Unit 01: Psychology as a Science Flashcards
A testable prediction about processes that can be observed and measured is referred to as a(n)______.
a) theory
b) opinion
c) hypothesis
d) hunch
c)
A theory or prediction is falsifiable if
a) it is impossible to test.
b) it is precise enough that it could be proven false.
c) it is based on logic that is incorrect.
d) it comes from pseudoscience.
b)
Someone who exercises curiosity and skepticism about assumptions and beliefs is using _______.
a) pseudoscience
b) critical thinking
c) the biopsychosocial model
d) a hypothesis
b)
Paul is considering whether to take a cholesterol-reducing medicine that has been recommended by his physician. He goes to the library and learns that the government agency that oversees medications—Health Canada—has approved the medication after dozens of studies had been conducted on its usefulness. Which aspect of critical thinking does this best represent?
a) Paul has examined the nature and source of the evidence.
b) Paul did not consider alternative viewpoints.
c) Paul was avoiding overly emotional thinking.
d) Paul was simply curious.
a)
The scientific meaning of the word “theory” is different from how it is most often used in non-scientific language because
a) it can be proven.
b) it simply reflects the opinions of a particular scientist instead of the facts.
c) it describes an explanation based on a variety of well-tested, objective observations rather than speculation.
d) it is phrased in such a way that it cannot be proven incorrect.
c)
Jan believes that all knowledge is acquired through careful observation. Jan is probably _______.
a) a supporter of eugenics
b) an empiricist
c) a clinical psychologist
d) a phrenologist
b)
Francis Galton made a significant contribution to psychology by introducing methods for studying how heredity contributes to human behaviour. Which alternative explanation was Galton overlooking when he argued that heredity accounts for these similarities?
a) The primary importance of the nature side of the nature-versus-nurture debate
b) A materialistic account of behaviour
c) The concept of dualism, which states that the mind is separate from the body
d) The fact that people who share genes live together in families, so they tend to share environmental privileges or disadvantages
d)
______ was the study of the basic components of the mind, while ______ examined the role that specific behaviours may have served in our species’ evolution.
a) Functionalism; structuralism
b) Humanism; structuralism
c) Behaviourism; functionalism
d) Structuralism; functionalism
d)
The Gestalt psychologists, with their focus on perception and experience, are closely linked to modern-day ________ psychologists.
a) evolutionary
b) developmental
c) social
d) cognitive
d)
Cognitive neuroscience examines
a) how the brains of different animals can help us understand evolutionary forces on behaviour.
b) what computers can tell us about different cognitive functions.
c) how functions like memory differ across cultures.
d) how different brain areas are involved with different cognitive abilities.
d)
Claiming that something is true because “it should be obvious” is really just __________.
a) generalizability
b) an appeal to common sense
c) an appeal to authority
d) anecdotal evidence
b)
When psychologists question how well the results of a study apply to other samples or situations, they are inquiring about the _______ of the study.
a) generalizability
b) reliability
c) validity
d) rigour
a)
In a single-blind study, the participants do not know the purpose of the study or the condition to which they are assigned. What is the difference in a double-blind study?
a) The researcher tells the participants the purpose and their assigned conditions in the study.
b) The participants know the condition to which they have been assigned, but the researcher does not.
c) The researcher also does not know which condition the participants are in.
d) The participants also do not know when the actual study begins or ends.
c)
Dr. Rose gives a standardized personality test to a group of psychology majors in January and again in March. Each individual’s score remains nearly the same over the two-month period. From this, Dr. Rose can infer that the test is ________.
a) generalizable
b) verified
c) reliable
d) objective
c)
Dr. Campbell conducts an experiment on attention while driving and texting. The study is conducted in a lab using a driving simulator. Although Dr. Campbell finds interesting results, she doesn’t know if the results will be applicable outside of the laboratory environment. Dr. Campbell is concerned about the study’s ______________.
a) reliability
b) independent variables
c) confound variables
d) ecological validity
d)
When psychologists observe behaviour and record data in the environment where it normally occurs, they are using ______.
a) naturalistic observation
b) case studies
c) the supervisory method
d) artificial observation
a)
A psychologist is completing a naturalistic observation study of children’s aggressive behaviour on a playground. She says that aggression is “any verbal or physical act that appears to be intended to hurt or control another child.” She then goes on to list specific examples. It appears that the psychologist is attempting to establish a(n)
a) operational definition.
b) observational definition.
c) variable.
d) good relationship with the children.
a)
Which of the following correlation coefficients shows the strongest relationship between two variables?
a) +.10
b) +10.1
c) +.54
d) –.72
d)
A researcher is able to conduct an experiment on study habits in his laboratory and finds some exciting results. What is one possible shortcoming of using this method?
a) Laboratory experiments do not control for confounding variables.
b) Experiments do not provide evidence about cause-and-effect relationships.
c) It is not possible to conduct experiments on issues such as study habits.
d) Results from laboratory experiments do not always generalize to real-world situations.
d)
A researcher compares a group of Conservatives and a group of Liberals on a measure of beliefs about poverty. What makes this a quasi-experimental design?
a) There are two independent variables.
b) There is no operational definition for the dependent variable.
c) The researcher is comparing pre-existing groups, rather than randomly assigning people to them.
d) You cannot be both a Conservative and a Liberal at the same time.
c)
How would you apply the biopsychosocial model to a news report claiming that anxiety is caused by being around other people who are anxious?
a) Recognize that the news report only considers one portion of the biopsychosocial model.
b) Recognize that psychologists do not regard biological factors when it comes to anxiety.
c) Recognize that the news report considers all portions of the biopsychosocial model.
d) Recognize that the only effective treatment of anxiety must be drug based.
a)
The hypothesis that “exercise improves the ability to remember lists of words” is a scientific one because
a) it cannot be confirmed.
b) it cannot be rejected.
c) it makes a specific, testable prediction.
d) it can be proven.
c)
Which of the following statements is accurate regarding the steps of the scientific method?
a) The steps of the scientific method are linear and static and do not involve any dynamic interaction.
b) Scientists use theories to generate hypotheses, and confirmed hypotheses lead to new ones and strengthen theories.
c) Once a hypothesis is rejected, it may not be revised or revisited.
d) It is possible to prove a hypothesis, ensuring that further testing is unnecessary.
b)
Which of the following contradicts a principle of scientific literacy?
a) accepting common-sense explanations
b) gathering knowledge independently
c) applying scientific information to everyday problems
d) thinking critically
a)
In philosophical terms, a materialist is someone who might believe that
a) personality can be measured by feeling for bumps on the surface of the skull.
b) everything that exists, including human beings, are composed exclusively of physical matter.
c) species evolve through natural selection.
d) money buys happiness.
b)
According to Sigmund Freud, which of the following would be the most likely explanation for why someone is behaving aggressively?
a) They are acting according to psychophysics.
b) Their cigars are missing and someone’s got to pay.
c) The environment is determining their behavioural response.
d) There is something going on at the unconscious level that is causing them to behave this way.
d)
When psychologists point to the influence of genes or of culture on behaviour, they are reinforcing the fundamental belief in
a) dualism.
b) determinism.
c) empiricism.
d) materialism.
b)
A distinct feature of behaviourism is its
a) search for the deeper meaning of human existence.
b) search for patterns that create a whole that is greater than its parts.
c) use of introspection.
d) exclusive emphasis on observable behaviour.
d)
Gwen is in search of the deeper meaning of her life and would like to learn more about her potential as a human being. Which of the following types of psychologists would likely be most useful to her?
a) Behaviourist
b) Humanistic
c) Cognitive
d) Social
b)
Dr. Shi runs a research lab, which recently studied how quickly and accurately pilots could respond to various symbols on a display. Dr. Shi is MOST likely a(n)
a) clinical psychologist.
b) industrial/organizational psychologist.
c) positive psychologist.
d) human factors psychologist.
d)
Melissa believes that each person is a unique being and is affected by the requirements for personal growth. Which perspective best matches Melissa’s belief?
a) structuralist
b) humanist
c) behaviourist
d) Gestalt
b)
Dr. Banerjee is testing a new treatment for depression. She thought that 10mg of Drug X would be effective; however, her initial study showed that 10mg of Drug X was not effective in reducing depressive symptoms. She has rejected her initial _______________ that 10mg was effective and is currently studying if 20mg is effective.
a) fact
b) theory
c) goal
d) hypothesis
d)
