Deck 1: What Is Psychology

Question 1

Sociocultural psychologists use an interesting metaphor in regard to humans and culture. They describe people as similar to fish. Fish are unaware that they live in water, so obvious is water in their lives. Explain why sociocultural psychologists use this metaphor.

Answer 1

A good answer will include the following key points.
- Our social and cultural environment is the "water" in which we "swim" every day.
- We are largely unaware of the tremendous influence of our social and cultural environment on our behaviour, just as a fish is unaware of the water in which it swims.

Question 2

As women began to enter psychology in greater numbers in the early 1970s, they began to document evidence of a pervasive bias in the research methods that were being used. Describe the biases that these feminist psychologists documented.

Answer 2

A good answer will include the following key points.
- Many studies used only men as subjects.
- Topics such as menstruation, motherhood, the dynamics of power and sexuality in relationships, definitions of masculinity and femininity, gender roles, and sexist attitudes had largely been ignored.
- They showed how research has often been used to justify the lower status of women and other disadvantaged groups.

Question 3

One common form of oversimplification is "argument by anecdote." Explain the meaning of this statement and provide an example.

Answer 3

A good answer will include the following key points.
- Argument by anecdote involves generalizing from a personal experience or a few examples.
- An example would be claiming that all students who attend state universities are not as bright as students attending private universities because you have met one or two such individuals.

Question 4

Describe the differences between psychobabble and scientific psychology.

Question 5

Hank demands that his psychology professor give him a yes-or-no answer to the question, "Do violent movies cause adolescents to become more aggressive?" When the professor explains the complicated evidence, Hank says, "You are evading the issue!" Which critical-thinking guideline does Hank need to take into consideration? Support your choice with information from the textbook.

Question 6

Shelley wants her grandma to keep in touch through e-mail but her grandma says, "Oh, Shelley, you know that you can't teach an old dog new tricks!" If Shelley has been studying the problems with popular beliefs about psychological phenomena, how should she respond?

Question 7

The professional activities of psychologists fall into three broad categories. Describe and give examples of each of these three types of professional activities.

Question 8

During the early decades of psychology's existence as a formal discipline, three schools of psychological thought became popular. What were these three schools of thought and what became of each of them over time?

Question 9

When people think of psychology, they usually think of mental disorders, emotional disorders, abnormal acts, personal problems, and psychotherapy. Describe two other topics that are of great interest to psychologists.

Question 10

List and define the four major perspectives in modern psychology.

Question 11

Describe Wilhelm Wundt's preferred research method, and give an example of how it might be used to study a psychological topic.

Question 12

Describe what it means to be a critical thinker.

Question 13

Why is Wilhelm Wundt especially revered by psychologists?

Question 14

Explain why the textbook authors call the theory of phrenology a classic pseudoscience. Provide examples that support this assessment.

Question 15

The structuralists had an intensive program of research in Germany and the United States. What became of this school of psychology? What challenges did the structuralists encounter?

Question 16

How was Darwin's theory of evolution inspirational to the functionalists?

Question 17

A fortune teller reads Haifa's palm and tells Haifa that she will fall in love during spring break when she travels to Cancun. As a critical thinker enrolled in a general psychology class, how would Haifa react to this news? What critical-thinking guidelines would be important for her to consider?

Question 18

List eight guidelines for critical thinking.

Question 19

Juanita is studying in her dorm room when her roommate says, "Why did you sign up for a psychology class? Everyone knows that psychology is the same as plain, old common sense." How should Juanita explain the differences between psychology and common sense?

Question 20

The learning perspective is adhered to by two different types of psychologists: behaviourists and social-cognitive learning theorists. Compare these two types of learning theory advocates.

Question 21

_______________ involved the analysis of the basic elements or building blocks of the mind.

A) Functionalism
B) Structuralism
C) Humanism
D) Behaviourism

Question 22

The first person to announce that he intended to make psychology a science was:

A) William James.
B) Joseph Gall.
C) John Locke.
D) Wilhelm Wundt.

Question 23

Which of the following approaches was popular during the early days of modern psychology?

A) the structuralist perspective
B) the cognitive-biological perspective
C) the feminist perspective
D) the sociocultural perspective

Question 24

The authors point out that people may be a little "fuzzy" about psychological careers because psychologists contribute to their communities in so many different ways. Describe three ways in which psychologists make these contributions.

Question 25

The founder of functionalism was:

A) Sigmund Freud.
B) William James.
C) Wilhelm Wundt.
D) E. B. Titchener.

Question 26

Which of the following is true about the professional activities of psychologists?

A) All psychologists see patients.
B) Some psychologists serve as consultants to governments or businesses.
C) Psychology researchers are not allowed to do work in nonacademic settings.
D) Psychology researchers are not allowed to provide counselling services in a mental health setting.

Question 27

What is the difference between basic research and applied research?

Question 28

Alexandra and Holly both plan to become clinical psychologists, although Alexandra is applying to graduate schools to pursue a PhD and Holly plans to earn a PsyD. What different experiences and requirements are each likely to encounter in earning their graduate degrees?

Question 29

Compared to "pop psychology," psychology:

A) is based on empirical evidence.
B) is less complex.
C) addresses only human behaviour.
D) is narrower in the issues it addresses.

Question 30

Critical thinking requires:

A) creativity for creating alternative explanations.
B) treating all theories as equally valid.
C) low tolerance for uncertainty.
D) emotional reasoning.

Question 31

Which of the following is one of the critical-thinking guidelines described in the textbook?

A) Don't overthink; go with your gut reaction.
B) Define your terms.
C) Accept all opinions as equally valid.
D) Simplify as much as possible.

Question 32

_______________ emphasized the purpose of behaviour as opposed to its analysis and description.

A) Structuralism
B) Functionalism
C) Humanism
D) Behaviourism

Question 33

Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists do similar work, but their training differs and they tend to focus on different causes of mental disorders. Contrast the training and approach to therapy between clinical psychologists and psychiatrists.

Question 34

Psychology is defined as the discipline concerned with:

A) the study of all physical stimuli that affect human sensations and perceptions.
B) behaviour and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism's physical state, mental state, and external environment.
C) the study of humankind and the importance of culture in explaining the diversity in human behaviour.
D) maladaptive human behaviours and cognitions that are incorporated into a person's self-worth during childhood.

Question 35

_______________ established the first psychological laboratory in 1879.

A) Sigmund Freud
B) John Locke
C) William James
D) Wilhelm Wundt

Question 36

A(n) _______________ is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats mental disorders and takes a more biological approach than other psychotherapists.

A) psychiatrist
B) psychoanalyst
C) LCSW
D) MFCC

Question 37

Which of the following was a classic pseudoscientific theory that related bumps on the head to personality traits, and did not disappear until well into the twentieth century?

A) introspection
B) functionalism
C) phrenology
D) behaviourism

Question 38

_______________ founded the field of psychoanalysis.

A) Sigmund Freud
B) William James
C) Wilhelm Wundt
D) E. B. Titchener

Question 39

Unlike modern psychologists, great thinkers of the past:

A) relied primarily on observations based on anecdotes and descriptions of individual cases.
B) wanted to describe, predict, understand, and modify behaviour.
C) relied heavily on empirical evidence.
D) wanted to know what motivated people's actions.

Question 40

A major point of difference between basic research and applied research is that:

A) basic research involves experimentation and applied research involves psychiatry.
B) basic research studies physical processes and applied research studies mental processes.
C) basic research studies only humans, whereas applied research studies both animals and human beings.
D) basic research is done to acquire knowledge and applied research is done to solve practical problems.

Question 41

Empirical findings are those that:

A) rely on observation, experimentation, or measurement.
B) characterize an entire set of research data.
C) are conducted in a field setting outside of a laboratory.
D) compare subjects of different ages at a given time.

Question 42

Which of the following helps explain why so many people go to psychics?

A) There is empirical evidence that some psychic predictions are accurate.
B) Seeing a psychic is cheaper than seeing a therapist.
C) Belief in psychic abilities gives people a sense of control and predictability.
D) Psychics use subliminal messaging to manipulate people's beliefs.

Question 43

Which modern psychological perspective focuses on how people reason, remember, understand language, and solve problems?

A) the learning perspective
B) the cognitive perspective
C) the sociocultural perspective
D) the psychodynamic perspective

Question 44

Critical thinking requires:

A) creativity for creating alternative explanations.
B) treating all theories as equally valid.
C) low tolerance for uncertainty.
D) emotional reasoning.

Question 45

Which of the following is one of the eight essential critical-thinking guidelines?

A) Accept generalizations.
B) Express intolerance for uncertainty.
C) Examine the evidence.
D) Practise emotional reasoning.

Question 46

Critical thinkers analyze their assumptions and those of others. Which of the following statements best demonstrates this skill?

A) "My boss won't let me work from home, but her decision is based on the belief that employees are more productive at the office."
B) "I think my girlfriend is cheating on me, but I'm too angry right now to think logically."
C) "It's okay to admit that I don't know the answer when my son asks me a question."
D) "There's probably no single reason why people commit crimes."

Question 47

Psychobabble is:

A) an innate mental module that allows young children to develop communication skills.
B) a pseudoscience covered by a veneer of psychological language.
C) incoherent speech linked by remote associations called "word salads."
D) a child's first word combinations which omit unnecessary words.

Question 48

Which of the following would give the most accurate view of psychology?

A) hearing a radio call-in show facilitated by a therapist
B) searching the Internet to see what the popular opinion is on when to begin toilet training an infant
C) reading a self-help book about how to get over a breakup
D) reading a newspaper article on the causes of bullying, which describes some of the current research evidence

Question 49

Critical thinkers try to:

A) use anecdotes to support their arguments.
B) base their arguments on emotional convictions.
C) identify unspoken assumptions.
D) avoid uncertainty at all costs.

Question 50

Which of the following best describes the academic field of psychology?

A) It is restricted to the study of mental and emotional disorders, personal problems, and psychotherapy.
B) It is restricted to the study of humans.
C) Its approach is similar to popular psychology.
D) It is the study of not just exceptional experiences but also commonplace ones.

Question 51

Observing violent role models can influence some children to behave aggressively themselves. Which of the following psychological perspectives is this phenomenon an example of?

A) behaviourist perspective
B) learning perspective
C) social-cognitive perspective
D) biological perspective

Question 52

The ability to make judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons rather than emotion or anecdote is called:

A) applied psychology.
B) critical thinking.
C) functionalism.
D) introspection.

Question 53

Critical thinking involves:

A) pessimistic thinking when trying to solve a problem.
B) using one's intuition to assess claims made by researchers.
C) using evidence to make objective judgments.
D) detecting emotional cues to find hidden agendas in research.

Question 54

Beliefs that are taken for granted are called:

A) assumptions.
B) traits.
C) reinforcers.
D) archetypes.

Question 55

Jacob studies how people change and grow over time physically, mentally, and socially. He is a(n) _______________ psychologist.

A) industrial/organizational
B) developmental
C) educational
D) psychometric

Question 56

Compared to "pop psychology," psychology:

A) is based on empirical evidence.
B) is less complex.
C) addresses only human behaviour.
D) is narrower in the issues it addresses.

Question 57

Real psychology differs from popular psychology and its pseudoscientific relatives in that it is based on:

A) popular opinion.
B) the ideas of prominent psychoanalysts.
C) empirical evidence.
D) the latest theories.

Question 58

Which of the following is one of the critical-thinking guidelines described in the textbook?

A) Don't overthink; go with your gut reaction.
B) Define your terms.
C) Accept all opinions as equally valid.
D) Simplify as much as possible.

Question 59

Critical thinking gives importance to:

A) emotional reasoning.
B) common sense statements.
C) looking for flaws in claims and arguments.
D) accepting all opinions as having equal merit.

Question 60

Psychology is defined as the discipline concerned with:

A) the study of all physical stimuli that affect human sensations and perceptions.
B) behaviour and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism's physical state, mental state, and external environment.
C) the study of humankind and the importance of culture in explaining the diversity in human behaviour.
D) maladaptive human behaviours and cognitions that are incorporated into a person's self-worth during childhood.

Question 61

The first psychological laboratory was officially established by Wilhelm Wundt in:

A) America.
B) Holland.
C) Germany.
D) Russia.

Question 62

Phrenology:

A) is a modern perspective in psychology.
B) is the study of the thought processes and behaviours of criminals.
C) is a theory arguing that the mind works by associating ideas arising from experiences.
D) is a pseudoscience relating the bumps on one's head to personality traits.

Question 63

Which of the following was a classic pseudoscientific theory that related bumps on the head to personality traits and did not disappear until well into the twentieth century?

A) introspection
B) functionalism
C) phrenology
D) behaviourism

Question 64

"My memory of getting knocked down by a wave at Newport Beach could be based on what my parents told me later, not on my own recollection." Which of the following critical thinking guidelines does this example illustrate?

A) Define your terms.
B) Avoid emotional reasoning.
C) Consider other interpretations.
D) Don't oversimplify.

Question 65

"I really want to believe that my vague recollection of an incident that occurred at Disneyland as a preschooler is true, but that doesn't mean that it is true." Which of the following critical thinking guidelines does this example illustrate?

A) Examine the evidence.
B) Define your terms.
C) Don't oversimplify.
D) Avoid emotional reasoning.

Question 66

Critical thinkers should approach psychology textbooks as:

A) being almost entirely correct.
B) an opportunity to generate alternative explanations.
C) being almost entirely incorrect.
D) a way to reduce uncertainties.

Question 67

Which of the following would be an example of "argument by anecdote"?

A) "My gut feeling is that it isn't the right time to get married."
B) "I know that marriage doesn't work out because both of my uncles ended up divorced and alone."
C) "That is my opinion and nothing is going to change my mind."
D) "What evidence is there to support your claim?"

Question 68

"I may never know for sure whether some of my childhood memories are real or accurate." Which of the following critical thinking guidelines does this example illustrate?

A) Avoid emotional reasoning.
B) Don't oversimplify.
C) Tolerate uncertainty.
D) Ask questions and be willing to wonder.

Question 69

_______________ established the first psychological laboratory in 1879.

A) Sigmund Freud
B) John Locke
C) William James
D) Wilhelm Wundt

Question 70

A manuscript on human nature is discovered and scientists confirm that it is the work of an ancient scholar. In this manuscript, human nature is most likely explored through:

A) empirical evidence.
B) experimentation.
C) trained introspection.
D) insights inferred from anecdotes.

Question 71

_______________ had inferred that the brain is the ultimate source of all pleasures and sorrows long before it was verified, and he is now known as the father of modern medicine.

A) Hippocrates
B) Wilhelm Wundt
C) Sigmund Freud
D) John Locke

Question 72

The forerunners of psychology developed the theory of phrenology, which in Greek means:

A) a map of thoughts.
B) a map of behaviour.
C) study of the mind.
D) study of mental diseases.

Question 73

The formal discipline of psychology, as we know it today, began:

A) in Ancient Greece.
B) in the Middle Ages.
C) in the 1600s.
D) in the 1800s.

Question 74

In their research studies, contemporary psychologists rely heavily upon:

A) empirical evidence.
B) anecdotes from personal experience.
C) individual case descriptions.
D) phrenology.

Question 75

Andie claims that phrenology is a pseudoscience and not a true science. Which of the following statements supports her claim?

A) When phrenologists found large "stealing" bumps on the head of a person who was not a thief, they concluded that other positive bumps held this characteristic in check.
B) Most of the phrenologists received inadequate training in the analysis of head bumps so there were variations in their predictions.
C) Phrenologists relied heavily on the theories of Charles Darwin, and yet they could not link the bumps to evolutionary adaptation.
D) When "bumps" did not accurately explain a person's characteristics, the phrenologists explained the contradiction by hypothesizing traumatic childhood experiences.

Question 76

Unlike modern psychologists, great thinkers of the past:

A) relied primarily on observations based on anecdotes and descriptions of individual cases.
B) wanted to describe, predict, understand, and modify behaviour.
C) relied heavily on empirical evidence.
D) wanted to know what motivated people's actions.

Question 77

A difference between the great thinkers of history and today's psychologists is that:

A) modern psychologists want to describe, predict, understand, and modify behaviour.
B) modern psychologists rely heavily on empirical evidence.
C) modern psychologists wonder whether emotion controls us or is something we can control.
D) modern psychologists want to know how people take in information through their senses and use that information to solve problems.

Question 78

Randy meets a Californian who grows his own vegetables and refuses to eat nonorganic food. Randy concludes that Californians are overzealous about nutrition. This type of error illustrates the importance of which critical thinking guideline?

A) Don't oversimplify.
B) Tolerate uncertainty.
C) Avoid emotional reasoning.
D) Examine the evidence.

Question 79

Sam, a business-owner, sought the help of a friend to find out which employees were likely to be loyal and honest if hired. The friend examined the bumps on the heads of all applicants and gave Sam a list of the employees he should hire. Sam's friend is a _______________.

A) sociologist
B) alchemist
C) psychiatrist
D) phrenologist

Question 80

In contrast to modern psychologists, ancient scholars explored human nature primarily through:

A) empirical evidence.
B) experimentation.
C) trained introspection.
D) insights inferred from anecdotes.