MTTC Psychology (011) Test Flashcard Study System
MTTC Psychology (011) Flashcards — 1–20
Foundations & Research Methods
Flashcard 1
Q: Which perspective emphasizes observable behavior rather than internal mental processes?
A: Behaviorism
Rationale: Behaviorism, founded by John Watson and B.F. Skinner, focuses on measurable behavior
and learning through conditioning, ignoring unobservable mental states.
Flashcard 2
Q: Experimental research is important because it?
A: Allows determination of cause-and-effect relationships
Rationale: By manipulating independent variables and controlling extraneous factors, experiments
can show causation rather than just correlation.
Flashcard 3
Q: A positive correlation indicates?
A: Both variables increase or decrease together
Rationale: Positive correlation means higher values of one variable are associated with higher values
of the other (and vice versa).
Flashcard 4
Q: Which measure of central tendency is most affected by extreme scores?
A: Mean
Rationale: Extreme values (outliers) can skew the mean, whereas median and mode are less
sensitive.
Flashcard 5
Q: Validity in research refers to?
A: The accuracy in measuring what a study or test claims to measure
Rationale: A study/test may be reliable (consistent) but not valid (accurate). Validity ensures
meaningful, interpretable results.
Biological Bases of Behavior
Flashcard 6
Q: Dendrites of a neuron function to?
A: Receive incoming signals from other neurons
Rationale: Dendrites transmit information to the cell body, where it is integrated and passed down
the axon.
Flashcard 7
Q: Low levels of serotonin are linked to?
, A: Depression
Rationale: Serotonin regulates mood, sleep, and appetite; imbalances contribute to mood disorders.
Flashcard 8
Q: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for?
A: Fight-or-flight response
Rationale: It prepares the body for emergency action by increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and
mobilizing energy.
Flashcard 9
Q: The frontal lobe is primarily responsible for?
A: Executive functions and decision-making
Rationale: It controls planning, reasoning, problem-solving, and impulse regulation.
Flashcard 10
Q: Damage to the hippocampus results in?
A: Difficulty forming new memories
Rationale: The hippocampus is critical for transferring information from short-term to long-term
memory.
Learning & Cognition
Flashcard 11
Q: Who first described classical conditioning?
A: Ivan Pavlov
Rationale: Pavlov’s experiments with dogs demonstrated learning via association between stimuli
(bell) and responses (salivation).
Flashcard 12
Q: Positive reinforcement increases behavior by?
A: Adding a rewarding stimulus
Rationale: Rewards encourage repetition of desirable behavior (e.g., praise or treats).
Flashcard 13
Q: Negative reinforcement increases behavior by?
A: Removing an aversive stimulus
Rationale: Behavior increases when an unpleasant condition is removed (e.g., taking painkillers to
stop headache).
Flashcard 14
Q: Semantic memory involves?
A: Facts and general knowledge
Rationale: Semantic memory stores knowledge about the world, vocabulary, and concepts, separate
from personal experiences.
Flashcard 15
Q: Procedural memory supports?
A: Skills and habits
Rationale: Procedural memory involves automatic performance of learned actions (e.g., riding a bike,
typing).
MTTC Psychology (011) Flashcards — 1–20
Foundations & Research Methods
Flashcard 1
Q: Which perspective emphasizes observable behavior rather than internal mental processes?
A: Behaviorism
Rationale: Behaviorism, founded by John Watson and B.F. Skinner, focuses on measurable behavior
and learning through conditioning, ignoring unobservable mental states.
Flashcard 2
Q: Experimental research is important because it?
A: Allows determination of cause-and-effect relationships
Rationale: By manipulating independent variables and controlling extraneous factors, experiments
can show causation rather than just correlation.
Flashcard 3
Q: A positive correlation indicates?
A: Both variables increase or decrease together
Rationale: Positive correlation means higher values of one variable are associated with higher values
of the other (and vice versa).
Flashcard 4
Q: Which measure of central tendency is most affected by extreme scores?
A: Mean
Rationale: Extreme values (outliers) can skew the mean, whereas median and mode are less
sensitive.
Flashcard 5
Q: Validity in research refers to?
A: The accuracy in measuring what a study or test claims to measure
Rationale: A study/test may be reliable (consistent) but not valid (accurate). Validity ensures
meaningful, interpretable results.
Biological Bases of Behavior
Flashcard 6
Q: Dendrites of a neuron function to?
A: Receive incoming signals from other neurons
Rationale: Dendrites transmit information to the cell body, where it is integrated and passed down
the axon.
Flashcard 7
Q: Low levels of serotonin are linked to?
, A: Depression
Rationale: Serotonin regulates mood, sleep, and appetite; imbalances contribute to mood disorders.
Flashcard 8
Q: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for?
A: Fight-or-flight response
Rationale: It prepares the body for emergency action by increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and
mobilizing energy.
Flashcard 9
Q: The frontal lobe is primarily responsible for?
A: Executive functions and decision-making
Rationale: It controls planning, reasoning, problem-solving, and impulse regulation.
Flashcard 10
Q: Damage to the hippocampus results in?
A: Difficulty forming new memories
Rationale: The hippocampus is critical for transferring information from short-term to long-term
memory.
Learning & Cognition
Flashcard 11
Q: Who first described classical conditioning?
A: Ivan Pavlov
Rationale: Pavlov’s experiments with dogs demonstrated learning via association between stimuli
(bell) and responses (salivation).
Flashcard 12
Q: Positive reinforcement increases behavior by?
A: Adding a rewarding stimulus
Rationale: Rewards encourage repetition of desirable behavior (e.g., praise or treats).
Flashcard 13
Q: Negative reinforcement increases behavior by?
A: Removing an aversive stimulus
Rationale: Behavior increases when an unpleasant condition is removed (e.g., taking painkillers to
stop headache).
Flashcard 14
Q: Semantic memory involves?
A: Facts and general knowledge
Rationale: Semantic memory stores knowledge about the world, vocabulary, and concepts, separate
from personal experiences.
Flashcard 15
Q: Procedural memory supports?
A: Skills and habits
Rationale: Procedural memory involves automatic performance of learned actions (e.g., riding a bike,
typing).
