Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the focus of Humanistic psychology?
Which subfield of psychology studies how societal influences affect individual behavior?
What is the first step in the cycle of the scientific method?
What is a significant disadvantage of observational studies in research methods?
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Which of the following is NOT a recognized setting where psychologists work?
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What is the primary disadvantage of using case studies in research?
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Which of the following statements about correlation is true?
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In an experimental study, what does the dependent variable (DV) depend on?
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What is a key feature of random assignment in experimental research?
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Which of the following is an advantage of experimental methods?
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What does operational definition refer to in research?
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What is the primary purpose of psychology?
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Which ethical guideline ensures that researchers do not invade privacy?
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Which step in critical thinking involves evaluating the evidence supporting a claim?
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What does convenience sampling refer to in research?
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Which type of psychology emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behaviors?
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What was a primary contribution of Wilhelm Wundt to psychology?
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What principle did Titchener's structuralism focus on?
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Who was the first female to earn a PhD in psychology and what was significant about her?
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What did Watson's behaviorism primarily focus on?
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Which theoretical perspective was influenced by Darwin and focused on the purpose of the conscious mind?
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Study Notes
Overview of Psychology
- Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, aimed at understanding and predicting human actions.
- Critical thinking enhances the ability to evaluate information and reach conclusions based on evidence.
Steps in Critical Thinking
- Identify the claim presented.
- Examine supporting evidence which can be categorized as:
- A: Intuition, beliefs, or opinions (not credible).
- B: Pseudo-facts such as "alternative facts" or "fake news" (not credible).
- C: Evidence from credible, objective sources (peer-reviewed).
Intuition, Beliefs, and Opinions
- Intuition: Instinctive gut feelings without empirical support.
- Beliefs: Deeply held thoughts that may lack evidence.
- Opinions: Individual judgments that can be subjective.
Investigative Focus of Psychologists
- Explore the nature versus nurture debate, mind-body interactions, and total behavior encompassing behaviors, emotions, thoughts, and biology.
Historical Foundations of Psychology
- Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in 1879, focusing on reaction time and introspection.
Theoretical Perspectives
-
Structuralism (Titchener):
- Focused on breaking down conscious experience through introspection.
- Noted for having the first female PhD recipient, Margaret Washburn.
-
Functionalism (James):
- Emphasized the purpose of the conscious mind, influenced by Darwinian theory.
- Mary Calkins admitted to his seminar (1890) and later became the first female APA president.
Major Psychological Theories
-
Psychoanalytic Theory (Freud):
- Explored the impact of the unconscious mind on behavior, stemming from personal conflicts.
-
Behaviorism (Watson):
- Positioned that all behavior is learned through environmental interactions; focused on observable behavior.
-
Humanistic Psychology (Rogers, Seligman, Maslow):
- Emphasized individual choice, positive aspects of human nature, and personal growth.
Subfields of Psychology
- Encompasses evolutionary, biological, cognitive, developmental, health, personality, social, cultural, clinical, educational, industrial-organizational, community psychology, positive psychology, and sleep research.
Work Environments for Psychologists
- Clinical settings, academic institutions, governmental organizations, schools, businesses/nonprofits, and hospitals.
Scientific Method in Psychology
- Follows steps: Theory, Hypothesis, Research Method, Data Analysis, and Sharing Results.
- Emphasizes empiricism, requiring objective and reproducible results.
Research Methodologies
-
Descriptive Methods:
- Observation studies: Valuable in early research but prone to bias.
- Self-reports: Quick data collection but susceptible to bias.
- Case studies: In-depth insights but challenges in generalization.
-
Correlational Methods:
- Examines relationships between variables without manipulation; correlation does not imply causation.
-
Experimental Methods:
- Involves manipulation of the independent variable (IV) to observe effects on the dependent variable (DV); ensures control and avoids directionality problems.
Experimental Design Concepts
- Operational definitions allow precise measurement of variables.
- Distinguishes between control groups (no treatment) and experimental groups (treatment).
- Random sampling and random assignment ensure generalizability and comparability of groups.
Ethical Guidelines in Research
- Managed by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to ensure ethical standards.
- Essential considerations include privacy rights and informed consent for observing individuals.
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Description
This quiz explores the foundational concepts of psychology, focusing on the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Students will learn about critical thinking steps necessary for evaluating claims and evidence in psychological contexts. The quiz aims to enhance understanding of how to discern credible sources from misinformation.
