Question 1

The four basic goals of psychology are to (1) describe, (2) explain, (3) predict, and (4) control or influence behavior.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the four basic goals of psychology, which are to describe behavior, explain why it occurs, predict how it may occur in the future, and control or influence it in various ways.

Question 2

Psychologists' open-minded attitude is tempered by a healthy sense of scientific skepticism. That is, psychologists critically evaluate the evidence for new findings, especially those that seem contrary to established knowledge.

Accepted Answer

This statement is accurate and correctly describes the scientific approach that psychologists take in evaluating new findings. They are open-minded but also cautious and skeptical, wanting to ensure that the evidence for new ideas is strong and reliable before fully embracing them.

Question 3

Verifiable evidence that is based upon objective observation, measurement, and/or experimentation is called empirical evidence.

Accepted Answer

Empirical evidence is indeed verifiable evidence that is based on objective observation, measurement, and/or experimentation.

Question 4

Psychologists' open-minded attitude is tempered by a healthy sense of realism, which is guided by the assumption that many events are not explainable, including human behavior and mental processes.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists generally operate under the assumption that human behavior and mental processes can be studied and understood through scientific methods, even if not all events are currently explainable.

Question 5

The scientific method is rarely used in psychology, as psychologists value "common sense," subjective experience, and expert opinions more highly than so-called empirical evidence.

Accepted Answer

The statement is false. The scientific method is one of the primary tools used in psychology to test hypotheses and gather empirical evidence. While subjective experience and expert opinions may also play a role in some aspects of psychology, they must be supported by empirical evidence to be considered scientifically valid.

Question 6

Military psychologists help returning soldiers and their families deal with the aftereffects of combat stress, readjusting to civilian life, and coping with injuries. They also help select and train army personnel for particular roles or assignments.

Accepted Answer

Military psychologists provide a wide range of services to help soldiers and their families cope with the challenges of military life, including deployment, combat stress, and the transition back to civilian life. They also play a key role in selecting and training soldiers for specific roles and missions.

Question 7

Psychologists assume that behavior and mental processes follow consistent patterns.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists believe that behavior and mental processes follow consistent patterns, and this is a fundamental assumption in the field of psychology. This means that people's actions, thoughts, and feelings are not random but are influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, and individual experiences. By understanding these patterns and factors, psychologists can develop theories and interventions to help people improve their mental health and well-being.

Question 8

School psychologists provide a variety of psychological services to children, adolescents, and families in public and private schools.

Accepted Answer

School psychologists are trained to provide a range of services to support the academic and emotional needs of students, including assessment, counseling, consultation, and intervention. They work with teachers, parents, and administrators to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

Question 9

As scientists, psychologists are guided by several attitudes, including being open-minded, maintaining a healthy sense of scientific skepticism, and critically evaluating the evidence for new findings.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Scientists, including psychologists, value open-mindedness, skepticism, and critical evaluation of evidence in their work.

Question 10

All psychologists are automatically health psychologists because they are trained to administer psychotherapy to people with mental disorders.

Accepted Answer

While psychologists may receive training in psychotherapy, the field of health psychology specifically focuses on the relationship between psychological and physical health. Therefore, not all psychologists are automatically health psychologists, as this requires specific training and expertise in the field.

Question 11

A hypothesis is a tentative explanation that tries to integrate and account for the relationship among various findings and observations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A hypothesis is a tentative explanation that...

Question 12

Psychologists in New Mexico and Louisiana can qualify for prescription privileges if they complete additional coursework and supervised clinical training.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists in New Mexico and Louisiana can indeed qualify for prescription privileges if they complete additional coursework and supervised clinical training.

Question 13

Clinical psychologists study people with psychological disorders while psychiatrists actually treat them.

Accepted Answer

Clinical psychologists also treat psychological disorders, typically through therapy, whereas psychiatrists have medical training and can prescribe medication in addition to providing therapy.

Question 14

Because there are so few psychiatrists in the state, North Dakota became the first state in the nation to pass legislation authorizing properly trained psychologists to prescribe medications to treat psychological symptoms.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Because there are so few psychiatrists in...

Question 15

A clinical psychologist can hospitalize people and order biomedical therapies, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Accepted Answer

Clinical psychologists typically do not have the authority to hospitalize patients or prescribe biomedical therapies; these actions are usually performed by psychiatrists or other medical doctors.

Question 16

A clinical psychologist holds a doctorate in psychology whereas a psychiatrist holds a medical degree.

Accepted Answer

Clinical psychologists hold a doctorate in psychology, while psychiatrists hold a medical degree.

Question 17

In striving to identify and understand consistent patterns of behavior, psychologists are open-minded. That is, they are willing to consider new or alternative explanations of behavior and mental processes.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists are trained to be open-minded and consider different perspectives and theories in order to gain a better understanding of human behavior and mental processes. They do not rely solely on preconceived notions or assumptions, but instead critically evaluate evidence and consider alternative explanations.

Question 18

All psychiatrists and clinical psychologists can prescribe medications and treat mental illness with a variety of medical procedures.

Accepted Answer

Only psychiatrists can prescribe medications, while clinical psychologists may provide therapy and other non-medical interventions for mental illnesses.

Question 19

In striving to identify and understand consistent patterns of behavior, psychologists are willing to consider new or alternative explanations of behavior and mental processes. The text calls this attitude scientific skepticism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In striving to identify and understand consistent...

Question 20

Sports psychology uses psychological theory and knowledge to enhance athletic motivation, performance, and consistency.

Accepted Answer

Sports psychology is a field that applies psychological principles to sports and athletics in order to improve performance and motivation. It seeks to help athletes overcome psychological barriers that may be hindering their performance by increasing their focus, confidence, and mental toughness. Therefore, the statement is true.

Quiz 1: Introduction and Research Methods