WGU C180 Study Guide Exam Questions
With Correct Answers
What do psychologists study? - correct answer(s) ✔✔ • Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? - correct
answer(s) ✔✔ 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.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? - correct answer(s) ✔✔ A specific and falsifiable
prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - correct answer(s) ✔✔ 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
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - correct answer(s) ✔✔
These are needed with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm
to the participants.
,What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - correct answer(s) ✔✔
Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
What is descriptive research? - correct answer(s) ✔✔ research designed to provide a snapshot
of the current state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research - correct answer(s) ✔✔ research designed to discover
relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from present
knowledge.
What is Experimental Research - correct answer(s) ✔✔ 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.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - correct answer(s) ✔✔ 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"."
Independent Variable - correct answer(s) ✔✔ The variable in an experiment that is
manipulated or compared
Dependent Variable - correct answer(s) ✔✔ The variable in an experiment that is measured;
the outcome of an experiment
,Control Group - correct answer(s) ✔✔ The group of subjects in an experiment that does not
receive the independent variable
Experimental Group - correct answer(s) ✔✔ EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the
independent variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. - correct answer(s)
✔✔ research designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction
of future events from present knowledge.
Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - correct answer(s) ✔✔
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."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? -
correct answer(s) ✔✔ 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."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? - correct answer(s)
✔✔ Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
, Cell Body (Soma) - correct answer(s) ✔✔ contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell
alive
Dendrites - correct answer(s) ✔✔ a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from
other cells and sends the information to the soma
Axon - correct answer(s) ✔✔ a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from
the cell body toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath - correct answer(s) ✔✔ Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed
neural impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? - correct answer(s) ✔✔
Neurochemical messengers that are released by terminal buttons when an action potential
triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric Acid), Glutamate,
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) - correct answer(s) ✔✔ Used in spinal cord to simulate
muscle contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply
associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine - correct answer(s) ✔✔ Used as brains reward system. Involved
in movement, motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under
supply = Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins - correct answer(s) ✔✔ Released in response to behaviors such
as exercise, orgasm, and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
With Correct Answers
What do psychologists study? - correct answer(s) ✔✔ • Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? - correct
answer(s) ✔✔ 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.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? - correct answer(s) ✔✔ A specific and falsifiable
prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - correct answer(s) ✔✔ 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
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - correct answer(s) ✔✔
These are needed with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm
to the participants.
,What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - correct answer(s) ✔✔
Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
What is descriptive research? - correct answer(s) ✔✔ research designed to provide a snapshot
of the current state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research - correct answer(s) ✔✔ research designed to discover
relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from present
knowledge.
What is Experimental Research - correct answer(s) ✔✔ 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.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - correct answer(s) ✔✔ 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"."
Independent Variable - correct answer(s) ✔✔ The variable in an experiment that is
manipulated or compared
Dependent Variable - correct answer(s) ✔✔ The variable in an experiment that is measured;
the outcome of an experiment
,Control Group - correct answer(s) ✔✔ The group of subjects in an experiment that does not
receive the independent variable
Experimental Group - correct answer(s) ✔✔ EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the
independent variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. - correct answer(s)
✔✔ research designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction
of future events from present knowledge.
Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - correct answer(s) ✔✔
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."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? -
correct answer(s) ✔✔ 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."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? - correct answer(s)
✔✔ Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
, Cell Body (Soma) - correct answer(s) ✔✔ contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell
alive
Dendrites - correct answer(s) ✔✔ a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from
other cells and sends the information to the soma
Axon - correct answer(s) ✔✔ a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from
the cell body toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath - correct answer(s) ✔✔ Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed
neural impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? - correct answer(s) ✔✔
Neurochemical messengers that are released by terminal buttons when an action potential
triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric Acid), Glutamate,
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) - correct answer(s) ✔✔ Used in spinal cord to simulate
muscle contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply
associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine - correct answer(s) ✔✔ Used as brains reward system. Involved
in movement, motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under
supply = Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins - correct answer(s) ✔✔ Released in response to behaviors such
as exercise, orgasm, and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
