Deck 1: The Science of Psychology

Question 1

Which of the following attitudes are central to the scientific approach to psychology?

A)critical thinking, curiosity, skepticism, and objectivity
B)critical thinking, curiosity, skepticism, and subjectivity
C)critical thinking, curiosity, political correctness, and objectivity
D)critical thinking, curiosity, political correctness, and subjectivity

Answer 1

critical thinking, curiosity, skepticism, and objectivity

Question 2

Which of the following goals of science does the empirical method best fulfill?

A)expectations
B)objectivity
C)subjectivity
D)political correctness

Answer 2

objectivity

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

action that can be directly observed.

Question 4

_____ is most often regarded the "founding father" of modern psychology.

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

Question 5

Wilhelm Wundt's approach to discovering the basic elements of mental processes is called

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

Question 6

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 7

If you were a psychologist who adopted the structuralism approach, you would be interested in the _____ of the mind, using _____ as your primary research method.

A)functions/experimentation
B)structures/externalization
C)functions/retrospection
D)structures/introspection

Question 8

Psychology began as a science in the discipline of

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

Question 9

Behavior is _____; mental processes are _____.

A)private/personal
B)personal/observable
C)personal/private
D)observable/private

Question 10

In which of the following psychological approaches 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 11

Dr.Zimand is studying the association between the functioning of specific brain structures and depression.It is most likely that Dr.Zimand specializes in the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 12

Dr.Amani is interested in investigating why women are more able to correctly interpret emotional expressions than men.In this case, he is most interested in the scientific goal of _____ behavior.

A)explaining
B)predicting
C)describing
D)deciding

Question 13

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

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

Question 14

_____ involves using introspection to investigate the components of the mind, whereas _____ probed the functions and purposes of the mind and behavior in the individual's adaptation to the environment.

A)Structuralism/functionalism
B)Functionalism/structuralism
C)Functionalism/psychodynamic theory
D)Behaviorism/structuralism

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of behavior?

A)thinking of a family vacation
B)two people holding hands in a park
C)a student's memory of a motorcycle trip
D)a baby's feelings when its mother leaves the room

Question 16

Psychologists who adopt a _____ approach examine behavior and mental processes through focusing on the body, especially the brain and nervous system.

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

Question 17

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 purposes of the mind; structuralism focused on the elemental parts of mental processes.
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 18

Which of the following statements about critical thinking is FALSE?

A)Critical thinking is the process of thinking deeply and actively, asking questions, and evaluating the evidence.
B)Critical thinking comes into play when scientists consider the conclusions they draw from research.
C)Critical thinking increases the likelihood that conclusions will be based on unreliable personal beliefs, opinions, and motions.
D)Critical thinkers question and test what some people say are facts.

Question 19

Which of the following theorists primarily used the structuralism approach to studying human behavior?

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

Question 20

Wilhelm Wundt was the founder of _____, whereas William James was the founder of _____.

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

Question 21

Dr.Ingle has spent a lifetime studying how adults solve mathematical problems.It is likely that Dr.Ingle specializes in _____ psychology.

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

Question 22

The _____ approach emphasizes a person's positive qualities, the capacity for positive growth, and the freedom to choose one's destiny.

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

Question 23

Which of the following approaches to psychology focuses on how we direct our attention, perceive, remember, think, and solve problems?

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

Question 24

Neuroscience studies are based on the _____ approaches to psychology.

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

Question 25

The _____ approach to psychology relies on concepts such as adaptation, reproduction, and natural selection when explaining human behavior.

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

Question 26

J.B.Watson and B.F.Skinner believed that

A)consciousness should always be investigated through the process of individual introspection.
B)psychology should focus on an organism's visible interactions with the environment-that is, behaviors.
C)psychology should study both outwardly observed behaviors and inborn mental motivations.
D)psychological methods could be developed to study the process of human cognition.

Question 27

Jake, a researcher, measures the levels of testosterone in adult males who tend to be highly aggressive.He is of the opinion that hormone levels are the single-most prominent cause of male aggression.In this scenario, Jake is most likely sing the _____ approach in his study.

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

Question 28

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 29

_____ believed that psychology should be about what people do, and should not concern itself with what cannot be seen, such as thoughts, feelings, and goals.

A)B.F.Skinner
B)Wilhelm Wundt
C)Sigmund Freud
D)Carl Rogers

Question 30

The _____ approach to psychology views the mind as an active and aware problem-solving system.This view contrasts with the _____ approach to psychology, which focuses on an organism's visible interactions with the environment.

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

Question 31

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 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 32

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

A)environmental
B)psychodynamic
C)observational
D)behavioral

Question 33

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 34

In his practice, Dr.Wagner stresses the role of unconscious processes and unresolved childhood conflicts that influences individuals' behavior.Dr.Wagner's belief aligns with the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 35

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 humanistic psychologist
D)a behavioral psychologist

Question 36

Which of the following techniques involves an analyst unlocking a person's unconscious conflicts by talking with the individual about his or her childhood memories, dreams, thoughts, and feelings?

A)structuralism
B)neuroscience
C)introspection
D)psychoanalysis

Question 37

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 38

According to the _____, people have the ability to control their lives and are not simply controlled by the environment.

A)humanistic approach
B)psychodynamic approach
C)evolutionary approach
D)behaviorism approach

Question 39

According to evolutionary psychologists

A)human behavior is traceable to problems early humans faced in adapting to their environments.
B)sexual and aggressive impulses buried deep within the unconscious mind influence the way people think, feel, and behave.
C)people have the ability to control their lives and are not simply controlled by the environment.
D)an individual's mental processes are in control of behavior through memories, perceptions, images, and thinking.

Question 40

According to _____ psychologists, your brain houses a "mind" whose mental processes allow you to remember, make decisions, plan, set goals, and be creative.

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

Question 41

A survey would be least useful in determining the

A)students' attitudes toward their new class president.
B)subjects' opinions about a new amendment.
C)subjects' levels of honesty.
D)students' feelings about homework.

Question 42

The final step in the scientific method of psychology is

A)conducting empirical research.
B)formulating predictions.
C)evaluating conclusions.
D)conducting data analysis.

Question 43

A(n) _____ is a broad idea or closely related set of ideas that attempts to explain observations and to make predictions about future observations.

A)theory
B)hypothesis
C)operational definition
D)experimental bias

Question 44

A case study

A)is an in-depth look at a single individual.
B)is useful for studying large populations.
C)involves random assignment of participants.
D)relies on the experimental method.

Question 45

Dr.Badal is a psychologist who studies achievement motivation among groups of African American, Latino, and Asian American people.Dr.Badal likely practices the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 46

Which of the following statements about correlational research is FALSE?

A)Correlational methods involve the study of relationships among two variables.
B)Correlational methods rely on observing and measuring.
C)Correlational methods are useful for establishing cause-and-effect relationships between two variables.
D)The degree of relationship between two variables is expressed as a numerical value called a correlational coefficient.

Question 47

In the context of psychological research methods, which of the following scenarios is an example of the survey method?

A)Dr.Adele observes children as they learn to read.
B)Dr.Gomes studies his patients while they undergo psychological counseling.
C)Dr.Trooper collects children's school grades and test scores.
D)Dr.Frank asks people how many hours of television they watch per week.

Question 48

Dr.Okawa is interested in studying the effect that neurological trauma can have on short-term memory.First, he collects detailed information from a small number of individuals who have experienced brain damage.Then, using information provided by medical records, interviews, and observations, Dr.Okawa attempts to create an in-depth portrait of each individual.What type of research method was used in this study?

A)case study
B)naturalistic observation
C)experimental method
D)surveys

Question 49

Allie has developed a theory concerning test grades of high school students.She believes that there is a strong causal relationship between students' frequency of study and their grades in school.In the context of psychology's scientific method, in order to test her theory, Allie would first have to state a

A)conclusion.
B)bias.
C)fact.
D)hypothesis.

Question 50

_____ provide an objective description of how variables are going to be measured and observed in a particular study.

A)Independent variables
B)Operational definitions
C)External validity checks
D)Experimenter biases

Question 51

Which of the following statements related to the scientific method is FALSE?

A)A theory gains credibility when the related hypotheses turn out to be true.
B)A hypothesis derives logically from a theory.
C)A theory can generate only one hypothesis.
D)A hypothesis is a testable prediction.

Question 52

Tamika hypothesizes that women are more helpful than men.She decides to conduct an experiment to see if she's right.During lunchtime, she goes to the crowded food court and deliberately drops her notebook.She then notes whether the person standing closest to her helps her pick up her papers and whether the person is male or female.What is the operational definition of "helpful" in Tamika's study?

A)the gender of the person
B)the person asking Tamika if she dropped her notebook
C)establishing eye contact
D)making an effort to gather the papers

Question 53

Elixir Inc.has a recruitment policy that favors hiring people from minority groups.To ensure that its diverse workforce helps rather than hinders business development, Elixir is seeking the guidance of a psychologist.Keeping its needs in mind, Elixir will most likely hire a(n)

A)psychotherapist.
B)neuroscientist.
C)socioculturalist.
D)psychoanalyst.

Question 54

If a psychologist studies about the behavioral differences between people from two religions, he or she is most likely following the _____ approach to psychology.

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

Question 55

The goal of _____ research is to determine the basic definitions and dimensions of the phenomenon under investigation.

A)descriptive
B)normative
C)experimental
D)applied

Question 56

A key requirement for the process of testing hypotheses in the scientific method is

A)experimenter bias.
B)conjecture.
C)data analysis.
D)psychoanalysis.

Question 57

Which of the following is the first step in the scientific method?

A)testing through empirical research
B)observing some phenomenon
C)drawing conclusions
D)formulating hypotheses and predictions

Question 58

In the context of descriptive research methods in psychology, _____ are performed mainly by clinical psychologists when, for either practical or ethical reasons, the unique aspects of an individual's life cannot be duplicated and tested in other individuals.

A)case studies
B)surveys
C)correlational studies
D)experiments

Question 59

After careful observation, Dylan has stated a hypothesis that spending money on other people leads to greater happiness than spending money on oneself.In accordance with the scientific method, which of the following steps is Dylan most likely to take next?

A)He will evaluate the results of his experiment.
B)He will examine the prediction through empirical research.
C)He will conclude whether spending money on others can be a strong predictor of happiness.
D)He will publish the experimental results in a reputable journal.

Question 60

Which of the following is the second step in the scientific method?

A)testing through empirical research
B)evaluating conclusions
C)drawing conclusions
D)formulating hypotheses and predictions

Question 61

Professor Izadi is interested in the association between sleep and cognitive performance.He surveyed his students about the number of hours they slept the night before the exam and then correlated these scores with their test grades.He found a +.81 correlation between these two variables.What does this result mean?

A)There is a high negative correlation between sleep and exam performance.
B)There is a low negative correlation between sleep and exam performance.
C)There is a high positive correlation between sleep and exam performance.
D)There is a low positive correlation between sleep and exam performance.

Question 62

When conducting an experiment on time management, Jamie assigns everyone who arrives before noon to the experimental group and everyone who arrives after noon to the control group.In the context of experimental research methods, what is wrong with Jamie's experiment?

A)The experiment is not ethical.
B)Jamie has not used true random assignment.
C)Jamie has introduced a confederate into the experiment.
D)The experiment is deceptive.

Question 63

A correlation coefficient indicates the

A)strength and direction of association between two variables.
B)direction of the causal relationship between two variables.
C)extent to which demand characteristics have biased the results of the study.
D)extent to which experimenter bias has influenced the results of the study.

Question 64

What does the magnitude of a correlation coefficient indicate about the variables in a correlational study?

A)size of the variables
B)strength of the relationship between the variables
C)number of data points
D)direction of the relationship between the variables

Question 65

In the context of psychological research methods, which of the following refers to a carefully regulated procedure in which the researcher manipulates one or more variables that are believed to influence some other variable?

A)experiments
B)correlational studies
C)case studies
D)surveys

Question 66

A researcher is conducting an experiment to test the effects of violent video-game-play on aggression.Which of the following could be the dependent variable in this example?

A)frequency of violent video-game-play
B)video-game-preferences
C)scores on an aggressive behavior survey
D)the number of hours spent playing video games

Question 67

Dr.Steinguard wants to demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship between stress and memory.Which of the following research methods should he use?

A)correlational studies
B)survey method
C)naturalistic observation
D)experimental method

Question 68

Which of the following is a potential problem of using correlational studies in psychological research?

A)They fail to establish a clear causal relationship between variables.
B)They do not allow researchers to use just one variable to predict the movement of the other variable.
C)They cannot be used in situations where the issue of ethics is important.
D)They can be used to study the relationship between only two variables.

Question 69

_____ provide ways by which correlational researchers may attempt to demonstrate causal relations among variables, even though the causal relationship may still be somewhat unclear.

A)Random selection techniques
B)Sampling designs
C)Longitudinal designs
D)Survey designs

Question 70

In correlations research, third variables are also called

A)confederates.
B)confounds.
C)allies.
D)boosters.

Question 71

In the context of experimental research, the logic of random assignment is

A)if participants in an experiment are assigned to each group by stratification, the actual differences between the groups will sustain over the long run.
B)if participants in an experiment are assigned to each group only by chance, the actual similarities between the groups will sustain over the long run.
C)if participants in an experiment are assigned to each group by stratification, the potential differences between the groups on other characteristics will cancel out over the long run.
D)if participants in an experiment are assigned to each group only by chance, the potential differences between the groups on other characteristics will cancel out over the long run.

Question 72

_____ refers to researchers' allocation of participants to groups by chance, to reduce the likelihood that an experiment's results will be due to preexisting differences between groups.

A)Selection bias
B)Experimenter bias
C)Random assignment
D)Random selection

Question 73

Aaron wants to study the association between sleep deprivation and the number of hours spent on a computer every day.He is not keen to establish causation, but would like to determine whether and how the increase or decrease in one variable is related to the increase or decrease in the other variable.Which of the following research methods is likely to be most effective for Aaron's study?

A)survey
B)correlational research
C)experimental research
D)case study

Question 74

Professor Jordan has suggested to his students that as study time increases, grades increase.The professor is describing a

A)mean score.
B)positive correlation.
C)negative correlation.
D)standard deviation.

Question 75

Pretend that you want to determine the relationship between caffeine intake and performance on a midterm exam.As students sit down to take the exam, you ask them to write the number of cups of tea, soda, or coffee they ingested two hours prior to the exam.You also obtain their exam scores.You calculate the correlation coefficient between the two variables to be +0.82.What can you conclude?

A)The more caffeine students consumed, the better their scores.
B)Eighty-two percent of the students consumed caffeine prior to the exam.
C)Students with high scores didn't consume caffeine.
D)Students who drink caffeine are smarter than those who don't drink caffeine.

Question 76

In experimental research, the _____ is a manipulated experimental factor and _____ is the outcome.

A)dependent variable/ independent variable
B)independent variable/ dependent variable
C)confounding variable/ independent variable
D)dependent variable/ confounding variable

Question 77

Professor Wong measured the intelligence and temperament of a group of preschoolers.He plans to follow the same group of participants over time and collect similar data when the children are in 3 grade, 6 grade, and 9 grade.This is an example of which type of research design?

A)sampling design
B)experimental design
C)longitudinal design
D)double-blind experiment

Question 78

Which of the following research methods allow(s) researchers to determine causality?

A)survey method
B)observations
C)experimental studies
D)case study

Question 79

Longitudinal research involves

A)observing and measuring the same variables periodically over time.
B)randomly assigning participants to the control and experimental groups.
C)the random selection of participants within a particular population.
D)uncovering unconscious motives and conflicts.

Question 80

Dr.Simpson finds a positive .50 correlation between ice-cream-cone sales and violent crimes in a community.Which of the following represents the best interpretation of this result?

A)Ice cream causes people to become more violent and aggressive.
B)A third variable, such as heat, may account for the association between ice-cream sales and violent crime.
C)Violent people like ice cream more than non-violent people.
D)Ice cream consumption is not related to violent crime.