Question 1

Which of the following is NOT considered one of the three developments in the biological revolution that helped guide psychological science?

Accepted Answer

The three developments in the biological revolution that helped guide psychological science are developments in the understanding of brain chemistry, the Human Genome Project, and brain scan methods which allow scientists to watch a working brain. Evolutionary evidence that proves that the mind developed from the brain is not considered one of the three developments.

Question 2

In a cross-cultural study, Westerners were found to focus more on __________ whereas Easterners were more likely to focus on __________.

Accepted Answer

Westerners tend to emphasize personal strengths and individual achievements, while Easterners often focus on self-improvement and the collective well-being.

Question 3

According to ___________ theory, the brain has evolved over millions of years to solve problems related to survival and reproduction.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary theory explains how the brain has evolved over time to ensure the survival and reproduction of individuals and their offspring. This theory suggests that certain mental processes and behaviors have been selected for over millions of years of natural selection because they increase the chances of being able to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.

Question 4

The area of science which focuses on studying the working brain is called:

Accepted Answer

Neuroscience is the area of science which focuses on studying the working brain. It combines approaches from psychology, biology, and other disciplines to understand how the brain functions at the cellular and molecular levels. Psychological science (A) is a broader term used to refer to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Biological science (B) encompasses all areas of science that deal with living organisms and their environment. Psychobiological science (C) is a term sometimes used to refer to the interdisciplinary study of the biological bases of behavior and mental processes.

Question 5

Which statement best summarizes the role of culture in shaping behaviours?

Accepted Answer

Culture plays a foundational role in shaping our behaviours as it provides us with an understanding of what is acceptable in society, shapes our beliefs and values, and influences our decision-making processes. While biology may have some influence on behaviour, cultural experiences and socialization have been found to have a greater impact. Option A is incorrect as it underestimates the importance of culture. Option C is only partially true and does not encompass the full role of culture in shaping behaviours. Option D is incorrect as culture influences both social and cognitive behaviours.

Question 6

Which of the following philosophers is most noted for promoting dualism as an explanation of the mind/body problem?

Accepted Answer

René Descartes is most noted for promoting dualism as an explanation of the mind/body problem. He argued that the mind and body are separate entities that interact with each other, but are fundamentally different in nature. This concept of dualism has had a significant influence on philosophy and psychology for centuries.

Question 7

In a study of vision, researchers placed infants who were mature enough to crawl on a "visual cliff" (i.e., a clear plastic surface with one side looking firm and the other side looking as if it dropped off). The researchers discovered that the child would:

Accepted Answer

The researchers discovered that infants who were mature enough to crawl showed hesitation in crossing from the firm side to the "dropped off" side, even when their mothers encouraged them to do so. This suggests that the infants had depth perception and were able to perceive the visual cliff as a drop-off.

Question 8

The Human Genome Project refers to:

Accepted Answer

The Human Genome Project is a scientific research project aimed at mapping and sequencing the entire human genome, which is the complete set of DNA within a human cell. The project was completed in 2003 and has greatly advanced our understanding of genetics and inherited diseases.

Question 9

Which cultural group is most likely to focus on an entire image rather than the single elements of its foreground?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that Eastern cultures tend to view images holistically, focusing on the relationship between the different elements and the background, rather than just the individual objects in the foreground. In contrast, Western cultures tend to place more emphasis on the individual objects and their attributes.

Question 10

Today, what do most psychological scientists conclude regarding the philosophical concept of dualism?

Accepted Answer

Most psychological scientists largely reject dualism and believe that the mind is what the brain does. This is due to the advancements in neuroscience that have shown a strong relationship between brain function and mental processes. Dualism suggests that the mind and body are separate entities, which is not supported by empirical evidence.

Question 11

The concept of "survival of the fittest" states that:

Accepted Answer

The concept of "survival of the fittest" refers to the idea that organisms who are most adaptive to their environment, in terms of their physical characteristics and behaviors, are more likely to survive and reproduce. It does not necessarily involve random mutations, nor does it require organisms to be the biggest or to be able to spontaneously mutate their genes.

Question 12

Which of the following would be an example of the biological level of analysis?

Accepted Answer

The biological level of analysis focuses on the biological factors underlying behavior and mental processes, such as genetics, hormones, and neurotransmitters. Examining changes in serotonin levels in the brain after the death of a spouse is an example of studying the biological factors that may influence behavior.

Question 13

Which cultural group is most likely to focus on single elements of the foreground rather than focusing on an entire image?

Accepted Answer

Western cultures are more likely to focus on individual elements or objects in the foreground, reflecting an analytical thinking style, whereas Eastern cultures tend to focus on the entire image, reflecting a holistic thinking style.

Question 14

According to research conducted by Richard Nisbett, ____________ tend to be ___________ in their thinking.

Accepted Answer

Richard Nisbett's research suggests that Eastern cultures tend to be more holistic in their thinking, compared to Western cultures that are more analytic.

Question 15

According to research conducted by Richard Nisbett, ____________ tend to be ___________ in their thinking.

Accepted Answer

Richard Nisbett's research suggests that Western cultures tend to be more analytic in their thinking, focusing on objects and their attributes independently of their context.

Question 16

Using principles of evolutionary science to understand why people are able to detect cheating is appropriate because:

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary science studies the ways in which behaviors and traits develop and change over time through natural selection. Cheating in social contexts, such as in relationships or within a group, can harm others and decrease the chance of survival for the group as a whole. Thus, it is relevant to study the evolutionary origins and mechanisms of the ability to detect cheating as a means of promoting group cooperation and survival.

Question 17

You catch your 12-year-old sister smoking. She says that she likes to smoke because her friends smoke. You tell her she does it because she is addicted. Which of the following correspond to the stated levels of analysis for the smoking behaviour?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You catch your 12-year-old sister smoking. She...

Question 18

Almost anywhere you travel in the world you can find a McDonald's restaurant or T-shirts with North American logos. Researchers theorize that this is part of a process that accelerates cultural evolution. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

The process described is known as globalization, where cultural elements are spread and integrated across countries and regions through various means such as trade, media, and tourism. McDonald's and North American logos are examples of cultural exports that have become widely recognizable and adopted worldwide through this process. Urbanization refers to the growth and development of cities, while commercial warfare and world exchange are not widely recognized terms for this particular phenomenon.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT an example of questions scientists might ask regarding evolutionary adaptations in humans?

Accepted Answer

This question is not related to evolutionary adaptations in humans, but rather a question about learning and adapting study habits. The other options all relate to evolutionary adaptations such as the development of fear, the ability to walk upright, and food preferences.

Question 20

What is the best definition of the interdisciplinary approach to psychological science?

Accepted Answer

The interdisciplinary approach to psychological science involves working on the same question across scientific fields. This approach emphasizes the importance of collaboration between different disciplines, such as psychology, biology, chemistry, and physics, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of complex phenomena. By leveraging expertise from multiple fields, researchers can bring new perspectives and methods to bear on longstanding questions and challenges in psychological science.

Quiz 1: Introduction