WGU C180 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY FINAL
EXAM REVIEW STUDY GUIDE Q&A 2022/2023
What do psychologists study? (correct answers)• Biological Foundations -biological processes, in the
brain, hormones, and DNA, items that influence thoughts and behaviors.
• Mental Life -thought processes of people, e.g. when they solve problems
• Change- Psychologists study how individuals change mentally, emotionally, and socially as they age,
from infants to children to teens to adults to seniors
• Self and Others - how people judge themselves, and how they relate to other individuals
• Potential and Dysfunction - Psychologists study variations in perception, cognition, and emotions, to
define what is normal and what is exceptional, and what is dysfunctional
How is the scientific method applied to psychological research? (correct answers)The scientific method
is the set of rules, and procedures used in conducting research. In addition to requiring that science is
verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are free of personal bias. Steps of the
scientific method
1. Form Hypothesis 2. Conduct Research 3. Analyze Data 4. Interpret Data 5. Publish Results
What is the definition of hypothesis? (correct answers)A theory is based on principles that are general
and can be applied to many situations.
A questions must be stated in a hypothesis which is a statement quessing the relationship among certain
parts of a theory.
3. What is an operational definition? Provide an example. (correct answers)An operational definition
refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable is turned into a measured variable
(Conceptual Variable) Depression
(Operational definition) number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
4. Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? What are some requirements of
ethical research? (correct answers)Ethical guidelines are needed with psychological research is the
prevent physical/emotional harm to the participants. Free choice in participating, Allowed to ask
questions, able to quit at any point
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? (correct answers)• Descriptive is
research designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of affairs.
• Correlational is research designed to discover relationships among variables
,• Experimental research is research in which there is a random assignment people into two groups. You
manipulate the experience for one group while the control group is not.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? (correct answers)Sample represents the
population
Identify major elements of a psychological experiment by describing an example of an experiment. Use
the terms independent variable, dependent variable, control group, and experimental group. (correct
answers)In an experimental research design, the variables of interest are called the independent
variable(s) [the causing variable that is created (manipulated) by the experiment] and the dependent
variable [a measured variable that is expected to be influenced by the experiment] . The research
hypothesis suggests that the manipulated independent variable or variables will cause changes in the
measured dependent variables.
An example of the use of these independent and dependent variables in an experiment is the effect of
witnessing aggression on children's aggressive behaviors. In a classic study conducted by Albert Bandura
in 1961, it was revealed that children who first watched an adult demonstrating violent behavior on a
Bobo doll (inflatable clown with sand at the base) in a play room were more likely to show the same
aggressive behaviors, compared to children who watched a passive adult in the play room or no adult at
all in the play room before each child entered the play room. The independent variable manipulated by
the experimenter was viewing violent behavior with the Bobo doll. The dependent variable, or the
measure of behavior, was whether the child in a play room by his or herself expressed aggression by
hitting a Bobo doll. The operational definition of this dependent variable was the number of hits, kicks,
and other displays of aggression the child inflicted on the Bobo doll.
5. What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example (correct
answers)Correlational research is research designed to discover relationships among variables and to
allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge. The variables of height and weight are
systematically related (correlated) because taller people generally weigh more than shorter people.
Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation (correct answers)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
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? (correct
answers)In correlational studies a researcher looks for relations between naturally occurring variables,
whereas in experimental studies the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
Identify the function of each of these four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication.
(correct answers)Cell Body (Soma)-contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
, Dendrites- branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells and sends the
information to the soma
Axon-a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell body toward other
neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath-Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are some examples of neurotransmitters? (correct
answers)Neurochemical messengers that are released by terminal buttons when an action potential
triggers them. A few examples of neuro transmitters are:
ACh: Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and
dreaming. Udersupply associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Dopamine: Used as brains reward system. Involved in movement, motivation, and emotion. Used in
learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under supply = Parkinsons
Endorphins: Released in response to behaviors such as exercise, orgasam, and eating. Nataural pain
reliever. Creates a runners high.
GABA: Major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Linked to sizures.
Glutamate: cause overstimulation, migraines, and seizurs. Most common neurotransmitter.
Serotonin: Inovlved in mood, appetite, sleep and aggression. Low levels associated with depressions.
Where are neurotransmitters stored? How do they communicate between neurons? (correct answers)If
the signal reaches the terminal buttons, they are signaled to emit chemicals known as
neurotransmitters, which communicate with other neurons across the spaces between the cells, known
as synapses.
describe the major functions for each brain part: (correct answers)Cerebellum-(literally, "little brain")
consists of two wrinkled ovals behind the brain stem. It functions to coordinate voluntary movement.
EXAM REVIEW STUDY GUIDE Q&A 2022/2023
What do psychologists study? (correct answers)• Biological Foundations -biological processes, in the
brain, hormones, and DNA, items that influence thoughts and behaviors.
• Mental Life -thought processes of people, e.g. when they solve problems
• Change- Psychologists study how individuals change mentally, emotionally, and socially as they age,
from infants to children to teens to adults to seniors
• Self and Others - how people judge themselves, and how they relate to other individuals
• Potential and Dysfunction - Psychologists study variations in perception, cognition, and emotions, to
define what is normal and what is exceptional, and what is dysfunctional
How is the scientific method applied to psychological research? (correct answers)The scientific method
is the set of rules, and procedures used in conducting research. In addition to requiring that science is
verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are free of personal bias. Steps of the
scientific method
1. Form Hypothesis 2. Conduct Research 3. Analyze Data 4. Interpret Data 5. Publish Results
What is the definition of hypothesis? (correct answers)A theory is based on principles that are general
and can be applied to many situations.
A questions must be stated in a hypothesis which is a statement quessing the relationship among certain
parts of a theory.
3. What is an operational definition? Provide an example. (correct answers)An operational definition
refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable is turned into a measured variable
(Conceptual Variable) Depression
(Operational definition) number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
4. Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? What are some requirements of
ethical research? (correct answers)Ethical guidelines are needed with psychological research is the
prevent physical/emotional harm to the participants. Free choice in participating, Allowed to ask
questions, able to quit at any point
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? (correct answers)• Descriptive is
research designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of affairs.
• Correlational is research designed to discover relationships among variables
,• Experimental research is research in which there is a random assignment people into two groups. You
manipulate the experience for one group while the control group is not.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? (correct answers)Sample represents the
population
Identify major elements of a psychological experiment by describing an example of an experiment. Use
the terms independent variable, dependent variable, control group, and experimental group. (correct
answers)In an experimental research design, the variables of interest are called the independent
variable(s) [the causing variable that is created (manipulated) by the experiment] and the dependent
variable [a measured variable that is expected to be influenced by the experiment] . The research
hypothesis suggests that the manipulated independent variable or variables will cause changes in the
measured dependent variables.
An example of the use of these independent and dependent variables in an experiment is the effect of
witnessing aggression on children's aggressive behaviors. In a classic study conducted by Albert Bandura
in 1961, it was revealed that children who first watched an adult demonstrating violent behavior on a
Bobo doll (inflatable clown with sand at the base) in a play room were more likely to show the same
aggressive behaviors, compared to children who watched a passive adult in the play room or no adult at
all in the play room before each child entered the play room. The independent variable manipulated by
the experimenter was viewing violent behavior with the Bobo doll. The dependent variable, or the
measure of behavior, was whether the child in a play room by his or herself expressed aggression by
hitting a Bobo doll. The operational definition of this dependent variable was the number of hits, kicks,
and other displays of aggression the child inflicted on the Bobo doll.
5. What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example (correct
answers)Correlational research is research designed to discover relationships among variables and to
allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge. The variables of height and weight are
systematically related (correlated) because taller people generally weigh more than shorter people.
Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation (correct answers)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
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? (correct
answers)In correlational studies a researcher looks for relations between naturally occurring variables,
whereas in experimental studies the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
Identify the function of each of these four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication.
(correct answers)Cell Body (Soma)-contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
, Dendrites- branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells and sends the
information to the soma
Axon-a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell body toward other
neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath-Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are some examples of neurotransmitters? (correct
answers)Neurochemical messengers that are released by terminal buttons when an action potential
triggers them. A few examples of neuro transmitters are:
ACh: Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and
dreaming. Udersupply associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Dopamine: Used as brains reward system. Involved in movement, motivation, and emotion. Used in
learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under supply = Parkinsons
Endorphins: Released in response to behaviors such as exercise, orgasam, and eating. Nataural pain
reliever. Creates a runners high.
GABA: Major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Linked to sizures.
Glutamate: cause overstimulation, migraines, and seizurs. Most common neurotransmitter.
Serotonin: Inovlved in mood, appetite, sleep and aggression. Low levels associated with depressions.
Where are neurotransmitters stored? How do they communicate between neurons? (correct answers)If
the signal reaches the terminal buttons, they are signaled to emit chemicals known as
neurotransmitters, which communicate with other neurons across the spaces between the cells, known
as synapses.
describe the major functions for each brain part: (correct answers)Cerebellum-(literally, "little brain")
consists of two wrinkled ovals behind the brain stem. It functions to coordinate voluntary movement.
