WGU C180 STUDY GUIDE
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,Question 1
What do psychologists study?
Correct Answer
• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
Question 2
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research?
Correct Answer
The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct research. In addition
to requiring that science is verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are free of personal bias.
Question 3
What is the definition of a hypothesis?
Correct Answer
A specific and falsifiable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
Question 4
What is an operational definition? Provide an example.
Correct Answer
An operational definition refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract idea that form the
basis of research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured variable ( varialbes consisting of numbers that
represent the conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative words used in a creative story;
number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
Question 5
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research?
Correct Answer
These are needed with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to the participants.
Question 6
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology?
Correct Answer
Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
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,Question 7
What is descriptive research?
Correct Answer
research designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of affairs.
Question 8
What is Correlational Research
Correct Answer
research designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from
present knowledge.
Question 9
What is Experimental Research
Correct Answer
research in which there is a random assignment of research participants into two groups. This is followed by a
manipulation of a given experience for one group while the other is not manipulated. One group is the experimental
group that receives the manipulation. The other group is the control group that does not. The two groups are then
compared to determine the influence of the manipulation.
Question 10
What is the relationship between a population and a sample?
Correct Answer
The people chosen to participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be representative of all the people
that the researcher wishes to know about, called the population. "Sampling is the process of selecting a
representative group from the population under study. The target population is the total group of individuals from
which the sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take part in the investigation. The people
who take part are referred to as "participants"."
Question 11
Independent Variable
Correct Answer
The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or compared
Question 12
Dependent Variable
Correct Answer
The variable in an experiment that is measured; the outcome of an experiment
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, Question 13
Control Group
Correct Answer
The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable
Question 14
Experimental Group
Correct Answer
EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the independent variable
Question 15
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example.
Correct Answer
research designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from
present knowledge.
Question 16
Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation.
Correct Answer
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 "Negative correlation, the variables move in inverse, or
opposite, directions. As one variable increases, the other variable decreases. For example, there is a negative
correlation between self-esteem and depression. Positive correlation is when there is an increase in one variable it is
associated with an increase in another variable. For example: with height and weight, taller people tend to be
heavier."
Question 17
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs?
Correct Answer
In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations among naturally occurring variables, whereas in
experimental studies the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect on the dependent variable,
and controls the environment in order that extraneous variables may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and
effect. A correlation identifies variables and looks for a relationship between them."
Question 18
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication?
Correct Answer
Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 4 of 43
260+ (Latest 2025-2026 Edition) 100%
Verified Q&A + Answer Key Solutions
100% Guarantee Pass
✓ This Exam contains: WGU C180 Study Guide
✓ 100% Accurate Questions and Answers
✓ 100% Guarantee Pass - Verified by Experts
✓ Each Question Includes The Correct Answer
✓ Expert-Verified
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 1 of 43
,Question 1
What do psychologists study?
Correct Answer
• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
Question 2
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research?
Correct Answer
The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct research. In addition
to requiring that science is verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are free of personal bias.
Question 3
What is the definition of a hypothesis?
Correct Answer
A specific and falsifiable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
Question 4
What is an operational definition? Provide an example.
Correct Answer
An operational definition refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract idea that form the
basis of research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured variable ( varialbes consisting of numbers that
represent the conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative words used in a creative story;
number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
Question 5
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research?
Correct Answer
These are needed with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to the participants.
Question 6
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology?
Correct Answer
Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 2 of 43
,Question 7
What is descriptive research?
Correct Answer
research designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of affairs.
Question 8
What is Correlational Research
Correct Answer
research designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from
present knowledge.
Question 9
What is Experimental Research
Correct Answer
research in which there is a random assignment of research participants into two groups. This is followed by a
manipulation of a given experience for one group while the other is not manipulated. One group is the experimental
group that receives the manipulation. The other group is the control group that does not. The two groups are then
compared to determine the influence of the manipulation.
Question 10
What is the relationship between a population and a sample?
Correct Answer
The people chosen to participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be representative of all the people
that the researcher wishes to know about, called the population. "Sampling is the process of selecting a
representative group from the population under study. The target population is the total group of individuals from
which the sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take part in the investigation. The people
who take part are referred to as "participants"."
Question 11
Independent Variable
Correct Answer
The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or compared
Question 12
Dependent Variable
Correct Answer
The variable in an experiment that is measured; the outcome of an experiment
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 3 of 43
, Question 13
Control Group
Correct Answer
The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable
Question 14
Experimental Group
Correct Answer
EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the independent variable
Question 15
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example.
Correct Answer
research designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from
present knowledge.
Question 16
Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation.
Correct Answer
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 "Negative correlation, the variables move in inverse, or
opposite, directions. As one variable increases, the other variable decreases. For example, there is a negative
correlation between self-esteem and depression. Positive correlation is when there is an increase in one variable it is
associated with an increase in another variable. For example: with height and weight, taller people tend to be
heavier."
Question 17
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs?
Correct Answer
In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations among naturally occurring variables, whereas in
experimental studies the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect on the dependent variable,
and controls the environment in order that extraneous variables may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and
effect. A correlation identifies variables and looks for a relationship between them."
Question 18
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication?
Correct Answer
Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
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