TRU PSYCH 1111 UNIT 1 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Define empirical method - ANSWER-A systematic way of gathering and analyzing data
Define scientific method - ANSWER-A way to conduct research that tests a hypothesis.
It contains rules, procedures, assumptions, and a conclusion.
What are the levels of explanation in psychology? - ANSWER-1. Low - biological
influences such as genes, neurons, and hormones
2. Middle - Personal level (help individuals cope with depression side effects)
3. High - Societal and cultural (prevalence of depression in men and women)
8 processes used in critical thinking - ANSWER-1. Ask questions
2. Define the problem
3. Examine the evidence
4. Analyze assumptions and biases
5. Avoid emotional reasoning
6. Avoid oversimplification
7. Consider other interpretations
8. Tolerate uncertainty
Who were the early psychologists? Nature vs. Nurture - ANSWER-Plato - Nature
Aristotle - Nurture
What is structuralism? Give an example - ANSWER-Uses introspection to identify the
basic elements of psychological experiences. No longer used.
e.g., Reporting a sensation (heard a sound) was easier than describing the sound that
was heard (perception).
Why is structuralism no longer uesd? - ANSWER-There are limitations to introspection.
A lot of times people are unable to report subjective experiences, and aspects of human
psychology also occur outside of our conscious awareness.
Name a famous psychologist from the school of structuralism - ANSWER-Wilhelm
Wundt
What is Behaviourism? - ANSWER-Based on the premise that it's not possible to
objectively study the mind, therefore, psychologists should focus on the study of
behaviour.
, You can predict behaviour without knowing what's happening in the mind.
You can develop laws of learning to explain all behaviours
What is the downside of surveys? - ANSWER-Participants may not be truthful in their
replies, or may not have good insight to their own behaviours.
What does psychological tests measure? - ANSWER-Measures psychological construct
such as a person's extroversion, self-esteem, etc.
What is the main difference between a survey and a psychological test? - ANSWER-
Surveys are fact-gathering and tests provide a score.
Downside of tests and surveys - ANSWER-Only useful if they are valid and reliable
Define naturalistic observation - ANSWER-research based on the observation of
everyday events without any interference from the researcher
Downside to naturalistic observation - ANSWER-It can be difficult to remain "invisible".
recording the data systematically and completely can be difficult.
Define laboratory observation - ANSWER-Observational research conducted in a
laboratory/artificial setting
Downside to laboratory observation - ANSWER-Inauthenticity due to artificial setting.
They may not behave the same
Define correlational research - ANSWER-Measures the relationship between two
variables (behaviour, attitude, etc)
It seeks to understand the relationship between two things in a larger sample of people
What is a key aspect of correlational research? - ANSWER-All participants are providing
scores on the same two variables (height and weight for example)
Define correlation coefficient and give an example - ANSWER-A statistical
measurement of an association between variables.
Correlational coefficients can be either positive or negative, ranging from -1.0 to +1.0
Pearson correlation coefficient = r
Describe the Pearson correlational coefficient and what the letter r symbolizes -
ANSWER-Positive r values (0.1-1.0) indicate the relationship is positive.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Define empirical method - ANSWER-A systematic way of gathering and analyzing data
Define scientific method - ANSWER-A way to conduct research that tests a hypothesis.
It contains rules, procedures, assumptions, and a conclusion.
What are the levels of explanation in psychology? - ANSWER-1. Low - biological
influences such as genes, neurons, and hormones
2. Middle - Personal level (help individuals cope with depression side effects)
3. High - Societal and cultural (prevalence of depression in men and women)
8 processes used in critical thinking - ANSWER-1. Ask questions
2. Define the problem
3. Examine the evidence
4. Analyze assumptions and biases
5. Avoid emotional reasoning
6. Avoid oversimplification
7. Consider other interpretations
8. Tolerate uncertainty
Who were the early psychologists? Nature vs. Nurture - ANSWER-Plato - Nature
Aristotle - Nurture
What is structuralism? Give an example - ANSWER-Uses introspection to identify the
basic elements of psychological experiences. No longer used.
e.g., Reporting a sensation (heard a sound) was easier than describing the sound that
was heard (perception).
Why is structuralism no longer uesd? - ANSWER-There are limitations to introspection.
A lot of times people are unable to report subjective experiences, and aspects of human
psychology also occur outside of our conscious awareness.
Name a famous psychologist from the school of structuralism - ANSWER-Wilhelm
Wundt
What is Behaviourism? - ANSWER-Based on the premise that it's not possible to
objectively study the mind, therefore, psychologists should focus on the study of
behaviour.
, You can predict behaviour without knowing what's happening in the mind.
You can develop laws of learning to explain all behaviours
What is the downside of surveys? - ANSWER-Participants may not be truthful in their
replies, or may not have good insight to their own behaviours.
What does psychological tests measure? - ANSWER-Measures psychological construct
such as a person's extroversion, self-esteem, etc.
What is the main difference between a survey and a psychological test? - ANSWER-
Surveys are fact-gathering and tests provide a score.
Downside of tests and surveys - ANSWER-Only useful if they are valid and reliable
Define naturalistic observation - ANSWER-research based on the observation of
everyday events without any interference from the researcher
Downside to naturalistic observation - ANSWER-It can be difficult to remain "invisible".
recording the data systematically and completely can be difficult.
Define laboratory observation - ANSWER-Observational research conducted in a
laboratory/artificial setting
Downside to laboratory observation - ANSWER-Inauthenticity due to artificial setting.
They may not behave the same
Define correlational research - ANSWER-Measures the relationship between two
variables (behaviour, attitude, etc)
It seeks to understand the relationship between two things in a larger sample of people
What is a key aspect of correlational research? - ANSWER-All participants are providing
scores on the same two variables (height and weight for example)
Define correlation coefficient and give an example - ANSWER-A statistical
measurement of an association between variables.
Correlational coefficients can be either positive or negative, ranging from -1.0 to +1.0
Pearson correlation coefficient = r
Describe the Pearson correlational coefficient and what the letter r symbolizes -
ANSWER-Positive r values (0.1-1.0) indicate the relationship is positive.
