Psychology 181 UNL Final Exam Questions
With Correct Answers
Survey - ANSWER-a descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or
behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample
of the group
ouble-blind procedure - ANSWER-an experimental procedure in which both the
research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the
research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in
drug-evaluation studies.
independent variable - ANSWER-in an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the
variable whose effect is being studied
confounding variable - ANSWER-a factor other than the factor being studied that might
produce an effect
dependent variable - ANSWER-in an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the
variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated
testing effect - ANSWER-enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply
rereading, information
SQ3R - ANSWER-a study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read,
Retrieve, Review.
biological psychology - ANSWER-the scientific study of the links between biological
(genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.
neuron - ANSWER-a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.
dendrites - ANSWER-a neuron's often bushy, branching extensions that receive
messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
axon - ANSWER-the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to
other neurons or to muscles or glands.
myelin sheath - ANSWER-a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some
neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one
node to the next.
,glial cells - ANSWER-cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect
neurons; they may also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory.
action potential - ANSWER-a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down
an axon
depolarization - ANSWER-the loss of the inside/outside charge difference and causes
the next section of axon channels to open, and then the next, like a line of falling
dominos.
threshold - ANSWER-the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.
inhibitory signals - ANSWER-pushing a neuron's brake
excitatory signals - ANSWER-pushing a neuron's accelerator
all-or-none response - ANSWER-a neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full-strength
response) or not firing.
refractory period - ANSWER-in neuroscience, a brief resting pause that occurs after a
neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its
resting state
synapse - ANSWER-the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the
dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.
synaptic gap - ANSWER-The tiny gap at this junction
neurotransmitters - ANSWER-chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps
between neurons.
reuptake - ANSWER-a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron
endorphins - ANSWER-natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and
to pleasure
critical thinking - ANSWER-thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and
conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden
biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.
Psychology - ANSWER-the science of behavior and mental processes
curiosity, skepticism, and humility - ANSWER-three attitudes that make science
possible
, Wilhelm Wundt - ANSWER-Who established the first psychology laboratory at the
University of Leipzig, Germany?
structuralism - ANSWER-early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener;
used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.
functionalism - ANSWER-early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by
Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function—how they enable the
organism to adapt, survive, and flourish
introspection - ANSWER-(looking inward) immediate sensations and reactions
behaviorism - ANSWER-the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science
that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most psychologists
today agree with (1) but not with (2).
Freudian psychology - ANSWER-emphasized the ways our unconscious thought
processes and emotional responses to childhood experiences affect our behavior.
humanistic psychologists - ANSWER-Founded by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow,
historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential.
Cognitive psychology - ANSWER-scientific exploration of how we perceive, process,
and remember information, and the cognitive roots of anxiety, depression, and other
psychological disorders.
Cognitive neuroscience - ANSWER-the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked
with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language
natural selection - ANSWER-the principle that those chance inherited traits that better
enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely
be passed on to succeeding generation
evolutionary psychology - ANSWER-the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind,
using principles of natural selection
behavior genetics - ANSWER-the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and
environmental influences on behavior.
positive psychology - ANSWER-the scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals
of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and
communities to thrive.
biopsychosocial approach - ANSWER-an integrated approach that incorporates
biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.
With Correct Answers
Survey - ANSWER-a descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or
behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample
of the group
ouble-blind procedure - ANSWER-an experimental procedure in which both the
research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the
research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in
drug-evaluation studies.
independent variable - ANSWER-in an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the
variable whose effect is being studied
confounding variable - ANSWER-a factor other than the factor being studied that might
produce an effect
dependent variable - ANSWER-in an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the
variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated
testing effect - ANSWER-enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply
rereading, information
SQ3R - ANSWER-a study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read,
Retrieve, Review.
biological psychology - ANSWER-the scientific study of the links between biological
(genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.
neuron - ANSWER-a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.
dendrites - ANSWER-a neuron's often bushy, branching extensions that receive
messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
axon - ANSWER-the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to
other neurons or to muscles or glands.
myelin sheath - ANSWER-a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some
neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one
node to the next.
,glial cells - ANSWER-cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect
neurons; they may also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory.
action potential - ANSWER-a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down
an axon
depolarization - ANSWER-the loss of the inside/outside charge difference and causes
the next section of axon channels to open, and then the next, like a line of falling
dominos.
threshold - ANSWER-the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.
inhibitory signals - ANSWER-pushing a neuron's brake
excitatory signals - ANSWER-pushing a neuron's accelerator
all-or-none response - ANSWER-a neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full-strength
response) or not firing.
refractory period - ANSWER-in neuroscience, a brief resting pause that occurs after a
neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its
resting state
synapse - ANSWER-the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the
dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.
synaptic gap - ANSWER-The tiny gap at this junction
neurotransmitters - ANSWER-chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps
between neurons.
reuptake - ANSWER-a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron
endorphins - ANSWER-natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and
to pleasure
critical thinking - ANSWER-thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and
conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden
biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.
Psychology - ANSWER-the science of behavior and mental processes
curiosity, skepticism, and humility - ANSWER-three attitudes that make science
possible
, Wilhelm Wundt - ANSWER-Who established the first psychology laboratory at the
University of Leipzig, Germany?
structuralism - ANSWER-early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener;
used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.
functionalism - ANSWER-early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by
Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function—how they enable the
organism to adapt, survive, and flourish
introspection - ANSWER-(looking inward) immediate sensations and reactions
behaviorism - ANSWER-the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science
that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most psychologists
today agree with (1) but not with (2).
Freudian psychology - ANSWER-emphasized the ways our unconscious thought
processes and emotional responses to childhood experiences affect our behavior.
humanistic psychologists - ANSWER-Founded by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow,
historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential.
Cognitive psychology - ANSWER-scientific exploration of how we perceive, process,
and remember information, and the cognitive roots of anxiety, depression, and other
psychological disorders.
Cognitive neuroscience - ANSWER-the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked
with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language
natural selection - ANSWER-the principle that those chance inherited traits that better
enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely
be passed on to succeeding generation
evolutionary psychology - ANSWER-the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind,
using principles of natural selection
behavior genetics - ANSWER-the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and
environmental influences on behavior.
positive psychology - ANSWER-the scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals
of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and
communities to thrive.
biopsychosocial approach - ANSWER-an integrated approach that incorporates
biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.
