Chapter One

Question 1

Psychology

Answer 1

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Question 2

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 2

Considers how behavior is influenced by our genetic inheritance from our ancestors

Question 3

Behavioral Genetics

Answer 3

Focuses on the biological mechanisms such as genes and chromosomes that enable inherited behavior to unfold

Question 4

Clinical Neuropsychology

Answer 4

Focuses on the origin of psychological disorders in biological factors.

Question 5

Structuralism

Answer 5

Uncovering the fundamental mental components of perception, consciousness, thinking, emotions, & other kinds of mental states and activities

Question 6

Functionalism

Answer 6

Concentrates on what the mind does and how behavior functions

Question 7

Gestalt Psychology

Answer 7

Emphasizes how perception is organized

Question 8

Neuroscience Perspective

Answer 8

Considers how people and nonhumans function biologically how individual nerve cells are joined together etc.

Question 9

Psychodynamic Perspective

Answer 9

Argue that behavior is motivated by inner forces and conflicts about which we have little awareness or control

Question 10

Behavioral perspective

Answer 10

The approach that suggests that observable, measurable behavior should be the focus of study

Question 11

Cognitive Perspective

Answer 11

The approach that focuses on how people think, understand, and know about the world

Question 12

Humanistic Perspective

Answer 12

The approach that suggests that all individuals naturally strive to grow, develop, and be in control of their lives and behavior

Question 13

Free will

Answer 13

The idea that behavior is caused primarily by choices that are made freely by the individual

Question 14

Determinism

Answer 14

The idea that people’s behavior is produced primarily by factors outside of their willful control

Question 15

Scientific Method

Answer 15

The approach through which psychologists systematically acquire knowledge and understanding about behavior and other phenomena of interest

Question 16

Theories

Answer 16

Broad explanations and predictions concerning phenomena of interest

Question 17

Hypothesis

Answer 17

A prediction, stemming from a theory, stated in a way that allows it to be tested

Question 18

Operational Definition

Answer 18

The translation of a hypothesis into specific, testable procedures that can be measured and observed

Question 19

Archival Research

Answer 19

Research in which existing data, such as census documents, college records, online databases, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis

Question 20

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 20

Research in which an investigator observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation

Question 21

Survey Research

Answer 21

Research in which people chosen to represent a larger population are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes

Question 22

Case Study

Answer 22

An in-depth, intensive investigation of an individual or small group of people

Question 23

Variables

Answer 23

Behaviors, events, or other characteristics that can change, or vary, in some way

Question 24

Correlational Research

Answer 24

Research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine whether they are associated, or “correlated”

Question 25

Experiment

Answer 25

The investigation of the relationship between two (or more) variables by deliberately producing a change in one variable in a situation and observing the effects of that change on other aspects of the situation

Question 26

Experimental manipulation

Answer 26

The change that an experimenter deliberately produces in a situation

Question 27

Treatment

Answer 27

The manipulation implemented by the experimenter

Question 28

Experimental group

Answer 28

Any group participating in an experiment that receives a treatment

Question 29

Independent variable

Answer 29

The variable that is manipulated by an experiment

Question 30

Control Group

Answer 30

A group participating in an experiment that receives no treatment

Question 31

Dependent Variable

Answer 31

The variable that is measured in an experiment. It is expected to change as a result of the experimenter’s manipulation of the independent variable

Question 32

Random Assignment to Condition

Answer 32

A procedure in which participants are assigned to different experimental groups or “conditions” on the basis of chance and chance alone

Question 33

Significant Outcome

Answer 33

Meaningful results that make it possible for researchers to feel confident that they have confirmed their hypotheses

Question 34

Replicated Research

Answer 34

Research that is repeated, sometimes using other procedures, settings, and groups of participants, to increase confidence in prior findings.

Question 35

Informed Consent

Answer 35

A document signed by participants affirming that they have been told the basic outlines of the study and are aware of what their participation will involve

Question 36

Experimental Bias

Answer 36

Factors that distort how the independent variable affects the dependent variable in an experiment

Question 37

Placebo

Answer 37

A false treatment, such as a pill, “drug,” or other substance, without any significant chemical properties or active ingredient