Instructor Manual: Nevid, Essentials of Psychology: Applying the Science of Psychology to Life, 7e, ©2027, 9798214157801; Chapter 1: The
Science of Psychology
Instructor Manual
Nevid, Essentials of Psychology: Applying the Science of Psychology to Life, 7e,
©2027, 9798214157801; Chapter 1: The Science of Psychology
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................2
Chapter Objectives........................................................................................................2
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments.................................................2
Key Terms.....................................................................................................................4
What’s New in This Chapter........................................................................................8
Chapter Outline.............................................................................................................8
Additional Discussion Questions................................................................................10
Additional Activities and Assignments.......................................................................11
External Videos........................................................................................................................................12
Internet Resources....................................................................................................................................12
Primary Sources....................................................................................................................................... 12
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 1
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Nevid, Essentials of Psychology: Applying the Science of Psychology to Life, 7e, ©2027, 9798214157801; Chapter 1: The
Science of Psychology
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students to the scientific field of psychology. The chapter
begins with a brief history of the schools of thought in psychology, their founding figures, and the major
concepts associated with each perspective. Contemporary perspectives are then presented. Specialty areas,
or subfields of psychology are discussed along with the emerging specialty areas. The text then addresses
the gender and ethnic characteristics of psychologists today and how the discipline is working to increase
diversity. The chapter then provides an overview of the scientific method before focusing on the research
methods that psychologists use.
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1.1 Define the term psychology.
1.2 Explain why psychology is a science.
1.3 Identify the early schools of psychology, the important contributors to these schools, and describe
the major concepts associated with each school.
1.4 Describe the major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
1.5 Identify specialty areas or subfields of psychology and emerging specialty areas.
1.6 Describe ethnic and gender characteristics of psychologists today and the changes that have
occurred over time.
1.7 Identify the steps in the scientific method.
1.8 Identify research methods that psychologists use.
1.9 Describe the ethical standards that govern research in psychology.
1.10 Apply critical thinking skills to evaluating claims made by others.
[return to top]
COMPLETE LIST OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES AND
ASSESSMENTS
The following table organizes activities and assessments by objective, so that you can see how all this
content relates to objectives and make decisions about which content you would like to emphasize in your
class based on your objectives. For additional guidance, refer to the Teaching Online Guide.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 2
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Nevid, Essentials of Psychology: Applying the Science of Psychology to Life, 7e, ©2027, 9798214157801; Chapter 1: The
Science of Psychology
Chapter Activity/Assessment Source Duration
Objective
1.1 Icebreaker PowerPoint 10 minutes
1.3 - 1.4 Knowledge Check 1 PowerPoint 5 minutes
1.3 Written Assignment 1 PowerPoint 5-10 minutes
1.4 Written Assignment 2 PowerPoint 10-15 minutes
1.5 Think-Pair-Share 1 PowerPoint 3-5 minutes
1.6 Discussion 1 PowerPoint 10-15 minutes
1.7 Discussion 2 PowerPoint 10-15 minutes
1.8 Knowledge Check 2 PowerPoint 2 minutes
1.9 Think-Pair-Share 2 PowerPoint 5 minutes
1.9 Discussion 3 PowerPoint 10-15 minutes
1.10 Discussion 4 PowerPoint 15-20 minutes
1.1-1.10 Self-Assessment PowerPoint 5-10 minutes
1.1-1.10 Why Does the Science of MindTap 5 minutes
Psychology Matter to Me?
1.4 Learn It: Foundations of Modern MindTap 10 minutes
Psychology
1.5 Learn It: Psychologists: Who Are MindTap 10 minutes
They and What They Do
1.8 Learn It: Research Methods in MindTap 10 minutes
Psychology
1.1-1.10 Study It: Mastery Training: The MindTap 5-15 minutes
Science of Psychology
1.1-1.10 Study It: Student PowerPoint: The MindTap 5-15 minutes
Science of Psychology
1.1-1.10 Study It: Concepts: The Science of MindTap 5-15 minutes
Psychology
1.7 Apply It: Research in the Real MindTap 10 minutes
World: The Research Replication
Crisis
1.10 Apply It: Research in the Real MindTap 10 minutes
World: Psychology Myths
1.7 Apply It: In My Life: Scientific MindTap 10 minutes
Method
1.1-1.10 Apply It: In My Life: Study Habits MindTap 10 minutes
1.1-1.10 Apply It: Quiz: The Science of MindTap 10-15 minutes
Psychology
[return to top]
KEY TERMS
Applied research: Research that attempts to find solutions to specific problems.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 3
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Nevid, Essentials of Psychology: Applying the Science of Psychology to Life, 7e, ©2027, 9798214157801; Chapter 1: The
Science of Psychology
Basic research: Research focused on acquiring knowledge even if such knowledge has no direct
practical application.
Behavior therapy: A form of therapy that involves the systematic application of the principles of
learning.
Behavioral perspective: An approach to the study of psychology that focuses on the role of learning
and the importance of environmental influences in explaining behavior.
Behaviorism: The school of psychology that holds that psychology should limit itself to the study of
overt, observable behavior.
Case study method: An in-depth study of one or more individuals.
Clinical psychologists: Psychologists who use psychological techniques to evaluate and treat
individuals with mental or psychological disorders.
Cognitive perspective: An approach to the study of psychology that focuses on the processes by
which we acquire knowledge.
Comparative psychologists: Psychologists who study behavioral similarities and differences among
animal species.
Consumer psychologists: Psychologists who study why people purchase particular products and
brands.
Control groups: Groups of participants in a research experiment who do not receive the experimental
treatment or intervention.
Correlation coefficient: A statistical measure of association between variables that can vary from
-1.00 to +1.00.
Correlational method: A research method used to examine relationships between variables, which
are expressed in the form of a statistical measure called a correlation coefficient.
Counseling psychologists: Psychologists who help people clarify their goals and make life decisions
or find ways of overcoming problems in various areas of their lives.
Critical thinking: The adoption of a skeptical, questioning attitude and careful scrutiny of claims or
arguments.
Dependent variables: The effects or outcomes of an experiment that are believed to be dependent on
the values of the independent variable.
Developmental psychologists: Psychologists who focus on processes involving physical, cognitive,
social, and personality development.
Double-blind studies: In drug research, studies in which both participants and experimenters are
kept uninformed about which participants receive the active drug and which receive the placebo.
Educational psychologists: Psychologists who study issues relating to the measurement of
intelligence and the processes involved in educational or academic achievement.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 4
accessible website, in whole or in part.
Science of Psychology
Instructor Manual
Nevid, Essentials of Psychology: Applying the Science of Psychology to Life, 7e,
©2027, 9798214157801; Chapter 1: The Science of Psychology
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................2
Chapter Objectives........................................................................................................2
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments.................................................2
Key Terms.....................................................................................................................4
What’s New in This Chapter........................................................................................8
Chapter Outline.............................................................................................................8
Additional Discussion Questions................................................................................10
Additional Activities and Assignments.......................................................................11
External Videos........................................................................................................................................12
Internet Resources....................................................................................................................................12
Primary Sources....................................................................................................................................... 12
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 1
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Nevid, Essentials of Psychology: Applying the Science of Psychology to Life, 7e, ©2027, 9798214157801; Chapter 1: The
Science of Psychology
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students to the scientific field of psychology. The chapter
begins with a brief history of the schools of thought in psychology, their founding figures, and the major
concepts associated with each perspective. Contemporary perspectives are then presented. Specialty areas,
or subfields of psychology are discussed along with the emerging specialty areas. The text then addresses
the gender and ethnic characteristics of psychologists today and how the discipline is working to increase
diversity. The chapter then provides an overview of the scientific method before focusing on the research
methods that psychologists use.
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1.1 Define the term psychology.
1.2 Explain why psychology is a science.
1.3 Identify the early schools of psychology, the important contributors to these schools, and describe
the major concepts associated with each school.
1.4 Describe the major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
1.5 Identify specialty areas or subfields of psychology and emerging specialty areas.
1.6 Describe ethnic and gender characteristics of psychologists today and the changes that have
occurred over time.
1.7 Identify the steps in the scientific method.
1.8 Identify research methods that psychologists use.
1.9 Describe the ethical standards that govern research in psychology.
1.10 Apply critical thinking skills to evaluating claims made by others.
[return to top]
COMPLETE LIST OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES AND
ASSESSMENTS
The following table organizes activities and assessments by objective, so that you can see how all this
content relates to objectives and make decisions about which content you would like to emphasize in your
class based on your objectives. For additional guidance, refer to the Teaching Online Guide.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 2
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Nevid, Essentials of Psychology: Applying the Science of Psychology to Life, 7e, ©2027, 9798214157801; Chapter 1: The
Science of Psychology
Chapter Activity/Assessment Source Duration
Objective
1.1 Icebreaker PowerPoint 10 minutes
1.3 - 1.4 Knowledge Check 1 PowerPoint 5 minutes
1.3 Written Assignment 1 PowerPoint 5-10 minutes
1.4 Written Assignment 2 PowerPoint 10-15 minutes
1.5 Think-Pair-Share 1 PowerPoint 3-5 minutes
1.6 Discussion 1 PowerPoint 10-15 minutes
1.7 Discussion 2 PowerPoint 10-15 minutes
1.8 Knowledge Check 2 PowerPoint 2 minutes
1.9 Think-Pair-Share 2 PowerPoint 5 minutes
1.9 Discussion 3 PowerPoint 10-15 minutes
1.10 Discussion 4 PowerPoint 15-20 minutes
1.1-1.10 Self-Assessment PowerPoint 5-10 minutes
1.1-1.10 Why Does the Science of MindTap 5 minutes
Psychology Matter to Me?
1.4 Learn It: Foundations of Modern MindTap 10 minutes
Psychology
1.5 Learn It: Psychologists: Who Are MindTap 10 minutes
They and What They Do
1.8 Learn It: Research Methods in MindTap 10 minutes
Psychology
1.1-1.10 Study It: Mastery Training: The MindTap 5-15 minutes
Science of Psychology
1.1-1.10 Study It: Student PowerPoint: The MindTap 5-15 minutes
Science of Psychology
1.1-1.10 Study It: Concepts: The Science of MindTap 5-15 minutes
Psychology
1.7 Apply It: Research in the Real MindTap 10 minutes
World: The Research Replication
Crisis
1.10 Apply It: Research in the Real MindTap 10 minutes
World: Psychology Myths
1.7 Apply It: In My Life: Scientific MindTap 10 minutes
Method
1.1-1.10 Apply It: In My Life: Study Habits MindTap 10 minutes
1.1-1.10 Apply It: Quiz: The Science of MindTap 10-15 minutes
Psychology
[return to top]
KEY TERMS
Applied research: Research that attempts to find solutions to specific problems.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 3
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Nevid, Essentials of Psychology: Applying the Science of Psychology to Life, 7e, ©2027, 9798214157801; Chapter 1: The
Science of Psychology
Basic research: Research focused on acquiring knowledge even if such knowledge has no direct
practical application.
Behavior therapy: A form of therapy that involves the systematic application of the principles of
learning.
Behavioral perspective: An approach to the study of psychology that focuses on the role of learning
and the importance of environmental influences in explaining behavior.
Behaviorism: The school of psychology that holds that psychology should limit itself to the study of
overt, observable behavior.
Case study method: An in-depth study of one or more individuals.
Clinical psychologists: Psychologists who use psychological techniques to evaluate and treat
individuals with mental or psychological disorders.
Cognitive perspective: An approach to the study of psychology that focuses on the processes by
which we acquire knowledge.
Comparative psychologists: Psychologists who study behavioral similarities and differences among
animal species.
Consumer psychologists: Psychologists who study why people purchase particular products and
brands.
Control groups: Groups of participants in a research experiment who do not receive the experimental
treatment or intervention.
Correlation coefficient: A statistical measure of association between variables that can vary from
-1.00 to +1.00.
Correlational method: A research method used to examine relationships between variables, which
are expressed in the form of a statistical measure called a correlation coefficient.
Counseling psychologists: Psychologists who help people clarify their goals and make life decisions
or find ways of overcoming problems in various areas of their lives.
Critical thinking: The adoption of a skeptical, questioning attitude and careful scrutiny of claims or
arguments.
Dependent variables: The effects or outcomes of an experiment that are believed to be dependent on
the values of the independent variable.
Developmental psychologists: Psychologists who focus on processes involving physical, cognitive,
social, and personality development.
Double-blind studies: In drug research, studies in which both participants and experimenters are
kept uninformed about which participants receive the active drug and which receive the placebo.
Educational psychologists: Psychologists who study issues relating to the measurement of
intelligence and the processes involved in educational or academic achievement.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 4
accessible website, in whole or in part.
