Psychological Science Chapter 1 Quiz

Chapter 1 - Thinking Critically with Psychological Science

• Scientific Attitude & Critical Thinking: Involves recognizing biases, common sense flaws, and the fallacy of repetition in thinking critically about psychological concepts. Post-truth thinking also needs to be identified and critically analyzed.

• Scientific Method: A systematic approach to research in psychology involving hypotheses, operational definitions, exploratory and confirmatory research, meta-analysis, case studies, naturalistic observations, surveys, and interviews.

• Descriptive Research Methods: Methods, like case studies, naturalistic observations, surveys, and interviews, are used to gather information about psychological phenomena. The information gathered is used to describe a phenomenon, rather than explain it.

• Correlational Research Methods: Examine the relationship between variables without manipulating any. A correlation coefficient measures the strength and direction of a relationship and scatterplots are used to visually represent this data. Regression towards the mean, and positive/negative correlation also need to be understood.

• Experimental Research Methods: Experiment research involves manipulating one variable to determine its effect on another. Experimental groups, control groups, random sampling/assignment, variables, and the placebo effect are crucial components of this method. Double blind procedures will also form part of a robust experimental design.

• Ethics: Essential ethical principles are applied to research design, including measures of central tendency, measures of variability, statistical significance, statistical literacy and descriptive statistics.

Chapter 2 - Biology of the Mind

• Biological Psychology: Focuses on the biological underpinnings of behavior and mental processes. Neuroplasticity, neurons' structure and function (axons, dendrites, cell body, myelin sheath, glial cells), action potential (depolarization, repolarization, resting potential, hyperpolarization, neurotransmitters), synaptic transmission, and the central and peripheral nervous systems are key concepts.

• Nervous System Organization: The organization of the nervous system (CNS, PNS) needs to be detailed, including neurotransmitters and agonists/antagonists, types of neurons, somatic nervous system, autonomic nervous system, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

• Endocrine System: The endocrine system, which uses hormones to communicate, functions similarly to the nervous system. Tools used to study the brain such as studying the Hindbrain, Midbrain, and Forebrain as well as tools like studying the brainstem, the Medulla, the Pons, the Thalamus, Reticular Formation, Cerebellum, and the Limbic System also need to be considered.

Chapter 4 - Nature, Nurture, & Human Diversity

• Nature vs. Nurture: The interactive influence of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) on behavior and development. Critical components, like behavior genetics, genetic code (genome, DNA, gene expression), and the impact of identical and fraternal twins, adoption studies and their relative roles are paramount.

• Genes and Behavior: The role genes play in behavioral traits, and how polygenic traits are impacted. Understanding epigenetic markers and their role can lead to greater understanding.

• Evolutionary Psychology: The study of how evolution has shaped the human mind and behavior. Key components include epigenetic markers, and evolutionary psychology approaches to behavior.

Chapter 5 - Development Across the Lifespan

• Developmental Psychology: The scientific study of physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes across the lifespan. Key prenatal, newborn, infancy and childhood developmental stages, including stages of prenatal development (teratogens), newborn reflexes, temperament, maturation, infantile amnesia, and cognitive (Piaget's theory) and socioemotional (attachment) development should be understood.

• Prenatal Development: Critically consider factors like teratogens, and prenatal stages when learning developmental psychology.

Chapter 7 - Learning

• Classical Conditioning: Learning through association through the study of Ivan Pavlov’s study of experimental data on stimuli (stimulus, neutral stimuli, unconditioned stimuli, conditioned stimuli, unconditioned responses, and conditioned responses).

• Operant Conditioning: Learn through reinforcement and punishment with a focus on the Law of Effect, Operant Chamber studies, different types of reinforcers and reinforcement schedules, types of reinforcement and punishment, and the role of biology and cognition, observational learning, and mirror neurons.

Test your knowledge on critical thinking and the scientific method in psychology with this quiz. Explore topics such as biases, research methods, and the importance of correlational studies. Perfect for anyone studying psychological concepts at the introductory level.