,LSU PSYC 2000 Exam 1 | Introduction to Psychology
(2026) Q&A
1. Psychology is best defined as the scientific study of:
A) Mental disorders and their treatment
B) Behavior and mental processes
C) Unconscious drives and conflicts
D) The brain and nervous system only
Correct Answer: Behavior and mental processes
Rationale: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This
includes both observable actions and internal experiences such as thoughts, feelings,
and memories. The other options are too narrow or describe specific subfields rather
than the broad definition.
2. Which early school of psychology used introspection to identify the basic elements
of conscious experience?
A) Functionalism
B) Behaviorism
C) Structuralism
D) Gestalt psychology
Correct Answer: Structuralism
Rationale: Structuralism, founded by Edward Titchener, aimed to identify the basic
elements of consciousness through introspection. Functionalism focused on how the
,mind allows people to adapt, behaviorism rejected introspection, and Gestalt
psychology emphasized whole patterns rather than individual elements.
3. William James is best known for which school of psychology?
A) Structuralism
B) Functionalism
C) Psychoanalysis
D) Behaviorism
Correct Answer: Functionalism
Rationale: William James founded functionalism, which focused on how the mind
allows people to function and adapt in everyday life. Structuralism was Titchener's
approach, psychoanalysis was Freud's, and behaviorism was developed by Watson
and Skinner.
4. The first person to apply scientific principles to the study of the human mind,
establishing psychology as a separate discipline in 1879, was:
A) William James
B) Sigmund Freud
C) Wilhelm Wundt
D) John B. Watson
Correct Answer: Wilhelm Wundt
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in 1879 in
Leipzig, Germany, and is considered the founder of psychology as a scientific
discipline. He used objective introspection to study conscious experience.
, 5. Which perspective in psychology emphasizes observable behavior over internal
mental processes?
A) Cognitive
B) Psychoanalytic
C) Behavioral
D) Humanistic
Correct Answer: Behavioral
Rationale: Behaviorism, founded by John B. Watson and later developed by B.F.
Skinner, focuses exclusively on observable behavior that can be measured and
modified. It rejects the study of internal mental processes as unscientific.
6. Mary Whiton Calkins is significant in psychology because she:
A) Founded the first psychology laboratory
B) Completed all requirements for a PhD at Harvard but was denied the degree
because she was a woman
C) Developed the theory of operant conditioning
D) Was the first African American to earn a PhD in psychology
Correct Answer: Completed all requirements for a PhD at Harvard but was denied
the degree because she was a woman
Rationale: Mary Whiton Calkins completed all coursework and requirements for a
PhD at Harvard University but was denied the degree solely because of her gender.
She later became the first female president of the American Psychological
Association.
(2026) Q&A
1. Psychology is best defined as the scientific study of:
A) Mental disorders and their treatment
B) Behavior and mental processes
C) Unconscious drives and conflicts
D) The brain and nervous system only
Correct Answer: Behavior and mental processes
Rationale: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This
includes both observable actions and internal experiences such as thoughts, feelings,
and memories. The other options are too narrow or describe specific subfields rather
than the broad definition.
2. Which early school of psychology used introspection to identify the basic elements
of conscious experience?
A) Functionalism
B) Behaviorism
C) Structuralism
D) Gestalt psychology
Correct Answer: Structuralism
Rationale: Structuralism, founded by Edward Titchener, aimed to identify the basic
elements of consciousness through introspection. Functionalism focused on how the
,mind allows people to adapt, behaviorism rejected introspection, and Gestalt
psychology emphasized whole patterns rather than individual elements.
3. William James is best known for which school of psychology?
A) Structuralism
B) Functionalism
C) Psychoanalysis
D) Behaviorism
Correct Answer: Functionalism
Rationale: William James founded functionalism, which focused on how the mind
allows people to function and adapt in everyday life. Structuralism was Titchener's
approach, psychoanalysis was Freud's, and behaviorism was developed by Watson
and Skinner.
4. The first person to apply scientific principles to the study of the human mind,
establishing psychology as a separate discipline in 1879, was:
A) William James
B) Sigmund Freud
C) Wilhelm Wundt
D) John B. Watson
Correct Answer: Wilhelm Wundt
Rationale: Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in 1879 in
Leipzig, Germany, and is considered the founder of psychology as a scientific
discipline. He used objective introspection to study conscious experience.
, 5. Which perspective in psychology emphasizes observable behavior over internal
mental processes?
A) Cognitive
B) Psychoanalytic
C) Behavioral
D) Humanistic
Correct Answer: Behavioral
Rationale: Behaviorism, founded by John B. Watson and later developed by B.F.
Skinner, focuses exclusively on observable behavior that can be measured and
modified. It rejects the study of internal mental processes as unscientific.
6. Mary Whiton Calkins is significant in psychology because she:
A) Founded the first psychology laboratory
B) Completed all requirements for a PhD at Harvard but was denied the degree
because she was a woman
C) Developed the theory of operant conditioning
D) Was the first African American to earn a PhD in psychology
Correct Answer: Completed all requirements for a PhD at Harvard but was denied
the degree because she was a woman
Rationale: Mary Whiton Calkins completed all coursework and requirements for a
PhD at Harvard University but was denied the degree solely because of her gender.
She later became the first female president of the American Psychological
Association.
