Instructor Manual: Coon, Introduction to Psychology 2027, 9798214158242; Chapter 1: The Foundations of Psychological Science
Instructor Manual
Coon, Introduction to Psychology 2027, 9798214158242;
Chapter 1: The Foundations of Psychological Science
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................2
Cengage Supplements....................................................................................................2
Chapter Objectives........................................................................................................2
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments.................................................3
Key Terms.....................................................................................................................4
What's New in This Chapter........................................................................................9
Chapter Outline...........................................................................................................10
Discussion Questions..................................................................................................11
Additional Activities and Assignments.......................................................................13
Additional Resources..................................................................................................16
External Videos and Podcasts..................................................................................................................16
Internet Resources....................................................................................................................................18
Primary Sources and Additional Readings..............................................................................................19
Appendix.....................................................................................................................22
Generic Rubrics....................................................................................................................................... 22
Standard Writing Rubric.......................................................................................................................... 22
Standard Discussion Rubric.....................................................................................................................23
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 1
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Coon, Introduction to Psychology 2027, 9798214158242; Chapter 1: The Foundations of Psychological Science
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students to the discipline of psychology. The chapter explains
why psychology is a science and what psychologists do. A brief history of psychological science is
provided, and the contemporary perspectives and the biopsychosocial model are discussed. Goals of
contemporary psychology and the roles of critical thinking and the scientific methods are reviewed.
Experimental and nonexperimental research methods used in psychology are described, along with the
strengths and drawbacks of each approach. The chapter ends with a discussion of information literacy and
applying critical thinking skills to evaluate information on social media.
CENGAGE SUPPLEMENTS
The following product-level supplements provide additional information that may help you in preparing
your course. They are available in the Instructor Resource Center.
Transition Guide (provides information about what is new from edition to edition)
MindTap Education Guide (lists and describes MindTap activities you can integrate into your
course and provides the default point allocation)
Test Bank (contains assessment questions and problems)
PowerPoint (provides text-based lectures and presentations)
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1.1.1 Explain why people fail to recognize that “commonsense” beliefs are often false
1.1.2 Distinguish among superstition, pseudoscience, and science
1.2.1 Name some areas in which psychological scientists do research
1.2.2 Describe the work carried out by clinical and counseling psychologists, as well as other
mental health professionals.
1.3.1 Explain the method that Wundt and Titchener used to study conscious experience and the
limitations of this method
1.3.2 Contrast Titchener’s structuralist approach to psychology with (a) the Gestalt approach
developed by Wertheimer, (b) the functionalist approach developed by James, (c) the
behaviorist approach developed by Watson and Skinner, (d) the psychoanalytic approach
developed by Freud, (e) the cognitive approach, and (f) the humanist approach developed by
Maslow and Rogers
1.4.1 Explain the three broad perspectives that comprise the biopsychosocial model
1.4.2 Explain the advantages of the biopsychosocial model for describing complex behavior
1.4.3 Explain why early psychological research was prone to gender and cultural bias
1.5.1 Explain the goals of contemporary psychology
1.5.2 Outline the six steps of the scientific method
1.5.3 Describe three types of data gathered by psychological scientists, including the challenges
faced by psychologists who use them
1.6.1 Differentiate between independent, dependent, and extraneous variables in an experiment
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 2
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Coon, Introduction to Psychology 2027, 9798214158242; Chapter 1: The Foundations of Psychological Science
1.6.2 Explain how experiments allow psychological scientists to make statements about cause and
effect
1.6.3 Outline how psychological scientists evaluate the results of an experiment
1.6.4 Describe two problems associated with experiments, and how they can be controlled
1.7.1 Differentiate between quasi-experiments and true experiments
1.7.2 Explain what is meant by correlational research, and how the degree of association between
two variables is assessed in correlational research
1.7.3 Describe the conditions under which case studies are useful
1.8.1 Define critical thinking, and identify the five principles of critical thinking
1.8.2 Name six ways that people can critically evaluate information found in the popular press and
on social media
1.8.3 Create a plan to analyze and evaluate information that you are exposed to in the popular press
and on social media
COMPLETE LIST OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES AND
ASSESSMENTS
For additional guidance refer to MindTap Education Guide or Teaching Online Guide for resources for
Chapter Activities and Assessments.
[return to top]
KEY TERMS
Animal model In research, an animal whose behavior is studied to derive principles that may apply to
human behavior.
Behavioral genetics Approach that emphasizes how genes interact with the environment to impact
mental processes and behavior.
Behaviorism School of thought in psychology that emphasizes study of observable actions over study
of the mind.
Biased sample A subpart of a larger population that does not accurately reflect characteristics of the
whole population.
Biological perspective The attempt to explain mental processes and behavior using underlying
biological principles.
Biopsychosocial model An approach acknowledging that biological, psychological, and
sociocultural factors interact to influence human behavior and mental processes.
Case study (clinical method) A nonexperimental study in which researchers carry out an in-depth
analysis of the behavior of one person or a small number of people.
Causation The act of causing some effect.
Clinical psychologist A psychologist who specializes in the treatment of psychological and
behavioral disturbances or who does research on such disturbances.
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 3
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Coon, Introduction to Psychology 2027, 9798214158242; Chapter 1: The Foundations of Psychological Science
Clinical social worker A community-based mental health professional who treats problems that do
not involve serious mental disorders.
Cognitive psychology The study of information processing, remembering, thinking, reasoning, and
problem-solving.
Cognitive unconscious The part of the mind in which much of our thinking takes place outside of
subjective awareness and is not open to introspection.
Confirmation bias The tendency to remember or notice information that fits one’s expectations,
while forgetting or ignoring discrepancies.
Control In psychological research, altering conditions that influence behavior.
Control group Subjects in an experimental study who do not receive the treatment being investigated.
Correlation The existence of a consistent, systematic relationship between two events, measures, or
variables.
Correlation coefficient A statistical index ranging from –1.00 to +1.00 that indicates the direction
and degree of correlation.
Correlational research A nonexperimental study that quantifies the degree to which events,
measures, or variables are associated.
Counseling psychologist A psychologist who specializes in the treatment of milder emotional and
behavioral disturbances.
Counselor A mental health professional who specializes in helping people with problems that do not
involve serious mental disorders.
Cultural relativity The idea that behavior must be judged relative to the values of the culture in
which it occurs.
Dependent variable The element of an experiment that measures any effect of the manipulation.
Description In psychological research, the process of naming and classifying.
Determinism The idea that all behavior has prior causes that would completely explain one’s choices
and actions if all such causes were known.
Double-blind study Research in which neither the observer nor the subjects know which subjects
received which treatment.
Dynamic unconscious In Freudian theory, the parts of the mind that are beyond awareness,
especially conflicts, impulses, and desires not directly known to a person.
Evolutionary psychology Approach that emphasizes inherited, adaptive aspects of behavior and
mental processes over many generations.
Experiment A study in which the investigator manipulates at least one variable while measuring at
least one other variable.
Experimental group Subjects in an experimental study who receive the treatment being investigated.
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 4
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Instructor Manual
Coon, Introduction to Psychology 2027, 9798214158242;
Chapter 1: The Foundations of Psychological Science
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................2
Cengage Supplements....................................................................................................2
Chapter Objectives........................................................................................................2
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments.................................................3
Key Terms.....................................................................................................................4
What's New in This Chapter........................................................................................9
Chapter Outline...........................................................................................................10
Discussion Questions..................................................................................................11
Additional Activities and Assignments.......................................................................13
Additional Resources..................................................................................................16
External Videos and Podcasts..................................................................................................................16
Internet Resources....................................................................................................................................18
Primary Sources and Additional Readings..............................................................................................19
Appendix.....................................................................................................................22
Generic Rubrics....................................................................................................................................... 22
Standard Writing Rubric.......................................................................................................................... 22
Standard Discussion Rubric.....................................................................................................................23
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 1
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Coon, Introduction to Psychology 2027, 9798214158242; Chapter 1: The Foundations of Psychological Science
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students to the discipline of psychology. The chapter explains
why psychology is a science and what psychologists do. A brief history of psychological science is
provided, and the contemporary perspectives and the biopsychosocial model are discussed. Goals of
contemporary psychology and the roles of critical thinking and the scientific methods are reviewed.
Experimental and nonexperimental research methods used in psychology are described, along with the
strengths and drawbacks of each approach. The chapter ends with a discussion of information literacy and
applying critical thinking skills to evaluate information on social media.
CENGAGE SUPPLEMENTS
The following product-level supplements provide additional information that may help you in preparing
your course. They are available in the Instructor Resource Center.
Transition Guide (provides information about what is new from edition to edition)
MindTap Education Guide (lists and describes MindTap activities you can integrate into your
course and provides the default point allocation)
Test Bank (contains assessment questions and problems)
PowerPoint (provides text-based lectures and presentations)
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1.1.1 Explain why people fail to recognize that “commonsense” beliefs are often false
1.1.2 Distinguish among superstition, pseudoscience, and science
1.2.1 Name some areas in which psychological scientists do research
1.2.2 Describe the work carried out by clinical and counseling psychologists, as well as other
mental health professionals.
1.3.1 Explain the method that Wundt and Titchener used to study conscious experience and the
limitations of this method
1.3.2 Contrast Titchener’s structuralist approach to psychology with (a) the Gestalt approach
developed by Wertheimer, (b) the functionalist approach developed by James, (c) the
behaviorist approach developed by Watson and Skinner, (d) the psychoanalytic approach
developed by Freud, (e) the cognitive approach, and (f) the humanist approach developed by
Maslow and Rogers
1.4.1 Explain the three broad perspectives that comprise the biopsychosocial model
1.4.2 Explain the advantages of the biopsychosocial model for describing complex behavior
1.4.3 Explain why early psychological research was prone to gender and cultural bias
1.5.1 Explain the goals of contemporary psychology
1.5.2 Outline the six steps of the scientific method
1.5.3 Describe three types of data gathered by psychological scientists, including the challenges
faced by psychologists who use them
1.6.1 Differentiate between independent, dependent, and extraneous variables in an experiment
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 2
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Coon, Introduction to Psychology 2027, 9798214158242; Chapter 1: The Foundations of Psychological Science
1.6.2 Explain how experiments allow psychological scientists to make statements about cause and
effect
1.6.3 Outline how psychological scientists evaluate the results of an experiment
1.6.4 Describe two problems associated with experiments, and how they can be controlled
1.7.1 Differentiate between quasi-experiments and true experiments
1.7.2 Explain what is meant by correlational research, and how the degree of association between
two variables is assessed in correlational research
1.7.3 Describe the conditions under which case studies are useful
1.8.1 Define critical thinking, and identify the five principles of critical thinking
1.8.2 Name six ways that people can critically evaluate information found in the popular press and
on social media
1.8.3 Create a plan to analyze and evaluate information that you are exposed to in the popular press
and on social media
COMPLETE LIST OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES AND
ASSESSMENTS
For additional guidance refer to MindTap Education Guide or Teaching Online Guide for resources for
Chapter Activities and Assessments.
[return to top]
KEY TERMS
Animal model In research, an animal whose behavior is studied to derive principles that may apply to
human behavior.
Behavioral genetics Approach that emphasizes how genes interact with the environment to impact
mental processes and behavior.
Behaviorism School of thought in psychology that emphasizes study of observable actions over study
of the mind.
Biased sample A subpart of a larger population that does not accurately reflect characteristics of the
whole population.
Biological perspective The attempt to explain mental processes and behavior using underlying
biological principles.
Biopsychosocial model An approach acknowledging that biological, psychological, and
sociocultural factors interact to influence human behavior and mental processes.
Case study (clinical method) A nonexperimental study in which researchers carry out an in-depth
analysis of the behavior of one person or a small number of people.
Causation The act of causing some effect.
Clinical psychologist A psychologist who specializes in the treatment of psychological and
behavioral disturbances or who does research on such disturbances.
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 3
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Coon, Introduction to Psychology 2027, 9798214158242; Chapter 1: The Foundations of Psychological Science
Clinical social worker A community-based mental health professional who treats problems that do
not involve serious mental disorders.
Cognitive psychology The study of information processing, remembering, thinking, reasoning, and
problem-solving.
Cognitive unconscious The part of the mind in which much of our thinking takes place outside of
subjective awareness and is not open to introspection.
Confirmation bias The tendency to remember or notice information that fits one’s expectations,
while forgetting or ignoring discrepancies.
Control In psychological research, altering conditions that influence behavior.
Control group Subjects in an experimental study who do not receive the treatment being investigated.
Correlation The existence of a consistent, systematic relationship between two events, measures, or
variables.
Correlation coefficient A statistical index ranging from –1.00 to +1.00 that indicates the direction
and degree of correlation.
Correlational research A nonexperimental study that quantifies the degree to which events,
measures, or variables are associated.
Counseling psychologist A psychologist who specializes in the treatment of milder emotional and
behavioral disturbances.
Counselor A mental health professional who specializes in helping people with problems that do not
involve serious mental disorders.
Cultural relativity The idea that behavior must be judged relative to the values of the culture in
which it occurs.
Dependent variable The element of an experiment that measures any effect of the manipulation.
Description In psychological research, the process of naming and classifying.
Determinism The idea that all behavior has prior causes that would completely explain one’s choices
and actions if all such causes were known.
Double-blind study Research in which neither the observer nor the subjects know which subjects
received which treatment.
Dynamic unconscious In Freudian theory, the parts of the mind that are beyond awareness,
especially conflicts, impulses, and desires not directly known to a person.
Evolutionary psychology Approach that emphasizes inherited, adaptive aspects of behavior and
mental processes over many generations.
Experiment A study in which the investigator manipulates at least one variable while measuring at
least one other variable.
Experimental group Subjects in an experimental study who receive the treatment being investigated.
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 4
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
