Question 1

Which of the following fields is considered a "parent" of the discipline of scientific psychology?

Accepted Answer

Philosophy is considered a "parent" of psychology because many early philosophers, such as Aristotle and Descartes, addressed questions about the mind, behavior, and emotions, laying the groundwork for the development of psychology as a distinct scientific discipline.

Question 2

Which of the following studies is most likely to be conducted by Cathy, who is majoring in biological psychology, for her honors thesis?

Accepted Answer

Biological psychology focuses on the biological underpinnings of behavior and mental processes. The study of the relationship between the neurotransmitter serotonin and happiness fits well within this field, as it directly involves the investigation of biological factors (neurotransmitters) and their impact on psychological states (happiness).

Question 3

In the United States, the pioneer of moral treatment of the mentally ill was ________.

Accepted Answer

Dorothea Dix was a pioneer in the movement for the moral treatment of the mentally ill in the United States, advocating for better asylum conditions and the establishment of state hospitals for the care of the mentally ill.

Question 4

Scientific literature consistently finds that people who are extraverted are more likely than introverts to use Facebook and have a wider network of social relationships. These studies are most likely to be conducted by a ________.

Accepted Answer

Personality psychologists study individual differences, including traits like extraversion and introversion, and how these traits influence behavior and social interactions, such as the use of social media and the size of social networks.

Question 5

Without chance mutations, which of the following would occur?

Accepted Answer

Mutations introduce genetic variation, which is essential for evolution. Without mutations, there would be no new genetic variations for natural selection to act upon, and thus, no evolution.

Question 6

_________ treat and assess relatively healthy people and assist them with career and vocational interests.

Accepted Answer

Counseling psychologists focus on helping individuals with personal, social, educational, and career challenges. They often work with relatively healthy people to assist them in making decisions and coping with life transitions, including career and vocational interests.

Question 7

Benjamin studies the relationship between bodily systems and chemicals and how they influence behavior and thought. This implies that Benjamin is most likely a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

Benjamin's focus on the relationship between bodily systems, chemicals, and their influence on behavior and thought aligns with the field of biological psychology. This branch of psychology examines the biological underpinnings of psychological processes and behaviors.

Question 8

Anna is conducting research to find out if people who interact extensively with other people via Facebook are more or less outgoing than those who do not. Anna is most likely a ________.

Accepted Answer

Anna is studying individual differences in behavior, which is the focus of personality psychology.

Question 9

There is a great deal of overlap between neuroscience and _________. The latter is an older term that is being replaced by behavioral neuroscience in contemporary psychology.

Accepted Answer

Biological psychology is the term that has a great deal of overlap with neuroscience. It focuses on the biological underpinnings of behavior, thoughts, and emotions, which is why it's increasingly referred to as behavioral neuroscience in contemporary psychology.

Question 10

In medieval Europe from approximately 400 to 1400 CE (Common Era), psychological disorders were attributed to ________.

Accepted Answer

During the medieval period in Europe, psychological disorders were often attributed to supernatural causes, such as demonic possession, witchcraft, or the displeasure of the gods. This reflects the period's general lack of scientific understanding of mental health and its heavy reliance on religious explanations for phenomena that were not understood.

Question 11

Benedict conducts research on whether people's tendency to be friendly, anxious, or hostile affects their health, career choice, or interpersonal relationships. This implies that Benedict is most likely a student of ________.

Accepted Answer

Benedict's research focuses on how personality traits (like being friendly, anxious, or hostile) influence various aspects of life such as health, career choice, or interpersonal relationships. This aligns with the study of personality psychology, which examines individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Question 12

_________ is a blend of psychology, law, and criminal justice.

Accepted Answer

Forensic psychology is the field that blends psychology, law, and criminal justice, focusing on understanding criminal behavior, assisting in investigations, and providing expert testimony in court.

Question 13

The assumption that dreams have meaning and are the most direct route to the unconscious mind was put forth by ________.

Accepted Answer

Sigmund Freud is known for his theory that dreams are a manifestation of our deepest desires and fears, providing a direct route to understanding the unconscious mind.

Question 14

Feathers probably evolved for insulation in flightless dinosaurs, but they turned out to be useful for flight in birds, the dinosaurs' descendants. Feathers are considered _________ because feathers did not evolve for that purpose.

Accepted Answer

Feathers are considered by-products in this context because they originally evolved for insulation, not for flight, indicating they were not initially an adaptation for flying but became useful for that purpose later.

Question 15

Carl conducts a research and concludes that older teenage girls and young women are more likely to participate in social networking sites than are boys and young men. This shows that Carl is most likely a ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Carl conducts a research and concludes that...

Question 16

Philippe primarily focuses on improving the athletic performance of his patients through techniques such as relaxation and visualization. This implies that Philippe is most likely a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

Sports psychologists specialize in improving athletic performance through various techniques, including relaxation and visualization, which aligns with the activities described for Philippe.

Question 17

Which of the following is most likely to be the focus of educational psychology?

Accepted Answer

Educational psychology primarily focuses on how people learn, including topics like instructional processes, individual differences in learning, gifted learners, and learning disabilities. It often involves studying the effectiveness of various teaching techniques to enhance learning outcomes.

Question 18

Steve is conducting a research on how cell phones and other electronic methods of communication have changed the way teenagers interact with others. This information indicates that Steve is a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

Steve's research focuses on how a specific aspect of the environment (cell phones and electronic communication) affects the development of social interactions among teenagers. This aligns with the interests of developmental psychologists, who study the growth and development of humans throughout their lifespan, including how they interact with their environment and how this affects their social development.

Question 19

_________ are quick and ready response patterns that tell us whether something is good or bad for our well-being.

Accepted Answer

Emotions are quick and ready response patterns that help us assess situations as beneficial or harmful to our well-being, guiding our reactions accordingly.

Question 20

Psychologists use a standardized reference when diagnosing psychological disorders called ________.

Accepted Answer

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is the standardized reference that psychologists and psychiatrists use for diagnosing psychological disorders.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Psychology