Deck 1: What Is Psychology

Question 1

Which modern psychological perspective focuses on bodily events and their effects on behavior,feelings, and thoughts?

A)the biological perspective
B)the cognitive perspective
C)the evolutionary perspective
D)the psychodynamic perspective

Answer 1

the biological perspective

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

rely on observation,experimentation,or measurement.

Question 3

The psychology that is studied in this textbook bears little relation to the "pop psych" found in self-help books.In our textbook,the psychological information is based on

A)psychoanalytic truths.
B)the ideas of prominent authors.
C)empirical evidence.
D)the most up-to-date theories.

Answer 3

empirical evidence.

Question 4

Emelyn,a class of 1901 college graduate,wants to pursue a graduate career in psychology in order to study the ways that various actions help a person adapt to the environment.The psychological approach of _______________ best matches Emelyn's interests.

A)Wilhelm Wundt
B)William James
C)Sigmund Freud
D)Joseph Gall

Question 5

Like today's psychologists,great thinkers throughout history have wanted to describe,predict,understand,and modify behavior.Contemporary psychologists,however,approach these issues in a different way by relying heavily upon

A)empirical evidence.
B)anecdotes from personal experience.
C)philosophy.
D)phrenology.

Question 6

Psychology is defined generally as

A)the study of behavior and mental processes.
B)the study of the mind of humans and other animals.
C)the study of mental health and illness.
D)the study of the human mind.

Question 7

Evolutionary psychology is a part of which modern psychological perspective?

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

Question 8

The brain is the ultimate source of our pleasures and joys as well as our sorrows and pains. According to the text,this knowledge was evident as early as

A)377 B.C.
B)A.D.420.
C)A.D.1011.
D)A.D.1879.

Question 9

Which of the following is a theory of personality and a method of psychotherapy emphasizing unconscious motives and conflicts?

A)functionalism
B)phrenology
C)trained introspection
D)psychoanalysis

Question 10

Graphology,or handwriting analysis,uses precise measurements in order to determine personality characteristics from a sample of one's handwriting.However,there is little empirical evidence to suggest that graphology is accurate in determining one's personality from a handwriting sample.Graphology is an example of

A)fortune-telling.
B)common sense.
C)pseudoscience.
D)numerology.

Question 11

Mark has a strong desire to quit smoking.A psychologist from the biological perspective would try to help by

A)delivering a shock to Mark's wrist just as he inhales.
B)probing Mark's unconscious need for oral fulfillment.
C)finding a drug that reduces Mark's craving by blocking the effect of nicotine on his brain.
D)emphasizing that smoking is a decision that Mark can control.

Question 12

Wilhelm Wundt is best known for

A)establishing the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig,Germany.
B)writing books on ethics and logic.
C)establishing phrenology as a science.
D)training doctors to treat mental illness.

Question 13

Several middle-school girls watch their classmates,Jon and Jason,engage in a rough-and-tumble wrestling match.The attention of the girls seems to intensify the boys' play.A psychologist trained in the functionalist school would wonder

A)what are the most basic elements of the boys' behavior?
B)do these boys have smaller head bumps devoted to "cautiousness" than most boys?
C)what is the purpose of rough-and-tumble play in the adaptive changes of early adolescence?
D)did these boys experience childhood traumas that unconsciously cause aggression?

Question 14

Which school of thought in psychology was influenced by the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin?

A)phrenology
B)cognitive
C)functionalism
D)psychoanalysis

Question 15

The first psychological laboratory was officially established in

A)the United States.
B)Holland.
C)Germany.
D)China.

Question 16

"Pseudoscience" is different from psychology in that psychology is

A)based on rigorous research.
B)a false science.
C)self-help.
D)commonsensical.

Question 17

An obscure neurologist in Vienna,Austria,came to the conclusion that his patient's symptoms had mental rather than physical causes.From this insight,his broad theory of personality evolved.The neurologist was

A)Wilhelm Wundt.
B)William James.
C)Sigmund Freud.
D)Joseph Gall.

Question 18

Sheila's psychology professor uses the term "psychobabble" in class one day.The professor is referring to

A)an innate mental module that allows young children to develop language.
B)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 19

Which school of thought in psychology emphasized the purpose of behavior?

A)phrenology
B)structuralism
C)functionalism
D)psychoanalysis

Question 20

Which school of thought in psychology evolved into an elaborate theory of personality and method of psychotherapy?

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

Question 21

Which modern psychological perspective had its origin in Freud's ideas?

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

Question 22

A 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 animals and applied research studies humans.
D)the goal of basic research is simply to acquire knowledge whereas applied research tries to solve practical problems.

Question 23

The group of mental health professionals who earn either a Ph.D. ,Ed.D. ,or a Psy.D.and then diagnose and treat mild and severe mental and emotional problems are called

A)marriage,family,and child counselors.
B)social worker
C)psychoanalysts.
D)clinical psychologists.

Question 24

A(n)__________ psychologist studies how genetically influenced behavior that was functional or adaptive during our species' past may be reflected in the present behaviors,mental processes,and traits of modern humans.

A)cognitive
B)psychodynamic
C)sociocultural
D)evolutionary

Question 25

Which modern psychological perspective looks at how people reason,solve problems,and understand language?

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

Question 26

Dr.Pack is interested in how young children watch their older siblings and then imitate their behavior.Her approach is a combination of behaviorism and research on thoughts,values,and intentions.Dr.Pack is best described as a

A)social-cognitive learning theorist.
B)psychodynamic psychologist.
C)sociocultural psychologist.
D)cognitive psychologist.

Question 27

A _________ psychologist will examine the roots of one's personality to uncover unresolved conflicts from one's past.

A)learning
B)sociocultural
C)psychodynamic
D)biological

Question 28

According to the psychodynamic perspective,human behavior is understood by

A)careful introspection and reflection on sensations and thoughts.
B)looking at inner forces,conflicts,and instinctual energy.
C)examining the causes and consequences of behavior.
D)studying the nervous system and the dynamics of the brain.

Question 29

Which is true about psychologists today?

A)Many do not subscribe to a single perspective,but draw from a variety of approaches.
B)Most agree that intellectual trends,such as humanism and feminism,have no place in psychology.
C)There is a great deal of disagreement about basic guidelines on what is and what is not acceptable in psychology.
D)Most believe that relying on hunches and/or personal belief is an important part of psychology.

Question 30

Dr.Mannisto is a behaviorist who is studying the causes of excessive violence among some hockey players.She is likely to consider whether

A)the more aggressive players have experienced brain injuries.
B)there is a reward for players who engage in excessive violence.
C)the more aggressive players experienced emotional abuse in childhood.
D)cultural change has shaped hockey players to become more violent than in the past.

Question 31

Behaviorism is a part of which modern psychological perspective?

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

Question 32

_______________ is the aspect of psychology least recognized and understood by the public.

A)Research psychology
B)Clinical psychology
C)Applied psychology
D)Educational psychology

Question 33

The majority of new doctoral degrees in psychology are awarded in the areas of

A)clinical and counseling psychology.
B)industrial and organizational psychology.
C)experimental psychology.
D)developmental psychology.

Question 34

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 counseling services in a mental health setting.

Question 35

After Jean completed her graduate work,she was licensed as a clinical psychologist.Her graduate training had focused on professional practice and she completed a literature review rather than a dissertation.Jean's advanced degree is likely to be a(n)

A)Ph.D.
B)Psy.D.
C)M.D.
D)Ed.D.

Question 36

Which modern psychological perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious influence on behavior?

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

Question 37

A psychologist who accepts the cognitive perspective would be most interested in

A)how punishments and rewards affect behavior.
B)different cultural environments.
C)unconscious conflicts.
D)how people think.

Question 38

Which modern psychological perspective focuses on how our behavior is influenced by the other people in our environment?

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

Question 39

Professor King approaches questions about human behavior from a perspective which emphasizes the rewards and punishments that maintain certain specific behaviors.He does not invoke the mind to explain behavior but sticks to what he can observe and measure directly.It is most likely that he accepts which of the following psychological approaches?

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

Question 40

Dr.Lyons studies the impact of societal norms and values on human decision-making behavior.It is most likely that she accepts which of the following psychological approaches?

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

Question 41

Dr.Braun has been treating a child with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.She decides to write a prescription for Ritalin.Given this information,it is most likely that Dr.Braun is a

A)psychiatrist.
B)psychoanalyst.
C)clinical psychologist.
D)school psychologist.

Question 42

Critical thinking may be defined as

A)negative thinking when trying to solve a problem.
B)using insight to assess claims made by researchers.
C)using evidence to make objective judgments.
D)detecting emotional cues to find hidden agendas.

Question 43

When someone does research and questions whether the sources of information are reliable before making an important decision,that person is following the critical thinking rule to

A)avoid emotional reasoning.
B)be willing to wonder.
C)tolerate uncertainty.
D)examine the evidence.

Question 44

Beliefs that are taken for granted are called

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

Question 45

The question "Why is this the way it is?" illustrates which of the following critical thinking guidelines?

A)avoid emotional reasoning
B)don't oversimplify
C)tolerate uncertainty
D)ask questions and be willing to wonder

Question 46

Critical thinkers try to

A)use anecdotes to support their arguments.
B)settle arguments based on emotional convictions.
C)identify unspoken assumptions.
D)look for evidence that confirms their viewpoints.

Question 47

The principle of falsifiability means that

A)scientists must be careful not to falsify their results.
B)scientists,as well as people in general,tend to accept false information when it is endorsed by an authority.
C)a scientist must state an idea in such a way that it can be refuted or disproved by counterevidence.
D)theories that have not been proven are considered falsified.

Question 48

This person usually earns an M.D.or a Ph.D. ,followed by specialized training in one specific type of therapy.

A)marriage,family,and child counselor
B)psychotherapist
C)psychoanalyst
D)clinical psychologist

Question 49

The term _______________ is unregulated and so the practitioner may have anything from no degree to an advanced professional degree.

A)experimental psychologist
B)psychotherapist
C)psychoanalyst
D)clinical psychologist

Question 50

Dennis believes that women are worse drivers than men.He always notices examples of poor women drivers,but ignores evidence to the contrary,such as poor male drivers or good female drivers.Dennis's behavior is an example of

A)the principle of falsifiability.
B)critical thinking.
C)the confirmation bias.
D)oversimplifying.

Question 51

"Can I recall events from my childhood accurately?" This question illustrates which of the following critical thinking guidelines?

A)avoid emotional reasoning
B)don't oversimplify
C)tolerate uncertainty
D)ask questions and be willing to wonder

Question 52

An operational definition is

A)a statement that attempts to describe or explain a given behavior.
B)an organized system of assumptions and principles that purports to explain a set of observations and how they are related.
C)a precise definition of a term in a hypothesis,which specifies how it will be observed and measured.
D)the principle that a scientific theory must make predictions that are specific enough to be disproved.

Question 53

Which of the following is true about the role of emotion in critical thinking and science?

A)Emotion has a place in critical thinking.
B)Emotional conviction alone can settle arguments.
C)Disagreeing with findings that you dislike is always unacceptable.
D)Defending unpopular ideas is antiscientific.

Question 54

"I really want to believe that my memory of the day I spent at Disneyland as a preschooler is true,but that doesn't mean that it IS true." This example illustrates which of the following critical thinking guidelines?

A)examine the evidence
B)define your terms
C)don't oversimplify
D)avoid emotional reasoning

Question 55

One reason why people in the general public are often confused about what psychologists do is that

A)psychologists themselves are often confused about what it means to be a psychologist.
B)psychology has never been established as a real academic field.
C)there is widespread disagreement among psychologists about the proper role for psychologists.
D)there is a wide variety of psychology specialties and roles psychologists can play in the community.

Question 56

Ralph seeks a psychiatrist and begins to realize that

A)the therapist has a Psy.D.
B)the therapist has a Ph.D.
C)the therapist is likely to take a biological approach to therapy.
D)the therapist may not have a degree at all.

Question 57

Many research psychologists,and some practitioners,are worried that

A)psychotherapists are losing their "human touch" by relying too much on psychology's empirical findings.
B)academic-research psychologists are unschooled in current therapeutic methods of psychology.
C)psychotherapists are unschooled in the research methods and empirical findings of psychology.
D)clinical psychologists are effective therapists in regard to general problems,but tend to avoid treating clients with serious mental disturbances.

Question 58

A statement that attempts to describe or explain a given behavior is a(n)

A)hypothesis.
B)operational definition.
C)theory.
D)norm.

Question 59

Margie is trying to define "anxiety" in a way that can be empirically tested.She is attempting to find an appropriate

A)hypothesis.
B)operational definition.
C)double-blind study.
D)theory.

Question 60

Critical thinking requires

A)creativity in order to construct alternative explanations.
B)the knowledge that all opinions are created equal.
C)using anecdotal evidence to assess claims.
D)soaking up knowledge like a sponge.

Question 61

In the scientific use of the term,a "theory" is

A)a statement that attempts to describe or explain a given behavior.
B)an organized system of assumptions and principles that purports to explain a set of observations and how they are related.
C)a precise definition of a term in a hypothesis,which specifies how it will be observed and measured.
D)the principle that a scientific theory must make predictions that are specific enough to be disproved.

Question 62

Dr.Littman-Smith is conducting research in Kenya in order to determine the ways that mothers and their toddlers interact throughout the day.It is most likely that she is engaged in

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

Question 63

Which of the following would be considered a good example of a representative sample of college students in the United States?

A)a survey given to several rural college classrooms
B)a questionnaire mailed to random households in Texas
C)a survey given to a diverse population in both urban and rural college classrooms in several states
D)volunteers who found your survey on the Internet

Question 64

Randy meets a Californian who grows all her own vegetables and refuses to touch any nonorganic food,and he concludes that Californians are overzealous about nutrition.This type of error illustrates the critical thinking guideline of

A)don't oversimplify.
B)define your terms.
C)be willing to wonder.
D)ask questions.

Question 65

Harvey is being assessed in order to measure his beliefs and feelings regarding the next election.It is most likely that the assessment instrument will be a(n)

A)inferential statistic.
B)projective test.
C)objective test.
D)norm.

Question 66

When researchers visited 32 pubs in one city to study drinking habits,they recorded their observations on napkins and pieces of newspaper.The reason they kept records in this way was

A)to conduct a double-blind study in each of the pubs.
B)to make sure the study had reliability.
C)to be able to determine experimenter effects at a later point in time.
D)to make sure that their intentions were not obvious to those they were observing.

Question 67

An academic researcher would use the case study method in all of the following situations EXCEPT

A)when first beginning to study a research topic.
B)when practical considerations prevent other methods of gathering information.
C)when ethical considerations prevent other methods of gathering information.
D)when the purpose of the research is to test a hypothesis.

Question 68

Research methods that describe behavior,but are not necessarily causal explanations are called

A)experimental methods.
B)single-blind studies.
C)significance tests.
D)descriptive methods.

Question 69

Professor Turner wants to know if physiological changes (e.g. ,heart rate,skin conductance,etc. )occur when people watch violent movies.The most appropriate method to study this would be

A)case study.
B)naturalistic observation.
C)survey.
D)laboratory observation.

Question 70

A professor tells his students "Researchers aren't exactly sure why one member of an identical twin pair develops schizophrenia whereas his twin does not." This example illustrates which of the following critical thinking guidelines?

A)tolerate uncertainty
B)analyze assumptions and biases
C)define your terms
D)ask questions and be willing to wonder

Question 71

In the 1970s,a 13-year-old girl was rescued from a small room that she had been locked up in since infancy.Because she had grown up in a world without human speech,researchers studied "Genie's" ability to acquire words,grammar,and pronunciation.This type of research is called

A)a case study.
B)a representative sample.
C)a single-blind study.
D)a naturalistic observation.

Question 72

Procedures used to measure and evaluate personality traits,emotional states,aptitudes,and values are called

A)laboratory observations.
B)psychological tests.
C)control conditions.
D)field research.

Question 73

Researchers prefer to select participants who accurately represent the larger population that the researcher is interested in.This type of group is called a(n)

A)experimental sample.
B)single-blind sample.
C)significance tests.
D)representative sample.

Question 74

Psychologists sometimes prefer to make observations in a laboratory setting rather than a naturalistic setting because

A)it is better to observe behavior in an artificial environment.
B)subjects take their participation seriously in a professional environment.
C)a lab allows the researchers to have more control over the situation.
D)subjects are less aware they are being observed in a laboratory.

Question 75

Dawn is systematically recording behaviors at a nursery school,making sure that she doesn't interfere with the behaviors.Dawn is engaged in

A)observational research.
B)survey research.
C)experimental research.
D)double-blind research.

Question 76

Which of the following is NOT one of the eight essential critical-thinking guidelines?

A)avoid overly complicated explanations
B)tolerate uncertainty
C)examine the evidence
D)avoid emotional reasoning

Question 77

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

A)"My gut feeling is that this isn't the right time to get married."
B)"I know that marriage doesn't work out,because all of my uncles ended up divorced and alone."
C)"That is my opinion and nothing is going to change my mind."
D)"Evolution is a good explanatory system because it is supported by so much evidence."

Question 78

Which of the following is an advantage of case studies?

A)Case studies produce a more detailed picture of an individual than other methods do.
B)Information is often missing or hard to interpret.
C)An individual case may not be representative of others.
D)The observer may have biases that influence which facts are observed and which are ignored.

Question 79

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

A)define your terms
B)examine the evidence
C)consider other interpretations
D)don't oversimplify

Question 80

An advantage of observational studies is that

A)they can provide accurate descriptions of behavior.
B)the presence of observers can alter the behavior being observed.
C)they can answer questions about cause and effect.
D)they allow experimenters to manipulate variables.