Question 1

Jalen wondered how many blueberries are necessary for the perfect-tasting pancake. In this example, changing the number of blueberries would be considered the dependent variable.

Accepted Answer

In this example, the number of blueberries is the independent variable because it is being changed or manipulated to observe its effect on the taste of the pancake, which would be the dependent variable.

Question 2

In the context of psychological research, debriefing is the process of explaining the purposes and methods of a completed procedure to a participant.

Accepted Answer

Debiefing is the process of explaining the research study to the participant after the research has been conducted. It is important to debrief participants as it helps them understand the study and addresses any potential harm or concerns that may have arisen during the study.

Question 3

According to the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association, animals cannot be harmed under any circumstance while conducting research.

Accepted Answer

While the APA has ethical guidelines for the use of animals in research, they recognize that some level of harm may be necessary in order to advance scientific progress. However, researchers must take precautions to minimize the harm and justify the potential benefits of the research.

Question 4

John B. Watson developed the social-cognitive perspective, arguing for the influence of social factors over cognition.

Accepted Answer

John B. Watson is actually associated with the behaviorist perspective, which focuses on observable behaviors and the environmental factors that influence them. The social-cognitive perspective was developed by Albert Bandura, who emphasized the reciprocal interaction between cognitive processes, environmental factors, and behavior.

Question 5

Paulina is a kindergarten teacher. Every time one of her students answers correctly during her alphabet classes, she uses phrases like "Well done" and "Keep it up." Her behavior exemplifies reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

The teacher's use of phrases like "Well done" and "Keep it up" after a correct answer are examples of positive reinforcement, as they are intended to increase the likelihood of the behavior (answering correctly) happening again in the future.

Question 6

According to structuralists, maladaptive behavior patterns tend to drop out, and only the fittest behavior patterns survive.

Accepted Answer

Structuralism, a theory in psychology, does not focus on the survival of the fittest behavior patterns but rather on analyzing the basic components of consciousness. It is more concerned with understanding the structure of the mind than with how behaviors adapt or survive over time.

Question 7

Many case studies are clinical; that is, they are descriptions of a person's psychological problems and how a psychologist treated them.

Accepted Answer

Many case studies in psychology are clinical and describe a person's psychological problems and their treatment.

Question 8

Structuralists tended to ask, "How do behavior and mental processes help people adapt to the requirements of their lives?"

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the perspective and research focus of structuralists in the field of psychology.

Question 9

Ravi is unable to choose the right career path after completing his college education. He plans to visit a psychologist who might help him find the right career. In this scenario, Ravi is most likely to visit a human factors psychologist.

Accepted Answer

While a human factors psychologist may assist in certain aspects of career counseling, a career counselor or vocational psychologist would be a more appropriate choice to help individuals find the right career path.

Question 10

Psychology seeks to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the goals of psychology.

Question 11

A sample consists of multiple populations.

Accepted Answer

A sample is a subset of a single population, not multiple populations. It is used to make inferences about that specific population.

Question 12

Correlations allow us to determine causality.

Accepted Answer

Correlations simply show a relationship or association between two variables, but they cannot determine causality or prove that one variable is causing the other. Other factors and variables could be involved in the relationship, and further research and experimentation would be needed to establish causality.

Question 13

Psychoanalysis is the name of the theory of personality developed by Sigmund Freud.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Psychoanalysis is a theory of personality developed by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the importance of early childhood experiences and the unconscious mind in shaping human behavior and emotions.

Question 14

As opposed to a dependent variable, an independent variable is manipulated by the experimenters so that its effects may be determined.

Accepted Answer

This is correct. An independent variable is deliberately controlled and manipulated to observe its impact on the dependent variable.

Question 15

Erik Erikson focused more on unconscious processes and less on conscious choice and self-direction.

Accepted Answer

Erik Erikson emphasized the importance of conscious choice and decision-making in his theory of psychosocial development. He believed that individuals have a degree of control over their own development and can actively shape their own lives. While he acknowledged the role of unconscious processes, he did not focus solely on them.

Question 16

Gestalt psychologists claimed that one cannot explain human perceptions, emotions, or thought processes in terms of basic units.

Accepted Answer

Gestalt psychologists believed in the concept of holism, which states that things should be viewed as a whole rather than as a sum of parts. They argued that perception should be studied as a whole rather than breaking it down into smaller pieces. Therefore, they rejected the idea of explaining human perceptions, emotions, or thought processes in terms of basic units.

Question 17

Sociocultural psychologists study those things we refer to as the mind.

Accepted Answer

Sociocultural psychologists focus on how society and culture influence behavior, rather than studying the mind itself.

Question 18

In a study conducted to test the effect of a medicine, one group of participants is given the medicine while another group is not. The latter would be considered an experimental group.

Accepted Answer

The group that is given the medicine would be considered the experimental group, while the group that is not given the medicine would be considered the control group.

Question 19

Structuralists emphasized the tendency to organize perceptions into wholes and to integrate separate stimuli into meaningful patterns.

Accepted Answer

Structuralism focused on breaking down mental processes into the most basic components, while Gestalt psychology emphasized organizing perceptions into wholes.

Question 20

In the 1940s and 1950s, psychodynamic theory dominated the practice of psychotherapy.

Accepted Answer

Psychodynamic theory, which emphasizes the role of unconscious thoughts and emotions in behavior and mental health, was the dominant theoretical approach to psychotherapy in the mid-20th century.

Quiz 1: What Is Psychology