Chapter 1

Question 1

What is the definition of psychology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Question 2

Define science:

Answer 2

Systematic observation of the natural world and behavior to draw conclusions

Question 3

Define behavior:

Answer 3

Everything we do that can be directly observed

Question 4

Define mental processes:

Answer 4

Internal experiences, like thoughts and feelings, that can’t be directly observed

Question 5

Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

Answer 5

“Father of Psychology”; established the first Psychology lab

Question 6

Who is William James?

Answer 6

“Father of American Psychology”; introduced functionalism

Question 7

What is Structuralism?

Answer 7

Deals with the structure of the mind

Question 8

What is Functionalism?

Answer 8

Focuses on the function of psychological elements

Question 9

Biological/Neuroscience Research

Answer 9

Studies how the brain and nervous system influence behavior, thoughts, emotions, and actions

Question 10

Behavioral Research

Answer 10

Concerned with overt, observable behavior

Question 11

Psychodynamic Research

Answer 11

Studies how unconscious processes affect behavior, emotions, and personality

Question 12

Who is Sigmund Freud?

Answer 12

Introduced Psychoanalysis, put psychology on the road to popularity

Question 13

Humanistic Research

Answer 13

Focuses on psychological health, growth, and satisfying needs

Question 14

Cognitive Research

Answer 14

Investigates how we perceive, process, and remember information

Question 15

Evolutionary Research

Answer 15

Examines psychological processes through natural selection, where survival traits are passed down

Question 16

Sociocultural Research

Answer 16

Studies social interactions, cultural practices, and social norms

Question 17

Define culture:

Answer 17

Shared beliefs, values, norms, and customs

Question 18

Biopsychosocial Research

Answer 18

Explores the connection between brain activity and psychological processes

Question 19

Define critical thinking:

Answer 19

Process of thinking deeply and actively, questioning, and evaluating evidence

Question 20

How does being a critical thinker help you make better decisions?

Answer 20

Encourages questioning and testing facts, focusing on research over personal beliefs and emotions

Question 21

What is the empirical method?

Answer 21

Gaining knowledge by observing, collecting data, and reasoning logically

Question 22

What is a variable?

Answer 22

Anything that can be measured or quantified

Question 23

What is a theory?

Answer 23

An explanation that attempts to explain observations

Question 24

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 24

A testable prediction arrived at logically from a theory

Question 25

What is an operational definition?

Answer 25

Defining a behavior or circumstance in a way that can be observed and measured objectively

Question 26

What is descriptive research?

Answer 26

Describes a phenomenon without attempting to determine what causes it

Question 27

What are the subtypes of descriptive research?

Answer 27

Observational, survey, and case studies

Question 28

What is observational research?

Answer 28

Observing and recording behavior without interference

Question 29

What is survey research?

Answer 29

Collect data from large groups of people

Question 30

What are case studies?

Answer 30

In-depth investigations of an individual or group

Question 31

What is correlational research?

Answer 31

A measure (r) of how two factors vary and predict each other

Question 32

How do we measure a correlation coefficient's direction and strength?

Answer 32

Correlation strength ranges from -1 to 1; closer to 1 means a stronger correlation

Question 33

List the three different types of correlations

Answer 33

Perfect positive (r=1), perfect negative (r=-1), zero correlation (r=0)

Question 34

What does a correlation of r=1 mean?

Answer 34

When one variable increases, so does the other

Question 35

What does a correlation of r=-1 mean?

Answer 35

When one variable increases, the other decreases

Question 36

What does a correlation of r=0 mean?

Answer 36

Data does not seem to show any direction of correlation

Question 37

Why can correlation research not cause causation?

Answer 37

Correlation does not imply direct causation; it's a possible, not definite, relationship

Question 38

What is an experiment?

Answer 38

A method where factors are manipulated to observe their effect on behavior or mental processes

Question 39

What is the important thing to remember about experiments?

Answer 39

They're the only method that can show causation.

Question 40

What does random assignment mean?

Answer 40

Randomly assigning participants to experimental and control groups

Question 41

Why is random assignment important?

Answer 41

Reduces pre-existing differences between participants to avoid bias in results

Question 42

What are the two variable types in an experiment?

Answer 42

Cause and effect: Independent variable (IV) causes changes in the dependent variable (DV)

Question 43

What is an independent variable?

Answer 43

The cause; the variable controlled or manipulated by the experimenter

Question 44

What is a dependent variable?

Answer 44

The effect; the variable influenced by the cause, not manipulated

Question 45

Who is in an experimental group?

Answer 45

Variables that are being manipulated

Question 46

Who is in a control group?

Answer 46

Variables who do not have any manipulation done

Question 47

Why do researchers need both experimental and control groups?

Answer 47

Both are needed to test a theory/hypothesis and measure the IV's effect

Question 48

Define placebo:

Answer 48

A harmless pill or procedure

Question 49

What is the placebo effect?

Answer 49

When beneficiaries show improvement after taking a placebo, but the placebo itself has no actual effects

Question 50

What is a population?

Answer 50

An entire group of variables that are being described

Question 51

What is a sample?

Answer 51

A portion of the entire group being described

Question 52

What does it mean to have a random sample?

Answer 52

Selecting a sample where every member has an equal chance of being included

Question 53

What is naturalistic observation?

Answer 53

Observing and recording behavior in natural situations without manipulation or control

Question 54

Who is Francis Cecil Sumner?

Answer 54

"Father of Black Psychology"; the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in psychology

Question 55

List a few unique facts about Dr. Sumner

Answer 55

1. Was 15 when admitted at Lincoln Uni. 2. Was drafted into the Army during WWi 3. Studied the psychology of religion 4. Received a B.A. in Philosophy and English 5. Revamped and improved the Department of Psychology at Howard Uni.