Deck 1: Psychology, Critical Thinking, and Science

Question 1

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 report what you had observed.This technique being used is called

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

Answer 1

A

Question 2

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

Answer 2

B

Question 3

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

Answer 3

C

Question 4

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.

Question 5

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 6

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 7

Psychologists study which of the following topics?

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

Question 8

Apsychologist might know more about what's going on in your mind than you do becauseobjective scientific methods are more accurate than the subjective technique of

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

Question 9

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

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

Question 10

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, and internal thoughts.

Question 11

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 12

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 who share their knowledge with students.
D) scientists, practitioners, and/or teachers.

Question 13

One of the reasons for the inaccuracy of eyewitness testimony is that much of our thinking actually takes place in the part of the mind of which we are subjectively unaware and that is not open to introspection.This part of the mind is called the

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

Question 14

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, and internal thoughts.

Question 15

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

Question 16

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 topics 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 17

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 that is 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 18

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 19

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 that is not open to introspection.

Question 20

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 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

Scientific observations have shown which of the following statements to be TRUE?

A) Some people are left-brained and some are right-brained.
B) Subliminal advertising does not really work.
C) People prefer to receive thoughtful gifts rather than an impersonal gift, like money.
D) All of these statements have been shown to be true.

Question 23

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

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

Question 24

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 25

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 26

Psychologists study behavior directly by systematically collecting data, or __________ facts.

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

Question 27

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 28

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

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

Question 29

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 30

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.

Question 31

Scientific observations have shown which of the following statements to be TRUE?

A) People prefer receiving money or a gift they requested over a thoughtful gift the giver thinks they might appreciate.
B) Some people are left-brained and some are right-brained.
C) Subliminal advertising really does work.
D) People in New York City tend to be very rude.

Question 32

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

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

Question 33

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 34

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 for psychological research.
C) there was not a suitable research method available to study the topic.
D) there was a lack of interest in understanding sleep and dreaming.

Question 35

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 36

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 37

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 38

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 39

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 40

Information gained from direct observation and measurement defines

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

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

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 43

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 44

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 45

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 46

In order to find out whether "the clothes make the man" or whether "one can't judge a book by its cover," researchers scientifically observe people who are well dressed and people who are not and determine who fares better in a variety of situations.The information that these researchers gained would be considered __________ evidence.

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

Question 47

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 48

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

Question 49

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

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

Question 50

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 51

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 52

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 53

Why questions refer to which of psychology's goals?

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

Question 54

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 55

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 56

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 57

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 58

You are less likely to receive help if you have car trouble on a busy freeway than if you have car trouble on a sparsely traveled two-lane highway.Your ability to foretell your likelihood of receiving help illustrates the goal of

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

Question 59

In a survey conducted on October 26, researchers find that 55 percent 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 60

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 61

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 62

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 63

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 64

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 65

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 66

An engineering psychologist helps redesign a car to make it safer and more fuel efficient.The psychologist's work reflects which of psychology's goals?

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

Question 67

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 68

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 69

Critical thinking is used in psychology to evaluate theories by collecting

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

Question 70

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 71

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__________ thinking.

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

Question 72

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 73

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 bewrong
D) a strong reliance on the conventional wisdom of experts mixed with a healthy doseof common sense

Question 74

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 75

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 76

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 77

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 78

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 79

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 80

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.