Test Bank For
Essentials of Psychology, Fifth Edition Bordens Gerow Gerow
Chapters 1-15
Chapter 1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Define psychology.
2. Name the various subfields of psychology. Describe the activities and interests of psycholo-
gists in each subfield.
3. Explain how the subfields of psychology can overlap. Describe how the field of psychology
is linked to other disciplines.
4. Define empiricism.
5. Discuss the history of psychology. Compare the goals, methods, and beliefs associated with
structuralism, Gestalt psychology, psychoanalysis, functionalism, and behaviorism.
6. Compare and contrast the basic assumptions of the following approaches to psychology: bio-
logical, evolutionary, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic. Define eclectic.
7. Explain why psychologists are interested in the influence of culture on behavior and mental
processes. Define and give examples of sociocultural variables. Compare and contrast indi-
vidualist and collectivist cultures.
8. Define critical thinking. Be able to assess claims by using the five-step process presented in
the text.
9. Define and give an example of a hypothesis, operational definition, and variable.
1. Discuss the importance of reliability and validity in evaluating the quality of evidence.
2. Describe the evolution of a theory.
3. List the four main goals of scientific research in psychology.
4. Describe the following research methods, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
each: naturalistic observation, case studies, and surveys.
5. Define correlation. Give an example of a positive correlation and a negative correlation. Ex-
plain how correlation coefficients are interpreted. Explain why correlation does not guarantee
causation.
6. Define and give an example of an experiment. Explain why experiments can establish cause-
and-effect relationships, but other research methods cannot.
7. Define and explain the role of independent and dependent variables, and of experimental and
control groups in an experiment.
8. Define confounding variable. Discuss the problems associated with the following confound-
ing variables: random variables, the placebo effect, and experimenter bias.
9. Define random assignment, placebo, and double-blind design. Explain the purpose of each in
an experiment.
, 19. Define sampling, random sample, and biased sample. Discuss the importance of sampling in
data collection.
10. Give examples of the questions and issues associated with the field of behavioral genetics.
Explain how family, twin, and adoption studies are used to explore the relative roles of ge-
netics and environmental variables in human development.
11. Define data. Summarize the use of descriptive and inferential statistics in evaluating data.
12. Explain the importance of statistically significant research results.
13. Describe the ethical guidelines that psychologists must follow.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Psychology is best defined as the
a. search for treatments of emotional, cognitive, and neurological disorders.
b. use of scientific methods to study the elements of human consciousness.
c. study of the human experience from birth to old age.
d. science of behavior and mental processes.
ANS: D REF: 3 OBJ: 1 KEY: F
2. In his oral presentation class, Kevin gave a speech on the field of psychology. He opened by
saying that psychology is best defined as the scientific study of
a. disorders and therapies. c. behavior and mental processes.
b. motivation and emotion. d. sensation and perception.
ANS: C REF: 3 OBJ: 1 KEY: C/A
3. A cognitive psychologist would be most likely to design a study of
a. how people influence each other.
b. the processes involved in decision making.
c. which characteristics make humans unique.
d. how we can best analyze psychological data.
ANS: B REF: 3 OBJ: 2 KEY: F
Responses:
rpb = .39 A. 3% B. 91% C. 3% D. 3%
4. Psychologists who focus their research on processes such as decision making, problem solving,
and imagination would most likely be considered __________ psychologists.
a. cognitive c. social
b. personality d. industrial-organizational
ANS: A REF: 3 OBJ: 2 KEY: F
Responses:
, rpb = .22 A. 92% B. 5% C. 0% D. 3%
5. After two years of research, Dr. Simon believes that she has discovered a hormone that is directly
related to eating disorders. Dr. Simon is most likely a __________ psychologist.
a. social c. community
b. biological d. cognitive
ANS: B REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
6. Roy is interested in the details of the relationship between brain structures and behavior. Roy is
most likely a __________ psychologist.
a. personality c. biological
b. social d. counseling
ANS: C REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
7. Suzi is interested in studying the reasons that some people tend to pursue social activities in their
free time, whereas others prefer to engage in solitary activities. Suzi is interested in __________
psychology.
a. clinical c. biological
b. developmental d. personality
ANS: D REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
8. Dana is investigating the relationship between optimism and a number of other factors, including
achievement and problem-solving skills. Dana is most likely a __________ psychologist.
a. social c. personality
b. clinical d. quantitative
ANS: C REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
Responses:
rpb = .23 A. 7% B. 8% C. 67% D. 17%
9. Psychologists in which of the following subfields would be most interested in researching changes
over time in human behavioral, emotional, and mental processes?
a. Social psychology c. Cognitive psychology
b. Personality psychology d. Developmental psychology
ANS: D REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: F
Responses:
, rpb = .19 A. 1% B. 3% C. 5% D. 91%
10. Wanda is interested in the various kinds of changes that people go through in old age (sixty-five
years or older). Into which area of specialization in psychology does this research fall?
a. Biological c. Personality
b. Cognitive d. Developmental
ANS: D REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
Responses:
rpb = .49 A. 6% B. 3% C. 3% D. 88%
11. Bob is a psychologist who works for the Educational Testing Service. He is involved in
constructing and evaluating tests and questionnaires. He also develops mathematical methods to
analyze data. Bob is most likely a(n) __________ psychologist.
a. biological c. engineering
b. developmental d. quantitative
ANS: D REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
Responses:
rpb = .20 A. 0% B. 1% C. 2% D. 96%
12. Daria is a forty-year-old woman. When Daria is under stress, she has episodes in which she
believes she is a ten-year-old girl named Rita. Daria has no recollection of these episodes. Daria
would benefit most from the services of a __________ psychologist.
a. community c. personality
b. clinical d. developmental
ANS: B REF: 5 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
13. Dr. Quent studies the causes and treatment of schizophrenia. Dr. Quent is most likely a(n)
__________ psychologist.
a. quantitative c. clinical
b. experimental d. eclectic
ANS: C REF: 5 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
Responses:
Essentials of Psychology, Fifth Edition Bordens Gerow Gerow
Chapters 1-15
Chapter 1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Define psychology.
2. Name the various subfields of psychology. Describe the activities and interests of psycholo-
gists in each subfield.
3. Explain how the subfields of psychology can overlap. Describe how the field of psychology
is linked to other disciplines.
4. Define empiricism.
5. Discuss the history of psychology. Compare the goals, methods, and beliefs associated with
structuralism, Gestalt psychology, psychoanalysis, functionalism, and behaviorism.
6. Compare and contrast the basic assumptions of the following approaches to psychology: bio-
logical, evolutionary, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic. Define eclectic.
7. Explain why psychologists are interested in the influence of culture on behavior and mental
processes. Define and give examples of sociocultural variables. Compare and contrast indi-
vidualist and collectivist cultures.
8. Define critical thinking. Be able to assess claims by using the five-step process presented in
the text.
9. Define and give an example of a hypothesis, operational definition, and variable.
1. Discuss the importance of reliability and validity in evaluating the quality of evidence.
2. Describe the evolution of a theory.
3. List the four main goals of scientific research in psychology.
4. Describe the following research methods, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
each: naturalistic observation, case studies, and surveys.
5. Define correlation. Give an example of a positive correlation and a negative correlation. Ex-
plain how correlation coefficients are interpreted. Explain why correlation does not guarantee
causation.
6. Define and give an example of an experiment. Explain why experiments can establish cause-
and-effect relationships, but other research methods cannot.
7. Define and explain the role of independent and dependent variables, and of experimental and
control groups in an experiment.
8. Define confounding variable. Discuss the problems associated with the following confound-
ing variables: random variables, the placebo effect, and experimenter bias.
9. Define random assignment, placebo, and double-blind design. Explain the purpose of each in
an experiment.
, 19. Define sampling, random sample, and biased sample. Discuss the importance of sampling in
data collection.
10. Give examples of the questions and issues associated with the field of behavioral genetics.
Explain how family, twin, and adoption studies are used to explore the relative roles of ge-
netics and environmental variables in human development.
11. Define data. Summarize the use of descriptive and inferential statistics in evaluating data.
12. Explain the importance of statistically significant research results.
13. Describe the ethical guidelines that psychologists must follow.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Psychology is best defined as the
a. search for treatments of emotional, cognitive, and neurological disorders.
b. use of scientific methods to study the elements of human consciousness.
c. study of the human experience from birth to old age.
d. science of behavior and mental processes.
ANS: D REF: 3 OBJ: 1 KEY: F
2. In his oral presentation class, Kevin gave a speech on the field of psychology. He opened by
saying that psychology is best defined as the scientific study of
a. disorders and therapies. c. behavior and mental processes.
b. motivation and emotion. d. sensation and perception.
ANS: C REF: 3 OBJ: 1 KEY: C/A
3. A cognitive psychologist would be most likely to design a study of
a. how people influence each other.
b. the processes involved in decision making.
c. which characteristics make humans unique.
d. how we can best analyze psychological data.
ANS: B REF: 3 OBJ: 2 KEY: F
Responses:
rpb = .39 A. 3% B. 91% C. 3% D. 3%
4. Psychologists who focus their research on processes such as decision making, problem solving,
and imagination would most likely be considered __________ psychologists.
a. cognitive c. social
b. personality d. industrial-organizational
ANS: A REF: 3 OBJ: 2 KEY: F
Responses:
, rpb = .22 A. 92% B. 5% C. 0% D. 3%
5. After two years of research, Dr. Simon believes that she has discovered a hormone that is directly
related to eating disorders. Dr. Simon is most likely a __________ psychologist.
a. social c. community
b. biological d. cognitive
ANS: B REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
6. Roy is interested in the details of the relationship between brain structures and behavior. Roy is
most likely a __________ psychologist.
a. personality c. biological
b. social d. counseling
ANS: C REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
7. Suzi is interested in studying the reasons that some people tend to pursue social activities in their
free time, whereas others prefer to engage in solitary activities. Suzi is interested in __________
psychology.
a. clinical c. biological
b. developmental d. personality
ANS: D REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
8. Dana is investigating the relationship between optimism and a number of other factors, including
achievement and problem-solving skills. Dana is most likely a __________ psychologist.
a. social c. personality
b. clinical d. quantitative
ANS: C REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
Responses:
rpb = .23 A. 7% B. 8% C. 67% D. 17%
9. Psychologists in which of the following subfields would be most interested in researching changes
over time in human behavioral, emotional, and mental processes?
a. Social psychology c. Cognitive psychology
b. Personality psychology d. Developmental psychology
ANS: D REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: F
Responses:
, rpb = .19 A. 1% B. 3% C. 5% D. 91%
10. Wanda is interested in the various kinds of changes that people go through in old age (sixty-five
years or older). Into which area of specialization in psychology does this research fall?
a. Biological c. Personality
b. Cognitive d. Developmental
ANS: D REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
Responses:
rpb = .49 A. 6% B. 3% C. 3% D. 88%
11. Bob is a psychologist who works for the Educational Testing Service. He is involved in
constructing and evaluating tests and questionnaires. He also develops mathematical methods to
analyze data. Bob is most likely a(n) __________ psychologist.
a. biological c. engineering
b. developmental d. quantitative
ANS: D REF: 4 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
Responses:
rpb = .20 A. 0% B. 1% C. 2% D. 96%
12. Daria is a forty-year-old woman. When Daria is under stress, she has episodes in which she
believes she is a ten-year-old girl named Rita. Daria has no recollection of these episodes. Daria
would benefit most from the services of a __________ psychologist.
a. community c. personality
b. clinical d. developmental
ANS: B REF: 5 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
13. Dr. Quent studies the causes and treatment of schizophrenia. Dr. Quent is most likely a(n)
__________ psychologist.
a. quantitative c. clinical
b. experimental d. eclectic
ANS: C REF: 5 OBJ: 2 KEY: C/A
Responses:
