Psychology 120 Purdue University Exam 1 (Chapters 1-4) Questions With Complete Solutions

What two disciplines did psychology develop from? correct answer: Philosophy and physiology 3 Misconceptions of Psychology correct answer: Three misconceptions include: - Psychology is all about treating and studying mental disorders - Psychology is based on logic and intuition. -Psychologists are best at predicting individual behavior as opposed to the behavior of a larger group of individuals. What is the definition of psychology? correct answer: Psychology is the study of behavior and the mind. 4 Goals of Psychology correct answer: The 4 goals of psychology are: - Describe - Predict -Understand -Modify What does a clinical psychologist do? correct answer: A clinical psychologist diagnoses and treats psychological disorders. What does a research psychologist do? correct answer: A research psychologist partakes in various projects and specializes in certain areas that they would like to contribute to. What does an applied psychologist do? correct answer: An applied psychologist works to find applications for the research conducted. What does a human factors psychologist do? correct answer: A human factor psychologist studies how environmental factors can affect the behavior. Empiricism correct answer: Is the idea that all knowledge stems from experience. Nativism correct answer: This is the idea that certain knowledge is innate. What is Gestalt Psychology? correct answer: This movement argues that humans have a set way of viewing the world. Structuralism correct answer: Structuralism was founded by Wilhelm Wundt and his student Edward Titchener. This is the idea that a human's immediate experience could be broken into parts that could be analyzed. Systematic introspection correct answer: Systematic introspection was a better idea for psychologists to understand the human immediate experience. -With this approach, participants in research studies would have to report their emotions and feelings as they were going through these experiences. - Freud's approach of psychoanalysis was heavily reliant on this concept. Functionalism correct answer: This theory advocated that function must be considered as opposed to only content of the mind. Behaviorism correct answer: Founded by John Watson and he believed that mental events cannot be publicly observed; psychologists should determine how changes in the environment can lead to changes in behavior. The height of this movement was the 1900s. This approach same after structuralism and functionalism Psychoanalysis correct answer: Freud's theory that the mind and its contents MUST be fully analyzed before treatment can begin. Humanistic Psychology correct answer: In response to the criticism of Freud's approach, Carl Rodgers founded the humanistic approach. - This approach focused on the ideas that human's have a unique ability to be aware of their desires/wants - Also suggested that therapists should act as a friend to confide in to toward their patient. Eclectic Approach correct answer: - Combination of elements from different approaches were used when analyzing Cognitive Revolution correct answer: Occurred during the 1950's and was the return to the study of behaviorism from structuralism and functionalism. Biological Approach correct answer: Psychologists can now track activity in the brain by measuring the activity of cells within it. Evolutionary Approach correct answer: The idea that certain characteristics will be passed onto offspring but those characteristics will not be same from generation to generation. Sociocultural approach correct answer: This approach looks at social factors as well as environmental ones that would affect behavior. What is the scientific method? correct answer: The scientific method is a systematic approach that scientists as well as psychologists use to conduct experiments. Steps of the scientific method correct answer: Steps of the scientific method include: - Observe - Detect regularities: do certain factors trigger certain resposnes? - Generate hypothesis - Observe and compare to results Theory correct answer: Attempts to predict and explain events Hypothesis correct answer: Can be tested by experiments Goals of Psychological Research correct answer: Goals of psychological research include: - Observing behavior -Predicting behavior - Explaining Behavior Descriptive Research correct answer: This type of research is more based on observation and leads to information about behavior. Reactivity correct answer: The idea that participants of a study would act differently if they were aware that they were being watched/ observed. Naturalistic Observation correct answer: Researchers observe participants without creating any interference to the situation. Naturalistic observation has high external validity because it can represent the real world. Case studies correct answer: Case studies are used as references or starting points for research and experiments, these studies refer to one individual. Surveys correct answer: Surveys are used to gather information about a general population. For the most part, surveys tend to be voluntary participation based. Use of random sampling correct answer: Random sampling is used to achieve a representative sample from the population and to increase external validity and internal validity. Achievement Test correct answer: Achievement tests measures knowledge and skills of an individual. Aptitude Test correct answer: Aptitude test measures how likely people are succeed at performing certain tasks. 3 Measures of central tendency correct answer: Mean: the average of the data set Median: the middle number of the data set Mode:the most repetitive number in a data set 2 Measures of Variability correct answer: - Range: the spread of the numbers, or how much they vary - Standard Deviation: how much number in the data set vary from the mean. Inferential Statistics correct answer: Inferential Statistics are used by researchers to further their research and determine what areas to focus on. Independent and Dependent Variables correct answer: Independent Variables are ones that the researcher can control and dependent variables is one that is affected by manipulating the independent variable. Operational Defintions correct answer: Refer to the how we can measure certain concepts in an experiment or study; ex: to measure aggression in an experiment we count how often someone punches a punching bag. Purpose of a Correlation approach correct answer: Correlational approach allows researchers to predict relationships between variables. It is NOT used to establish causation Positive and Negative Correlations correct answer: A positive correlation indicated a positive change in one variable leads to a positive change in the dependent variable. Ex: Increasing lighting in area increases productivity of workers in a setting Confounding Variables correct answer: Confounding variables are uncontrolled variables that change with the independent variables Purpose of an Experimental approach correct answer: The purpose of an experimental approach is to establish causation between two variables. Random Assignment correct answer: Random assignment is necessary to keep conditions as consistent as possible, the researcher makes sure that the participant has an equal chance of being selected. Purpose of a Control group correct answer: The purpose of a control group is create a standard of measure to compare the experimental groups to. The control groups are not given any form of experimental treatment. Internal and external validity correct answer: Internal validity represents how well the experiment is performed and external validity represents how well the experiment relays conditions in real life.* An experiment done in a lab would have low external validity. Quasi- Experiment correct answer: Is a type of experiment that does NOT use random assignment. Placebo correct answer: Usually is used in medicinal experiments; in this case the preacher intentionally leads to the control group to believe that they are receiving some sort of experimental treatment. Single Blind study correct answer: A single- blind study is one where participants are unaware of which group they are placed in but the researchers are aware of placement. Ex: In Grey's Anatomy, Derek and Meredith conducted a clinical trial to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. The patient was unaware whether they received the virus vs the placebo whereas Derek and Meredith were aware of which treatment was administered. Double Blind study correct answer: In a double blind study, neither the participant or the researcher is aware of placement. Reliability vs Validity correct answer: Reliability refers to how consistent the results are. Validity is how accurate the results are. For example, a thermometer may be 5 degrees off from the actual temperature. This would indicate that the thermometer is reliable but not valid. Something can have reliability but NOT be valid. Informed Consent correct answer: Participants are aware of the parameters of study that they are participating in. Debreifing correct answer: Researchers provide participants with explanations as to why certain methods were used and the main goal of the experiment. Confidentiality correct answer: Confidentiality is the idea that the information that the participant provides the researcher with would not be shared with others. Also the the researcher would not know the name of the individual associated with the information. Variation correct answer: is the difference between organisms within a population or a specific group Natural Selection correct answer: Darwin's theory that certain species have adaptations that increase their chances of survival in a particular environment. These traits are selected for in a population. Heritability correct answer: The ability to pass down changes to offspring. Sexual Selection correct answer: acts's on an organism's ability to obtain or successfully mate. Ex: Female peacocks are attracted to male peacock's with showy feathers. Therefore these characteristics are selected for in a population 3 Main things nature selects for correct answer: - Food attainment -Danger avoidance/ predators - Reproductive factors Nature vs Nurture correct answer: Nature refers to the idea that certain characteristics and or behaviors are innate (we are born with them) and nurture is the idea that there are other factors that affect certain traits that individual posses. Essentially it is a combination of nature and nurture that determine the traits an individual posses/ displays. Evolutionary Model of Human Behavior correct answer: This model takes a significant amount of time to progress, certain characteristics are "no longer advantages for survival" What is meant by tradeoffs? correct answer: Clark and Hatfield Study correct answer: This is the study where psychologists studied the interaction between opposite sexes. Opposite sexes asked one of three questions to each other 1. Go out with me? 2. Go to bed with me? 3. Have sex with me? The results indicated a downward, trend when women were asked go out with me, most stated yes but when asked have sex with me, almost all women stated no. For men, there was an upward trend that was displayed. Sensory neurons correct answer: Sensory neurons are ones that are in direct contact with the environment. Motor Neurons correct answer: Carry messages and commands away from the CNS to muscles and glands that produce responses. Glial cells correct answer: perform a variety of functions in the nervous system including removing waste, filling empty spaces, and helping neurons communicating with one another. Major parts of neuron correct answer: The major parts of a neuron include the following: - Soma: the main body of the cell - Dendrites: branches that extend from the cell body that are to transmit signals to the soma where the nucleus is found. - Axons: found along the dendrites and is where the signal travels (the thicker the axon, the faster the signal travels) - Terminal Button: present at the end of each dendrite and used to communicate with other cells. Synapse correct answer: Is the gap between cells and is usually where most communication takes place. Resting potential correct answer: occurs between -60 to -70 mv and is the minimum voltage required so that an action potential can be generated. Action potential correct answer: The electrochemical signal that a neuron transmits. Refractory Period correct answer: This is period that follows after an action potential is generated. During this period, the cell is simply at rest and does not generate another electrochemical signal. What are neurotransmitters? correct answer: Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that action potentials can trigger What is acetylcholine? correct answer: Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that enables the communication between muscles and motor neurons What is dopamine? correct answer: Dopamine is an inhibitory transmitter that stabilizes communication. What is serotonin? correct answer: Serotonin is a primary neurotransmitter that affects sleep and dreaming What is GABA? correct answer: GABA plays an important role in the regulation of anxiety. What are endorphins? correct answer: Endorphins are chemicals that your body releases in response to pain as a natural pain killer What does the central nervous system consist of? correct answer: The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord. What does the peripheral nervous system consist of? correct answer: The peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves that connect the brain to spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system can be divided into two segments. What is controlled by the somatic nervous system? correct answer: The somatic nervous system is responsible for transmitting sensory information to the brain. What is controlled by the autonomic nervous system? correct answer: The autonomic nervous system, is the second division of the peripheral nervous system. controls blood pressure, heart rate, and activities of the internal glands. This system can be divided even further. What is the sympathetic system? correct answer: This division controls the fight or flight response What is the parasympathetic system? correct answer: This system is responsible for calming the body down after emergency. Parts of the brain correct answer: Important regions of the brain include: 1. Broca's srea: responsible for speech and various language functions. Is in the left frontal lobe. 2.Corpus Callosum: is the bridge way of communication between the the left and right hemispheres of the brain 3.Hypothalamus: is part of the forebrain and is responsible for regulating various motivational activities: drinking, eating, sexual behavior, also controls temperature of the body. 4. Hippocampus: forebrain; important in the formation of new memories 5. Parietal Lobe: The middle portion of the brain, detects pressure and touch 7. Thalamus: important for gathering information from senses. 8. Frontal lobe: responsible for personality development 9. Amygdala: linked to emotional activity; responsible for determining which memories to store (depends on strength of emotional connection) 10. Cerebellum: coordination and complex motor skills 11. Temporal Lobe: processes auditory information 12. Occipital lobe: responsible for vision 13. Wernicke's area: language comprehension 14. Substantia nigra: group of neurons in the midbrain that release the neurotransmitter dopamine from the terminal buttons. The divided brain correct answer: The brain is divided into two hemispheres: the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body while the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body. Right Hemisphere correct answer: responsible for the following: - Facial recognition - Processing visual and audiological stimuli - Spatial manipulation - artistic ability Left Hemisphere correct answer: linear reasoning and language function. Fetal Period correct answer: From the ninth week until birth; bones and muscles start to develop; at 6 months, the fetus weighs about 2 pounds and is over a foot long Teratogens correct answer: Environmental agents that can potentially harm the developing embryo/fetus (T/F) Morning sickness may be an evolutionary adaptation correct answer: True What age have 90% of infants learned to: a) roll over, b) sit w/o support, c) walk correct answer: a) 5 months b) 8 months c) 15 months Puberty correct answer: Period during which a person reaches sexual maturity and is potentially capable of producing offspring Around what age do most people begin to steadily decline physically? correct answer: 20s Menopause correct answer: Period when the menstrual cycle slows down and finally stops Dementia correct answer: physically based loss in mental functioning Preference Technique (a way to study babies) correct answer: Developed by Robert Fantz; the infant is presented with two visual displays at the same time, and the investigator records how long the infant looks at each of the screens Habituation Technique (another way to study babies) correct answer: Using different objects to see if the baby has a continuing interest "Using Rewards" Technique correct answer: Rewarding a simple motor skill Assimilation correct answer: Process through which we fit new experiences into existing schemata Accommodation correct answer: Process through which we change or modify existing schemata to accommodate new experiences Sensorimotor Period correct answer: Birth -2 yr; interact with the world via survival reflexes; understand how they can interact w/ the world voluntarily; start to vocalize; kick their legs;learning to repeat actions; object performance is developed around 6-9 months Object Performance correct answer: Ability to recognize that objects still exist when they're not in sight Preoperational Period correct answer: 2-7 yrs; begin thinking symbolically, but lack the ability to preform mental operations; egocentrism; animism; no reversibility Egocentrism correct answer: Tendency to view the world from your own unique perspective ONLY Animism correct answer: Belief that inanimate objects are alive Concrete Operational Period correct answer: 7-11 yrs; can preform concrete logical thinking; abilities are limited; reversibility Formal Operational Period correct answer: 11 yrs and older; capable of abstract thought and hypothetical thinking; Adolescent egocentrism; imaginary audience Adolescent Egocentrism correct answer: Believing they are the focus of everyone's attention Imaginary Audience correct answer: Believing everyone is always watching them and that others are thinking about them Preconvenional Level correct answer: Young children; based on immediate, external individual consequences Conventional Level correct answer: Based on if something violated a social order; societal consequences Postconventional Level correct answer: Based on abstract principles that can even conflict w/ accepted societal standards; universal ethical principles Attachments correct answer: Strong emotional ties to one or more intimate companions Contact Comfort correct answer: Degree of warm physical contact (provided by the caregiver) Importance of Harry Harlow's Experiment correct answer: It showed that w/o early attachment is very important in behavior; touching and massaging infants leads to significant physical and emotional benefits Strange Situation Test correct answer: Gradually subjecting a child to a stressful situation and observing the behavior toward the parent or caregiver Secure Attachment correct answer: When the child feels comfortable around the parent even when a stranger is introduced (60-70% of children) Resistant Attachment correct answer: Children react to stress in an ambiguous way; lack of trust in the parent (10%) Avoidant Attachment correct answer: Children show no strong attachment to the parent in any aspect (20-25%) Disorganized/Disoriented Attachment correct answer: Children react to the test with inconsistent responses (5-8%) Personal Identity correct answer: Sense of who one is as an individual and how well one measures up against peers Trust vs Mistrust correct answer: Infant; are there people who will meet my survival needs? Autonomy vs Shame or Doubt correct answer: Terrible twos; am I capable of independent self-control Initiative vs Guilt correct answer: 3-6 yrs; can i play with my own things or should I feel guilty for trying to carry out my own bold plans? Industry vs Inferiority correct answer: 6-12 yrs; can I learn and master new skills; can I complete tasks Identity vs Role Confusion correct answer: Adolescence; what kind of person do I represent? Intimacy vs Isolation correct answer: Young adulthood; question the meaning of relationships with others Generativity vs Stagnation correct answer: Career and family; focus on the concern about children and future generations Integrity vs Despair correct answer: Late adulthood-death; striving to accept themselves and their pasts Gender Schemas correct answer: Specific patterns of behavior that are consistent with how society dictates males and females should act Agism correct answer: Discrimination or prejudice against an individual based on physical age Kubler-Ross's Five Psychology Stages of Death correct answer: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance Denial correct answer: "This must be a terrible mistake" Anger correct answer: "Why is this happening?" Bargaining correct answer: "What can I do to stop this terrible thing?" Depression correct answer: "Blot out the sun because all is lost" Acceptance correct answer: "I'm ready to die"