Question 1

The approach that examines behavioral processes in terms of their adaptive value for a species over the course of many generations is

Accepted Answer

The approach that examines behavioral processes in terms of their adaptive value for a species over the course of many generations is known as evolutionary psychology. This field of psychology focuses on how natural selection has shaped behavior, cognition, and other psychological processes in humans and other animals. It draws on principles from evolutionary biology to help understand why certain behaviors or traits may have developed, and how they may have been beneficial for survival and reproduction.

Question 2

The cognitive perspective contends that to fully understand human behavior, psychologists need to focus attention on

Accepted Answer

The cognitive perspective emphasizes the importance of internal mental events, such as perception, attention, memory, and thinking, in understanding human behavior. It focuses on how people process, store, and retrieve information, and how this information affects behavior.

Question 3

Dr. Vasquez has found that many Asians feel uncomfortable with the expression of emotions and disclosure of personal information. As a consequence, Dr. Vasquez has made several suggestions for ways in which psychological counseling might be modified to benefit people from Asian backgrounds. Based on this information, you could infer that Dr. Vasquez investigates

Accepted Answer

Dr. Vasquez's suggestions for modifying psychological counseling suggest that she investigates the role of cultural factors in psychological processes, particularly in relation to how individuals from Asian backgrounds may differ in their emotional expression and personal disclosure compared to Western cultures.

Question 4

Historically, most of psychology's research has been conducted in

Accepted Answer

The majority of psychology's research has been conducted in the United States, with American universities being the hub of research activity. While research is conducted in other countries, the United States has consistently been at the forefront of the field of psychology.

Question 5

A psychological perspective that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s which reflects a renewed interest in the study of the mind or consciousness that existed in psychology when it first became a science in the late 1800s is

Accepted Answer

The cognitive perspective emerged in the 1950s and 1960s and reflects a renewed interest in the study of the mind or consciousness. This perspective focuses on mental processes such as perception, memory, language, and problem-solving.

Question 6

The tendency to view one's own group as superior to others and as the standard for judging the worth of foreign ways is called

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own group as superior to others and as the standard for judging the worth of foreign ways. Racism refers specifically to the belief that one's own racial or ethnic group is superior to others. Egocentrism refers to a self-centered perspective that neglects the viewpoints and experiences of others. Functionalism is a sociological theory that emphasizes the interdependence and harmony of social structures and institutions.

Question 7

The recent increased interest in research dealing with "cultural" variables in psychology can be attributed to all EXCEPT which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The depersonalization of human beings by modern psychology is not a reason for the increased interest in research dealing with "cultural" variables in psychology. In fact, it is the opposite; the interest in cultural variables is an attempt to consider the unique experiences and perspectives of different cultures and avoid depersonalization.

Question 8

Professor Vasquez believes that nearly all psychological disorders can ultimately be traced to abnormalities in brain chemistry. Professor Vasquez's beliefs are MOST consistent with the

Accepted Answer

The biological perspective emphasizes the role of biological processes in behavior and psychological functioning, including the influence of genetics and brain chemistry. Professor Vasquez's belief that psychological disorders can be traced to abnormalities in brain chemistry aligns with this perspective.

Question 9

Decision making, reasoning, problem solving, and language are topics MOST likely to be studied by

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychologists focus on the study of mental processes such as decision making, reasoning, problem solving, and language.

Question 10

Which of the following is cited in the textbook as a reason for the narrow focus of Western psychology?

Accepted Answer

The textbook cites that cross-cultural research is time-consuming and costly, which contributes to the narrow focus of Western psychology.

Question 11

Professor Immel believes that behaviors that are predominant in certain species probably serve some adaptive function. Professor Immel's beliefs are MOST consistent with the

Accepted Answer

The evolutionary perspective focuses on the adaptive functions of behaviors in different species, which aligns with Professor Immel's beliefs that certain behaviors are predominant because they serve some purpose in adaptation.

Question 12

The biological perspective contends that to fully understand behavior, psychologists need to focus attention on

Accepted Answer

The biological perspective emphasizes the interrelations among the mind, body, and behavior. It suggests that behavior is influenced by biological processes, such as genetics, hormones, and the functioning of the brain and nervous system. By understanding these processes and their role in behavior, psychologists can gain insight into how and why humans and animals behave in certain ways.

Question 13

Recently Western psychologists have started to devote more attention to ____ as a determinant of behavior.

Accepted Answer

The question is asking for a determinant of behavior that Western psychologists have started to pay more attention to. The options of intelligence and unconscious are not recent discoveries in psychology; they have been studied for a long time. Feelings also have been studied for a while, although the focus on them has increased recently. However, the study of how culture influences behavior is a relatively new field in Western psychology, which is why option D is the best choice.

Question 14

The tendency to view one's own group as superior to others and as the standard for judging the worth of foreign ways is known as

Accepted Answer

The definition given best describes ethnocentrism, which refers to the tendency to evaluate others based on the standard and values of one's own cultural or ethnic group, and to see one's own group as superior. The other answer choices are not accurate definitions of the term.

Question 15

A psychological perspective that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s which reflects a renewed interest in the study of the physiological bases of behavior that existed in psychology when it first became a science in the late 1800s is the

Accepted Answer

The description given closely matches the biological perspective, which focuses on the physiological and genetic bases of behavior. The other options do not mention a focus on physiology or genetics. Therefore, the best choice is D, biological perspective.

Question 16

The basic premise of evolutionary psychology is that natural selection favors behaviors that enhance organisms' success in

Accepted Answer

The basic premise of evolutionary psychology is that natural selection favors behaviors that enhance organisms' success in passing on their genes to the next generation. This means that behaviors that increase an individual's chances of reproducing, such as attracting a mate or protecting offspring, are more likely to be passed down to future generations. Establishing a territory and locating a source of food can also be important for survival and reproduction, but they are not the primary focus of evolutionary psychology. Aggressive interactions with members of other species may sometimes be necessary for survival, but they do not necessarily enhance an individual's reproductive success.

Question 17

Which of the following groups is MOST likely to have been used as subjects for psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Historically, psychological research has been predominantly conducted on middle- and upper-class white males. This has led to biases in research findings and a lack of understanding about how psychological principles apply to other demographic groups. While research has since expanded to include a more diverse range of participants, the history of the field and the prevalence of these biases make it most likely that middle- and upper-class white males have been used as subjects for psychological research.

Question 18

Psychologists who focus attention on cultural diversity are LEAST likely to

Accepted Answer

Psychologists who focus on cultural diversity should avoid identifying deficiencies in other cultures, as this can lead to ethnocentrism and cultural bias. Instead, they should aim to document both differences and similarities among varying cultures, as well as test the generality of earlier findings to other cultures.

Question 19

Which of the following psychological perspectives is MOST likely to focus on the interrelations among the mind, body, and behavior?

Accepted Answer

The biological perspective emphasizes the role of biology in behavior and mental processes, including the interconnectedness of the brain, nervous system, hormones, and other biological processes with behavior and mental processes. Therefore, it is most likely to focus on the interrelations among the mind, body, and behavior.

Question 20

Historically, which of the following groups of individuals has been MOST frequently used as subjects in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

White men have historically been the most frequently used group in psychological research, as early psychology was dominated by white male researchers studying other white men. This trend has led to a lack of diversity and generalizability in psychological research. In recent years, efforts have been made to increase diversity in research samples.

Quiz 1: The Evolution of Psychology Part 1