Question 1

Two groups of people are given different kinds of practice problems in logic. They are then tested on a set of new problems to determine whether one kind of practice was better than the other. The nature of the practice problems is the ________ variable.

A) uncontrolled
B) independent
C) dependent
D) observed

independent

Accepted Answer

The nature of the practice problems is the independent variable because it is manipulated by the experimenter to see if it has an effect on the dependent variable (performance on the new problems). The dependent variable is the performance on the new problems because it is what is being measured and is assumed to be influenced by the independent variable. The uncontrolled variable refers to any variable that is not being intentionally manipulated but may still have an effect on the dependent variable. The observed variable refers to any variable that is being measured in the experiment.

Question 2

If explanation of the causes of thoughts, feelings, and behavior is a psychologist's goal, then the ________ method of research should be used.&#10;A) experimental&#10;B) survey&#10;C) correlational&#10;D) naturalistic observation

Accepted Answer

The experimental method allows psychologists to manipulate variables and determine cause-and-effect relationships between different factors and psychological outcomes, directly addressing the causes of thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Question 3

Which of the following is not one of the main stages of the history of psychology discussed in your text?&#10;A) the Gestalt revolution&#10;B) the emergence of a science of the mind&#10;C) the behaviorist decades&#10;D) the cognitive revolution

Accepted Answer

The gestalt revolution is one of the main stages of the history of psychology discussed in the text. The other three options (emergence of a science of the mind, behaviorist decades, and cognitive revolution) are also discussed as major stages in the development of psychology.

Question 4

The expectations of a researcher that might distort or influence his or her interpretation of what he or she actually observed is called ________.&#10;A) sample bias&#10;B) observer bias&#10;C) the Phi phenomenon&#10;D) cognitive dissonance

Accepted Answer

Observer bias refers to the tendency of a researcher to interpret observations in a way that aligns with their preconceived notions or expectations. This can be influenced by factors such as personal beliefs, values, and past experiences. Sample bias refers to a situation where the sample being studied is not representative of the broader population, leading to inaccurate conclusions. The Phi phenomenon refers to the illusion of movement created by rapidly alternating visual stimuli. Cognitive dissonance refers to the discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs or values simultaneously.

Question 5

According to Freud, much of our behavior is controlled by ________.&#10;A) mental Gestalts&#10;B) environmental stimuli&#10;C) unconscious desires&#10;D) mental associations

Accepted Answer

Freud believed that a significant amount of our behavior is influenced by unconscious desires, which are hidden deep within our psyche and cannot be accessed consciously without the assistance of therapy or other tools of introspection.

Question 6

The term sexual ________ refers to whether a person is sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex or same sex.&#10;A) orientation&#10;B) identity&#10;C) preference&#10;D) role

Accepted Answer

Sexual orientation refers to a person's enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, both genders, or neither gender. Identity refers to how a person identifies themselves and can be different from their sexual orientation. Preference and role are not as accurate or inclusive terms as orientation.

Question 7

Researchers have found that men are usually assumed to be more aggressive than women. However, when women believe they are not being observed they are often just as aggressive as men. Of the following professionals, ________ psychologists would probably be the most interested in these findings.

A) clinical
B) developmental
C) psychometric
D) personality

Accepted Answer

Personality psychologists are interested in studying individual differences in behavior and how these differences are influenced by various factors such as gender, environment, and social perceptions. The finding that women can be just as aggressive as men, when not being observed, can be studied in terms of personality traits that may influence this behavior.

Question 8

When we listen to a favorite piece of music, we tend to experience the melodies and harmonies as a beautiful single piece of music rather than as the series of separate notes of which the song is actually composed. This phenomenon illustrates an important point made by ________.

A) humanists
B) Gestalt psychologists
C) behaviorists
D) psychoanalysts

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described in the question is an example of the Gestalt principle of perceptual organization, which states that we tend to perceive objects as wholes rather than as the sum of their individual parts.

Question 9

Positive psychologists are most similar in their beliefs to ________.&#10;A) behaviorists&#10;B) Gestalt theorists&#10;C) humanists&#10;D) psychodynamic theorists

Accepted Answer

Positive psychologists share many beliefs with humanists, such as a focus on individual growth, potential, and self-actualization. They also believe in the importance of subjective experiences, personal meaning, and values. Behaviorists, Gestalt theorists, and psychodynamic theorists have different perspectives and beliefs.

Question 10

Cognitive psychologists are concerned with the scientific study of ________.&#10;A) mental processes&#10;B) observable behaviors&#10;C) self-actualization&#10;D) psychosocial development

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychologists are concerned with the scientific study of mental processes, such as perception, attention, problem-solving, memory, language, and thinking. They are interested in understanding how people acquire, process, store, and use information, and how they make decisions, solve problems, and reason about the world. Observable behaviors, self-actualization, and psychosocial development are the focus of other branches of psychology, such as behaviorism, humanistic psychology, and developmental psychology, respectively.

Deck 1: Extension: The Science of Psychology