introduction to psychology exam 1

Question 1

Structuralism

Answer 1

Analyzes consciousness into its basic elements and investigates how these elements are related; depends on introspection- the careful systematic self observation of one’s conscious experience.

Question 2

Functionalism

Answer 2

based on the belief that psychology should investigate the function or purpose of consciousness, rather than the structure of consciousness; Analyzed consciousness into “elements.” Influenced by William James.

Question 2

William Wundt

Answer 2

Founder of psychology

Question 3

Sigmund Freud

Answer 3

Developed psychoanalytic theory, an attempt to explain personality, motivation, and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior.

Question 4

Skinner

Answer 4

questions free will as behaviorism.

Question 5

Evolutionary psychology

Answer 5

Examines behavioral process in terms of their adaptive value for a species over the course of many generations.

Question 6

Positive Psychology

Answer 6

Approach to psychology that uses theory and research to better understand the positive, adaptive, creative, and fulfilling aspects of human existence.

Question 7

Psychiatry

Answer 7

A branch of medicine involving the diagnosis of psychological disorders.

Question 8

Clinical psychology

Answer 8

Nonmedically diagnoses and treats psychological problems and disorders.

Question 9

Theme 1

Answer 9

Psychology is empirical.

Question 10

Theme 2

Answer 10

Psychology is theoretically diverse.

Question 11

Theme 3

Answer 11

Psychology evolves in sociohistorical context.

Question 12

Theme 4

Answer 12

Behavior is determined by multiple causes.

Question 13

Theme 5

Answer 13

behavior is shaped by cultural heritage.

Question 14

Theme 6

Answer 14

Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior.

Question 15

Theme 7

Answer 15

People’s experience of the world is highly subjective.

Question 16

Theory

Answer 16

Well developed set of ideas that propose an explanation for observed phenomenon.

Question 17

Hypothesis

Answer 17

Tentative and testable statement (prediction) about the relationship between two or more variables.

Question 18

Steps in a scientific method

Answer 18

• Formulate a testable hypothesis (Operational definition): a definition that describes the actions or operations that will be used to measure or control a variable.
• Select research method and design (Participants/subjects): the persons (or animals) whose behavior is systematically observed in a study.
• Collect the data (data collection techniques): procedures for making empirical observations and measurements.
• Report the findings (journal): a periodical that publishes technical and scholarly material, usually in a narrowly defined area of inquiry.

Question 19

Key components for good research

Answer 19

• Fairness: implies that all data must be considered when evaluating a hypothesis.
• Falsiable: it should be possible to disprove a theory or hypothesis by experimental results.
• Predictability: implies that a theory should enable us to make predictions about future events.
• Verifiability: an experiment must be replicable by another researcher.

Question 20

Advantages of scientific approach

Answer 20

• Clarity and precision
• Relative intolerance of error
• Research methods

Question 21

Independent Variable

Answer 21

A condition or event that an experimenter varies in order to see its impact on another variable.

Question 22

Dependent variable

Answer 22

the variable that is thought to be affected by the manipulation of the independent variable. It is usually a measurement of some aspect of the subject’s behavior.

Question 23

Experimental group

Answer 23

the subjects who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable.

Question 24

Control group

Answer 24

the subjects who do not receive the special treatment given to the experimental group.

Question 25

Extraneous variable

Answer 25

any variables, other than the independent variable, that seem likely to influence the dependent variable in a specific study.

Question 26

Confounding of variables

Answer 26

when two variables are linked in a way that makes it difficult to sort out their specific effects.

Question 27

Random assignment

Answer 27

a procedure in which all subjects in a study have an equal chance of being assigned to any group or condition.

Question 28

Correlation

Answer 28

two variables are related to each other.

Question 29

Positive correlation

Answer 29

indicates that two variables covary (change together) in the same direction.

Question 30

Negative correlation

Answer 30

indicates that two variables covary in opposite directions.

Question 31

Correlation coefficient

Answer 31

a numerical index of the degree of relationship between two variables.
- Varies between 0 and +1.00 (positive correlation) or between 0 and -1.00 (negative correlation).

Question 32

Correlation and prediction

Answer 32

as a correlation increases in strength (gets closer to either -1.00 or +1.00), the ability to predict one variable based on knowledge of the other variable increases.

Question 33

Correlation and causation

Answer 33

correlation is not equivalent to causation.

Question 34

Sampling bias

Answer 34

sample is not representative.

Question 35

Sample

Answer 35

collection of subjects selected for observation in an empirical study.

Question 36

Population

Answer 36

larger collection of animals or people from which it is drawn.

Question 37

Placebo

Answer 37

resembles effect but is not actually the treatment.

Question 38

Placebo effect

Answer 38

when they treat the placebo as if it actually works.

Question 39

Social desirability bias

Answer 39

giving socially approved answers to questions about oneself when responding to surveys.

Question 40

Experimenter bias

Answer 40

a phenomenon that occurs when a researcher’s expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained.

Question 40

Experimenter bias

Answer 40

a phenomenon that occurs when a researcher’s expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained.

Question 40

Experimenter bias

Answer 40

a phenomenon that occurs when a researcher’s expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained.

Question 40

Experimenter bias

Answer 40

a phenomenon that occurs when a researcher’s expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained.

Question 41

Debriefing

Answer 41

when an experiment involves deception, participants are told complete and truthful information about the experiment as its conclusion.

Question 42

Replacement

Answer 42

methods which avoid or replace the use of animals in research.

Question 43

Reduction

Answer 43

use of methods that enable researchers to obtain comparable levels of information from fewer animals, or to obtain more information from the same number of animals.

Question 44

Refinement

Answer 44

use of methods that alleviate or minimize potential pain, suffering or distress, and enhance animals’ welfare for the animals uses.