Question 1

Refer to the graphs below.
  
Researchers wanted to determine if ideas about race affect our visual perception. In an experiment, white college students were asked to look at a screen with images of objects that were either crime-relevant (e.g., a handgun) or crime-irrelevant (e.g., a book). For each object, the first image was so blurry it was unrecognizable. The image became progressively clearer across 40 different frames until the students were able to correctly identify it. 
Before they began the task, they were shown a photo for 50 milliseconds. The photo was of a black face, a white face, or an abstract line drawing. These "flashes" were subliminal images, meaning that the students were not aware of having seen them. Researchers wanted to find out whether seeing a black or white face, even without being aware of it, influenced the students' ability to identify the objects.
-The purpose of this experiment was to

Accepted Answer

The experiment was specifically designed to investigate whether a subliminal image of a black or white face affects visual perception, specifically in relation to identifying crime-relevant objects.

Question 2

Refer to the graphs below.
  
Researchers wanted to determine if ideas about race affect our visual perception. In an experiment, white college students were asked to look at a screen with images of objects that were either crime-relevant (e.g., a handgun) or crime-irrelevant (e.g., a book). For each object, the first image was so blurry it was unrecognizable. The image became progressively clearer across 40 different frames until the students were able to correctly identify it. 
Before they began the task, they were shown a photo for 50 milliseconds. The photo was of a black face, a white face, or an abstract line drawing. These "flashes" were subliminal images, meaning that the students were not aware of having seen them. Researchers wanted to find out whether seeing a black or white face, even without being aware of it, influenced the students' ability to identify the objects.
-Based on the data, it appears that

Accepted Answer

The graph shows that students who were exposed to an African American face were able to correctly identify crime-relevant objects at a lower frame number (i.e., faster) than those who were exposed to an abstract drawing. This suggests that the subliminal image of a black face may have influenced the students' ability to identify objects related to crime. The other answer choices are not supported by the data in the graphs.

Question 3

Refer to the graphs below.
  
Researchers wanted to determine if ideas about race affect our visual perception. In an experiment, white college students were asked to look at a screen with images of objects that were either crime-relevant (e.g., a handgun) or crime-irrelevant (e.g., a book). For each object, the first image was so blurry it was unrecognizable. The image became progressively clearer across 40 different frames until the students were able to correctly identify it. 
Before they began the task, they were shown a photo for 50 milliseconds. The photo was of a black face, a white face, or an abstract line drawing. These "flashes" were subliminal images, meaning that the students were not aware of having seen them. Researchers wanted to find out whether seeing a black or white face, even without being aware of it, influenced the students' ability to identify the objects.
-The effects found in this study suggest that

Accepted Answer

The experiment aimed to determine whether implicit (unconscious) racial bias affects visual perception. The results showed that exposure to a subliminal image of a black face led to slower recognition of crime-irrelevant objects but faster recognition of crime-relevant objects, suggesting that participants had a higher level of vigilance or alertness to crime-related stimuli after seeing a black face. This finding supports the idea that unconscious racial bias may influence real-world interactions between whites and African Americans. The other answer choices are not supported by the information provided in the passage.

Question 4

Refer to the graphs below.
  
Researchers wanted to determine if ideas about race affect our visual perception. In an experiment, white college students were asked to look at a screen with images of objects that were either crime-relevant (e.g., a handgun) or crime-irrelevant (e.g., a book). For each object, the first image was so blurry it was unrecognizable. The image became progressively clearer across 40 different frames until the students were able to correctly identify it. 
Before they began the task, they were shown a photo for 50 milliseconds. The photo was of a black face, a white face, or an abstract line drawing. These "flashes" were subliminal images, meaning that the students were not aware of having seen them. Researchers wanted to find out whether seeing a black or white face, even without being aware of it, influenced the students' ability to identify the objects.
-A hallmark of psychology as a science is critical thinking. What is a valid criticism of this perception experiment?

Accepted Answer

The study does not control for potential confounding variables related to the faces used in the experiment. It is possible that factors other than race, such as facial expression or lighting, could have influenced the students' perception of the images. Therefore, the results may not provide conclusive evidence about the effect of racial ideas on visual perception.

Question 5

Refer to the graphs below.
  
Researchers wanted to determine if ideas about race affect our visual perception. In an experiment, white college students were asked to look at a screen with images of objects that were either crime-relevant (e.g., a handgun) or crime-irrelevant (e.g., a book). For each object, the first image was so blurry it was unrecognizable. The image became progressively clearer across 40 different frames until the students were able to correctly identify it. 
Before they began the task, they were shown a photo for 50 milliseconds. The photo was of a black face, a white face, or an abstract line drawing. These "flashes" were subliminal images, meaning that the students were not aware of having seen them. Researchers wanted to find out whether seeing a black or white face, even without being aware of it, influenced the students' ability to identify the objects.
-Which of the four principles of psychology discussed in the textbook does this experiment seem to confirm?

Accepted Answer

This experiment seems to confirm the principle that we are consciously aware of only a small part of our mental activity, as the subliminal images of black or white faces influenced the students' ability to identify the objects without their conscious awareness.

Question 6

Psychology is best defined as the study of

Accepted Answer

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. It encompasses a wide range of topics including cognition, perception, emotion, development, personality, social behavior, and mental disorders. While mental health is an important area of study within psychology, it is not the entire scope of the field. Consciousness and intuition are also studied, but they are not sufficient to define psychology. Learning and developmental delay are specific areas within psychology, but they do not capture the entirety of the field.

Question 7

According to the social brain hypothesis, each of us can deal effectively with social interactions with roughly 150 people. This implies that

Accepted Answer

The social brain hypothesis suggests that our brains are optimized to handle social interactions with up to approximately 150 people, also known as Dunbar's number. This means that we are capable of maintaining social networks of up to 150 people throughout our lives, not necessarily close friendships with all 150 people. It also doesn't mean that we cannot recognize more than 150 people, but rather that we may not have meaningful relationships with them all.

Question 8

The idea that children are born with no knowledge or "content" whatsoever and are "filled" by life experiences is called

Accepted Answer

The idea that children are born with no knowledge or "content" whatsoever and are "filled" by life experiences is called tabula rasa.

Question 9

In Plato's cave allegory, a prisoner was temporarily unchained and allowed to see the fire at the mouth of the cave. When he returned to the chains, the other prisoners

Accepted Answer

The allegory suggests that the other prisoners would refuse to believe the one who has seen the fire and the outside world because they have never experienced anything beyond the shadows on the cave wall. They would be skeptical of anything that challenges their limited worldview.

Question 10

How is natural selection related to psychology?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. In psychology, this concept is relevant because human behavior is believed to be influenced by natural selection. Behaviors that promote survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed down through generations, while behaviors that hinder survival and reproduction are less likely to be passed down. Therefore, certain behaviors and cognitive processes observed in humans today can be traced back to their evolutionary origins and the survival advantage they provided.

Question 11

The year 1879 might be thought of as the beginning of psychology as a science because that is the year

Accepted Answer

Wilhelm Wundt is considered the father of psychology for his establishment of the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879. This laboratory marked the beginning of psychology as a scientific discipline, separate from philosophy and physiology.

Question 12

Which of the following approaches to psychology did Edward Titchener advocate in the late 1800s?

Accepted Answer

Edward Titchener advocated for the approach of structuralism, which focused on analyzing the basic elements of conscious experience through introspection.

Question 13

A researcher presents his participant with a series of flashing lights at varying intervals. After each presentation of a light, he asks the participant to fully describe her internal experiences, a method known as

Accepted Answer

The method described is introspection, which involves asking participants to describe their internal experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Functionalism is a theory that focuses on the function of mental processes and behavior, while behaviorism emphasizes observable behavior and environmental influences on behavior. Psychoanalysis is a form of therapy that focuses on unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences.

Question 14

Which of the following perspectives argues that human behavior develops in certain ways because it serves a useful purpose?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism argues that human behavior develops in certain ways because it serves a useful purpose. This perspective focuses on how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environment and achieve their goals.

Question 15

A quarter in your hand casts a different image on your retina than a quarter taped to the wall across the room, yet you know that the quarters have exactly the same dimensions. This phenomenon would be best explained by a

Accepted Answer

Gestalt psychologists believe in the importance of context and perception as a whole, rather than just individual elements. The difference in perception of the quarter in your hand versus on the wall can be explained by Gestalt principles such as figure-ground perception and the idea that the brain organizes sensory information into meaningful patterns.

Question 16

Refer to the figure below.
 The figure illustrates a typical experiment in

Accepted Answer

The answer of Refer to the figure below.
 The figure...

Question 17

When the U.S. Supreme Court was deliberating on whether to require schools to integrate black children and white children, their decision to strike down laws permitting segregated schools was greatly influenced by the "Doll Test," conducted by

Accepted Answer

The "Doll Test" was conducted by Kenneth Clark and Mamie Phipps Clark, who were African American psychologists. The study showed that black children preferred white dolls over black dolls, which implied internalized racism due to societal segregation. This study was used as evidence in Brown v. Board of Education, and is considered to have influenced the Supreme Court's decision to strike down laws permitting segregated schools.

Question 18

What is a mainstream psychologist most likely to think about Sigmund Freud?

Accepted Answer

Mainstream psychologists generally view Freud's theories as unscientific and not based on empirical evidence. While Freud was an important figure in the history of psychology and introduced many influential concepts, his methods and theories are not considered scientifically valid by most contemporary psychologists.

Question 19

Your uncle tells you about an interesting magazine article explaining that humans use only 10 percent of their brains. As a student of psychology, your response should be:

Accepted Answer

This response is the most accurate and backed up by research. The idea that humans only use 10 percent of their brains is a common myth that has been debunked by neuroscientists. Studies show that almost all areas of the brain are continually active and interconnected.

Question 20

Which statement reflects a reasonable attitude for a good student of psychology to have toward any claim about human behavior?

Accepted Answer

A good student of psychology should approach any claim about human behavior with skepticism until there is sufficient evidence to support it. Blindly accepting an idea without critical evaluation can lead to incorrect conclusions and hinder academic progress.

Quiz 1: Introduction: Principles of Psychology