analysis of his handwriting.Jay has just wasted his money on the pseudo-psychology known as

A) graphology.
B) dyslexia.
C) phrenology.
D) palmistry.

Question 63

In describing pseudopsychologies,it can be said that they

A) give the appearance of science but are actually false.
B) have constantly changed over time as their followers have sought new evidence.
C) have followers who are skeptical critics of their own theories.
D) are characterized by all of these statements.

Question 64

According to your textbook,astrology

A) has repeatedly been shown to have no scientific validity.
B) has scientific validity if you correct for planetary drift.
C) is a useful guide for making personal decisions.
D) is only valid in very specific and unusual situations.

Question 65

The basis for pseudopsychologies are unfounded beliefs held without evidence or in the face of falsifying evidence.These unfounded beliefs are referred to as

A) superstitions.
B) empirical evidence.
C) intersubjective data.
D) deductions.

Question 66

Which pseudopsychology was popularized by Franz Gall?

A) palmistry.
B) phrenology.
C) graphology.
D) astrology.

Question 67

Jane goes to a phrenologist.What can she expect from this pseudopsychologist?.

A) He will predict her future by reading the lines on her palms.
B) He will explain her personality traits by feeling the bumps on her skull.
C) He will explain her personality traits by analyzing a copy of her handwriting.
D) He will explain how her life is influenced by the position of the stars and planets at her birth.

Question 68

According to your textbook,which of the following is considered to be a pseudopsychology?

A) cognitive psychology
B) behaviorism
C) Gestalt psychology
D) astrology

Question 69

To assess your personality,a phrenologist would want to

A) study your handwriting.
B) study the lines on your palm.
C) examine the shape of your skull.
D) record your brain waves with an EEG.

Question 70

Systems,such as astrology and graphology,enjoy wide popularity because of their

A) uncritical acceptance.
B) scientific basis.
C) accuracy in predicting people's future behavior.
D) cost.

Question 71

Regarding the popular pseudopsychology of astrology,which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) In a famous test, astrologers were able to accurately distinguish murderers from law-abiding people based on their horoscopes.
B) A connection has been found between one's astrological sign and leadership,
Physical characteristics, and career choices.
C) Couples whose astrological signs are compatible have a lower divorce rate than
Those couples with incompatible signs.
D) Since astrology was first set up, the zodiac has shifted in the sky by one full constellation.

Question 72

Any false and unscientific system of beliefs and practices that is offered as an explanation of behavior is called

A) psychoanalysis.
B) pseudopsychology.
C) social learning.
D) humanism.

Question 73

Which of the following popularized the pseudopsychology known as phrenology?

A) Wilhelm Wundt
B) Max Wertheimer
C) Franz Gall
D) Edward Titchener

Question 74

Regarding graphology,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A) Graphologists score close to zero on tests of accuracy in rating personality.
B) Graphologists do no better than untrained college students in rating personality and job performance.
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 75

Rose is using an astrology program on her computer.By using this pseudo-psychology computer program,she is trying to

A) explain her personality by having the program analyze a scanned copy of her handwriting.
B) explain how her life is influenced by the position of the stars and planets at her birth.
C) predict when the next lunar eclipse will occur so she can view it with her telescope.
D) analyze the latent content of her dreams.

Question 76

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 wisdaom of experts mixed with a healthy dose
Of common sense

Question 77

The fortune teller who studies your palm carefully before announcing that great fortune is in your immediate future is practicing

A) palmistry.
B) phrenology.
C) graphology.
D) forensic psychology.

Question 78

To assess your personality,a graphologist would want to

A) study your handwriting.
B) examine the shape of your skull.
C) study your palm.
D) record your brain waves with an EEG.

Question 79

Regarding the popular pseudopsychology of astrology,which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) A study of more than 3000 predictions by famous astrologers found that a significant
Number of the predictions were fulfilled.
B) No connection has been found between one's astrological sign and leadership,
Physical characteristics, intelligence, or career choices.
C) Couples whose astrological signs are compatible have a lower divorce rate than
Those couples with incompatible signs.
D) In a famous test, astrologers were able to accurately distinguish murderers from
Law-abiding people based on their horoscopes.

Question 80

The outdated theory that personality is revealed by the bumps on the skull was called

A) palmistry.
B) phrenology.
C) phenomenology.
D) graphology.