Psych 101 Chap 1-3 test

Question 1

In the 1960s, psychologists conducted a study at a summer camp for 11-year old boys. The “Robbers Cave” study showed that conflict between groups could be decreased by making the groups dependent upon one another to cooperate. This experiment is considered to be an example of which type of research?

Hint: Is this solving a practical problem? Or is it finding knowledge for it’s own sake?

Answer 1

Basic Research

Question 2

You have decided to do a research project on media violence. The local school board has asked for you to look at the relation between watching TV violence and aggression on the school yard. They would like you to give them some recommendations. Your research would be best described as

Hint: Is this solving a practical problem? Or is it finding knowledge for it’s own sake?

Answer 2

Basic research

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a part of the scientific process?
a) Identify a question of interest
b) Analyze data
c) Conduct an experiment
d) Gather information and form hypothesis
e) Build a body of knowledge

Answer 3

Conduct an experiment

Question 4

A psychodynamic psychologist assumes that people with unresolved childhood issues are more susceptible to stress and anxiety. This psychologist’s assumption is best viewed as an example of and why

Answer 4

A hypothesis - they are predicting that unresolved childhood issues makes people more vulnerable to stress

Question 5

After we have collected the data in an experiment we typically would analyze the results using inferential statistics. In this procedure we begin by testing

Answer 5

the null hypothesis

Question 6

After writing his Biology exam, Sam’s professor announces that the grades from the exam were normally distributed with a mean of 60 and a standard deviation of 10. Sam’s grade on the exam was 70. Approximately what percentage of the class had a grade on the exam that was higher than Sam’s?

Answer 6

16%

If the average deviation from the mean was 10 and Sam’s score was 70

Question 7

Which of the following statements about naturalistic observations is true?
a) Naturalistic observations tend to have low external validity.
b) Naturalistic observations tend to have more independent than dependent variables.
c) Naturalistic observations often make use of the double-blind procedure.
d) Naturalistic observations do not contribute to making causal conclusions.

Answer 7

D. Naturalistic observation do no contribute to making casual conclusions

Question 8

Professor Hoffman was interested in the effects of vitamin B12 deprivation on learning. One group is given vitamin B12 in a box labelled “Vitamin X.” The comparison group is given a sugar pill in a plain white box. He finds that the vitamin group learns lists of words faster and concludes that B12 affects learning. What’s wrong with this experiment?

Answer 8

There were demand characteristics in the study therefore making it liable to error/bias

Question 9

Ursula is sound asleep one night when she is suddenly awakened by a loud noise coming from her backyard. She gets out of bed and moves to the window in order to see what made the noise. Ursula is relying on her ______ nervous system.

Answer 9

somatic

Question 10

Neuron A and Neuron B synapse with Neuron C. You are measuring the electrical activity in Neuron C. When Neuron A fires, an action potential is observed in Neuron C. But when Neuron A and Neuron B fire at the same time, there is no change in the electrical activity of Neuron C. How can we explain this?

Answer 10

Neuron B generates a graded potential that cancels out the graded potential of neuron A.

Question 11

You would like to get some information about how a particular brain area functions. But you cannot destroy the area or stimulate the area and you do not want to work with a patient who has brain damage. Which of the following would be best to use?

Answer 11

TMS - transcranial magnetic stimulation

Question 12

(r = -0.80): what does this correlation coefficient tell us about the relationship between grades on a test and alcohol consumption? Be specific.

Answer 12

The relationship between grades on a test and alcohol consumption is strong and negative meaning that if one gets higher the other gets lower. And it is a strong relationship because the correlation coefficient is close to 1 which is a perfect relationship.

Question 13

2) Individuals that emphasize the needs of the group over individual needs are from this type of society:

Answer 13

Collectivist cultures emphasizes the needs of the group over individuals. Unlike individualistic cultures.

Question 14

3) Being overly confident that you know the correct answer once that answer is given to you

Answer 14

Confirmation bias which is where you tend to search for, interpret, favor, or remember things in a way to support your beliefs

Question 15

4) My research study will study aggression by measuring participants’ heart rate, and pupil dilation.

Answer 15

You will be measuring the autonomic nervous system and more specifically the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 16

5) A lesion in this area of the brain results in paralysis of the left foot.

Answer 16

The right hemisphere’s motor cortex in the frontal lobe could result in paralysis of the left foot if there is a lesion.

Question 17

6) A limitation of this method of measuring variables is situational specificity.

Answer 17

Report by others is susceptible to situational specificity which is when people’s behavior depends on their environment (i.e. the area they are in as well as the people around them)

Question 18

7) This area of the neuron releases neurotransmitters.

Answer 18

The axon terminals release neurotransmitters that are being held in synaptic vesicles

Question 19

8) Psychological disorders are thought to be due to irrational thoughts by this perspective.

Answer 19

Cognitive perspective believes that psychological disorders are due to irrational thoughts especially anxiety

Question 20

9) This brain area is highly developed in cats and gymnasts.

Answer 20

The cerebellum, which is made for muscle coordination is highly developed in cats and gymnasts

Question 21

10) This type of research methodology allows us to examine if using a cell phone while driving causes more accidents.

Answer 21

An experimental study tells us cause/effect because it controls any other possible factors, therefore it would be able to tell us if using a cell phone while driving CAUSES more accidents.

Question 22

11) What is the resting potential? Where is it found?

Answer 22

The resting potential is when the charge in the neuron is negative compared to the outside, specifically -70mV. This is because there are more (A-) than (K+) or (NA+) in the cell.

Question 23

12) In a study examining the effects of temperature on attention, both the participant and the research assistant running the study does not know who is in the experimental condition. What is this called?

Answer 23

A double-blind procedure is when neither the participants or the research assistants know who is in what group in an experiment.

Question 24

13) Alcohol impairs decision making, a process controlled by this brain area.

Answer 24

The frontal lobe, more specifically the prefrontal cortex controls decision making. Since it is in the cerebral cortex it is affected my alcohol

Question 25

14) This type of research methodology allows us to examine if there is a relationship between the number of friends someone has and the number of text messages they receive each day.

Answer 25

Correlational research allows us to find a relationship between 2 variables which in this case are the number of friends and the number of text messages someone receives

Question 26

15) What causes the action potential?

Answer 26

A neurotransmitter causes the ion channels to open so sodium (Na+) flows into the cell increasing the charge to (+40mV) which causes an action potential

Question 27

16) Someone who follows the humanistic perspective believe that humans strive for this.

Answer 27

Self-actualization which is the ability to reach our potential. It is our highest need on the heirarchy of needs according to Abraham Maslow

Question 28

17) Examining the rare and unusual case of Phineas Gage used this method of research.

Answer 28

Case studies are used to research a rare phenomenon in an individual, event or group. So Phineas Gage was studied through a case study

Question 29

18) What is the role of inhibitory neurotransmitters?

Answer 29

Inhibitory neurotransmitters turn “off” a neuron, they cause polarization (resting potential) or hyperpolarization

Question 30

19) Hypnosis was used to study the mind by this perspective

Answer 30

Psychodynamic perspective would use techniques like hypnosis to study the mind

Question 31

20) What would be the best research method to examine the average length of visit at a casino?

Answer 31

A survey would be a good research method to examine the average length of a casino visit, because people can self-report how long they spent. The limitation would be social-desirability bias, some people may lie about the time they spent if they feel it would make them “look better.”

Question 32

21) This perspective would argue that at birth the mind is a “blank slate”

Answer 32

The behavioural perspective believed the mind was a “blank slate” at birth. More specifically John Locke thought the mind was a blank slate.

Question 33

22) What group in an experiment does not receive a treatment or manipulation?

Answer 33

The control group does not receive any treatment/manipulation in an experiment in order to provide a group to compare to.

Question 34

23) This brain area allows signals from the left hemisphere to be sent to signals in the right hemisphere.

Answer 34

The corpus callosum is a bundle of nerves connecting the left and right hemisphere allowing them to communicate

Question 35

24) This psychological perspective would be most interested in the effects of brain damage

Answer 35

The biological perspective would be the most interested in the effects of brain damage on behaviour because they are interested in brain and other bodily processes influence on behaviour

Question 36

25) Damage to this subcortical area will impair vision.

Answer 36

Damage to the thalamus could cause visual impairment.

Question 37

26) This perspective emphasises the development of self esteem during childhood.

Answer 37

The humanistic perspective emphasizes the development of self-esteem especially during childhood

Question 38

27) Sexual addiction could be attributed to damage in this brain area.

Answer 38

Damage to the hypothalamus could be contribute to sexual addiction

Question 39

28) Research has found that looking at your facebook profile causes an increase in self esteem. What is the independent and dependent variable in this study?

Answer 39

Look at your facebook profile would be the independent variable because it is the variable being manipulated

Your level of self-esteem would be the dependent because it is the variable being measured and it depends on the independent variable

Question 40

29) This brain area allows you to verbally respond to a question that your professor instructor asked you.

Answer 40

The Broca’s area allows you to produce language in other words it allows you to verbally respond to a question.
The Wernickles area is for comprehending language, so it would also help with understanding the question being asked as well as understanding the words you are using to reply.

Question 41

30) What is required in order for survey research to be considered valid?

Answer 41

A representative but random sample of the population is required. Meaning the sample has to represent the characteristics of the population and everyone has to have an equal chance at being part of the study.