PSYC 2301 Exam 1 Study Guide UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What is the 3-part definition of psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER - Psychology is the
study of: 1) how the brain takes in information, 2) how the brain processes that information 3)
and what behavior results from this process.
How are academic and clinical psychologists different? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Academic psychologists work in schools, for the most part, doing research or teaching
psychology. Clinical psychologists practice psychology and help others through therapy,
counseling, or diagnosis/prescribing medication.
What is the difference between applied versus basic research? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Basic research focuses on understanding behavior. Applied research focuses on discouraging bad
behavior and promoting good behavior.
We form operational definitions for two reasons. What are they? - CORRECT ANSWER -
So others can 1) replicate and 2) improve our research.
What is the difference between statistical and practical significance and how do you measure
each type of significance? - CORRECT ANSWER - Statistical significance is not
necessarily important or practically significant. We measure significance by effect size.
What are the different research methods used by psychologists? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Naturalistic observation, case studies, surveys, correlations, and experimental research.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of naturalistic observation, case studies, surveys,
correlations, and experimental research? - CORRECT ANSWER - ...
, Phineas Gage accidentally destroyed part of his front lobe. After this accident, how did his
behavior change? - CORRECT ANSWER - His behavior became more inappropriate
versus how he was before which was well-mannered and polite.
What is the difference between populations and samples? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Populations are the entire group in interest, samples are parts of the population used in the
research.
What is the placebo effect? - CORRECT ANSWER - The phenomenon in which the
expectations of the participants in a study can influence their behavior.
How do we get a truly representative sample? - CORRECT ANSWER - Randomly select
from the larger population.
What is a sample of convenience? - CORRECT ANSWER - A collection of individuals
that are easily available to the researcher.
What two pieces of information do correlations give you? - CORRECT ANSWER - How
each variable changes in conjunction with the other, but it does not give you causation.
What is a natural experiment and what is the benefit of engaging in natural experiments? -
CORRECT ANSWER - An experiment taking place in the real world with real people
rather than a simulated environment. The benefit is that behavior will most resemble the real
world since it takes place in the real world.
What is the difference between an independent and dependent variable? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The independent variable changes to cause change in the dependent variable
which stays the same.
What ethical guidelines are enforced by the IRB? - CORRECT ANSWER - Participation
is completely voluntary and each participant must be provided with a consent form.
Researchers aim to minimize harm for those choosing to participate
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What is the 3-part definition of psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER - Psychology is the
study of: 1) how the brain takes in information, 2) how the brain processes that information 3)
and what behavior results from this process.
How are academic and clinical psychologists different? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Academic psychologists work in schools, for the most part, doing research or teaching
psychology. Clinical psychologists practice psychology and help others through therapy,
counseling, or diagnosis/prescribing medication.
What is the difference between applied versus basic research? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Basic research focuses on understanding behavior. Applied research focuses on discouraging bad
behavior and promoting good behavior.
We form operational definitions for two reasons. What are they? - CORRECT ANSWER -
So others can 1) replicate and 2) improve our research.
What is the difference between statistical and practical significance and how do you measure
each type of significance? - CORRECT ANSWER - Statistical significance is not
necessarily important or practically significant. We measure significance by effect size.
What are the different research methods used by psychologists? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Naturalistic observation, case studies, surveys, correlations, and experimental research.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of naturalistic observation, case studies, surveys,
correlations, and experimental research? - CORRECT ANSWER - ...
, Phineas Gage accidentally destroyed part of his front lobe. After this accident, how did his
behavior change? - CORRECT ANSWER - His behavior became more inappropriate
versus how he was before which was well-mannered and polite.
What is the difference between populations and samples? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Populations are the entire group in interest, samples are parts of the population used in the
research.
What is the placebo effect? - CORRECT ANSWER - The phenomenon in which the
expectations of the participants in a study can influence their behavior.
How do we get a truly representative sample? - CORRECT ANSWER - Randomly select
from the larger population.
What is a sample of convenience? - CORRECT ANSWER - A collection of individuals
that are easily available to the researcher.
What two pieces of information do correlations give you? - CORRECT ANSWER - How
each variable changes in conjunction with the other, but it does not give you causation.
What is a natural experiment and what is the benefit of engaging in natural experiments? -
CORRECT ANSWER - An experiment taking place in the real world with real people
rather than a simulated environment. The benefit is that behavior will most resemble the real
world since it takes place in the real world.
What is the difference between an independent and dependent variable? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The independent variable changes to cause change in the dependent variable
which stays the same.
What ethical guidelines are enforced by the IRB? - CORRECT ANSWER - Participation
is completely voluntary and each participant must be provided with a consent form.
Researchers aim to minimize harm for those choosing to participate
