Question 1

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 strive to maintain an open mind and are willing to consider new or alternative explanations of behavior and mental processes.

Question 2

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

This statement is false. The scientific method is a fundamental aspect of psychology research and is used to gather empirical evidence to support theories and hypotheses. Psychology researchers value objective and systematic empirical evidence over common sense, subjective experience, and expert opinions.

Question 3

Educational psychology is a specialty area that investigates research focused on basic psychological topics such as sensory and perceptual processes, learning, emotion, and motivation.

Accepted Answer

Educational psychology specifically focuses on how people learn and the best practices to teach them, including the study of teaching methods, instructional processes, and the social, emotional, and cognitive development of learners rather than basic psychological processes.

Question 4

As scientists, psychologists are guided by several attitudes, including being open-minded and maintaining a healthy sense of scientific skepticism.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. As scientists, psychologists are expected to be open-minded and skeptical about their own hypotheses and findings, and to base their work on empirical evidence rather than personal biases or beliefs. These attitudes help ensure that research is rigorous, objective, and reliable.

Question 5

Educational psychologists focus on causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of psychological disorders.

Accepted Answer

Educational psychologists focus on understanding how people learn and applying that knowledge to improve educational practices and curriculum, not on psychological disorders. Clinical psychologists would be the professionals who focus on causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of psychological disorders.

Question 6

Experimental psychology is a term used to describe research focused on basic psychological topics such as sensory and perceptual processes, and principles of learning, emotion, and motivation.

Accepted Answer

Experimental psychology indeed includes research that is focused on basic psychological topics such as sensory and perceptual processes, and principles of learning, emotion, and motivation.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

School psychologists apply psychological principles and findings in primary and secondary schools.

Accepted Answer

School psychologists work in primary and secondary schools and apply psychological principles and findings to support students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. They may also provide assessment and evaluation services to identify and address learning and behavioral challenges.

Question 9

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

Psychologists are trained to approach new findings with an open and curious attitude, but they also apply critical thinking skills and scientific skepticism to evaluate the quality and validity of new evidence, especially if it challenges established theories or beliefs. This process helps ensure that psychological research is rigorous, reliable, and trustworthy.

Question 10

A psychologist who studies the relationship between work and people is most likely an industrial/organizational psychologist.

Accepted Answer

Industrial/organizational psychologists focus on various aspects of work and organizations, including employee selection and placement, training and development, performance assessment and improvement, workplace motivation and attitudes, leadership, job satisfaction, and work-life balance. They use psychological principles and research methods to help organizations and employees achieve their goals and enhance well-being.

Question 11

Health psychologists study the psychological factors in the development, prevention, and treatment of illness.

Accepted Answer

Health psychologists aim to understand the psychological factors involved in physical health outcomes, including how behaviors, emotions, beliefs, and attitudes can influence the development, prevention, and treatment of illness.

Question 12

Cognitive psychologists primarily investigate the social, psychological, and physical changes that occur at different ages and stages of the lifespan.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychologists primarily investigate mental processes such as attention, perception, memory, problem-solving, and decision making. Developmental psychologists are the ones who primarily study changes that occur at different ages and stages of the lifespan.

Question 13

Psychologists assume that behavior and mental processes follow consistent patterns.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists base their understanding and predictions of human behavior and mental processes on the assumption of consistency and predictability. This forms the foundation of many psychological theories and approaches.

Question 14

The specialty area which studies the physical, social, and psychological changes that occur at different ages and stages of the lifespan.

Accepted Answer

This specialty area is known as developmental psychology.

Question 15

Dr. Bremmer investigates mental processes, including reasoning and thinking, problem solving, memory, perception, mental imagery, and language. Dr. Bremmer is a cognitive psychologist.

Accepted Answer

The description provided defines the field of cognitive psychology, which is what Dr. Bremmer is identified as.

Question 16

Personality psychologists study the nature of human personality, including the uniqueness of each person, traits, and individual differences.

Accepted Answer

Personality psychologists do study the nature of human personality, including the uniqueness of each person, traits, and individual differences.

Question 17

Educational psychology is a specialty area in psychology that applies psychological principles and theories to methods of learning.

Accepted Answer

Educational psychology is a recognized discipline that applies psychological theories, concepts, and methods to understanding different aspects of learning and teaching. It aims to improve educational outcomes by studying cognition, motivation, educational technology, assessment, and other factors that affect learning and teaching.

Question 18

Dr. Rice studies the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of different types of psychological disorders, such as anxiety, major depressive disorder, and eating disorder. She is most likely a clinical psychologist.

Accepted Answer

Clinical psychologists specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating mental and behavioral disorders, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other psychological disorders.

Question 19

In his research, Dr. Klein explores how people are affected by their social environments. He is particularly interested in helping behavior, conformity, obedience, prejudice, and aggression. Dr. Klein is a social psychologist.

Accepted Answer

The description clearly states that Dr. Klein is a social psychologist who conducts research on how people are affected by their social environments, with a focus on various behaviors including helping, conformity, obedience, prejudice, and aggression.

Question 20

Counseling psychology helps people adjust, adapt, and cope with personal and interpersonal problems; improves well-being; alleviates distress and maladjustment; and resolves crises.

Accepted Answer

Counseling psychology is a field that focuses on helping individuals improve their mental health and well-being by providing various counseling and therapeutic techniques to help them navigate through their personal and interpersonal problems, cope with stress, and adjust to life changes. The goal of counseling psychology is to alleviate distress and maladjustment and promote social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

Quiz 1: Section 3: Introduction and Research Methods