Psychology Chapter 1: The Science of Psychology

Questions and Answers

Which psychologist used reaction time to study mental tasks?

Wundt

What influence shapes people's behaviors through their situation and their interactions?

Social

What theory posits that experiences should not be broken down into parts?

Gestalt theory

What type of psychology focuses on how intelligence, memory, and thoughts influence behavior?

Cognitive Psychology Signup and view all the answers

What theory suggests behavior is influenced by unconscious conflicts?

Psychoanalysis Signup and view all the answers

What perspective in psychology analyzes experiences by looking at their individual pieces?

Structuralism Signup and view all the answers

What psychological viewpoint emphasizes understanding how the mind adapts to tasks for survival?

Functionalism Signup and view all the answers

Which statements would likely make someone choose to go skydiving? (Select all that apply)

Scuba diving would cost you $500, but skydiving will only cost $300. Signup and view all the answers

Who founded the SOCIAL school of psychological thought?

Kurt Lewin Signup and view all the answers

Which psychologists are known for founding the HUMANISTIC school of thought?

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow Signup and view all the answers

Who are the founders of the GESTALT school of thought?

Max Wertheimer and Wolfgang Köhler Signup and view all the answers

Who founded the PSYCHOANALYSIS school of psychological thought?

Sigmund Freud Signup and view all the answers

Which psychologists contributed to the COGNITIVE school of thought?

George Miller and Ulric Neisser Signup and view all the answers

Who founded the BEHAVIORISM school of psychological thought?

John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner Signup and view all the answers

Which statements are the major tenets of Darwin's theory of evolution? (Select all that apply)

Species change over time. Signup and view all the answers

What level of analysis focuses on brain systems, neurochemistry, and genetics?

Biological Signup and view all the answers

What level of analysis concentrates on individual differences, perception, cognition, and behavior?

Individual Signup and view all the answers

What level of analysis focuses on interpersonal behavior and social cognition?

Social Signup and view all the answers

What level of analysis deals with thoughts, actions, and behaviors in different societies?

Cultural Signup and view all the answers

If Lila is influenced by the confirmation bias, what will she do when researching alcohol's effect on productivity? (Select all that apply)

She will mostly forget the websites that claim alcohol makes people less productive. Signup and view all the answers

Two college students from different __________ explain their differing views on achievements.

Cultures Signup and view all the answers

Which statements demonstrate the study of psychology from a biological level of analysis? (Select all that apply)

How a pregnant woman's hormone levels can affect her newborn's nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with the corresponding school of thought:

Tell me how you felt during the group presentation. = Social Tell me how you arrived at your decision. = Cognitive Tell me the overall feeling you have when you dance. = Gestalt Tell me what you did in response to the change in plans. = Behaviorism Tell me about your dreams. = Cognitive Signup and view all the answers

Match the topic of study to the level of analysis:

Studying how international students adapt to Western universities. = Cultural Studying how having siblings affects development of friendly behavior. = Social Studying how happiness level can affect one's experience of college classes. = Individual Studying how hormone levels affect behavior in pregnant rats. = Biological Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represent the study of psychology from a social level of analysis? (Select all that apply)

How being an esteemed member of a school group affects bullying. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would represent a Gestalt approach? (Select all that apply)

Believing that two people can see one thing in different ways. Signup and view all the answers

Sort the following topics into Mind, Brain, and Behavior:

Thought = Mind Hormonal Activity = Brain Mating = Behavior Memory = Mind Neurochemical Processes = Brain Cooperation = Behavior Signup and view all the answers

What methods did Freudian therapists use? (Select all that apply)

Psychoanalysis Signup and view all the answers

What method asks a person to describe their conscious experience of different stimuli?

Introspection Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the study of psychology from an individual level of analysis? (Select all that apply)

How a person reacts to positive comments. Signup and view all the answers

What type of psychologist would be interested in describing someone's personality traits?

Personality Signup and view all the answers

What type of psychologist would a soccer team manager hire for a performance slump?

Sports Signup and view all the answers

What major advances have contributed to understanding the biological basis of behavior? (Select all that apply)

Neuroscience Signup and view all the answers

Which factors explain differences in problem-solving abilities between urban and rural individuals? (Select all that apply)

Evolution of human culture Signup and view all the answers

Match the person with their historical contribution to psychology:

Wilhelm Wundt = Founded modern experimental psychology Charles Darwin = Introduced evolutionary theory Edward Titchener = Established structuralism William James = Established functionalism Signup and view all the answers

Match the factors that can influence personality with their definitions:

Nature = Genetics Culture = Beliefs, values, traditions Nurture = Environmental stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What bias causes us to explain an event after it has occurred?

Hindsight Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the flow of people and commodities among global regions?

Globalization Signup and view all the answers

What type of psychologist would help a child who responds accurately to verbal questions but struggles with reading comprehension?

School Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of psychologist with the topics they might study:

Developmental psychologist = Studies changes in morals over a lifespan Biological psychologist = Studies how underlying brain structure and genetics influence cognitive functioning and behavior Personality psychologist = Studies enduring characteristics of people Cognitive psychologist = Studies speed of processing new information Signup and view all the answers

Sort influences on intelligence into Nature and Nurture:

Genes passed down from her parents = Nature Brain 'wiring' = Nature Parents encouraging her to do her homework = Nurture School district = Nurture Signup and view all the answers

Match each bias with the correct example:

Liz tucks a feather into each shoe when she runs track races, claiming this custom helps her win. = Seeing relationships that do not exist A person loses seven times in a row at poker but believes he will win the next game. = Misunderstanding statistics Danny overestimates a waiter's tip because he sees an expensive bill sitting on the next table. = Using relative comparisons The teacher asks students to rate their effort on a group project. Jan estimates that she did about three-quarters of the work even though her contributions were minimal. = Relying on a self-serving bias Signup and view all the answers

How might psychology explain Jonathan's different behaviors at school and home? (Select all that apply)

Jonathan is characteristically shy, but this trait can vary in comfortable situations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represent the study of psychology from a cultural level of analysis? (Select all that apply)

How understanding cultural context alters perceptions of mental illness. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Psychological Theories and Schools of Thought

Wilhelm Wundt pioneered the experimental psychology field focusing on reaction times for mental tasks.
Social psychology examines how individual behavior is influenced by social interactions and situational contexts.
Gestalt theory emphasizes the importance of viewing experiences as whole rather than breaking them down into parts.
Cognitive psychology focuses on mental processes including intelligence, memory, and thought, rather than solely behavior.
Psychoanalysis, established by Sigmund Freud, studies unconscious influences on behavior.
Structuralism analyzes experiences by breaking them down into their basic components, as proposed by Edward Titchener.
Functionalism, championed by William James, looks at how mental processes adapt for survival, drawing from Darwin's evolutionary ideas.

Influences on Behavior and Decision-Making

People are influenced by framing; positive statements enhance the likelihood of engaging in adventurous activities like skydiving.
Confirmation bias leads individuals to seek information that supports their pre-existing beliefs while dismissing contrary evidence.
Framing impacts perception, influencing decisions based on context and presentation of information.

Levels of Psychological Analysis

Biological level examines brain systems, neurochemistry, and genetic factors that influence behavior.
Individual level focuses on personal differences, perception, cognition, and behavior.
Social level investigates interpersonal behavior and social cognition.
Cultural level explores how societal norms and cultural contexts shape thoughts and behaviors.

Research Methods and Biases in Psychology

Cognitive neuroscientists study perception, learning, memory, and brain mechanisms.
Various biases affect decision-making and self-perception, including hindsight bias and self-serving bias.
Descriptive research methods involve observational and qualitative studies, highlighting behaviors without manipulating variables.

Development and Adaptation in Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explains mental activities through an evolutionary lens, linking traits to natural selection.
The interplay of nature (genetic) and nurture (environmental) in developing intelligence emphasizes their combined impact on individual differences.
Adaptability and cultural evolution emerge as key factors in problem-solving capacities across diverse environments.

Psychological Fields and Applications

Different fields within psychology address specific areas such as sports psychology, which helps improve athletic performance.
School psychologists assess educational challenges and support student learning needs.
Developmental psychologists study moral and cognitive changes throughout the lifespan.

Notable Psychologists and Contributions

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, summarized as "survival of the fittest," influences various psychological approaches.
Founders of key psychological movements include Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow (Humanistic), Kurt Lewin (Social), and Max Wertheimer (Gestalt).

Contextual Factors in Psychology

Cultural factors significantly influence personality, values, and social behaviors.
Social norms shape individual choices and perspectives on achievements and success in different societies.

Psychological Disorders and Treatment Approaches

Cognitive psychologists focus on problem-solving errors, while clinical psychologists assess anxiety and behavioral challenges.
Various psychologists collaborate to address complex issues by applying their specialized knowledge to individual cases.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts from Chapter 1 of psychology, exploring foundational theories and notable psychologists. This quiz covers essential definitions, including prominent psychological theories and their implications on behavior.