PSYCHOLOGY CHAPTER 1 EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
Psychology - Answer-Science of behavior and mental processes
Describe, Predict, Control - Answer-3 Goals of Psychology (accomplished by Scientific
Method)
Scientific Method - Answer-System of investigation in which a person makes careful
observations, proposes theories, makes hypotheses, and tests a phenomenon
Law of Parsimony - Answer-Tells us to adopt the explanation that requires the fewest
assumptions
Critical Thinking or "Smart Thinking" - Answer-Examines assumptions, discerns hidden
values, evaluates evidence, assesses conclusions
Folk Wisdom - Answer-Can provide an explanation for every conceivable event - as well
as for its exact opposite; answers all situations but explains none
Common Sense - Answer-Describes what has happened more easily than it predicts
what will happen
(1) What is the statement or claim and who is making it? (2) IS the statement or claim
based on scientific observations? (3) What do the statistics reveal? (4) Are their
plausible alternative explanations for the statement or claim? - Answer-4 Guidelines for
Critical Thinking
Theory - Answer-An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and
predits observations
Hypothesis - Answer-A testable prediction often implied by a theory.
Operational Definition - Answer-A statement of procedures used to define research
variables.
(1) Naturalistic Observation, (2) Survey Method, (3) Case Study, (4) Correlational
Design, (5) Expiremental Method - Answer-5 Types of Research Methods
Replication - Answer-Repeating the essence of a research study to see whether the
basic finding generalizes to other subjects and circumstance, usually with different
subjects in different situations.
, Case Study - Answer-An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth
in the hope of revealing universal principles
Survey - Answer-Technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of
people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them.
False Consensus Effect - Answer-Tendency to overestimate the extent to which others
share our beliefs and behaviors
Population - Answer-All the cases in a group from which samples may be drawn for
study.
Random Sample - Answer-A sample that fairly represents a population because each
member has an equal chance of inclusion.
Naturalistic Observation - Answer-Observing and recording behavior in naturally
occuring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.
Correlation Coefficient - Answer-A statistical measure of the extent to which two factors
vary together and thus how well either factor predicts the other; does not tell you cause
and effect
Experiment - Answer-The investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent
variable) to observe their effect on some behavior or mental process (dependent
variable) while controlling other relevent factors by random assignment of subjects.
Experimental Condition - Answer-Condition of an experiment that exposes subjects to
the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
Control Condition - Answer-Condition of an experiment that contrasts with the
experimental treatment; serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the
treatment
Random Assignment - Answer-Assigning subjects to experimental and control
conditions by chance; minimizes pre-existing differences between those assigned to the
different groups.
Independent Variable - Answer-Experimental factor that is manipulated and whose
effect is being studied
Dependent Variable - Answer-Experimental factor that may change in response to
manipulations of the other variable
Culture - Answer-Enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large
group of people and is transmitted from one generation to the next
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
Psychology - Answer-Science of behavior and mental processes
Describe, Predict, Control - Answer-3 Goals of Psychology (accomplished by Scientific
Method)
Scientific Method - Answer-System of investigation in which a person makes careful
observations, proposes theories, makes hypotheses, and tests a phenomenon
Law of Parsimony - Answer-Tells us to adopt the explanation that requires the fewest
assumptions
Critical Thinking or "Smart Thinking" - Answer-Examines assumptions, discerns hidden
values, evaluates evidence, assesses conclusions
Folk Wisdom - Answer-Can provide an explanation for every conceivable event - as well
as for its exact opposite; answers all situations but explains none
Common Sense - Answer-Describes what has happened more easily than it predicts
what will happen
(1) What is the statement or claim and who is making it? (2) IS the statement or claim
based on scientific observations? (3) What do the statistics reveal? (4) Are their
plausible alternative explanations for the statement or claim? - Answer-4 Guidelines for
Critical Thinking
Theory - Answer-An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and
predits observations
Hypothesis - Answer-A testable prediction often implied by a theory.
Operational Definition - Answer-A statement of procedures used to define research
variables.
(1) Naturalistic Observation, (2) Survey Method, (3) Case Study, (4) Correlational
Design, (5) Expiremental Method - Answer-5 Types of Research Methods
Replication - Answer-Repeating the essence of a research study to see whether the
basic finding generalizes to other subjects and circumstance, usually with different
subjects in different situations.
, Case Study - Answer-An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth
in the hope of revealing universal principles
Survey - Answer-Technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of
people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them.
False Consensus Effect - Answer-Tendency to overestimate the extent to which others
share our beliefs and behaviors
Population - Answer-All the cases in a group from which samples may be drawn for
study.
Random Sample - Answer-A sample that fairly represents a population because each
member has an equal chance of inclusion.
Naturalistic Observation - Answer-Observing and recording behavior in naturally
occuring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.
Correlation Coefficient - Answer-A statistical measure of the extent to which two factors
vary together and thus how well either factor predicts the other; does not tell you cause
and effect
Experiment - Answer-The investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent
variable) to observe their effect on some behavior or mental process (dependent
variable) while controlling other relevent factors by random assignment of subjects.
Experimental Condition - Answer-Condition of an experiment that exposes subjects to
the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
Control Condition - Answer-Condition of an experiment that contrasts with the
experimental treatment; serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the
treatment
Random Assignment - Answer-Assigning subjects to experimental and control
conditions by chance; minimizes pre-existing differences between those assigned to the
different groups.
Independent Variable - Answer-Experimental factor that is manipulated and whose
effect is being studied
Dependent Variable - Answer-Experimental factor that may change in response to
manipulations of the other variable
Culture - Answer-Enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large
group of people and is transmitted from one generation to the next
