PSYCH 121 EXAM CH 1-4 QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026

PSYCH 121 EXAM CH 1-4 QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026 Chapter 1: Scientific Understanding of Behavior - Answers Scientific Inquiry - Answers A systematic process of asking questions, forming hypotheses, collecting data, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. Scientific Approach - Answers A method of gaining knowledge through observation, experimentation, and evidence. Authority - Answers Believing something is true because an expert or trusted source says it is. Intuition - Answers Believing something is true based on personal feelings or instinct rather than evidence. Pseudoscience - Answers Claims that appear scientific but are not supported by scientific evidence or proper research methods. Peer Review - Answers The process where other experts evaluate research before it is published to ensure quality and accuracy. Why Research Methods Matter - Answers They help psychologists understand behavior scientifically, evaluate research critically, and make informed decisions. Chapter 2: Research Ideas / Where to Start - Answers Research Question - Answers A clear, focused question that a study aims to answer. Hypothesis - Answers A testable prediction about the relationship between variables. Prediction - Answers A specific expected outcome based on a hypothesis. Theory - Answers A well-supported explanation of a phenomenon that organizes observations and predicts future outcomes. Sources of Research Ideas - Answers Common sense Practical problems Observations Existing theories vPast research PsycINFO - Answers A database used to search scholarly psychology research articles. Google Scholar - Answers A search engine that finds academic articles, theses, books, and conference papers. Empirical Research Article - Answers A scientific article reporting the results of an original research study. Abstract - Answers A brief summary of the research article including purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. Introduction - Answers Explains background research and the purpose of the study. Methods - Answers Describes participants, materials, and procedures used in the study. Results - Answers Reports the findings and statistical analyses. Discussion - Answers Interprets results and explains their meaning and implications. Chapter 3: Ethics in Behavioral Research - Answers Belmont Report - Answers A set of ethical guidelines for research involving human participants. Beneficence - Answers Researchers must maximize benefits and minimize harm. Respect for Persons (Autonomy) - Answers Participants must voluntarily agree to participate and give informed consent. Justice - Answers Participants should be selected fairly and benefits and risks should be distributed equally. Beneficence/Nonmaleficence - Answers Researchers should promote well-being and avoid causing harm. Fidelity and Responsibility - Answers Researchers must build trust and be responsible in professional relationships. Integrity - Answers Researchers must be honest and truthful in research practices. Justice (APA Principle) - Answers All people should have equal access to research benefits. Respect for People's Rights and Dignity - Answers Protect privacy, confidentiality, and individual rights Risk-Benefit Analysis - Answers Evaluating potential risks of a study compared to the benefits of the research. Informed Consent - Answers Participants must be informed about the study and voluntarily agree to participate. Assent - Answers Agreement to participate from someone not legally able to give full consent (such as a child). Deception - Answers Misleading participants about the true purpose of a study when necessary for research. Debriefing - Answers Explaining the true purpose of the study to participants after the research is completed. IRB (Institutional Review Board) - Answers A committee that reviews research involving humans to ensure ethical standards. Minimal Risk - Answers Harm or discomfort not greater than everyday life. Greater Than Minimal Risk - Answers Research that may involve higher levels of risk. IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) - Answers A committee that oversees ethical treatment of animals in research. Research (HHS Definition) - Answers A systematic investigation designed to contribute to generalizable knowledge. Plagiarism - Answers Using someone else's ideas or words without proper credit. Stanford Prison Experiment - Answers A famous study showing how power roles influence behavior but criticized for serious ethical violations. Chapter 4: Fundamental Research Issues - Answers Variable - Answers Anything that can change or have different values. Theoretical Definition - Answers A conceptual definition of a variable based on theory. Operational Definition - Answers The specific procedures used to measure or manipulate a variable. Construct Validity - Answers How well a measurement represents the concept it is intended to measure. Internal Validity - Answers The extent to which a study shows a true cause-and-effect relationship. External Validity - Answers The degree to which results can be generalized to other populations or situations. Independent Variable (IV) - Answers The variable manipulated by the researcher. Dependent Variable (DV) - Answers The variable measured to see if it changes. Correlation - Answers A relationship between two variables. Correlation Coefficient (r) - Answers A number from −1 to +1 indicating the strength and direction of a relationship. Positive Linear Relationship - Answers As one variable increases, the other increases. Negative Linear Relationship - Answers As one variable increases, the other decreases Curvilinear Relationship - Answers The relationship changes direction at some point. Nonlinear Relationship - Answers A relationship that does not follow a straight line. Experimental Method - Answers A research design where the independent variable is manipulated. Nonexperimental Method - Answers A research design where variables are observed but not manipulated. Confounding Variable - Answers An outside variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables, making results unclear.