Question 1

Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis focused on

Accepted Answer

Freud's psychoanalysis focused on early childhood experiences as the primary source of unconscious conflicts and drives that shape adult behavior and personality.

Question 2

The famous study of Phineas Gage, who survived when a metal rod pierced his skull, is an example of a

Accepted Answer

The study of Phineas Gage is a case study, as it involves the in-depth examination of a single individual in detail, examining various variables such as his behavior, personality, and cognitive function before and after the incident.

Question 3

Which step in the scientific method is derived from the goal of description?

Accepted Answer

Perceiving a question is the step in the scientific method that is derived from the goal of description, as it involves observing and describing phenomena that lead to the formulation of a question to be investigated.

Question 4

Which perspective is often referred to as the "third force" in psychology and focuses on a person's freedom of choice in determining their behavior?

Accepted Answer

The humanistic perspective is often referred to as the "third force" in psychology as it emerged as a reaction to behaviorism and psychoanalysis. This perspective emphasizes a person's freedom of choice in determining their behavior and focuses on their potential for personal growth and self-actualization.

Question 5

By using _________________, researchers can maximize the likelihood of a representative sample.

Accepted Answer

Random selection from a larger group helps to eliminate the potential for bias and increases the chances of obtaining a representative sample. This is because every member of the larger group has an equal chance of being selected for the sample.

Question 6

Brianne wants to find an explanation for the behavior of her lab rats in her study. Which step in the scientific method is she currently focusing on?

Accepted Answer

Brianne is currently focusing on testing a hypothesis because she wants to find an explanation for the behavior of her lab rats in her study.

Question 7

Which perspective best explains the bystander effect whereby individuals will be less likely to help someone in need because of the presence of others close by?

Accepted Answer

The sociocultural perspective emphasizes the influence of broader social and cultural factors in shaping behavior. The presence of others in the bystander effect is a social factor that can affect how individuals behave. In this case, the diffusion of responsibility is a social norm that suggests that responsibility for helping someone in need is shared among those present, leading to a decrease in the likelihood of any one individual taking action.

Question 8

Dr. Colton identifies himself with the largest subfield of psychology. What kind of psychologist is he?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Colton identifies himself with the largest subfield of psychology, which is clinical psychology. Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Question 9

Which of the following would indicate the weakest relationship and thus be close to complete randomness?

Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient of +0.01 indicates a weak positive relationship, but it is still closer to no correlation (complete randomness) than the other options. A correlation coefficient of +1.04 indicates a strong positive relationship, while coefficients of −0.89 and −0.98 represent strong negative relationships.

Question 10

Micah has recently been diagnosed with a psychological disorder that is best addressed initially with medication. He would likely benefit the most by first seeing a ___________.

Accepted Answer

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness. They are the only mental health professionals who can prescribe medication, which is indicated in this scenario. Therefore, Micah would benefit the most by first seeing a psychiatrist.

Question 11

The main advantage of a survey is that

Accepted Answer

Surveys can gather a large amount of data, making it easier to analyze and draw conclusions from. While surveys may still be susceptible to errors, the likelihood of experimenter error is no greater or less than in other research methods. Additionally, surveys do not typically involve control or experimental groups, so option D is incorrect. Option A is also incorrect as the number of subjects needed will depend on the research question and the sample size required to make meaningful conclusions.

Question 12

A psychologist is interested in finding out why married couples seemingly begin to look like each other after several years of marriage. This psychologist is most interested in the goal of

Accepted Answer

The psychologist is trying to explain a phenomenon, which is the resemblance between married couples' physical appearances after years of being together. Therefore, the goal here is to provide an explanation for this occurrence.

Question 13

In an experiment to examine the effects of sleep deprivation on completion of a puzzle, one group is allowed to sleep eight hours while another group is made to stay awake. In this experiment, the control group is

Accepted Answer

The control group in this experiment is the group that is allowed to sleep eight hours. This group serves as a comparison to the experimental group (the group that is deprived of sleep). By comparing the performance of the two groups, the researchers can assess the role of sleep in puzzle completion. Thus, the control group represents the standard against which the effects of sleep deprivation are being evaluated.

Question 14

If Dr. Byers uses an eclectic approach in her clinical treatment of children, what is it that she is doing?

Accepted Answer

An eclectic approach means that a therapist is using a combination of different psychological perspectives and techniques to provide tailored treatment to different clients. This approach allows therapists to be flexible and adaptive in their treatment methods, recognizing that different clients may have unique needs and respond differently to different approaches.

Question 15

In the definition of psychology, the term behavior means

Accepted Answer

The term behavior in psychology refers to overt actions and reactions that can be observed and measured. This includes both voluntary and involuntary behavior, and is not limited to animal behavior. Internal, covert processes such as thoughts and emotions are considered to be part of the broader field of mental processes, which also falls under the umbrella of psychology.

Question 16

Who is considered to be the father of African American psychology?

Accepted Answer

Francis Cecil Sumner is considered to be the father of African American psychology. He became the first African American to receive a PhD in psychology in 1920 and went on to become a prominent researcher and teacher, studying topics such as racial bias in intelligence testing and the effects of segregation on black children.

Question 17

What is the first guideline for doing research with people?

Accepted Answer

The first and foremost guideline for conducting research with human subjects is to prioritize their rights and well-being. This means that researchers should take measures to ensure that participants are not harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally during the study. In addition, researchers should obtain informed consent from participants, maintain confidentiality of data, and avoid using deception unless it is absolutely necessary for the study. However, these guidelines all stem from the primary responsibility to protect the rights and welfare of the human subjects involved in the research.

Question 18

Which psychologist dared to ignore the whole consciousness issue and return to a study of scientific inquiry by focusing on observable behavior?

Accepted Answer

John Watson, with his development of behaviorism in the early 20th century, focused on observable behavior rather than subjective consciousness. He believed that behavior could be studied and predicted based on stimuli and responses, and that the inner workings of the mind were ultimately unimportant to understanding behavior.

Question 19

In a __________study, the participants do not know if they are part of the control group or the experimental group. Only the experimenter knows who is in each group.

Accepted Answer

In a single-blind study, the participants do not know if they are part of the control group or the experimental group, but the experimenter knows who is in each group. A placebo study involves giving a fake treatment to one group and the real treatment to another. In a double-blind study, both the participants and the experimenter are unaware of who is in the control group or the experimental group. There is no such thing as a triple-blind study.

Question 20

What is the biggest reason why we use animals in research?

Accepted Answer

Animals are used in research because there are certain things that can be done to animals that cannot be done to humans due to ethical and legal considerations. This allows researchers to test and study certain aspects of diseases, treatments, and other medical interventions.

Quiz 1: The Science of Psychology