Question 1

In promoting positive psychology, what did Seligman suggest had been the historical focus of the field of psychology?

Accepted Answer

Seligman suggested that the historical focus of psychology had been on pathology, weakness, and damage. This includes the study of mental disorders, abnormal behavior, and the negative aspects of human behavior and thinking. Seligman argues that psychology should shift its focus towards positive behavior and thinking in order to help people live more fulfilling lives.

Question 2

What do evolutionary psychologists focus on when they study behavioural processes?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychologists focus on studying the adaptive value of behavioural processes, as they examine the ways in which certain behaviours have evolved to increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction. They explore how behavioural traits have arisen through natural selection, and how these traits contribute to an organism's ability to adapt and thrive in different environments.

Question 3

Which of the following is likely to be true if a researcher's work is ethnocentric?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is likely to...

Question 4

According to the physiological perspective, what must psychologists focus on in order to fully understand behaviour?

Accepted Answer

The physiological perspective emphasizes the interrelations among the mind, body, and behaviour, suggesting that psychologists must focus on the physical and biological processes that underlie behaviour in order to fully understand it. Internal mental events, the adaptive value of behaviour, and the role of the unconscious may be relevant to understanding behaviour from other perspectives, but they are not the primary focus of the physiological perspective.

Question 5

What percentage of Canadian psychologists work in colleges and universities?

Accepted Answer

According to the Canadian Psychological Association, approximately 30 percent of Canadian psychologists work in colleges and universities. This means that the majority of Canadian psychologists work in other settings, such as private practices, hospitals, or government agencies.

Question 6

Terry is interested in doing research on creativity. She really wants to be able to help people develop their creativity, so that they can improve their own lives. Which of the following terms describes Terry's area of interest?

Accepted Answer

Terry's area of interest is focused on helping people improve their lives through the development of creativity, which aligns with the goals of positive psychology. Positive psychology emphasizes the study of strengths, virtues, and well-being, rather than pathology and deficits.

Question 7

Imagine that you are a graduate student in Montreal in the 1940s. You work under the supervision of a very influential researcher who published The Organization of Behavior, which provided an integrative approach to psychology. Which of the following are you likely to be researching?

Accepted Answer

The influential researcher in question is likely Donald O. Hebb, who published The Organization of Behavior in 1949. Hebb was primarily interested in understanding the neural mechanisms underlying behavior, and his theories offered a bridge between psychology and neuroscience. As a graduate student working under Hebb's supervision, you would likely be researching brain mechanisms of behavior, focusing on areas such as neural plasticity, learning and memory, or sensory perception.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a major area of specialization in research psychology?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT a...

Question 9

Which of the following represents a major focus of psychology in both the 19ᵗʰ century and now?

Accepted Answer

The focus on physiological bases for behavior has been a major focus of psychology both in the 19th century (with the emergence of experimental psychology and the focus on the nervous system) and today (with the continued emphasis on neuroscience and the study of the brain and behavior). While the other options may have been areas of interest in psychology at various points in history, they are not necessarily ongoing major foci.

Question 10

What are currently the two largest areas of specialization in research-oriented psychology?

Accepted Answer

According to current research trends, the two largest areas of specialization in psychology are developmental and social psychology. Developmental psychology focuses on the study of human growth and development over the lifespan, while social psychology investigates how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. These areas of psychology have garnered significant attention and funding in recent years due to their relevance to a wide range of societal and individual issues, including healthcare, education, and public policy.

Question 11

Which of the following psychological perspectives is most likely to focus on the interrelations among the mind, body, and behaviour?

Accepted Answer

The physiological perspective focuses on the interrelations among the mind, body, and behaviour. This perspective examines how the brain and nervous system affect behaviour and mental processes, including thoughts and emotions. It explores the roles of genetics, hormones, and neurotransmitters in shaping behaviour and cognition.

Question 12

Which psychological perspective emerged in the 1950s and 1960s and reflected a renewed interest in the study of the physiological bases of behaviour?

Accepted Answer

The biological perspective emerged in the 1950s and 1960s and focused on the physiological bases of behavior, such as brain chemistry, genetics, and the nervous system. This perspective emphasizes the role of biology in shaping behavior and is often used in fields such as neuroscience and psychopharmacology.

Question 13

Which of the following is a psychologist who focuses attention on cultural diversity least likely to do?

Accepted Answer

A psychologist who focuses on cultural diversity is unlikely to identify deficiencies in other cultures, as it is not their goal to judge or criticize other cultures. Instead, their focus is on understanding and respecting various cultural differences and similarities.

Question 14

Dr. Tanaka is a researcher who has stated the hypothesis that men and women should differ in their skills related to different types of video games. He suggests that men will outperform women in games that require great hand-eye coordination, whereas women should outperform men in games that require excellent memory for social interactions. Dr. Tanaka's hypothesis is related to other research suggesting that our ancestors lived in environments where men had more children if they were successful hunters, and women had more children if they could foster strong social relationships. What type of psychologist is Dr. Tanaka?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Tanaka is an evolutionary psychologist, as he is proposing a hypothesis based on the evolutionary history of our ancestors and how it relates to differences in skills between men and women in video games.

Question 15

In addition to being a science, what is the other aspect of the field of psychology according to your text's definition?

Accepted Answer

Psychology is considered both a science and a profession, as it involves scientific research and practical application in various professional settings.

Question 16

Which of the following has become a recent focus of attention for psychologists?

Accepted Answer

Culture has become a recent focus of attention for psychologists because it is now recognized that culture plays a significant role in shaping our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Question 17

Based on the results of the Featured Study on bullying in Canadian schoolyards, which of the following situations is most typical of bullying?

Accepted Answer

According to the results of the Featured Study on bullying in Canadian schoolyards, the most typical situation of bullying is when a student is bullied by someone, while other peers either take part or observe. This is known as "witnessed bullying" and was found to be more prevalent than isolated incidents of bullying by a single individual or by a much older group of students.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT included in your text's definition of psychology?

Accepted Answer

The text's definition of psychology includes that it is a science, studies behaviour including physiological and cognitive processes, and is a profession that solves practical problems. However, it does not include the notion that psychology studies primarily the unconscious mind, making option D the correct answer.

Question 19

Which of the following is partly responsible for Donald Hebb's tremendous impact on the field of psychology?

Accepted Answer

Donald Hebb's book, The Organization of Behavior: A Neuropsychological Theory, is considered a seminal work in the field of psychology and has had a significant impact on the study of neuropsychology, cognitive psychology, and behavior.

Question 20

Which area of psychology are your questions most consistent with if you wonder about the adaptive purpose of a common behaviour (such as toddlers following their mothers around or teenagers wanting more independence from their parents)?

Accepted Answer

The question is about the adaptive purpose of a common behavior, which is consistent with evolutionary psychology. This field focuses on how behaviors have evolved over time to increase the chances of survival and reproduction. Examining why toddlers follow their mothers around or why teenagers seek independence from their parents can provide insight into how these behaviors may have enhanced our ancestors' survival and reproductive success.

Quiz 1: B: The Evolution of Psychology