Learning Check I Flashcards
Which statement best characterizes the relationship between a theory and a hypothesis?
A. A theory is logically deduced from a specific hypothesis
B. A theory is narrower than a hypothesis
C. A theory is directly verifiable, a hypothesis is not
D. A theory may generate one or more hypotheses
D. A theory may generate one or more hypotheses
Part of the internal consistency of a theory is:
A. Its agreement with older, more established theories
B. A set of operational definitions
C. Its empirical validity
D. A taxonomy
B. A set of operational definitions
Personality theorists who adopt a teleological approach generally believe that people’s behavior is a function of:
A. Environment
B. Early childhood experiences
C. Genetic makeup
D. People’s expectations of future events
D. People’s expectations of future events
Which of the following is not a dimension used to assess a theorist’s concept of humanity?
A. Order vs disorder
B. Conscious vs unconscious
C. Determinism vs free choice
D. Pessimism vs optimism
A. Order vs disorder
What is the relationship between theory and observation?
A. There is a mutual and dynamic interaction between them
B. They are mutually exclusive
C. Several observations make up a theory
D. Several theories make up an observation
A. There is a mutual and dynamic interaction between them
The ultimate value of any theory depends on its:
A. Truthfulness
B. Usefulness
C. Simplicity
D. Reliability
B. Usefulness
A useful theory must be falsifiable which means that:
A. It must be precise enough to suggest research that may either support or fail to support the major tenets.
B. It must be either true or false
C. It should be flexible enough to encompass opposing data into its framework.
D. It will eventually be proven false
A. It must be precise enough to suggest research that may either support or fail to support the major tenets.
The two most important functions of a theory are its:
A. Internal consistency and accuracy
B. Logic and its consistency with established theories
C. Ability to generate research and organize observation
D. Ability to be proven true and to become a doctrine.
C. Ability to generate research and organize observation
The variety of personality theories now is due to:
A. The different personal and philosophical perspectives that each theorist has of human nature
B. Different translations of theories originally written in other languages
C. The reluctance of psychologists to accept any theory except their own
D. The use of different terminology for the same basic concepts
A. The different personal and philosophical perspectives that each theorist has of human nature
Psychologists generally agree that personality:
A. Can be explained by several different theories
B. Is largely inherited
C. Can best be explained by a single theory
D. Refers mostly to surface traits
A. Can be explained by several different theories
What is the proper place of theory within science?
A. Theories play no role in scientific pursuits
B. Theory building is the ultimate aim of science
C. Theories enable scientists to know how they should live their lives
D. Theories are tools used by scientists to give meaning to observations
D. Theories are tools used by scientists to give meaning to observations
A researcher uses the number of times a person smiles at others as a measure of friendliness. This is an example of:
A. Parsimony
B. An operational definition
C. Hypothesis testing
D. Internal consistency
B. An operational definition
According to the authors (Feist & Feist) of the text, personality theories:
A. Should not be open to falsification
B. Are former principles that have been proven true
C. Originate from the historical, social, and psychological world of their originators
D. Are useful tools of science to the extent that they are value free
C. Originate from the historical, social, and psychological world of their originators
Which statement is most nearly true?
A. A good theory gives opposing answers to a single question
B. Other things being equal, the more complex a theory the better
C. A theory can be a practical guide for a psychotherapist
D. Theory and practice are mutually exclusive
C. A theory can be a practical guide for a psychotherapist
Which of these is not a function of a useful theory?
A. It serves as a guide to action
B. It organizes observations
C. It will be consistent with one’s philosophy of life
D. It will generate research
C. It will be consistent with one’s philosophy of life
