Foundations of Psychology Overview

Questions and Answers

Who started the feminist revolution in psychology?

Naomi Weisstein

A psychologist studying the phenomenon where a series of dots arranged in the shape of a face will be perceived as a face is applying the principles of ________.

Gestalt Psychology

A(n) ________ is a chamber that isolates the subject from the external environment.

Skinner box

According to Sigmund Freud, all of the following represent ways to access the unconscious mind except through ________.

the use of reinforcement and punishment Signup and view all the answers

According to William James, the purpose of psychology was to ________.

study the function of behavior Signup and view all the answers

What area of psychology should Ashya work in if she wants to focus on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders?

clinical psychology Signup and view all the answers

Behaviorism focuses on making psychology an objective science by ________.

studying overt behavior and deemphasizing the importance of unobservable mental processes Signup and view all the answers

Behaviorists all focus on ________.

the internal motivation for action Signup and view all the answers

Behaviorists study ________.

learned behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is Char doing when she exercises skepticism about the claim that marijuana can cure glaucoma?

thinking critically Signup and view all the answers

Cognitive psychology focuses on studying ________.

thoughts and their relationship to our experiences and our actions Signup and view all the answers

Critical thinking is ________.

applying a set of skills to understand and evaluate information Signup and view all the answers

Dr. Bogdarian's hypothesis about her student associating her with his mother is based on ________.

psychoanalytic theory Signup and view all the answers

Edmund wants to conduct research in the area of ________.

personality Signup and view all the answers

For a scientific explanation to be testable, it must also be ________.

perceivable and measurable Signup and view all the answers

Functionalist psychologists focus on the function of behavior and ________.

the operation of the whole mind rather than the individual parts Signup and view all the answers

Guillermo is engaged in ________ when examining his conscious experience carefully.

introspection Signup and view all the answers

I provide Ralph with the positive reinforcement of a candy bar when he does something I like. I punish him by squirting him with a squirt gun when he does something I don't like. I am applying the principles of ________ in an attempt to modify Ralph's behavior.

operant conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What does the ability of an adult to know that a hidden toy still exists exemplify?

object permanence Signup and view all the answers

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the ________ include food, water, and shelter.

basic survival needs Signup and view all the answers

In the study of personality, the ________ model includes dimensions of conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extroversion.

Five Factor Signup and view all the answers

Introspection refers to a process by which someone examines ________ as objectively as possible.

another person's consciousness Signup and view all the answers

Lucy should specialize in ________ psychology if she wants to study changes in cognitive skills across the lifespan.

developmental Signup and view all the answers

What is the long research paper that Marta must write called?

dissertation Signup and view all the answers

Which area of psychology should Naghemeh focus on for health-related outcomes of psychologically healthy individuals?

counseling psychology Signup and view all the answers

Oona should conduct research in the area of ________ psychology for personnel management and workplace environment.

industrial-organizational Signup and view all the answers

Penelope is studying how the nervous system is related to behavior. She is a ________.

biopsychologist Signup and view all the answers

Peter is interested in a ________ training program that will help him broaden his research skills after his PhD.

postdoctoral Signup and view all the answers

Psychoanalytic theory focuses on ________ and early childhood experiences.

a person's unconscious Signup and view all the answers

Psychology is the scientific study of ________.

the mind and behavior Signup and view all the answers

Psychology refers to the ________.

scientific study of the mind Signup and view all the answers

Select the correctly ordered list of psychological perspectives, with the earliest perspective listed first.

structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, humanism Signup and view all the answers

Select the correctly ordered list of psychological theorists, with the earliest theorist listed first.

Wilhelm Wundt, Sigmund Freud, Noam Chomsky Signup and view all the answers

Susan should conduct research in the area of ________ if she wants to study prejudice and attraction.

social psychology Signup and view all the answers

The cognitive revolution created an impetus for psychologists to focus their attention on better understanding ________.

the mind and mental processes that underlie behavior Signup and view all the answers

The empirical method of study is based on ________.

observation Signup and view all the answers

What do structuralism, Gestalt psychology, and Sigmund Freud all have in common?

They were all concerned with describing and understanding the inner experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is a PsyD?

Doctor of Psychology Signup and view all the answers

What is Abraham Maslow best known for?

proposing a hierarchy of human needs in motivating behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the number one occupation employing graduates with a BA in psychology?

mid- and top-level management Signup and view all the answers

What should be changed to make the statement true about Jean Piaget's theories?

The word 'emotional' should be changed to the word 'cognitive.' Signup and view all the answers

When studying personality traits, someone who is calm, even-tempered, and secure will score low on the ________ trait.

neuroticism Signup and view all the answers

When studying personality traits, someone who is hardworking, dependable, and organized will score high on the ________ trait.

conscientiousness Signup and view all the answers

When studying personality traits, someone who is helpful, trusting, and empathetic will score high on the ________ trait.

agreeableness Signup and view all the answers

When studying personality traits, someone who is practical, conventional, and prefers routine will score low on the ________ trait.

openness Signup and view all the answers

When studying personality traits, someone who is quiet, reserved, and withdrawn will score low on the ________ trait.

extroversion Signup and view all the answers

When was psychology accepted as an academic discipline?

1800s Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the scientific method occurs first?

hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Which kind of psychological area does the work of Jean Piaget exemplify?

developmental psychology Signup and view all the answers

Which kind of psychologist would be consulted in jury selection and witness preparation?

forensic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following defines hypothesis?

tentative explanation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following exemplifies a personality trait?

Ida is charming. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following exemplifies the empirical method?

Dr. Sarkeesian observes and records how watching cartoons influences heart rates. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following exemplifies the unconditional positive regard component of client-centered therapy?

Abby tells her therapist that she tripped a small child who got in her way, and her therapist accepts this information without judgment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a criticism of structuralism?

The process was highly subjective. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reason that Gestalt psychology did not become more popular in the United States?

The rise of behaviorism overshadowed Gestalt psychology. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an objective measure used by functionalists?

examination of anatomy and physiology. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of research someone might conduct in the area of health psychology?

whether people working at a desk are more likely to be obese. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not involved in critical thinking?

knowing your opinion is correct. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not part of feminist psychology?

favoring women over men. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following psychologists was a behaviorist?

John Watson. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following refers to a broad explanation or group of explanations for some aspect of the natural world that is consistently supported by evidence over time?

scientific theory. Signup and view all the answers

Which theorist had the most influence in shaping how clinicians interact with people seeking psychotherapy?

Carl Rogers. Signup and view all the answers

Which theorist published research related to the psychology of personality?

Sigmund Freud. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first African American to receive a PhD in psychology in the United States?

Francis Cecil Sumner. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first person referred to as a psychologist?

Wilhelm Wundt. Signup and view all the answers

Why do scientists refer to Charles Darwin's ideas about evolution as the theory of evolution?

It is the best understanding that we have of that part of the natural world. Signup and view all the answers

Why is psychology considered a social science?

Behavior is biological, and our behavior is influenced by our interactions with others. Signup and view all the answers

William James was the ________.

first American psychologist. Signup and view all the answers

________ is a perspective within psychology that emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to all humans.

humanism. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Foundations of Psychology

Naomi Weisstein initiated the feminist revolution in psychology.
Psychology evolved as a formal academic discipline in the 1800s.
Wilhelm Wundt is recognized as the first person referred to as a psychologist.

Psychological Theories and Approaches

Gestalt Psychology emphasizes perception as whole forms rather than individual components.
Psychoanalytic theory focuses on the unconscious mind and childhood experiences.
Behaviorism aims for psychology to be an objective science, concentrating on observable behavior and ignoring mental processes.
Functionalism studies the purpose of behavior and how the mind operates as a whole.

Areas of Specialization

Clinical psychology deals with diagnosing and treating psychological disorders.
Counseling psychology focuses on emotional, social, and health-related outcomes for psychologically healthy individuals.
Developmental psychology studies cognitive skills, moral reasoning, and social behaviors across the lifespan.
Industrial-organizational psychology looks at workplace environments and employee productivity.
Forensic psychology involves roles such as jury selection and witness preparation.

Major Theorists

Sigmund Freud is known for theories regarding the unconscious and personality development.
William James emphasized studying behavior functions and is recognized as the first American psychologist.
Carl Rogers is notable for shaping therapeutic interactions through client-centered therapy.
Abraham Maslow proposed a hierarchy of needs motivating behavior.

Key Concepts in Psychology

Critical thinking involves evaluating information and forming informed opinions, rather than accepting personal beliefs as fact.
Introspection is the examination of one's conscious experience, utilized in structuralism.
Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when not visible, crucial in infants' cognitive development.

Measurement and Research in Psychology

The empirical method relies on observation and evidence, forming the basis of psychological research.
A hypothesis is a testable statement that serves as a starting point for investigation.
The dissertation is a comprehensive research paper required in graduate programs.

Psychological Constructs and Models

Personality traits encompass dimensions like conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extroversion.
Humanism emphasizes the intrinsic potential for goodness in all individuals, contrasting with more deterministic views of behavior.

Criticisms and Developments in Psychology

Structuralism faced criticism for its subjectivity and reliance on introspection.
Gestalt psychology struggled for prominence in America due to the rise of behaviorism.

General Psychology Facts

The Five Factor model describes aspects of personality development.
The number one job for psychology BA graduates is mid- and top-level management.
Empirical research examples include exploring the impact of media on physiological responses.

Note on Historical Significance

Francis Cecil Sumner was the first African American to earn a PhD in psychology in the United States.
John Watson was a prominent behaviorist known for his contributions to behaviorism.

Application of Psychological Principles

The Skinner box is a device used to study behavioral conditioning and learning.
Unconditional positive regard in therapy encourages nonjudgmental acceptance of clients.

By understanding these core concepts, individuals can grasp the diverse foundations and applications of psychology as a multifaceted discipline.

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Description

Explore the key figures, theories, and areas of specialization in psychology. This quiz covers the evolution of psychology as an academic discipline, including important contributions from feminist perspectives and various psychological approaches. Test your knowledge of foundational principles and specializations in psychology.