Question 1

Dr. Dare works with children who frequently skip school. When students attend class, she gives them tokens to be redeemed for candy at the end of the day. Dr. Dare is using the __________ approach.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Dare is using the behavioral approach, which involves using reinforcement (tokens) to increase the desired behavior (attending class).

Question 2

Brad was having difficulty finding time to study. He went to a counselor and they talked about Brad's perceptions of his study habits. The counselor emphasized that it was Brad's decision about whether and when to study. She stressed that Brad was a resourceful person and would be able to solve his study problem. Brad's counselor was demonstrating the __________ approach.

Accepted Answer

The humanistic approach focuses on individual potential and stresses the importance of growth and self-actualization. It emphasizes personal responsibility and the belief that people are inherently resourceful and capable of solving their own problems, which aligns with the counselor's approach.

Question 3

In what ways are culture typically passed from generation to generation?

Accepted Answer

Culture is typically passed from generation to generation through example and tradition. This is because children learn by observing the behavior of their parents and other adults in their community. They also learn by participating in traditional activities and rituals.

Question 4

"We're not going to stop until you've accomplished everything you're capable of," Jennifer's personal trainer tells her. "You can work harder and achieve all of your goals!" This statement most closely mirrors the philosophy of the __________ approach.

Accepted Answer

The humanistic approach focuses on personal growth and self-actualization, emphasizing the potential for individuals to achieve their goals and fulfill their capabilities.

Question 5

José is interested in using computers to model how people process information when making decisions about employee performance. José follows the __________ approach in psychology.

Accepted Answer

José's interest in using computers to model how people process information aligns with the cognitive approach in psychology, which focuses on mental processes and how they influence behavior.

Question 6

In the United States, approximately ________ of doctoral degrees awarded in the field of psychology today are earned by people of color.

Accepted Answer

Approximately one-quarter of doctoral degrees in psychology are earned by people of color in the United States today.

Question 7

Jerome does not seem to be able to hold a job, having repeatedly engaged in behaviors that sabotage his own success at work. His psychotherapist tells him that he may have some unconscious conflicts that result in a fear of success and that uncovering these issues will be important in their work together. Jerome's therapist most likely takes the __________ approach to psychology.

Accepted Answer

The psychodynamic approach focuses on unconscious conflicts and motivations, which aligns with the therapist's suggestion of uncovering Jerome's unconscious issues.

Question 8

Dr. Mueller is interested in studying eating disorders. Her hypothesis is that abnormal eating behavior is learned through previous successes and failures with restrictive diet programs. She most likely follows which school of psychological thought?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Mueller is likely following the behavioral school of psychological thought, which emphasizes the role of learning and experience in shaping behavior. Her hypothesis that abnormal eating behavior is learned through experiences with restrictive diet programs is consistent with this perspective.

Question 9

Carla is a psychologist who studies the mental processes of people as they are presented information about new policies for environmental conservation. She studies how the new information is taken in, how it is processed, and how it changes people's perceptions of conservation methods. Carla most likely takes the __________ approach to psychology.

Accepted Answer

Carla is studying how new information is processed and how it changes people's perceptions, which are both areas of focus within cognitive psychology. The biological approach focuses on the physical aspects of behavior, the behavioral approach focuses on observable behavior, and the psychodynamic approach focuses on the unconscious mind and childhood experiences.

Question 10

In the United States, women constitute approximately ________ of all psychologists working in the field.

Accepted Answer

Approximately two-thirds of all psychologists in the United States are women.

Question 11

Tomeka is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with clients who have phobias. One of the basic assumptions she makes about people's fears of spiders and snakes is that such fears can be adaptive, since spiders and snakes are sometimes dangerous. Tomeka's assumption best fits the __________ approach to psychology.

Accepted Answer

The evolutionary approach to psychology suggests that certain fears, like those of spiders and snakes, are adaptive because they have helped humans survive by avoiding potentially dangerous animals.

Question 12

Dr. Butterfield is a psychologist who believes that our choices are dictated not by our instincts but by our unique perceptions of the world. Dr. Butterfield takes a __________ approach in her practice.

Accepted Answer

The humanistic approach emphasizes individual perception and personal growth, aligning with Dr. Butterfield's belief in unique perceptions guiding choices.

Question 13

Which approach to psychology emphasizes decision making, problem solving, and intelligence?

Accepted Answer

The cognitive approach to psychology focuses on mental processes such as decision making, problem solving, and intelligence.

Question 14

The sum of all values, rules of behavior, forms of expression, religious beliefs, occupational choices, and the like among a group of people who share a common language and environment is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Culture encompasses the sum of values, behaviors, expressions, beliefs, and choices shared by a group with a common language and environment.

Question 15

Rosa believes therapy that helps a person resolve unconscious conflicts will greatly reduce abnormal or problematic behavior. Rosa is taking which psychological approach?

Accepted Answer

The psychodynamic approach focuses on resolving unconscious conflicts, which aligns with Rosa's belief.

Question 16

In the United States, approximately ________ of those earning doctoral degrees in psychology today are women.

Accepted Answer

Approximately two-thirds of those earning doctoral degrees in psychology today are women.

Question 17

Sue wants to quit smoking, but she cannot seem to kick the addiction. A psychologist who takes a __________ approach might tell Sue that she keeps smoking because her brain is chemically dependent on the drug.

Accepted Answer

A psychologist who takes a biological approach would focus on the physiological effects of nicotine on the brain and how this creates a chemical dependency that makes it difficult for Sue to quit smoking. This approach views addiction as a medical issue that requires treatment and intervention to manage the physical symptoms of withdrawal and reduce cravings.

Question 18

A psychotherapist who works from a humanistic approach would probably work with clients to emphasize the importance of

Accepted Answer

The humanistic approach in psychotherapy focuses on individual experiences, personal growth, and self-actualization, emphasizing the client's unique perception of the world.

Question 19

Tom just read an article in the newspaper reporting new research on the link between genes and hostility. The researchers were most likely to have adopted the __________ approach in their research.

Accepted Answer

The biological approach focuses on the influence of genetics and biological processes on behavior, making it the most likely approach for research on the link between genes and hostility.

Question 20

Jami says to her therapist, Len, "I really want to understand myself better. That is why I am in therapy." Len replies, "Then we will have to start digging in your past and understanding all of the unconscious motives that cause you to be who you are." Len probably takes a(n)__________ approach to psychology.

Accepted Answer

Len's focus on unconscious motives and past experiences suggests a psychodynamic approach to psychology, which emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences in shaping personality and behavior. The other options (evolutionary, humanistic, cognitive) do not necessarily prioritize the exploration of the unconscious or the role of early experiences in shaping personality.

Quiz 1: Introduction to the Science of Psychology