Question 1

What organisms do psychologists study?

Accepted Answer

Psychologists study a variety of organisms, including rats, humans, and chimps, to understand behavior and mental processes across different species.

Question 2

A scientist watching jackals feed on seals measures the frequency of feeding, competitive behavior, and duration of feeding. He is gathering _____.

Accepted Answer

Empirical evidence is data collected through observation or experimentation.

Question 3

_____ is information acquired by direct observation and measurement using systematic scientific methods.

Accepted Answer

Empirical evidence is information obtained through direct observation and measurement using systematic scientific methods.

Question 4

Dr. Krostom responds to radio listeners by using mostly her own common sense, beliefs, and values rather than scientific research. This practice is more like _____ than _____.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Krostom's approach of using personal beliefs and values rather than scientific research aligns more with pseudopsychology, which lacks empirical support, rather than psychology, which is based on scientific methods and evidence.

Question 5

Which of the following is the BEST example of psychology's goal of describing behavior?

Accepted Answer

Describing behavior involves observing and noting the behavior to provide a clear picture of what is occurring. Videotaping and measuring driver behavior at an intersection is a direct observation and recording of behavior, fitting the goal of description.

Question 6

Which of the following is the BEST example of psychology's goal of changing behavior?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is the BEST...

Question 7

If a psychologist is interested in studying the risk factors that lead to delinquency in adolescence, on what goal of psychology is the researcher focused?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a psychologist is interested in studying...

Question 8

An example of ______________ would be if you argue that most behaviors are a product of your environment and your friend argues that behaviors are a result of heredity.

Accepted Answer

The nature-nurture controversy involves the debate over whether behaviors are primarily the result of genetic inheritance (nature) or environmental factors (nurture).

Question 9

Research has shown that watching episodes of aggression on television causes children to become physically more aggressive. As a result, the V-chip was created. What goal of psychology does this best represent?

Accepted Answer

The creation of the V-chip aims to change behavior by allowing parents to block certain content, thereby reducing children's exposure to aggressive behavior on television.

Question 10

Structuralism made an important contribution to the science of psychology because it ________________.

Accepted Answer

Structuralism established a model for the scientific study of mental processes by focusing on breaking down mental processes into their most basic components, which laid the groundwork for future psychological research methodologies.

Question 11

Functionalism was strongly influenced by what previous theory?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism was influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution, as it emphasized the adaptive purpose of mental processes and behavior.

Question 12

Which of the following is an important reason why many of Freud's followers moved away from his school of thought?

Accepted Answer

Freud's emphasis on sex and aggression as primary motivators for behavior was seen as too narrow by many of his followers, leading them to develop their own theories that incorporated a broader range of human experiences and motivations.

Question 13

Which one of the following parts of Freudian theory is still accepted by many psychotherapists today?

Accepted Answer

Many psychotherapists still accept the idea that the unconscious mind influences behavior, as it aligns with contemporary understandings of mental processes that occur outside of conscious awareness.

Question 14

Pavlov's concept of ______________ explained behavior as a result of observable stimuli and observable responses.

Accepted Answer

Pavlov's concept of conditioning explained behavior as a result of observable stimuli and observable responses. Conditioning is a type of learning in which a neutral stimulus is paired with a meaningful stimulus, so that the neutral stimulus eventually elicits the same response as the meaningful stimulus.

Question 15

The humanistic perspective was responsible for influencing the development of what area of psychology?

Accepted Answer

The humanistic perspective, which emphasizes individual potential and self-actualization, significantly influenced the development of positive psychology, focusing on strengths and well-being.

Question 16

The norm for standing distance between two friends during a conversation is about 3-6 feet in the United States, whereas it is only about 1-2 feet in Middle Eastern countries. This difference best reflects what type of psychology?

Accepted Answer

This difference reflects sociocultural psychology, which examines how cultural and social contexts influence behavior and norms, such as personal space in different cultures.

Question 17

What type of research would study ways to enhance athletic performance?

Accepted Answer

Applied research focuses on practical applications and solutions, such as enhancing athletic performance.

Question 18

A researcher who performs a previous study following the same procedures to see if he would get the same results would be an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

A replication of studies is when a researcher performs a previous study following the same procedures to see if they would get the same results.

Question 19

Someone interested in studying the effects of text-messaging rather than talking on the phone on the quality of friendships would perform __________ as the first step in order to follow the scientific method.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Someone interested in studying the effects of...

Question 20

Data from many studies have been compiled, and researchers have developed a(n) __________ to explain their results.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Data from many studies have been compiled,...

Quiz 1: Introduction and Research Methods