Question 1

"Men are more likely to cheat on their partners because of a biologically wired need to increase their chance of creating offspring to pass along their genetic code." This statement would most likely be uttered by a(n)__________ psychologist.

Accepted Answer

The statement about men's biological drive to increase their chance of producing offspring is related to the study of evolutionary psychology, which examines how evolution has shaped patterns of behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals. Psychodynamic, behavioral, and cognitive psychologists would be less likely to put this emphasis on biology and reproduction.

Question 2

Suppose you were a graduate student studying for a Ph.D.in psychology in the 1920s.Your advisor was John B.Watson.Which of the following might your advisor consider an acceptable choice for your research?

Accepted Answer

John B. Watson is known as the father of behaviorism, which focuses on observable behaviors and how they are acquired through conditioning. Therefore, an analysis of how specific behaviors are acquired would align with his theoretical perspective and likely be an acceptable choice for research. A survey of daydreams and exploring the unconscious would not align with behaviorism, and the fourth option is not a clear research question or topic.

Question 3

The development of __________ stimulated new insight and inquiry about the workings of human thought processes.This is the basis of cognitive psychology.

Accepted Answer

The development of computers allowed cognitive psychologists to create computer models of human thought processes and study how they work. This led to a deeper understanding of topics such as attention, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving. As a result, cognitive psychology emerged as a major field of study in the 1960s and continues to be a dominant force in psychology today.

Question 4

A noted scientist argues that psychology should scientifically study how people process information,and then use that information to solve problems.This scientist is probably a(n)__________ psychologist.

Accepted Answer

The scientist mentioned in the statement is advocating for the study of how people process information which is a central focus of cognitive psychology. Therefore, the scientist is most likely a cognitive psychologist.

Question 5

John B.Watson was to __________ as Carl Rogers was to __________.

Accepted Answer

John B. Watson is known for founding behaviorism, while Carl Rogers is a key figure in humanistic psychology.

Question 6

You attend a lecture by a psychologist who keeps using terms like reaching one's potential and self-actualization.This psychologist has been most influenced by the theories of ____________?

Accepted Answer

The psychologist is using terms like "reaching one's potential" and "self-actualization," which are key concepts in Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory. John Locke focused on tabula rasa (blank slate) and the idea that all knowledge comes from experience. Plato believed that knowledge and truth are innate and can be accessed through introspection. William James was a functionalist who focused on the practical applications of psychology.

Question 7

In the Nature vs.Nurture debate,Morgan falls strictly on the side of 'nature'.Which of the following statements about human personality might Morgan be most inclined to agree with?

Accepted Answer

Morgan's belief in the power of nature suggests that our personalities are predetermined by our genetics, and that environmental factors have little to no impact on our innate traits. Therefore, choice D is the most likely statement that Morgan would agree with.

Question 8

Which of the following would you be least likely to hear emphasized by a humanistic psychologist?

Accepted Answer

Humanistic psychology emphasizes the importance of free will, self-actualization, and self-expression, but it is less likely to focus on unconscious motives as that is more associated with psychodynamic approaches.

Question 9

A psychologist argues that human characteristics such as jealousy and violence emerged hundreds of thousands of years ago because they were linked to reproductive success.This psychologist is most likely a(n)__________ psychologist.

Accepted Answer

The psychologist's focus on explaining human behavior in terms of evolutionary adaptations suggests that they are an evolutionary psychologist.

Question 10

Modern approaches to psychology __________.

Accepted Answer

Modern approaches to psychology tend to complement each other, with each approach contributing in its own way to our understanding of human behavior. While some approaches may have more influence than others at certain times, there is no one dominant perspective in contemporary psychology. Rather, researchers and clinicians draw on a variety of theories, methods, and techniques to achieve a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of mental processes and behavior.

Question 11

Memory,perception,learning,intelligence,language,and problem solving are all areas that are of particular interest to a __________ psychologist.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychologists study mental processes such as memory, perception, learning, intelligence, language, and problem solving. Therefore, cognitive psychology is the best choice among the given options.

Question 12

The most prominent and rapidly advancing perspective in modern psychology is __________ psychology.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychology is currently one of the most influential fields in modern psychology. It focuses on studying mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, and decision-making. Cognitive psychology has been rapidly advancing due to technological advancements that allow for more precise measurement of brain activity and the development of advanced computer models of cognitive processes.

Question 13

Which of the following pairs is associated with the earliest development of behaviorism?

Accepted Answer

Pavlov and Watson are associated with the earliest development of behaviorism. Pavlov's work on classical conditioning and Watson's belief in the importance of observable behavior in psychology were foundational to the behaviorist movement. Skinner and Thorndike built upon this foundation, while Skinner and Pavlov were active at around the same time. James, while an influential psychologist, was not associated with the development of behaviorism.

Question 14

Why is Watson and Rayner's famous study demonstrating the learning of fear in a young boy unlikely to ever be repeated?

Accepted Answer

The ethics of inducing fear in a child for research purposes is now heavily scrutinized and regulated, making it unlikely that any similar studies would be allowed to take place. This type of research would likely be considered unethical by modern standards.

Question 15

Which approach to psychology focuses on self-esteem,self-expression,and individual potential?

Accepted Answer

Humanistic psychology emphasizes the importance of free will, self-esteem, self-expression, and individual potential. It focuses on the unique experiences of each individual and their ability to make choices and reach their full potential. Positive psychology also places emphasis on well-being, but it is not the same as humanistic psychology's focus on individualism and personal growth. Evolutionary psychology looks at how behavior and mental processes evolved through natural selection, and behavioral psychology focuses on observable behaviors and how they are learned through conditioning.

Question 16

A boy is taught to fear a rat by pairing the rat with a frightening noise.This is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

The scenario described is an example of classical conditioning, specifically fear conditioning. The rat is paired with a frightening noise, which causes the boy to develop a fear of the previously neutral stimulus (the rat).

Question 17

In the Nature vs.Nurture debate,Morgan falls strictly on the side of 'nurture'.Which of the following statements about human personality might Morgan be most inclined to agree with?

Accepted Answer

Morgan's belief in 'nurture' suggests that the environment and surroundings have a significant impact on the development of personality. The idea of a blank slate at birth fits with this perspective, as it suggests that our experiences and surroundings shape who we become, rather than an innate personality that is present from the start. Option A denies the existence of personality altogether, which would not be consistent with Morgan's stance on 'nurture'. Option B implies that personality is a conscious, deliberate choice, which would not align with the idea that personality is largely shaped by environmental factors. Option D suggests that personality is determined solely by genetics, which would fall on the 'nature' side of the debate and contradict Morgan's stance on 'nurture'.

Question 18

Which pair of scientists shared the most similar views of behavior?

Accepted Answer

Ivan Pavlov and John B. Watson shared the most similar views of behavior. Both were behaviorists and believed in the importance of conditioning in shaping behavior. They both conducted research on classical conditioning and believed that all behavior could be explained through environmental factors and conditioning.

Question 19

In the early part of the 1900s,psychologists who broke down thought processes into their basic elements or functions were called structuralists or functionalists.What term might we use to describe psychologists in today's world who are similarly interested in understanding human thought processes?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychology focuses on understanding the mental processes involved in perception, attention, memory, language, problem-solving, and decision making - similar to the way that structuralists and functionalists were interested in breaking down thought processes into their basic elements or functions.

Question 20

The principles of evolutionary psychology are founded on the work of __________.

Accepted Answer

The principles of evolutionary psychology are founded on the work of Charles Darwin, specifically his theory of natural selection and the adaptation of species over time. Heidegger, Locke, and Maslow are not directly associated with the development of evolutionary psychology.

Quiz 1: Introduction

"Men are more likely to cheat on their partners because of a biologically wired need to increase their chance of creating offspring to pass along their genetic code." This statement would most likely be uttered by a(n) __________ psychologist.