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Questions and Answers
__________ psychology addresses the full spectrum of human behavior, both the commonplace and the exceptional:
__________ psychology addresses the full spectrum of human behavior, both the commonplace and the exceptional:
Scientific
________ frequently confirms our existing beliefs and prejudices, rather than challenging them.
________ frequently confirms our existing beliefs and prejudices, rather than challenging them.
Pseudoscience
Which of the following is true of scientific psychological findings?
Which of the following is true of scientific psychological findings?
They can confirm or expand existing beliefs and knowledge.
What type of evidence is considered valid in psychological research?
What type of evidence is considered valid in psychological research?
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Empirical findings are those that:
Empirical findings are those that:
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Which of the following helps explain why so many people go to psychics?
Which of the following helps explain why so many people go to psychics?
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The ability to make judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons rather than emotion or anecdote is called:
The ability to make judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons rather than emotion or anecdote is called:
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Critical thinking involves:
Critical thinking involves:
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Critical thinking shows us that on matters of ________, all ideas are not created equal.
Critical thinking shows us that on matters of ________, all ideas are not created equal.
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Francine is doing a Google search on a topic before writing a paper. Her critical thinking skills are not as good as some of her classmates, so she is likely to ________
Francine is doing a Google search on a topic before writing a paper. Her critical thinking skills are not as good as some of her classmates, so she is likely to ________
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The first guideline in critical thinking is to be curious and ask questions. Once you've raised a general question, the next step is to:
The first guideline in critical thinking is to be curious and ask questions. Once you've raised a general question, the next step is to:
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Examining the evidence is an important part of critical thinking, but we can't always conduct the necessary research on our own to prove or disprove a claim. That's when we need to rely on:
Examining the evidence is an important part of critical thinking, but we can't always conduct the necessary research on our own to prove or disprove a claim. That's when we need to rely on:
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In their research studies, contemporary psychologists rely heavily upon:
In their research studies, contemporary psychologists rely heavily upon:
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In contrast to modern psychologists, ancient scholars explored human nature primarily through:
In contrast to modern psychologists, ancient scholars explored human nature primarily through:
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Which 16th century philosopher argued that the mind works by associating ideas arising from experience, an idea that continues to influence many psychologists today?
Which 16th century philosopher argued that the mind works by associating ideas arising from experience, an idea that continues to influence many psychologists today?
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In America, Wilhelm Wundt's ideas were popularized by one of his students, _______________, who gave Wundt's approach the name "structuralism."
In America, Wilhelm Wundt's ideas were popularized by one of his students, _______________, who gave Wundt's approach the name "structuralism."
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Like Wundt, structuralists hoped to analyze ________ into basic elements.
Like Wundt, structuralists hoped to analyze ________ into basic elements.
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_______________ psychology spurred the growth of research on topics that had long been ignored in psychology, including motherhood, rape, domestic violence, gender roles, and sexist attitudes.
_______________ psychology spurred the growth of research on topics that had long been ignored in psychology, including motherhood, rape, domestic violence, gender roles, and sexist attitudes.
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In the United States, which of the following professionals must have a doctoral degree in psychology?
In the United States, which of the following professionals must have a doctoral degree in psychology?
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The term _______________ is unregulated, and so, a practitioner may have an advanced professional degree or no degree at all.
The term _______________ is unregulated, and so, a practitioner may have an advanced professional degree or no degree at all.
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The _______________ perspective is a psychological approach that emphasizes bodily events and changes associated with actions, feelings, and thoughts.
The _______________ perspective is a psychological approach that emphasizes bodily events and changes associated with actions, feelings, and thoughts.
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The first person to announce that he intended to make psychology a science was:
The first person to announce that he intended to make psychology a science was:
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_______________ wanted to know how specific behaviors and mental processes help a person or animal adapt to the environment, so they looked for the underlying causes and practical consequences of these behaviors and processes.
_______________ wanted to know how specific behaviors and mental processes help a person or animal adapt to the environment, so they looked for the underlying causes and practical consequences of these behaviors and processes.
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One of the founders of functionalism was:
One of the founders of functionalism was:
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_______________ is a research method popularized by Wilhelm Wundt in which trained volunteers take as long as 20 minutes to report their inner experiences during a 1.5-second experiment.
_______________ is a research method popularized by Wilhelm Wundt in which trained volunteers take as long as 20 minutes to report their inner experiences during a 1.5-second experiment.
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Randy meets a Californian who grows his own vegetables and refuses to eat nonorganic food. Randy concludes that Californians are overzealous about nutrition. Which critical thinking guideline did Randy overlook?
Randy meets a Californian who grows his own vegetables and refuses to eat nonorganic food. Randy concludes that Californians are overzealous about nutrition. Which critical thinking guideline did Randy overlook?
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A _______________ might study what goes on in the mind of an infant or study different types of intelligence.
A _______________ might study what goes on in the mind of an infant or study different types of intelligence.
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Francine is doing a Google search on a topic before writing a paper. Her critical thinking skills are not as good as some of her classmates, so she is likely to ________
Francine is doing a Google search on a topic before writing a paper. Her critical thinking skills are not as good as some of her classmates, so she is likely to ________
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What type of evidence is considered valid in psychological research?
What type of evidence is considered valid in psychological research?
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One reason why people in the general public are often confused about what psychologists do is that:
One reason why people in the general public are often confused about what psychologists do is that:
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One finding of the ________ perspective is that people who tend to be violent also tend to perceive provocation and insult more quickly than others.
One finding of the ________ perspective is that people who tend to be violent also tend to perceive provocation and insult more quickly than others.
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The increase in freestanding professional schools of psychology has resulted in:
The increase in freestanding professional schools of psychology has resulted in:
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Which school of thought in psychology emphasized the importance of the unconscious mind?
Which school of thought in psychology emphasized the importance of the unconscious mind?
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In their research studies, contemporary psychologists rely heavily upon:
In their research studies, contemporary psychologists rely heavily upon:
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Some psychologists work in basic psychology, doing research, while others work in applied psychology. The two approaches are:
Some psychologists work in basic psychology, doing research, while others work in applied psychology. The two approaches are:
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Which school of thought in psychology hoped to analyze sensations, images, and feelings into basic elements?
Which school of thought in psychology hoped to analyze sensations, images, and feelings into basic elements?
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Andie claims that phrenology is a pseudoscience and not a true science. Which of the following statements supports her claim?
Andie claims that phrenology is a pseudoscience and not a true science. Which of the following statements supports her claim?
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Which modern psychological perspective focuses on how people reason, remember, understand language, and solve problems?
Which modern psychological perspective focuses on how people reason, remember, understand language, and solve problems?
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_______________ psychology spurred the growth of research on topics that had long been ignored in psychology, including motherhood, rape, domestic violence, gender roles, and sexist attitudes.
_______________ psychology spurred the growth of research on topics that had long been ignored in psychology, including motherhood, rape, domestic violence, gender roles, and sexist attitudes.
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Which of the following statements is true about Sigmund Freud?
Which of the following statements is true about Sigmund Freud?
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A(n) __________ psychologist studies how genetically-influenced behavior that was functional or adaptive during our species' past may be reflected in the present behaviors, mental processes, and traits of modern humans.
A(n) __________ psychologist studies how genetically-influenced behavior that was functional or adaptive during our species' past may be reflected in the present behaviors, mental processes, and traits of modern humans.
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_______________ is the study of psychological issues for the sake of knowledge rather than for its practical application.
_______________ is the study of psychological issues for the sake of knowledge rather than for its practical application.
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A psychologist who embraces the cognitive perspective would be most interested in:
A psychologist who embraces the cognitive perspective would be most interested in:
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With which of the following psychological perspectives is the term "behaviorist" most closely associated?
With which of the following psychological perspectives is the term "behaviorist" most closely associated?
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In America, Wilhelm Wundt's ideas were popularized by one of his students, _______________, who gave Wundt's approach the name "structuralism."
In America, Wilhelm Wundt's ideas were popularized by one of his students, _______________, who gave Wundt's approach the name "structuralism."
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Which of the following was a classic pseudoscientific theory that related bumps on the head to personality traits and did not disappear until well into the twentieth century?
Which of the following was a classic pseudoscientific theory that related bumps on the head to personality traits and did not disappear until well into the twentieth century?
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The research method used by Wilhelm Wundt in which volunteers were taught to carefully observe, analyze, and describe their own sensations, mental images, and emotional reactions is called _______________.
The research method used by Wilhelm Wundt in which volunteers were taught to carefully observe, analyze, and describe their own sensations, mental images, and emotional reactions is called _______________.
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Sam, a business owner, sought the help of a friend to find out which employees were likely to be loyal and honest if hired. The friend examined the bumps on the heads of all applicants and gave Sam a list of the employees he should hire. Sam's friend is a _______________.
Sam, a business owner, sought the help of a friend to find out which employees were likely to be loyal and honest if hired. The friend examined the bumps on the heads of all applicants and gave Sam a list of the employees he should hire. Sam's friend is a _______________.
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According to your textbook, _______________ is the aspect of psychology that is least recognized and understood by the public.
According to your textbook, _______________ is the aspect of psychology that is least recognized and understood by the public.
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_______________ set the course of psychological science by emphasizing the causes and consequences of behavior.
_______________ set the course of psychological science by emphasizing the causes and consequences of behavior.
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Dr. Mannisto is a behaviorist who is studying the causes of excessive violence among some hockey players. She is likely to consider whether:
Dr. Mannisto is a behaviorist who is studying the causes of excessive violence among some hockey players. She is likely to consider whether:
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A major point of difference between basic research and applied research is that:
A major point of difference between basic research and applied research is that:
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Your textbook discusses a famous laboratory set up in Leipzig, Germany in 1879. The goal of this laboratory was the study of:
Your textbook discusses a famous laboratory set up in Leipzig, Germany in 1879. The goal of this laboratory was the study of:
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_______________ psychologists conduct laboratory studies of learning, motivation, emotion, sensation and perception, physiology, and cognition.
_______________ psychologists conduct laboratory studies of learning, motivation, emotion, sensation and perception, physiology, and cognition.
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Critical thinkers should approach psychology textbooks as:
Critical thinkers should approach psychology textbooks as:
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A person is asked to look at an apple and then describe the various elements that make up her perception (e.g., color, shape, size, etc.). Which of the following schools of psychology is this research most likely a part of?
A person is asked to look at an apple and then describe the various elements that make up her perception (e.g., color, shape, size, etc.). Which of the following schools of psychology is this research most likely a part of?
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The ability to make judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons rather than emotion or anecdote is called:
The ability to make judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons rather than emotion or anecdote is called:
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Which of the following is true of scientific psychological findings?
Which of the following is true of scientific psychological findings?
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_______________ is the study of psychological issues that have direct practical significance.
_______________ is the study of psychological issues that have direct practical significance.
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_______________ had the opinion that searching for building blocks of experience was a waste of time because the brain and the mind are constantly changing.
_______________ had the opinion that searching for building blocks of experience was a waste of time because the brain and the mind are constantly changing.
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Study Notes
Psychology Basics
- Scientific psychology explores the entire range of human behavior, recognizing both the ordinary and the extraordinary.
- Empirical evidence, gathered through observation, experimentation, or measurement, is valid in psychological research.
Critical Thinking
- Critical thinking involves making objective judgments based on well-supported evidence instead of emotions or anecdotes.
- Curiosity and questioning are essential for critical thinking, including ensuring clear definitions of terms.
- Analyzing evidence is crucial, but reliance on reliable sources is necessary when independent research isn't feasible.
Historical Context
- Wilhelm Wundt pioneered the scientific approach in psychology, establishing it as a discipline in 1879.
- E.B. Titchener popularized Wundt's ideas in America as "structuralism," aiming to dissect sensations, images, and feelings into basic elements.
- William James criticized structuralism, favoring functionalism, which examines how mental processes help adapt to the environment.
Contemporary Psychology
- Various specialties exist in psychology, leading to public confusion regarding psychologists' roles and functions.
- Feminist psychology has brought attention to historically overlooked topics such as gender roles and domestic violence.
- Cognitive psychology focuses on reasoning, memory, language, and problem-solving abilities.
Pseudoscience and Beliefs
- Pseudoscience reinforces existing beliefs without empirical support, while pseudoscientific theories such as phrenology misinterpret physical traits as indicators of personality.
- The belief in abilities like psychic powers can offer individuals a sense of control and predictability.
Applied vs. Basic Psychology
- Basic psychology seeks knowledge for its own sake, while applied psychology focuses on practical significance and problem-solving.
- Empirical evidence is essential for both fields, though they serve different purposes.
Psychology Specializations
- Clinical psychologists require doctoral degrees, while the term "psychotherapist" lacks standard regulation, leading to inconsistencies in qualifications.
- E.g., cognitive researchers examine mental processes; experimental psychologists conduct laboratory studies on various psychological phenomena.
Ethical Thinking and Bias
- Critical thinking must avoid oversimplifications and recognize that not all ideas have equal validity when determining facts.
- Individuals may display biases, affecting their perspectives on research and conclusions drawn from data.
Evolutionary Influence
- Evolutionary psychology investigates how behaviors that once had adaptive significance influence modern human traits and behaviors.
Summary of Foundational Schools
- Psychoanalysis emphasizes the unconscious mind.
- Structuralism seeks to identify mental components.
- Functionalism prioritizes understanding behavior's practical consequences.
Conclusion
- Engaging critically with psychological literature opens pathways for alternative explanations and deeper understanding within the field of psychology.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Psychology Chapter 1. This quiz covers definitions and key concepts in scientific psychology as well as differentiating it from pseudoscience. Perfect for reinforcing learning and understanding foundational ideas in psychology.
