Question 1

One major theme in psychology emphasizes that our biological endowment and our personal experiences interact to influence how we behave. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The theme described is an example of "nature and nurture interacting," where "nature" refers to our biological endowment (genetics, biological processes) and "nurture" refers to our personal experiences and environment. This theme highlights the interplay between these two factors in shaping behavior.

Question 2

Since he was a little boy, Niko wanted to help people be healthy and he always thought he would be a doctor when he grew up. Now in university, Niko is reluctant to commit to pre-medical studies because he has seen the overuse of medication, and he believes he can help people without drugs. Which of the following career paths in psychology might Niko consider?

Accepted Answer

Clinical psychology would allow Niko to help people potentially without the use of medication, focusing on therapy and other treatment methods to improve mental health.

Question 3

According to the text, in order to obtain a complete understanding of behaviour we need to

Accepted Answer

To obtain a complete understanding of behavior, it's necessary to integrate insights from various levels of analysis rather than focusing exclusively on one. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding by considering multiple perspectives and factors that influence behavior.

Question 4

In Western cultures, women are considered the primary caregivers of infants and children. It also seems that, as our population ages, women are the primary caregivers of the elderly. The evolutionary perspective may argue that this is so because

Accepted Answer

The evolutionary perspective often suggests that certain behaviors or roles are biologically predetermined. In this context, it argues that women are biologically predisposed to be caregivers due to evolutionary roles related to reproduction and nurturing offspring.

Question 5

Research on the psychological causes of depression has found that clinically depressed people

Accepted Answer

Clinically depressed individuals often exhibit a negative cognitive triad, which includes a hopeless attitude towards the world, the future, and themselves.

Question 6

The specialty area in psychology that focuses on the study of nonhuman species in natural and laboratory environments is

Accepted Answer

Comparative psychology is the branch of psychology that studies the behavior and mental processes of non-human animals, often in comparison to humans, across different environments including both natural and laboratory settings.

Question 7

A specialty area that focuses on the study of basic processes such as learning, perception, and motivation is called

Accepted Answer

Experimental psychology is the specialty area that focuses on studying basic processes like learning, perception, and motivation through controlled experiments and empirical research.

Question 8

The specialty area in psychology that focuses on how the presence of other people influences an individual's behaviour, thoughts, and feelings is called

Accepted Answer

Social psychology specifically examines how an individual's behavior, thoughts, and feelings are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.

Question 9

Bob is mildly depressed. Because of his generally negative attitude and hopelessness, Bob's friends, who typically enjoy his company, no longer want to spend time with him. The impact of Bob's depression on his friends is an example of

Accepted Answer

Bob's depression (a behavioral factor) is influencing his social environment by affecting how his friends interact with him, demonstrating how behavioral factors can impact one's environment.

Question 10

Two people are witnesses to a violent earthquake. One person is mildly upset by this event and copes well with it. The other person, who has a biological predisposition to anxiety, becomes very stressed after the event, has difficulty coping with it, and eventually gets ill. Because the effects of the earthquake differed, depending on whether the person had the predisposition of anxiety or not, this would be an example of an

Accepted Answer

This scenario exemplifies an interaction because it shows how the effect of the earthquake on individuals varies based on their biological predisposition to anxiety. The difference in their reactions is due to the interplay between the external event (the earthquake) and an internal characteristic (anxiety predisposition).

Question 11

All of the following are biological factors associated with depression EXCEPT which of the following?

Accepted Answer

D) is not a biological factor but rather a cognitive or psychological aspect associated with depression. Choices A), B), and C) all relate to biological factors such as genetics, neurochemistry, and sleep patterns.

Question 12

A person who is depressed begins eating poorly and quits exercising. These behaviours in turn result in a change in the person's physiology. This would be an example of

Accepted Answer

The person's change in eating habits and cessation of exercise (behaviors) lead to changes in their physiology (biology), illustrating how behavior can influence biology.

Question 13

Which psychological disorder is generally considered to be the "common cold" of emotional disturbances?

Accepted Answer

Depression is often referred to as the "common cold" of emotional disturbances due to its high prevalence and the fact that it affects a wide range of people, similar to how the common cold is widespread and commonly experienced.

Question 14

When deconstructing a disorder such as depression, the presence or strength of one factor influences the effects of other factors. This presence of one factor influencing the effect of another factor is called an

Accepted Answer

Interaction is the correct term used to describe how the presence or strength of one factor influences the effects of other factors, especially in the context of psychological disorders like depression. This term is used in research to denote how different variables may affect each other's impact.

Question 15

In psychology, both the psychodynamic and cognitive perspectives are considered to be operating at

Accepted Answer

The psychodynamic and cognitive perspectives both operate at the psychological level of analysis, focusing on mental processes, thoughts, feelings, and motivations rather than biological or environmental factors.

Question 16

According to the behavioural perspective, depression is the result of

Accepted Answer

The behavioral perspective suggests that depression can result from a non-rewarding or punishing environment, which can decrease positive reinforcement and lead to depressive behaviors.

Question 17

Sandra has a promising career, dates interesting men, and she is quite content to remain single and child-free. Her family strongly supports her choices and celebrates her success as a professional. Her sister, who was married briefly and then experienced an unpleasant divorce, is open about her disdain for long-term commitment. We can make an effort to understand Sandra's behaviour using different levels of analysis. In this case, the influence of Sandra's family on her decision to stay single and child-free fits with the ______ level of analysis.

Accepted Answer

The environmental level of analysis is appropriate here because it considers the influence of Sandra's surroundings, including her family's support and attitudes, on her personal decisions and lifestyle.

Question 18

If you wanted to understand some of the important causes of depression and you paid attention to the negative thinking that often accompanies depression, you would be interpreting depression from which level of analysis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you wanted to understand some of...

Question 19

There are six psychological perspectives (sociocultural, humanistic, behavioural, psychodynamic, cognitive, and biological) on behaviour. What three levels of analysis allow us to integrate causal factors suggested by each of the six psychological perspectives?

Accepted Answer

The three levels of analysis that integrate causal factors from the six psychological perspectives are biological, psychological, and environmental. These levels encompass the physical and genetic influences, mental processes, and external social and cultural factors, respectively.

Question 20

Research on depression in various cultures has found that the symptom patterns of depression are different in various cultures and that the relative occurrence of depression is ______________ in various cultures.

Accepted Answer

Research consistently shows that depression is more prevalent in women than in men across various cultures.

Quiz 1: Psychology: the Science of Behaviour