WGU C180 Study Guide Questions and
Answers Summary Analysis Key
Concepts 100% Distinctions Guaranteed
Grade A+ Updated 2026
What do psychologists study? - ANSWER-• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? -
ANSWER-The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures
scientists use to conduct research. In addition to requiring that science is
verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are free of personal
bias.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? - ANSWER-A specific and falsifiable
prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - ANSWER-An operational
definition refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract
idea that form the basis of research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured
,variable ( varialbes consisting of numbers that represent the conceptual variables
)
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative
words used in a creative story; number of appointments made with a
psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - ANSWER-
These are needed with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or
emotional harm to the participants.
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - ANSWER-
Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
What is descriptive research? - ANSWER-research designed to provide a snapshot
of the current state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research - ANSWER-research designed to discover
relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from
present knowledge.
What is Experimental Research - ANSWER-research in which there is a random
assignment of research participants into two groups. This is followed by a
manipulation of a given experience for one group while the other is not
manipulated. One group is the experimental group that receives the manipulation.
,The other group is the control group that does not. The two groups are then
compared to determine the influence of the manipulation.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - ANSWER-The
people chosen to participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be
representative of all the people that the researcher wishes to know about, called
the population. "Sampling is the process of selecting a representative group from
the population under study. The target population is the total group of individuals
from which the sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take
part in the investigation. The people who take part are referred to as
"participants"."
Independent Variable - ANSWER-The variable in an experiment that is
manipulated or compared
Dependent Variable - ANSWER-The variable in an experiment that is measured;
the outcome of an experiment
Control Group - ANSWER-The group of subjects in an experiment that does not
receive the independent variable
Experimental Group - ANSWER-EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the
independent variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. -
ANSWER-research designed to discover relationships among variables and to
allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
, Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - ANSWER-
Correlational-To assess the relationships between and among two or more
variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative
correlation, the variables move in inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable
increases, the other variable decreases. For example, there is a negative
correlation between self-esteem and depression. Positive correlation is when
there is an increase in one variable it is associated with an increase in another
variable. For example: with height and weight, taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental
designs? - ANSWER-In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations
among naturally occurring variables, whereas in experimental studies the
researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its
effect on the dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that
extraneous variables may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect. A
correlation identifies variables and looks for a relationship between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? -
ANSWER-Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma) - ANSWER-contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell
alive
Answers Summary Analysis Key
Concepts 100% Distinctions Guaranteed
Grade A+ Updated 2026
What do psychologists study? - ANSWER-• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? -
ANSWER-The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures
scientists use to conduct research. In addition to requiring that science is
verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are free of personal
bias.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? - ANSWER-A specific and falsifiable
prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - ANSWER-An operational
definition refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract
idea that form the basis of research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured
,variable ( varialbes consisting of numbers that represent the conceptual variables
)
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative
words used in a creative story; number of appointments made with a
psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - ANSWER-
These are needed with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or
emotional harm to the participants.
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - ANSWER-
Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
What is descriptive research? - ANSWER-research designed to provide a snapshot
of the current state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research - ANSWER-research designed to discover
relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from
present knowledge.
What is Experimental Research - ANSWER-research in which there is a random
assignment of research participants into two groups. This is followed by a
manipulation of a given experience for one group while the other is not
manipulated. One group is the experimental group that receives the manipulation.
,The other group is the control group that does not. The two groups are then
compared to determine the influence of the manipulation.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - ANSWER-The
people chosen to participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be
representative of all the people that the researcher wishes to know about, called
the population. "Sampling is the process of selecting a representative group from
the population under study. The target population is the total group of individuals
from which the sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take
part in the investigation. The people who take part are referred to as
"participants"."
Independent Variable - ANSWER-The variable in an experiment that is
manipulated or compared
Dependent Variable - ANSWER-The variable in an experiment that is measured;
the outcome of an experiment
Control Group - ANSWER-The group of subjects in an experiment that does not
receive the independent variable
Experimental Group - ANSWER-EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the
independent variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. -
ANSWER-research designed to discover relationships among variables and to
allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
, Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - ANSWER-
Correlational-To assess the relationships between and among two or more
variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative
correlation, the variables move in inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable
increases, the other variable decreases. For example, there is a negative
correlation between self-esteem and depression. Positive correlation is when
there is an increase in one variable it is associated with an increase in another
variable. For example: with height and weight, taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental
designs? - ANSWER-In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations
among naturally occurring variables, whereas in experimental studies the
researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its
effect on the dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that
extraneous variables may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect. A
correlation identifies variables and looks for a relationship between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? -
ANSWER-Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma) - ANSWER-contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell
alive
