Deck 1: Power Learning: Becoming an Expert Student

Question 1

Which of the following is an example of a question that is answered using the scientific method?

A) When asked whether or not violent video games have any impact on a gamer, a psychologist replies that there is empirical evidence that shows a change in the gamer's physiology.
B) When asked whether or not mood influences prosocial behavior, a psychologist replies that his gut feeling says it does.
C) When asked if addiction is a disease or a choice, Dr. Smith replies that he knows many addicts and he feels that they have a disease.
D) When asked if an old dog can be taught new tricks, Rick replies, "I taught my 10-year-old shepherd to fetch a ball, so yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks."

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Evolutionary psychologists are especially interested in:

A) how behavior is influenced by our genetic inheritance from our ancestors.
B) how physical characteristics have a genetic basis.
C) how thoughts and behaviors are influenced by the structure of the brain.
D) how personality traits and social behavior vary across cultures.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Developmental psychology:

A) focuses primarily on educational, social, and career adjustment problems.
B) studies how people grow and change from the moment of conception through death.
C) focuses on higher mental processes, including thinking, memory, reasoning, problem solving, judging, decision making, and language.
D) deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT one of the three newer branches of psychology's family tree?

A) Counseling psychology
B) Behavioral genetics
C) Evolutionary psychology
D) Clinical neuropsychology

Question 5

How do clinical psychology and counseling psychology differ?

A) Clinical psychology requires more advanced study than does counseling psychology.
B) Clinical psychologists have a PhD or an MD degree, whereas counseling psychologists have a PsyD degree.
C) Counseling psychologists deal with problems that are more specific than the problems that clinical psychologists deal with.
D) Clinical psychology and counseling psychology are synonymous.

Question 6

In order to study mind and behavior, psychologists:

A) rely on the scientific method.
B) use their intuition.
C) rely on the study of internal medicine.
D) use speculation.

Question 7

Which branch of psychology explores the relationship between psychological factors and physical ailments or diseases?

A) Developmental psychology
B) Health psychology
C) Perceptual psychology
D) Clinical neuropsychology

Question 8

Psychology is defined as:

A) an intuition-based approach to study human behavior.
B) a speculative method to find answers about human cognition.
C) the study of mental disorders and their treatment.
D) the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Question 9

Personality psychology:

A) focuses primarily on educational, social, and career adjustment problems.
B) focuses on the consistency in people's behavior over time and the traits that differentiate one person from another.
C) focuses on higher mental processes, including thinking, memory, reasoning, problem solving, judging, decision making, and language.
D) deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders.

Question 10

Dr. Alvarez studies how the degeneration of certain components of nerve cells in the brain might contribute to the development of multiple sclerosis. Dr. Alvarez's work best exemplifies the ________ subfield of psychology.

A) cognitive
B) experimental
C) developmental
D) behavioral neuroscience

Question 11

Why is the term experimental psychologist considered somewhat misleading?

A) Psychologists in every subfield use the experimental method.
B) The term is no longer in existence.
C) Most psychological topics are not suited to experimental study.
D) Experimental methods are only appropriate for the study of the biological bases of behavior.

Question 12

Dr. Ebrahim examines how children's friendships change through elementary and middle-school years. Dr. Ebrahim is a(n) ________ psychologist.

A) clinical
B) evolutionary
C) experimental
D) developmental

Question 13

How are cognitive and experimental psychology related?

A) They are two completely identical subfields of psychology.
B) They are two completely distinct subfields of psychology.
C) Cognitive psychology is part of experimental psychology.
D) Experimental psychology is part of cognitive psychology.

Question 14

________ focuses on higher mental processes, including thinking, memory, reasoning, problem solving, judging, decision making, and language.

A) Developmental psychology
B) Personality psychology
C) Clinical psychology
D) Cognitive psychology

Question 15

Dr. Chen studies how people grow and change during late adolescence and young adulthood. Dr. Doherty focuses on several traits that distinguish one person from another. In this scenario, Dr. Chen is a(n) ________ psychologist and Dr. Doherty is a ________.

A) experimental psychologist; cognitive psychologist
B) health psychologist; clinical psychologist
C) developmental psychologist; personality psychologist
D) clinical psychologist; counseling psychologist

Question 16

Social psychology:

A) focuses primarily on educational, social, and career adjustment problems.
B) deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders.
C) investigates the similarities and differences in psychological functioning in and across various cultures and ethnic groups.
D) is the study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and actions are affected by others.

Question 17

Which of the following branches of psychology studies the processes of sensing, perceiving, learning, and thinking about the world?

A) Behavioral neuroscience
B) Developmental psychology
C) Experimental psychology
D) Health psychology

Question 18

Which of the following subfields of psychology is incorrectly matched with its description?

A) Behavioral neuroscience: examines the relationship between the nervous system and behavior
B) Cognitive psychology: examines how people grow and change from conception through death
C) Experimental psychology: examines the processes of sensing, perceiving, learning, and thinking
D) Clinical psychology: deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders

Question 19

Fiona helps students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) develop effective study regimens. Fiona is most likely a(n) ________ psychologist.

A) health
B) experimental
C) developmental
D) counseling

Question 20

Which of the following subfields of psychology is correctly matched with its sample topic?

A) Behavioral neuroscience: the influence of chronic stress on physical health
B) Developmental psychology: the effectiveness of drug therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder
C) Cognitive psychology: the influence of an event on people's thinking
D) Health psychology: the role that frustration plays in producing aggression

Question 21

________ is a procedure used to study the structure of the mind in which subjects are asked to describe in detail what they are experiencing when they are exposed to a stimulus.

A) Inner perception
B) Introspection
C) Internal observation
D) Intervention

Question 22

Gestalt psychology may be seen as a reaction to ________.

A) the psychodynamic perspective
B) humanism
C) functionalism
D) structuralism

Question 23

Which of the following was a disadvantage of introspection?

A) Introspection was a complicated process.
B) Introspection was time-consuming.
C) Introspection was too simplistic.
D) Introspection was not truly scientific.

Question 24

Dr. Leleux asserts that psychologists should attempt to identify the fundamental attributes of mental experience. Dr. Leleux is most likely following a perspective in psychology known as _____.

A) functionalism
B) determinism
C) structuralism
D) gestalt psychology

Question 25

Gestalt psychologists made substantial contribution to our understanding of:

A) memory.
B) perception.
C) emotion.
D) motivation.

Question 26

Which perspective below is correctly matched with its description?

A) Structuralism: emphasizes what the mind does
B) Functionalism: emphasizes the elements of mental experience
C) Humanism: emphasizes the unconscious determinants of behavior
D) Gestalt psychology: emphasizes the organization of perception

Question 27

Dr. Lin and Dr. Marino study obesity. Dr. Lin relates the likelihood of obesity to the levels of the trait of neuroticism-the tendency to experience upsetting emotions. Dr. Marino relates obesity to the frequency with which individuals eat alone, with family members, or in the presence of larger groups of friends, acquaintances, or strangers. In the scenario, which of the following statements is most likely to be true?

A) Dr. Marino is a social psychologist.
B) Dr. Lin is a social psychologist.
C) Dr. Marino is a personality psychologist.
D) Dr. Lin is a behavioral psychologist.

Question 28

How is the diversity of psychology limited in the United States?

A) Racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented among psychologists.
B) The majority of psychologists are male.
C) Psychologists in the United States far outnumber those in other countries.
D) Most of the research is conducted outside the United States.

Question 29

The formal beginning of psychology is associated with:

A) Wundt.
B) Gall.
C) Descartes.
D) Ebbinghaus.

Question 30

Which of the following statements is true regarding the difference between a PhD and a PsyD?

A) A PsyD requires more years of study than a PhD.
B) A PhD requires a dissertation based on an original investigation.
C) Fewer people earn a PhD than a PsyD.
D) A PhD is obtained by psychologists who wish to focus exclusively on the treatment of psychological disorders.

Question 31

Which of the following areas is correctly matched with its description?

A) Evolutionary psychology: focuses on the biological mechanisms that enable inherited behavior to unfold
B) Behavioral genetics: considers how our behavior is influenced by our genetic inheritance from our ancestors
C) Clinical neuropsychology: focuses on the origin of psychological disorders in biological factors
D) Cross-cultural psychology: examines the genetic basis of behavioral disorders

Question 32

The field of phrenology is associated with:

A) Gall.
B) Wundt.
C) Descartes.
D) Ebbinghaus.

Question 33

Dr. Hart investigates how depressive disorders are related to the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Dr. Hart's research falls within the field of:

A) clinical neuropsychology.
B) behavioral genetics.
C) cognitive psychology.
D) experimental psychology.

Question 34

In the context of the psychology of emotion, William James would be most interested in:

A) the contribution of unconscious memories to one's emotional experience.
B) the basic nature of an emotional feeling or experience.
C) how behavior aids one's adaptation to the environment.
D) the organization of perception and thinking into meaningful wholes.

Question 35

Which of the following approaches to psychology is most likely to propose that "the whole is different than the sum of the parts"?

A) Phrenology
B) Functionalism
C) Structuralism
D) Gestalt psychology

Question 36

The neuroscience perspective:

A) suggests that all individuals naturally strive to grow, develop, and be in control of their lives and behavior.
B) focuses on how people think, understand, and know about the world.
C) considers how people and nonhumans function biologically.
D) argues that behavior is motivated by inner forces and conflicts about which we have little awareness or control.

Question 37

________ is an early approach to psychology that concentrated on what the mind does and the role of behavior in allowing people to adapt to their environments.

A) Structuralism
B) Functionalism
C) Introspection
D) Gestalt psychology

Question 38

Which perspective in psychology immediately replaced the perspective of structuralism?

A) Behaviorism
B) Humanism
C) Functionalism
D) Gestalt psychology

Question 39

The approach that views behavior from the perspective of the brain, the nervous system, and other biological functions is known as the ________ perspective.

A) psychodynamic
B) nature-nurture
C) cognitive
D) neuroscience

Question 40

Noreen asserts that our behavior is motivated by inner forces about which we have little awareness or control. This viewpoint is most consistent with the ________ perspective of psychology.

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

Question 41

________ is the idea that people's behavior is produced primarily by factors outside of their willful control.

A) Naturism
B) Vigilantism
C) Determinism
D) Factualism

Question 42

Dr. Greenway argues that psychology should focus on observable, measurable behavior. Dr. Cech suggests that psychology should study how people think about and understand the world. Which option below correctly identifies their respective perspectives?

A) Dr. Greenway adheres to the behavioral perspective, and Dr. Cech adheres to the cognitive perspective.
B) Dr. Greenway adheres to the cognitive perspective, and Dr. Cech adheres to the behavioral perspective.
C) Dr. Greenway adheres to the behavioral perspective, and Dr. Cech adheres to the humanistic perspective.
D) Dr. Greenway adheres to the psychodynamic perspective, and Dr. Cech adheres to the humanistic perspective.

Question 43

Regarding theories, which of the following statements is true?

A) Theories vary in their breadth.
B) Theories are translations of hypotheses into specific procedures.
C) Theories stem from hypotheses.
D) Theories are predictions stated in a way that allow them to be tested.

Question 44

When asked to define "popularity," Brianna offers, "It's when everyone likes you." Chrissy suggests, "It's basically the number of friends you have." How do the two girls' definitions differ?

A) Chrissy's is a procedural definition; Brianna's is not.
B) Brianna's is an operational definition; Chrissy's is not.
C) Brianna's is a procedural definition; Chrissy's is not.
D) Chrissy's is an operational definition; Brianna's is not.

Question 45

Penny is a recovering drug addict. Her treatment program emphasizes the influence of her environment-people, places, and things-on the use of drugs. Her program reflects the ________ perspective of psychology.

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

Question 46

In the context of the scientific method, the development of a hypothesis occurs when:

A) formulating an explanation.
B) identifying questions of interest.
C) communicating the findings.
D) carrying out research designed to support or refute an explanation.

Question 47

Dr. Quinone studies the achievement motivation of junior high school students. He asserts that such motivation mainly reflects the parenting and educational practices the students have experienced. This statement is most directly related to the ________ issue, and Dr. Quinone's position is toward the ________ end of the continuum.

A) nature versus nurture; nature
B) nature versus nurture; nurture
C) observable behavior vs. internal mental processes; observable behavior
D) observable behavior vs. internal mental processes; internal mental processes

Question 48

Individual differences are to universal principles what the ________ perspective is to the ________ perspective.

A) neuroscience; humanistic
B) cognitive; behavioral
C) humanistic; neuroscience
D) behavioral; cognitive

Question 49

Frederico is presenting the outcomes of an experiment he conducted in a talk at a regional psychology conference. Frederico is engaged in the ________ step of the scientific method, namely ________.

A) first; communicating results
B) first; formulating an explanation
C) last; communicating the results
D) last; formulating an explanation

Question 50

A hypothesis is best defined as a:

A) prediction stated in a way that allows it to be tested.
B) specification of a variable in terms of the procedures that will be used to measure it.
C) broad, general explanation of a phenomenon of interest.
D) behavior, event, or other characteristic that can assume different values.

Question 51

Each of the following is a descriptive research technique EXCEPT:

A) experimental research.
B) case study.
C) naturalistic observation.
D) archival research.

Question 52

________ is defined as a systematic inquiry aimed at the discovery of new knowledge.

A) Theory
B) Critical thinking
C) Coherent observation
D) Research

Question 53

________ are broad explanations and predictions concerning phenomena of interest.

A) Theories
B) Hypotheses
C) Operational definitions
D) Suppositions

Question 54

Dr. Carruthers is using crime statistics available in a federal database as part of a study. Dr. Carruthers is conducting a(n):

A) case study.
B) naturalistic observation.
C) archival research.
D) survey.

Question 55

Which of the following descriptive research methods is correctly matched with its description?

A) Archival research: In-depth investigation is conducted of an individual.
B) Naturalistic observation: Behavior is investigated in the environment in which it typically occurs, without intervention by the researcher.
C) Case study: A sample is asked a series of questions about their thoughts, attitudes, or behaviors.
D) Survey research: Existing data is examined to test a hypothesis.

Question 56

Which of the following sequences correctly arranges the steps in the scientific method from first to last?

A) Identify the problem → formulate an explanation → carry out research → communicate the findings
B) Carry out research → formulate an explanation → identify the problem → communicate the findings
C) Identify problem → carry out research → formulate explanation → communicate the findings
D) Carry out research → identify the problem → formulate an explanation → communicate the findings

Question 57

The emphasis of the humanistic perspective is on:

A) free will.
B) environmental determinism.
C) natural selection.
D) unconscious motives.

Question 58

Dr. Petrovic tries to help his clients see how their behavior reflects the choices they have made. He is most likely a ________ psychologist.

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

Question 59

Evelyn, a psychology graduate, watches parent-child interactions in a park. She simply records what she sees and does not introduce any change in the scenario. The research method she uses is known as ________.

A) naturalistic observation
B) archival research
C) experimentation
D) a case study

Question 60

Research in which existing data, such as census documents, college records, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis is known as ________.

A) experimental research
B) archival research
C) naturalistic research
D) a case study

Question 61

Which of the following statements best expresses the relationship between a sample and a population?

A) A sample includes a population.
B) A population includes a sample.
C) A population is the same as a sample.
D) A sample is completely separate from a population.

Question 62

In an experiment, the independent variable is:

A) applied to the control group.
B) randomized across groups.
C) measured by the researcher and is expected to change.
D) manipulated by the researcher.

Question 63

Which of the following sequences best reflects the order of events in an experiment?

A) Informed consent → experiment → debriefing
B) Informed consent → debriefing → experiment
C) Debriefing → informed consent → experiment
D) Experiment → informed consent → debriefing

Question 64

Experimental research requires that the responses of ________ group(s) be compared.

A) at least one
B) at least five
C) at least two
D) at least three

Question 65

When a researcher debriefs her participants, she:

A) reveals the outcome of her study.
B) provides a detailed explanation of her study.
C) tells them they can stop taking part at any time.
D) assures the participants of confidentiality.

Question 66

Research that is conducted, sometimes using other procedures, settings, and groups of participants, to increase confidence in prior findings is known as ________.

A) replication
B) archival research
C) naturalistic observation
D) correlation

Question 67

Dr. O'Connor is telling his participants before he begins an experiment that their participation is completely voluntary and that they can stop taking part at any time. Dr. O'Connor is:

A) debriefing his participants.
B) obtaining informed consent.
C) using experimental manipulation.
D) assuring confidentiality.

Question 68

Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons that college students are so often used as participants in psychological research?

A) They are representative of the population at large.
B) They are generally readily available to researchers.
C) They are inexpensive.
D) Most research occurs in university settings.

Question 69

Experimental research is to correlational research what ________ is to ________.

A) association; cause
B) description; prediction
C) cause; association
D) description; association

Question 70

Which of the following descriptive research methods is incorrectly matched with an advantage?

A) Archival research: inexpensive
B) Naturalistic observation: examines behavior in the real world
C) Survey: ability to infer with great accuracy how a larger group would respond, even with a small sample
D) Case study: ability to make valid generalizations to a larger population

Question 71

Why are control groups included in experiments?

A) To determine whether two variables are correlated in an experiment
B) To rule out the idea that something other than experimental manipulation produced the observed results in an experiment
C) To ensure that participant characteristics are essentially the same in each group
D) To translate the hypothesis into something testable in an experiment

Question 72

Behaviors, events, or other characteristics that can change, or vary, in some way are referred to as:

A) variables.
B) constants.
C) operational definitions.
D) hypotheses.

Question 73

Dr. Gigliotti is conducting an in-depth, intensive investigation of a patient with dissociative identity disorder (DID). He uses psychological tests and interviews to better understand the patient. Dr. Gigliotti is conducting a(n):

A) survey research.
B) archival research.
C) case study.
D) naturalistic observation.

Question 74

The purpose of random assignment to conditions is to:

A) combine the results of a number of similar studies.
B) determine how likely it is that the results of a treatment were due to chance.
C) ensure there is an equal chance that participant characteristics will be distributed across the various groups.
D) determine whether the dependent variable and independent variable have positive correlation with each other.

Question 75

Dr. Estevez prepares a set of questions to ask college students about their drinking behavior and their attitudes toward alcohol. Dr. Estevez is undertaking a(n):

A) survey research.
B) case study.
C) naturalistic observation.
D) archival research.

Question 76

Experimental group is to control group what ________ is to ________.

A) special treatment; no treatment
B) no treatment; special treatment
C) independent variable; dependent variable
D) dependent variable; independent variable

Question 77

A positive correlation indicates that:

A) as the value of one variable increases, one can predict that the value of the other will also increase.
B) as the value of one variable increases, one can predict that the value of the other will decrease.
C) little or no relationship exists between two variables.
D) one variable causes the other.

Question 78

Correlational research is research in which:

A) an investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation.
B) people chosen to represent a larger population are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes.
C) the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine whether they are associated.
D) existing data, such as census documents, college records, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis.

Question 79

Before participating in an experiment, the participants must sign a document affirming that they have been told the basic outlines of the study and are aware of what their participation will involve, what risks the experiment may hold, and the fact that their participation is purely voluntary and they may terminate it at any time. This refers to which ethical principle of research?

A) Informed consent
B) Debriefing
C) Experimental manipulation
D) Significant outcome

Question 80

In an experiment, the ________ variable is measured and is expected to change due to the experimenter's manipulation.

A) control
B) dependent
C) independent
D) experimental