Question 1

Leon Festinger's study in which researchers infiltrated a doomsday cult to observe the cult's dynamics is a classic example of ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  naturalistic observation 
B)  participant observation 
C)  survey research 
D)  correlational research

Question 2

During the 1950s,many psychologists were dissatisfied with both the psychoanalytic and behavioristic views of human nature.Which force exerted its influence on psychology of that time?

Accepted Answer

A)  The humanistic perspective 
B)  Cognitive psychology 
C)  The evolutionary perspective 
D)  The sociocultural perspective

Question 3

You tell your friend that you are having recurring dreams about falling off a cliff.Your friends are most likely to suggest that you visit which of the following individuals to understand the meaning of this dream?

Accepted Answer

A)  A psychoanalyst 
B)  A behaviorist 
C)  An evolutionist 
D)  A Gestaltist

Question 4

Is the statement "God created life" a scientific hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes,because it can be tested by the methods of science. 
B)  No,because scientific studies have already proven that evolution created life. 
C)  Yes,because it has high fertility. 
D)  No,because there is no conceivable experiment or observation that could potentially falsify it.

Question 5

Which approach to psychology dominated North America from 1920s through 1950s?

Accepted Answer

A)  Existentialism 
B)  Behaviorism 
C)  Structuralism 
D)  Pragmatic examination

Question 6

Which of the following is stressed in cognitive psychology?

Accepted Answer

A)  Personal emotions such as love,hate,and fear 
B)  Stimulus-response measures 
C)  Introspection 
D)  Information processing

Question 7

On Monday you were praised for helping Mrs.Martin with her groceries,on Tuesday you were given $2 for helping Mr.Scott plant begonias,and on Wednesday you were given cookies for helping Mrs.Jones find her cat.Which of the following provides the best explanation for this behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)  You abide by the "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" rule. 
B)  Freud's theory of pleasure versus pain 
C)  Adler's theory of adolescent helping behaviors 
D)  Skinner's theory that behaviors followed by positive consequences will be repeated

Question 8

What is the process by which organisms with inherited traits best suited to the environment reproduce more successfully than less well adapted organisms over a number of generations?

Accepted Answer

A)  Evolution 
B)  Survival of the fittest 
C)  Natural selection 
D)  Selective reproduction

Question 9

Robert Woodworth and Edward Thorndike were students of ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  William Dement 
B)  William James 
C)  Sigmund Freud 
D)  Wilhelm Wundt

Question 10

What is risk/benefit ratio?

Accepted Answer

A)  The ratio between the risks that the researcher may face and the benefits that may that may derive out of the study 
B)  The ratio between the potential risks to those participating in a study and the benefits that the study may have for advancing knowledge about humanity 
C)  The ratio between the risk and the benefits for the humans participating in the study 
D)  The ratio between the risk the researcher may face in conducting the study and the benefits it will have for the participants

Question 11

As a scientist,you are continually uncovering phenomena that capture your attention and that are difficult to explain without reintroducing the concept of consciousness.What happens in the 1960s to help you?

Accepted Answer

A)  The theoretical center of gravity in psychology shifted from behaviorism to cognitive psychology. 
B)  The theoretical center of gravity in psychology shifted from Freud's unconscious mind to Maslow's conscious mind. 
C)  The theoretical center of gravity in psychology shifted from behaviorism to humanism. 
D)  The theoretical center of gravity in psychology shifted from evolutionary to cognitive psychology.

Question 12

According to the text,what is the first research stage?

Accepted Answer

A)  Developing a theory and hypothesis 
B)  Selecting a topic and reviewing past research 
C)  Selecting a scientific method and obtaining approval to conduct the study 
D)  Collecting and analyzing data,and then reporting the results

Question 13

Edward Titchener renamed Wundt's model of consciousness as ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  structuralism 
B)  functionalism 
C)  introspection 
D)  logical positivism

Question 14

Your professor wants you to design a research project on motivation and learning that you will later "try out" on volunteers from other psychology courses.Since this is your professor's area of expertise,in what field of research psychology does he/ she most likely specialize?

Accepted Answer

A)  Comparative psychology 
B)  Experimental psychology 
C)  Developmental psychology 
D)  Educational psychology

Question 15

William James did not embrace the approach of identifying the mind's components.What was James's desire?

Accepted Answer

A)  To scientifically study observable behavior 
B)  To understand how the mind affects what people feel 
C)  To understand how the mind organizes stimuli into coherent wholes 
D)  To understand how the mind affects what people do

Question 16

In assessing proposed studies involving human participants,the highest priority is always given to ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  the potential benefits of the research 
B)  the welfare of the participants 
C)  the potential loss of trust caused by any type of deception 
D)  having all participants finish the task to the best of their abilities

Exam 1: Psychology As a Science