Deck 1: Thinking Critically With Psychological Science

Question 1

Edward Titchener used the method of introspection to identify

A) inherited traits.
B) maladaptive behaviors.
C) unconscious motives.
D) sensory experiences.

Answer 1

sensory experiences.

Question 2

One of the earliest schools of thought in psychology was

A) psychiatry.
B) structuralism.
C) cognitive neuroscience.
D) humanistic psychology.

Answer 2

structuralism.

Question 3

As scientists,psychologists adopt an attitude of skepticism because they believe that

A) people are unlikely to reveal what they are really thinking.
B) most commonsense ideas about human behavior are wrong.
C) claims about human behavior need to be supported with evidence.
D) people usually have ulterior motives for acting.

Answer 3

claims about human behavior need to be supported with evidence.

Question 4

Using scientific methods to investigate the claim that an optimistic outlook on life improves people's physical health best illustrates

A) a psychodynamic perspective.
B) an empirical approach.
C) behavior genetics.
D) functionalism.

Question 5

Which early school of thought in psychology would have been most interested in exploring the adaptive value of our human capacity for self-awareness?

A) behaviorism
B) behavior genetics
C) structuralism
D) functionalism

Question 6

The first psychological laboratory was established by

A) John Watson.
B) Wilhelm Wundt.
C) Sigmund Freud.
D) Jean Piaget.

Question 7

One of your professors has used observational evidence to justify a cause-effect conclusion.Questioning the validity of drawing this conclusion from the evidence best illustrates

A) critical thinking.
B) a biopsychosocial approach.
C) Freudian psychology.
D) introspection.

Question 8

The early school of psychology known as functionalism was promoted by

A) Wilhelm Wundt.
B) William James.
C) John B.Watson.
D) Carl Rogers.

Question 9

When psychologists insist that "the rat is always right," they are emphasizing the scientific attitude of

A) humility.
B) respect for animals.
C) curiosity.
D) skepticism.

Question 10

William James was primarily concerned with the _______ of the mind.

A) functions
B) elements
C) disorders
D) biological origins

Question 11

Structuralism used a method known as ________ to reveal the basic elements of the mind.

A) conditioned responding
B) positive psychology
C) introspection
D) psychoanalysis

Question 12

Edward Titchener trained people to report elements of their experience and promoted a school of thought known as

A) behaviorism.
B) structuralism.
C) functionalism.
D) humanistic psychology.

Question 13

Research participants who carefully observe and report their immediate thoughts and feelings in response to different musical sounds are using the method known as

A) critical thinking.
B) psychoanalysis.
C) introspection.
D) natural selection.

Question 14

Which research method waned in popularity because its results varied when the technique was used by different people?

A) empiricism
B) introspection
C) behavior genetics
D) critical thinking

Question 15

Psychologists attempt to let the facts speak for themselves by using an approach that is best described as

A) empirical.
B) psychodynamic.
C) introspective.
D) clinical.

Question 16

Heather claims that her dreams accurately predict future events.Her sister,however,insists that Heather's belief needs to be empirically tested.Heather's sister best illustrates the scientific attitude of

A) pride.
B) skepticism.
C) practicality.
D) introspection.

Question 17

Which school of psychology attempted to identify the basic elements of the mind?

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

Question 18

The early school of psychology that focused on how mental and behavioral processes enable us to adapt and survive was called

A) behaviorism.
B) structuralism.
C) behavior genetics.
D) functionalism.

Question 19

Critical thinkers can best be described as

A) questioning.
B) cynical.
C) pessimistic.
D) impatient.

Question 20

A refusal to consider potential evidence that might conflict with one's preconceived ideas best illustrates a lack of

A) a psychodynamic perspective.
B) critical thinking.
C) culture.
D) introspection.

Question 21

Functionalism is to structuralism as ________ is to Edward Titchener.

A) Carl Rogers
B) B.F.Skinner
C) William James
D) John B.Watson

Question 22

The science of behavior and mental processes is called

A) functionalism.
B) natural selection.
C) behaviorism.
D) psychology.

Question 23

The mind's defenses against its own unconscious wishes and impulses were of special interest to

A) John B.Watson.
B) Charles Darwin.
C) Sigmund Freud.
D) B.F.Skinner.

Question 24

In exploring human behavior,contemporary psychologists rely most heavily on

A) introspection.
B) psychoanalysis.
C) natural selection.
D) scientific methods.

Question 25

Wilhelm Wundt was both a

A) psychoanalyst and psychiatrist.
B) physiologist and philosopher.
C) sociologist and psychiatrist.
D) theologian and philosopher.

Question 26

Which school of thought in the 1960s most clearly emphasized the importance of satisfying our needs for love and acceptance?

A) behaviorism
B) functionalism
C) evolutionary psychology
D) humanistic psychology

Question 27

Who dismissed introspection and redefined psychology as "the scientific study of observable behavior"?

A) Watson and Skinner
B) Freud and James
C) Wundt and Titchener
D) Rogers and Maslow

Question 28

Humanistic psychologists such as ________ emphasized people's growth potential.

A) Wundt and Titchener
B) Freud and James
C) Rogers and Maslow
D) Watson and Skinner

Question 29

Behavior is to mental processes as ________ is to ________.

A) nature;nurture
B) sensation;memory
C) talking;understanding
D) clinical psychology;psychiatry

Question 30

Psychology developed from the more established fields of philosophy and biology.For example,________ was an American philosopher and ________ was an Austrian physician.

A) Wilhelm Wundt;Ivan Pavlov
B) William James;Sigmund Freud
C) B.F.Skinner;John B.Watson
D) Abraham Maslow;Carl Rogers

Question 31

Investigating whether a dog could be conditioned to bark when it detected the odor of a specific narcotic drug would have been of most direct interest to the school of thought known as

A) functionalism.
B) structuralism.
C) behaviorism.
D) Freudian psychology.

Question 32

The study of inner thoughts and feelings is to the study of observable behavior as Edward Titchener is to

A) John B.Watson.
B) William James.
C) Sigmund Freud.
D) Wilhelm Wundt.

Question 33

The first woman to receive a Ph.D.in psychology later wrote an influential book,The Animal Mind.Her name was

A) Mary Whiton Calkins.
B) Rosalie Rayner.
C) Margaret Floy Washburn.
D) Jean Piaget.

Question 34

Ivan Pavlov pioneered the study of

A) learning.
B) perception.
C) personality.
D) mental illness.

Question 35

The pioneering memory researcher Mary Whiton Calkins was denied the ________ Ph.D.degree she had earned under the mentorship of _________.

A) University of Leipzig;Wilhelm Wundt
B) Radcliffe College;John B.Watson
C) Harvard University;William James
D) Cornell University;Edward Titchener

Question 36

B.F.Skinner was a prominent American

A) psychiatrist.
B) behaviorist.
C) cognitive neuroscientist.
D) structuralist.

Question 37

The value of introspection was most clearly dismissed by

A) Freudian psychologists.
B) functionalists.
C) structuralists.
D) behaviorists.

Question 38

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with mental activities such as perception,memory,and language is called

A) behavior genetics.
B) positive psychology.
C) cognitive neuroscience.
D) clinical psychology.

Question 39

The controversy over the relative contributions of genes and experience on psychological traits is known as the

A) levels of analysis dilemma.
B) structuralism-functionalism debate.
C) cognitive neuroscience controversy.
D) nature-nurture issue.

Question 40

Early behaviorists such as John B.Watson would have been LEAST likely to encourage research that focused on

A) maladaptive eating habits.
B) the meaning of frightening dreams.
C) effective parenting techniques.
D) crime-deterring legal practices.

Question 41

Poor nutrition,family stress,and memory difficulties have all contributed to Mr.Leonard's depression.Effectively explaining the full complexity of his problems requires

A) psychoanalysis.
B) positive psychology.
C) a biopsychosocial approach.
D) an evolutionary level of analysis.

Question 42

A complete picture of how mental processes are influenced by both social systems and brain functions is most clearly provided by

A) behaviorism.
B) humanistic psychology.
C) a biopsychosocial approach.
D) introspection.

Question 43

Angie wonders whether her calm and relaxed personality style was learned or inherited.Angie's concern is most directly relevant to the issue of

A) observation and introspection.
B) behavior and mental processes.
C) nature and nurture.
D) the conscious mind and the unconscious mind.

Question 44

Nicole has been unusually quick in learning to excel in the highly competitive sports training programs at her school because she is more genetically predisposed to crave excitement and challenge than are her classmates.This BEST illustrates that

A) some ideas are innate.
B) introspection reveals the structure of our minds.
C) nurture works on what nature endows.
D) nature selects traits that best enable us to survive in a particular environment.

Question 45

Slender women are considered especially beautiful in one country;in another country,stout women are seen as particularly attractive.In both countries,however,women perceived as very beautiful receive preferential treatment.This best illustrates that ________ often underlie cultural differences.

A) common psychological processes
B) gender differences
C) unconscious preferences
D) genetic dissimilarities

Question 46

Ali insists that intellectual capacities are genetically influenced;Claire argues that intelligence is developed through educational experiences.Ali and Claire have differing perspectives on intelligence that

A) complement each other.
B) are impossible to test scientifically.
C) illustrate the distinction between behavior and mental processes.
D) illustrate the conflict between psychology and psychiatry.

Question 47

Do psychological differences between men and women result from biological influences or social influences? This question most clearly involves a debate over the issue of

A) conscious and unconscious thought.
B) observation and introspection.
C) behavior and mental processes.
D) nature and nurture.

Question 48

Studying the impact of natural selection on the development of behaviors and mental processes that we humans have in common is of most central interest to

A) humanistic psychology.
B) social psychology.
C) community psychology.
D) evolutionary psychology.

Question 49

Which philosopher concluded that certain ideas were inborn?

A) Aristotle
B) Plato
C) Skinner
D) Watson

Question 50

Unlike Plato,Aristotle emphasized that knowledge is a product of

A) logical reasoning.
B) inborn ideas.
C) sensory experience.
D) introspection.

Question 51

In the context of debates regarding the origins of knowledge,Aristotle is to ________ as Plato is to ________.

A) mind;body
B) structuralism;functionalism
C) introspection;behaviorism
D) nurture;nature

Question 52

Which principle suggests that inherited traits contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations?

A) behavior genetics
B) structuralism
C) natural selection
D) positive psychology

Question 53

Professor Kim suggests that young children from all cultures can distinguish between singular and plural nouns because the concept of quantity is inborn.The professor's suggestion would have been most readily accepted by

A) Plato.
B) John B.Watson.
C) B.F.Skinner.
D) Aristotle.

Question 54

To balance psychology's historical focus on human problems and negative emotions,Martin Seligman called for the development of

A) behavior genetics.
B) cognitive neuroscience.
C) positive psychology.
D) introspection.

Question 55

The transmission of political practices and religious customs from one generation to the next best illustrates the importance of

A) introspection.
B) the cognitive revolution.
C) structuralism.
D) culture.

Question 56

Culture is best described as

A) the entire collection of character strengths that help individuals and communities to thrive.
B) the enduring ideas,values,and traditions shared by a group and transmitted across generations.
C) the contribution that experience makes to the development of psychological traits and behaviors.
D) basic moral values that are shared by all of humanity.

Question 57

A biopsychosocial approach is one that requires the use of

A) introspection.
B) the psychodynamic perspective.
C) behaviorism.
D) multiple levels of analysis.

Question 58

Charles Darwin suggested that the evolution of living organisms is guided by

A) rational thought.
B) natural selection.
C) introspection.
D) unconscious motives.

Question 59

Studying the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior is of most central interest to

A) cognitive neuroscience.
B) behavior genetics.
C) evolutionary psychology.
D) behaviorism.

Question 60

Psychologists report that genders differ in their risk of

A) alcohol use disorder.
B) depression.
C) eating disorders.
D) all of these problems.

Question 61

A concern with the reasoning processes that contribute to effective problem solving is most characteristic of the ________ perspective.

A) behavioral
B) evolutionary
C) social-cultural
D) cognitive

Question 62

Professor Hernandez attempts to assess the extent to which both hereditary and environmental factors contribute to gender differences in the risk for alcohol use disorder.Her research best illustrates the concerns of the ________ perspective.

A) cognitive
B) behavior genetics
C) psychodynamic
D) behavioral

Question 63

Which psychological perspective highlights the manner in which people encode,process,store,and retrieve information?

A) cognitive
B) behavioral
C) behavior genetics
D) evolutionary

Question 64

The high school counselor has suggested that Skylar's romantic feelings for her physics teacher reflect her unconscious longings for attention from her own father.The counselor's assessment most clearly reflects a(n)________ perspective.

A) behavioral
B) evolutionary
C) psychodynamic
D) behavior genetics

Question 65

Dr.MacPherson believes that the way students organize and think about the information in their textbooks will strongly influence their ability to later remember and use what they have studied.Dr.MacPherson's ideas most directly exemplify the ________ perspective.

A) social-cultural
B) cognitive
C) psychodynamic
D) behavior genetics

Question 66

A clinical psychologist who explains behavior in terms of unconscious drives and conflicts is employing a(n)________ perspective.

A) evolutionary
B) psychodynamic
C) behavioral
D) social-cultural

Question 67

Natassia believes that boys learn to be more aggressive than girls primarily because boys are more frequently pressured to defend themselves with fists.Natassia's belief is best described as an example of the ________ perspective.

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

Question 68

A theoretical perspective in psychology can be like a two-dimensional view of a three-dimensional object because each perspective is

A) limited in its scope.
B) likely to contradict other perspectives.
C) of little value for applied research.
D) impossible to test scientifically.

Question 69

Which psychologists are MOST likely to be involved in basic research?

A) industrial-organizational psychologists
B) cognitive psychologists
C) community psychologists
D) clinical psychologists

Question 70

The behavioral perspective is most likely to emphasize the importance of

A) learning.
B) introspection.
C) inherited traits.
D) self-esteem.

Question 71

The evolutionary perspective focuses on the impact of ________ on human traits.

A) introspection
B) natural selection
C) unconscious motives
D) rational thought

Question 72

The evolutionary perspective is to ________ as the behavioral perspective is to ________.

A) applied research;basic research
B) nature;nurture
C) clinical psychology;psychiatry
D) unconscious mind;conscious mind

Question 73

Mark believes that people's dislike of bitter-tasting foods has promoted human survival.His belief best illustrates the ________ perspective.

A) psychodynamic
B) social-cultural
C) evolutionary
D) behavioral

Question 74

Which perspective is most directly concerned with how the physical properties of the brain influence behavior and mental states?

A) social-cultural
B) psychodynamic
C) behavioral
D) neuroscience

Question 75

Which psychological perspective is most likely to examine how group membership influences individual attitudes and behaviors?

A) neuroscience
B) psychodynamic
C) evolutionary
D) social-cultural

Question 76

The behavior genetics perspective would be most directly concerned with assessing the relative influences of

A) behavior and mental processes.
B) conscious and unconscious motives.
C) nature and nurture.
D) structuralism and functionalism.

Question 77

Dr.Tiao conducts basic research on the effects of head injuries on people's problem-solving and abstract-reasoning skills.Which psychological specialty does her research best represent?

A) developmental psychology
B) biological psychology
C) industrial-organizational psychology
D) personality psychology

Question 78

In a class lecture,Professor Hampton emphasized the extent to which abnormal blood chemistry can contribute to psychological disorders.The professor's lecture highlighted a ________ perspective on psychological disorders.

A) psychodynamic
B) neuroscience
C) social-cultural
D) cognitive

Question 79

Dr.Matias has concluded that very few people in a small African country suffer from alcohol use disorder because of the strong influence of their religion.This belief best illustrates a(n)________ perspective.

A) evolutionary
B) psychodynamic
C) neuroscience
D) social-cultural

Question 80

Which perspective is most directly concerned with assessing the relative contributions of heredity and environmental experience to differing levels of human intelligence?

A) cognitive
B) behavioral
C) psychodynamic
D) behavior genetics