Intro to Psych

In a test of the effects of sleep deprivation on problem-solving skills, research participants are allowed to sleep either 4 or 8 hours on each of three consecutive nights. This research is an example of:

• a. a case study.

• b. an experiment.

• c. correlational research.

• d. naturalistic observation.

Answer explanation

This research is an experiment because it involves manipulating the independent variable (sleep duration) to observe its effect on the dependent variable (problem-solving skills), allowing for causal conclusions.

Cross-sectional studies:

• compare individuals from different age groups at one time.

• compare individuals from different ethnic groups at one time.

• primarily examine gender differences.

• study the same group of people over a long period.

Answer explanation

Cross-sectional studies compare individuals from different age groups at one time, providing a snapshot of various demographics. This distinguishes them from longitudinal studies, which track the same group over time.

A hypothesis is:

• an educated guess that may or may not be testable.

• a fact established by research evidence.

• a question about behavior resulting from observation.

• a researcher's testable prediction about the outcome of research.

Answer explanation

A hypothesis is specifically a researcher's testable prediction about the outcome of research, distinguishing it from mere guesses or observations.

I believe that humans learn their behaviors through rewards, punishments, and by observing others. I am a:

• cognitive psychologist.

• behaviorist.

• humanist.

• biological psychologist.

Answer explanation

You are a behaviorist because you believe that behaviors are learned through rewards, punishments, and observation, which aligns with behaviorist principles focusing on external stimuli and responses.

Which modern psychological approach focuses on understanding how people think, process, store, and retrieve information?

• humanism

• social-cultural

• cognitive

• biological

Answer explanation

The cognitive approach focuses on mental processes such as thinking, memory, and information processing. It emphasizes how people understand, process, and retrieve information, making it the correct choice for this question.

The dependent variable in an experiment is:

• the effect of participant and researcher bias on the results of the experiment.

• the variable that depends on the experimenter's hypothesis.

• the variable the experimenter manipulates in order to examine its effect on the independent variable.

• the variable the experimenter measures in order to see if it was affected by the change in the independent variable.

Answer explanation

The dependent variable is the one that the experimenter measures to determine if it was influenced by changes in the independent variable. This choice correctly identifies the role of the dependent variable in an experiment.

Psychological perspectives are:

• ways to explain human behavior.

• research methods used to test hypotheses.

• past historical movements like Gestalt psychology that don't really have any relevance in current psychology.

• biases that researchers avoid.

Answer explanation

Psychological perspectives are indeed ways to explain human behavior, providing frameworks for understanding thoughts, emotions, and actions. The other options do not accurately describe what psychological perspectives are.

Psychology is defined as the science of behavior and mental processes because:

• psychology is involved with studying nonmeasurable attributes like consciousness.

• psychologists apply scientific methods to human behaviors and thoughts.

• psychology is now restricted to studying scientific matters like brain anatomy.

• psychology only uses experiments to prove theories.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that psychologists use scientific methods to study behaviors and thoughts, making psychology a science. This distinguishes it from nonmeasurable attributes and ensures a rigorous approach to understanding mental processes.

Which psychologists study behaviors that helped our ancestors survive?

• behavior geneticists

• positive psychologists

• Gestalt psychologists

• evolutionary psychologists

Answer explanation

Evolutionary psychologists study behaviors that have evolved to enhance survival and reproduction, focusing on how these traits helped our ancestors adapt to their environments.

Which method of research involves watching and recording behaviors without manipulating or controlling the situation?

• case study

• experiment

• naturalistic observation

• correlational study

Answer explanation

Naturalistic observation involves observing and recording behaviors in their natural environment without any manipulation or control by the researcher, making it the correct choice for this question.