Intro Chapter

Question 1

structuralism

Answer 1

Wundt’s approach, which focuses on uncovering the fundamental mental components of consciousness,
thinking, and other kinds of mental states and activities.

Question 2

introspection

Answer 2

A procedure used to study the structure of the mind in which subjects are asked to describe in detail what they are experiencing when they are exposed to a stimulus.

Question 3

psychology

Answer 3

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Question 4

functionalism

Answer 4

An early approach to psychology that concentrated on what the mind does—the functions of mental activity—and the role of behavior in allowing people to adapt to their environments.

Question 5

gestalt psychology

Answer 5

An approach to psychology that focuses on the organization of perception and thinking in a “whole” sense rather than on the individual elements of perception.

Question 6

neuroscience perspective

Answer 6

The approach that views behavior from the perspective

of the brain, the nervous system, and other biological functions.

Question 7

psychodynamic perspective

Answer 7

The approach based on the view that behavior

is motivated by unconscious inner forces over which the individual has little control.

Question 8

behavioral perspective

Answer 8

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

Question 9

cognitive perspective

Answer 9

The approach that focuses on how people think,

understand, and know about the world.

Question 10

humanistic perspective

Answer 10

The approach that suggests that all individuals

naturally strive to grow, develop, and be in control of their lives and behavior.

Question 11

free will

Answer 11

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

Question 12

determinism

Answer 12

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

Question 13

scientific method

Answer 13

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

Question 14

theories

Answer 14

Broad explanations and predictions concerning phenomena of interest.

Question 15

hypothesis

Answer 15

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

Question 16

operational definition

Answer 16

The translation of a hypothesis into specific, testable

procedures that can be measured and observed.

Question 17

archival research

Answer 17

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

Question 18

naturalistic observation

Answer 18

Research in which an investigator simply observes

some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation.

Question 19

survey research

Answer 19

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

Question 20

case study

Answer 20

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

Question 21

variables

Answer 21

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

Question 22

correlational research

Answer 22

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

Question 23

experiment

Answer 23

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 24

experimental manipulation

Answer 24

The change that an experimenter deliberately produces in a situation.

Question 25

treatment

Answer 25

The manipulation implemented by the experimenter

Question 26

experimental group

Answer 26

Any group participating in an experiment that receives a treatment.

Question 27

control group

Answer 27

A group participating in an experiment that receives no treatment.

Question 28

independent variable

Answer 28

The variable that is manipulated by an experimenter.

Question 29

dependent variable

Answer 29

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 30

random assignment to condition

Answer 30

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

Question 31

significant outcome

Answer 31

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

Question 32

replicated research

Answer 32

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

Question 33

informed consent

Answer 33

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 34

experimental bias

Answer 34

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

Question 35

placebo

Answer 35

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