Chapter 1- Introduction

Question 1

A set of related assumptions that allows scientists to use logical deductive reasoning to to formulate testable hypotheses

Answer 1

A theory

Question 2

People often confuse theory with:

Answer 2

Philosophy, speculation, hypothesis, and taxonomy

Question 3

This term means the love of wisdom. It is a broader term than theory.

Answer 3

Philosophy

Question 4

Theory relates most closely to this branch of philosophy which means “the nature of knowledge”

Answer 4

Epistemology

Question 5

The branch of study concerned with observation and classification of data and with the verification of general laws through the testing of hypotheses

Answer 5

Science

Question 6

Theory is a narrower concept than philosophy, but a broader term than:

Answer 6

Hypothesis

Question 7

And educated guess or prediction specific enough for its validity to be tested through the use of the scientific method

Answer 7

Hypothesis

Question 8

A classification of things according to their natural relationships

Answer 8

Taxonomy. Classification is necessary to science, however, taxonomies do not generate hypotheses-a necessary criterion of a useful theory

Question 9

Why are there different personality theories?

Answer 9

Because psychologists and other scientists have differed in their personal background.

Question 10

This is the study of how scientists personalities, cognitive processes, developmental history, and social experience affect the kind of science they conduct and the theories they create

Answer 10

The psychology of science

Question 11

What are the six components of a useful theory

Answer 11

1) generates research
2) is falsifiable
3) organizes data
4) guides action
5) is internally consistent
6) is parsimonious

Question 12

A useful theory will generate two different kinds of research

Answer 12

Descriptive research and hypothesis testing

Question 13

This kind of research is concerned with the measurement, labeling, and categorization of the units employed in theory building

Answer 13

Descriptive research. Can expand an existing theory

Question 14

The second kind of research generated by a useful theory, leads to an indirect verification of the usefulness of the theory

Answer 14

Hypothesis testing

Question 15

A theories ability to be confirmed or disconfirmed

Answer 15

It’s falsifiability. A theory must be precise

Question 16

And internally consistent theory is one whose components are logically compatible. A term included in this is one that defines units in terms of observable events or behaviors that can be measured.

Answer 16

An operational definition

Question 17

What are the six dimentions for a concept of humanity

Answer 17

1) determinism versus free choice
2) pessimism versus optimism
3) causality versus teleology
4) conscious versus unconscious determinants of behaviour
5) biological versus social influences
6) uniqueness versus similarities among people

Question 18

Are people’s behaviours determined by forces over which they have no control, or can people choose to be what they wish to be

Answer 18

Determinism versus free choice

Question 19

Are people doomed to live miserable, conflicted, and troubled lives, or can they change and grow into psychologically healthy, happy, fully functioning human beings

Answer 19

Pessimism versus optimism

Question 20

Holds that behavior is a function of past experiences

Answer 20

Causality

Question 21

An explanation of behavior in terms of future goals or purposes

Answer 21

Teleology

Question 22

Are people ordinarily aware of what they are doing and why they are doing it, or do unconscious forces impinge on them and drive them to act without awareness of these underlying forces

Answer 22

Conscious versus unconscious determinants of behavior

Question 23

Are people mostly creatures of biology, or are they personality shaped largely by their social relationships

Answer 23

Biological versus social influences on personality

Question 24

Is the salient feature of people their individuality, or is it their common characteristics

Answer 24

Uniqueness versus similarities

Question 25

The extent to which a measuring instrument yields consistent results

Answer 25

Reliability

Question 26

The degree to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure

Answer 26

Validity

Question 27

The extent to which an instrument measures some hypothetical construct. Constructs such as extroversion, aggressiveness, intelligence, and emotional stability. These constructs have no physical existence; they are hypothetical constructs that should relate to observable behaviour

Answer 27

Construct validity

Question 28

Three important types of construct validity are:

Answer 28

Convergent validity, divergent validity, and discriminant validity

Question 29

The extent that a test predicts some future behavior

Answer 29

Predictive validity

Question 30

A pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to human behavior

Answer 30

Personality