Chapter 1

Question 1

An evidence-based method that draws on observation and experimentation.

Answer 1

Empirical Approach

Question 2

Thinking that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, and assesses conclusions.

Answer 2

Critical Thinking

Question 3

An early school of thought promoted by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.

Answer 3

Structuralism

Question 4

An early school of though promoted by William James and influenced by Charles Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function- how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Answer 4

Functionalism

Question 5

The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most psychologists today agree with (1) but not (2). Associated with John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner.

Answer 5

Behaviorism

Question 6

An idea which emphasized the ways out unconscious mind and childhood experiences affect our behavior.

Answer 6

Freudian (Psychoanalytic) Psychology

Question 7

A historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential. Focused on human needs for love and acceptance and the environments that nurture or limit personal growth.

Answer 7

Humanistic Psychology

Question 8

The study of the mental processes involved in perceiving, learning, remembering, thinking, communicating, and solving problems.

Answer 8

Cognitive Psychology

Question 9

A combination of cognitive psychology and neuroscience, that studies the brain activity underlying mental activity.

Answer 9

Cognitive Neuroscience

Question 10

The science of behavior and mental processes

Answer 10

Psychology

Question 11

The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors.

Answer 11

Nature-nurture Issue

Question 12

The principle that the inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely be passes on to subsequent generations.

Answer 12

Natural Selection

Question 13

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

Answer 13

Evolutionary Psychology

Question 14

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Answer 14

Behavior Genetics

Question 15

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a groups of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Answer 15

Culture

Question 16

The scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive.

Answer 16

Positive Psychology

Question 17

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and socio-cultural levels of analysis.

Answer 17

Biopsychosocial Approach

Question 18

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

Answer 18

Basic Research

Question 19

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.

Answer 19

Applied Research

Question 20

A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or relationships) and in achieving greater well-being.

Answer 20

Counseling Psychologists

Question 21

A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders.

Answer 21

Clinical Psychologists

Question 22

A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy

Answer 22

Psychiatrists

Question 23

A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups.

Answer 23

Community Psychologists

Question 24

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it

Answer 24

Hindsight Bias

Question 25

Scientific experts who evaluate a research article’s theory, originality, and accuracy.

Answer 25

Peer-Reviewers

Question 26

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.

Answer 26

Theory

Question 27

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Answer 27

Hypothesis

Question 28

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study, what words mean in the context of the study

Answer 28

Operational Definition

Question 29

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced.

Answer 29

Replicate

Question 30

Publicly communicating planned study design, hypotheses, data collection, and analyses.

Answer 30

Preregistration

Question 31

A statistical procedure for analyzing the results of multiple studies to reach an overall conclusion.

Answer 31

Meta-analysis

Question 32

A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Answer 32

Case Study

Question 33

A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Answer 33

Naturalistic Observation

Question 34

A descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

Answer 34

Survey

Question 35

A sample the fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Answer 35

Random Sample

Question 36

All those in a group being studied, from which random samples may be drawn.

Answer 36

Population

Question 37

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other

Answer 37

Correlation

Question 38

A statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1.00 to +1.00)

Answer 38

Correlation Coefficient

Question 39

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors.

Answer 39

Experiment

Question 40

In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

Answer 40

Experimental Group

Question 41

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

Answer 41

Control Group

Question 42

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups.

Answer 42

Random Assignment

Question 43

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.

Answer 43

Double-Blind Procedure

Question 44

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect of behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.

Answer 44

Placebo Effect

Question 45

In an experiment, the factor that is being manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Answer 45

Independent Variable

Question 46

In an experiment, a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results.

Answer 46

Confounding Variable

Question 47

In an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated.

Answer 47

Dependent Variable

Question 48

Giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.

Answer 48

Informed Consent

Question 49

The post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.

Answer 49

Debrief