Chapter 1&2 Exam Flashcards
Paul records data that indicate that the number of hot chocolates sold at the concession stand increases as temperature outside decreases (for example, more hot chocolates are purchased during late fall than late spring). Which of the following statements is the most accurate depiction of this finding?
There is a negative correlation between the two variables.
Which of the following is an empirical question?
“Is there life on other planets?”
While Margaret F. Washburn may have been the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in psychology in the United States (in 1894), the first African American woman to do so was _______ in 1934 at the University of Minnesota.
Ruth Howard
Tim is overweight. His physician has decided to test him to see if there is a problem with the regulation of his ________. Which endocrine gland will be the focus of diagnostic testing?
thyroid
The idea that the pituitary gland it the “master gland”:
is true; yet, it is still controlled by the brain.
Which of the following is a common ethical guideline suggested by the American Psychological Association?
+ Participants may not withdraw once they start.
+ Participants cannot be deceived about aspects of the research.
+ Participants cannot be subjected to any physically or emotionally painful stimuli.
+ Deception must be justified.
Deception must be justified.
Which part of the neuron is responsible for maintaining the life of the cell?
soma
If your _______ was damaged, you might walk oddly and have trouble standing normally.
cerebellum
As Molly is walking across campus, a car swerves toward her. Her heart races and sweat breaks out as she jumps out of harm’s way. This mobilization of energy is due to the action of Molly’s __________.
sympathetic nervous system
When a neuron fires, it fires in a(n) ____ fashion, as there is no such thing as “partial” firing.
in an all-or-none
The question ‘Why is it happening?’ refers to which goal in psychology?
explanation
Which founding contributors to psychology helped develop behaviorism?
Watson and Pavlov
Jerry loves the smell of grass after it rains. This is a result of his _____, which has/have received signals from neurons in his sinus cavity.
olfactory bulbs
Al is trying to decide whether the shower is hot enough to step in. Hal is listening to his MP3 player. Sal is looking at a beautiful painting in an art museum. Which individual is using his parietal lobe?
Al
Ideally, everything in the experimental situation except the _______ is held constant.
independent variables
What is the BEST analogy for Wundt’s and Titchener’s mission for psychology?
a chart listing the basic chemical elements
The general curiosity about why people think, feel, and behave the way they do:
has always probably been with us
_______ is a system used for reducing bias and error in the measurement of data.
The scientific method
The part of the brain located just behind the temples, containing neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech, is called the ________.
temporal lobes
The area at the back of the left temporal lobe that is crucial in the ability to listen, process, and understand what others are saying is ________ area.
Wernicke’s
Which of the following statements is true about naturalistic observation?
+ It recreates natural conditions in the laboratory as closely as possible to make an experiment more valid.
+ It involves observing behavior in its natural context.
+ It is basically the same process as objective introspection.
+ It involves observing behavior in the lab without taking formal notes or using technological equipment to measure the experimental findings.
It involves observing behavior in its natural context.
Which of these is the most accurate definition of the discipline of psychology?
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Gestalt psychology attempted to discover:
the overall patterns of perceptions and thoughts.
All of the following variables, EXCEPT for ________, would likely show a positive correlation.
+ height and weight
+ men’s educational level and their income
+ alcohol consumption and scores on a driving test
+ school grades and IQ scores
alcohol consumption and scores on a driving test
You overhear psychology students preparing for a test. They note that one of the research methods often “fails to generalize.” Which method is the MOST likely topic of their discussion?
case study
If Mindy’s doctor has taken a series of images of her brain using X-rays, then she has likely had a(n) ________.
CT
Damage to the ________ would result in an inability to identify and comprehend what is seen through the eyes.
visual association cortex
The ________ is a structure in the brain stem responsible for life-sustaining functions, such as breathing and heart rate.
medulla
The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that is made up of all nerves carrying messages from the senses to the central nervous system and all nerves carrying messages from the central nervous system to skeletal muscles is called the ________.
somatic nervous system
The function of the neuron’s axon is to ________.
carry messages to other cells
________ synapses make it more likely that a neuron will send its message to other neurons, whereas ________ synapses make it less likely that a neuron will send its message.
Excitatory; inhibitory
Which of the following coordinates involuntary rapid fine-motor movement?
+ medulla
+ pons
+ reticular formation
+ cerebellum
cerebellum
The peripheral nervous system consists of ________.
all of the nerve cells that are not in the brain and spinal cord
A chemical found in the synaptic vesicles which, when released, has an effect on the next cell is called a ________.
neurotransmitter
As a project for a psychology course, a student correlated weight and intelligence scores for 250 students. The computed correlation coefficient was .00. What did the scatter plot look like?
a random distribution of points
How our minds help us adapt to the world around us was a primary question addressed by which early movement of psychology?
Functionalism
The sex glands, which secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction, are called ________.
the gonads
A researcher stops people at the mall and asks them questions about their attitudes toward gun control. Which research technique is being used?
survey
What structure is like a locked door that only certain neurotransmitter keys can unlock?
receptor sites
Which of the following is a long bundle of neurons that functions as a carrier of messages to and from the brain to the body and is responsible for certain reflexes?
spinal cord
Malcolm is studying alone in his room late at night when he hears a loud noise downstairs. His heartbeat increases significantly and his breathing becomes shallow. He wonders if a burglar has entered the house and decides to investigate. When he gets downstairs, he discovers his cat has knocked over a plant stand. His body begins to relax and return to normal. Which part of his nervous system was responsible for putting Malcolm’s body on “high alert” when he did not know the source of the sound?
sympathetic nervous system
The field of biopsychology is part of the larger discipline of ________, which refers to the study of the physical structure, function, and development of the nervous system.
neuroscience
Which of the following is a common ethical guideline suggested by the American Psychological Association?
Participants must be allowed to make an informed decision.
When you watch dogs play in the park, or watch how your professors conduct their classes, you are engaging in a form of ________.
naturalistic observation
Which of the following statements is correct about a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A psychologist has no medical training.
________ are three-dimensional proteins on the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands that are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters.
Receptor sites
All of the following are accurate statements regarding random assignment EXCEPT _________.
+ it is a procedure for assigning people to experimental and control groups
+ it is a procedure in which each subject has the same possibility of being assigned to a given group
+ it is a procedure in which subjects are assigned to a positive correlation or a negative correlation condition
+ it is a procedure that allows individual characteristics to be roughly balanced between groups
it is a procedure in which subjects are assigned to a positive correlation or a negative correlation condition
Since Jessica suffered a head injury in a car accident three months ago, she has not experienced dreams as she had in the past. She used to dream vivid, active dreams. Which part of her brain was most likely affected during the car accident, which is related to her problem dreaming?
pons
When you see someone you have a crush on and your heart pounds, your hands get sweaty, and your cheeks feel hot, your ________ nervous system is active.
autonomic
Ali is in the hospital about to undergo a brain-imaging process that involves taking many X-rays from different angles aided by the use of a computer. What type of imaging technique is being used?
computed tomography (CT)
