Fall final exam questionnaire Flashcards by Zahara Ali

Researchers proposed a study on language acquisition to see if exposing 10-month-old babies to phonemes outside of their primary language had an impact on the child’s fluency in their primary language. One hundred babies are randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In one condition babies would only be exposed to phonemes of their primary language for one hour per day over the course of six months. The other group would be exposed to phonemes from several different languages for one hour per day over the course of six months. The researchers hoped to explore whether exposure to phonemes from several different languages helped or impeded language development.

Which of the following concerns would an IRB likely have about this study?

Responses
A
There would be no way to get informed consent.

B
The procedure could potentially cause harm to the babies by interfering with their language development.

C
There is too much deception involved in this research proposal.

D
There would be no way to keep the information about each child confidential.

The procedure could potentially cause harm to the babies by interfering with their language development. - The study has the potential of harming the children’s natural ability to acquire language.

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Researchers gathered information on the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in children under the age of six years from a randomly selected sample from a large nation. One type of data collected involved parents reporting about special health care needs of their children such as whether they had emotional, behavioral, or developmental delays. Children with no or low ACEs were less likely to experience developmental difficulties.

Which of the following research methodologies was used in this study?

Responses
A
Experimental

B
Meta-analysis

C
Naturalistic observation

D
Correlational

Answer D - This research showed a correlation between the number of ACEs a child has and the number of developmental difficulties they experienced.

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Crystal has three children she loves and cares for very much. Denise has two children that she neglects. Crystal’s children are very friendly and talk to people more often than Denise’s children. Which of the following is the likely result of the children’s attachment to their mothers?

Responses
A
Crystal used rewards and punishments more often than Denise.

B
Crystal’s children will have better socialization skills.

C
Denise’s children’s schemas regarding parent-child relationships are quite strong.

D
Crystal’s children will have resolved the Oedipal complex, and Denise’s children will not have.

Answer B - Research indicates that there is some relationship between early attachment and the quality of later socialization skills.

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Which of the following statements explains why it is difficult to experiment with human development?

Responses
A
The genes of identical twins are not similar enough for statistics.

B
Direct long-term manipulation of a child’s environment would be unethical.

C
Experiments with small children are always unethical.

D
Identifying what genetic traits are interacting with the environment is impossible.

Answer B - It would be unethical to assign a child to a particular set of parents or home for the sake of an experiment.

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Dr. Jamal surveys parents of children of fifth graders who have done well in school. Based on his survey results, Dr. Jamal claims that being raised as an only child accelerates how quickly students will be able to progress to concrete operational thinking. What problem is associated with this claim?

Responses
A
Dr. Jamal places too much significance on grading to justify the claim.

B
Dr. Jamal did not randomly assign participants in his study.

C
Dr. Jamal cannot make a cause-and-effect claim from survey results.

D
Dr. Jamal should have surveyed the children directly to justify the claims he made.

Answer C- He cannot make a cause-and-effect claim from a survey

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Jean Piaget formulated his theory of cognitive development by observing his own children at play. What is a valid criticism of the case study approach that Jean Piaget used to collect research data to originate his cognitive development theory?

Responses
A
He failed to get permission from the parents of the children he studied.

B
He limited his observations to groups of children with mixed ages because he believed that group efforts would enhance learning.

C
He interviewed many children to achieve breadth when it would have been better to focus on a few children to achieve depth.

D
His observations may have been biased due to his relationship with the participants.

Answer D- Case studies are vulnerable to biases held by the interviewer or researcher that can influence the outcome of the research.

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A psychologist works with the Temne people of Western Africa. The psychologist presents two equal balls of clay, both an inch in diameter. First, the child acknowledges that the balls of clay are equal. Then, the researcher flattens one of the balls, and the psychologist asks the child, “If your friend was given the clay shaped like a rice cake and you were given the ball, who would have more to eat?” The psychologist counted how many children said, “One of us cannot have more than the other.”

Which of the following cognitive concepts was the psychologist testing?

Responses
A
Animism

B
Conservation

C
Scaffolding

D
Object permanence

Answer B- This is a child’s awareness that physical quantities do not change in amount when they are altered in appearance. The psychologist was counting how many children said, “One of us cannot have more than the other.”

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If various cultures expect students to master more than one language in school, which of the following courses of action are supported by the evidence presented in the graph?

Responses
A
Students should be introduced to the second language as soon as they start going to school.

B
If schools offer effective programs, students can easily become fluent in a second language as long as they start learning it in high school.

C
Schools should not implement a second language program for the youngest students because that instruction might impede their ability to master their primary language.

D
Schools should introduce students to a second language between the ages of 11-15 to get the strongest results.

Answer A - The evidence indicates that the best results are linked to learning a second language as early as possible.

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Based on the findings presented in the graph above, a researcher proposed a study in which 100 10-year-old students would be randomly assigned to two groups. One group would be exposed to a course with instruction for a second language every day during school, and the second group would not be allowed to take a second- language course. The principal of the school agreed to the study, but students were not aware of the purpose of the study. Which of the following is the most significant ethical concern in this study?

Responses
A
The proposed study would not allow researchers to debrief once the research concluded.

B
The researcher would not be able to maintain confidentiality about student performance.

C
The study would cause too much psychological stress for the students.

D
The students did not provide informed consent.

Answer D - The students were not aware of the purpose of the study.

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Professor Whitmore conducted research to examine changes in cognitive development across the life span. He recruited 400 participants and then grouped them by age. The study included 20-year-olds, 40-year-olds, 60-year-olds, and 80-year-olds (100 in each group). Each group in the study took several different tests. Some of the tests were fact-based and drew upon knowledge from several different areas. Other tests required participants to solve new problems as quickly as they could.

Based upon research on fluid intelligence, which of the following is a likely hypothesis for Dr. Whitmore’s study?

Responses
A
The 80-year-old cohort will likely outperform the 20-year-old cohort on all cognitive measures.

B
The 40-year-old cohort will likely perform the lowest on the section of the test where participants are solving new problems quickly.

C
The 60-year-old cohort will likely perform better than all other groups on tests of factual knowledge.

D
The 20-year-old cohort will likely outperform all other groups on the tests that involve solving new problems quickly.

Answer D - Research on fluid intelligence indicates the younger groups outperform older cohorts on solving novel problems.

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One of Dr. Whitmore’s students had strongly believed that cognitive abilities remained stable throughout the lifespan. When that student read Dr. Whitmore’s research which found that the 60-year-old and 80-year-old groups significantly outperformed the younger groups on test of factual knowledge, he claimed that it was an obvious finding because as you get older you naturally accumulate more knowledge. This student is most clearly exhibiting which of the following?

Responses
A
Hindsight bias

B
Confirmation bias

C
Overconfidence

D
Preoperational thinking

Answer A - The student is exhibiting the “I knew it all along” cognitive bias. After learning the results of the research, he claimed to have known, even though he predicted differently.

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Dr. Whitmore’s research design is best classified as which of the following?

Responses
A
Longitudinal

B
Cross-sectional

C
Experimental

D
Case study

Answer B
Correct. The researcher is comparing cohorts from different age groups.

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Dr. Norman conducts a study about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses and gender. They gather data from a local college’s admissions and registration department. Within the population of the college, 52% identified as female, 45% identified as male, and the remaining identified as “nonbinary, other, or prefer not to say.” Additionally, of the students registered as majors in STEM subjects, 34% identified as female, 59% identified as male, and the remainder identified as “nonbinary, other, or preferred not to say.”

Based on the data presented in this scenario, which of the following is a hypothesis for Dr. Norman’s research?

Responses
A
“Does gender effect success in college STEM courses?”

B
“Is there a relationship between gender and registration for college STEM majors?”

C
“Do college admissions practices cause females to drop out of STEM courses?”

D
“Does gender affect drop-out rates in college?”

Answer B - The data reflects a correlational design to show the relationship between gender identity and registration for college STEM majors.

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Marjorie’s little brother tends to bother her when he is bored. Marjorie wants to figure out which toy will keep her brother occupied the longest so he will not bother her. She conducts a study where each day at 6 P.M. for a week she gives her brother a different toy and on one of the days she gives him no toys to play with. She measures the amount of time he spends playing with each toy before he comes to bother her. Which of the following is the independent variable in this example?

Responses
A
Time of day

B
Amount of time playing

C
Type of toy

D
The little brother

Answer C - The type of toy is the variable being manipulated in this study.

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To explore the concept of the “imaginary audience,” a researcher gave the Imaginary Audience Scale to 6th, 8th, and 10th graders who visited a local shopping mall during one weekend in June. The results indicated that students in 10th grade had the lowest ratings on the scale and concluded that the “imaginary audience” does not apply to students beyond the 8th grade. For the researcher to generalize this research, what would he need to do differently?

Responses
A
He would need to randomly assign the students to the experimental and control conditions.

B
He would need to test more kids from each grade level.

C
He would need to obtain a random sample of participants from each of the three grade levels.

D
He would need to manipulate an independent variable, which he is not doing in the current design.

Answer C - To generalize results, the researcher would need a random sample of subjects. This sample is limited and doesn’t represent all individuals from these grade levels.

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Researchers hypothesize that the older a baby is when it begins to crawl, the longer it will take the baby to stop exhibiting earlier rocking behaviors. The researchers go into the infant room of a day care center every day for six weeks. Every time a baby rocks, the researchers record it. They document which babies are already crawlers and at what age each started crawling. What will help the researchers with their investigation?

Responses
A
Surveying 100 parents about prenatal care

B
Their knowledge that babies develop fine motor skills before they develop gross motor skills

C
Their knowledge that rocking behavior develops before crawling behavior and that rocking behavior eventually goes away once crawling behavior begins

D
Randomly assigning the babies to the crawling versus not-crawling conditions

Answer C - Correct. This is factual knowledge, which could lead researchers to develop such a study.

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Dr. Arthur conducted a correlational study to determine the relationship between parental approval and preference for gender-congruent toys. She interviewed 40 sets of parents about the types of toys their child plays with and the parents’ preferences for these toys. Later, she interviewed each of the 92 children over the age of four about which toys they preferred. Dr. Arthur determined that there was a predicable relationship between the toys the children preferred and the toys the parents preferred.

Which of the following is a variable of interest in this study?

Responses
A
The types of toys the children played with

B
40 sets of parents

C
Parental approval

D
92 children above the age of four

Answer C - Parental approval is a variable of interest in this study.

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Researchers created a study to try to assess the extent to which 2-year-old children could detect emotion in telegraphic speech coming from adults. Children would be exposed to neutral phrases, happy phrases, and angry phrases. Which of the following statements about ethical guidelines is accurate for this study?

Responses
A
This research is unethical because the children may be uncomfortable with the different phrases.

B
The researchers will first need to obtain informed consent from the parents of each child.

C
The researchers will need to attempt to debrief the children prior to beginning the study.

D
The study is flawed because researchers would not be able to maintain the confidentiality of the participants.

Answer B - Because the research is with children, the parents would need to be fully informed of the procedure and then give consent for their child to participate.

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By age six months, infants from different countries in the world will distinguish hearing a change in small units of sound. For example, in one study, when six-month old babies hear the RRR sound change to an LLL sound, they sucked faster on a special pacifier that measured their rate of sucking. By twelve months, however, Japanese children no longer distinguish these sounds since culturally, they are not exposed to them.

Which of the following terms were researchers studying on a cross-cultural level?

Responses
A
Morpheme

B
Semantics

C
Phoneme

D
Syntax

Answer C - Phonemes are small units of sound like the sound of RRR or the sound of LLL.

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Maria is a thirteen year old child born with deafness to parents who can hear and who also live in a remote, rural area. Since birth, her parents have provided love, nourishment, educationally enriching toys, and developed their own hand signals to communicate with her about basic necessities. However, Maria did not begin to learn sign language until she was twelve and the family moved to a city and encountered members of a deaf community. Maria has found it very difficult to learn sign language, no matter what her instructors try. Which of the follow concepts best explains Maria’s difficulty learning sign language?

Responses
A
Latent learning

B
A sensitive period

C
Cognitive dissonance

D
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Answer B - A sensitive or critical period refers to a window of time in which learning most easily takes place before a narrowing of learning ability.

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A researcher studied the impact of early childhood education on disadvantaged children. Half of the children were randomly assigned to receive high-quality preschool, while the other half received no opportunity to attend preschool. The study collected extensive data on the children from the study until they reached age 40. The researchers were able to conclude that high-quality preschool positively affected education, socioeconomic status, crime prevention, family dynamics, and health.

Which of the following best describes the research methodology used?

Responses
A
Naturalistic observation

B
Meta-analysis

C
Cross-sectional correlational study

D
Longitudinal experiment

Answer D - The study used a longitudinal experiment by following children over roughly 35 years to study the effects of preschool education. The children were randomly assigned to the preschool and non-preschool groups.

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Researchers conducted a study to investigate whether problem-solving abilities declined as subjects got older. They gave a large random sample of 20-year-old subjects a test with various problem-solving tasks. For the next 40 years, the researchers followed up every five years with the subjects and had them complete additional tests to gauge their problem-solving abilities. Which of the following is the most accurate statement regarding this research?

Responses
A
This study will allow researchers to determine whether age causes a decline in problem-solving abilities.

B
This study will provide correlational results.

C
This study cannot be generalized because there are too few participants.

D
This study is experimental because the subjects were randomly assigned to a control or experimental condition.

Answer B - This study will reveal the degree to which the two variables are related.

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Professor Wapner conducted research to explore the extent to which elements of a subject’s macrosystem are linked to a person’s level of self-esteem. He gathered responses from several different cultures and compared the various macrosystems to the subject ratings of self-esteem. Which of the following research methods is Professor Wapner using?

Responses
A
Correlational

B
Experimental

C
Case study

D
Naturalistic observation

Answer A - This study would show the correlation between a various macrosystems and self-esteem.

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Annette, who lives in the United States, experienced menarche at age ten, while her great-grandmother experienced it at age fourteen. Which of the following most likely explains the difference between the age that Annette and the age that her great-grandmother experienced menarche?

Responses
A
Annette’s great-grandmother lived in a rural area, while Annette lives in a city.

B
Annette has better nutrition and medical care than her great-grandmother did.

C
Annette is the youngest child in her family, while her great-grandmother was the oldest child in her family.

D
Annette has more peers of the same age than her great-grandmother did.

Answer B - Most psychologists believe that the age of menarche is getting younger because of better nutrition and medical care.

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Dr. Shirah believes irritable infants grow up to be irritable adults. Which of the following best represents Dr. Shirah’s beliefs? Responses A Nurture view B Nature view C Discontinuity position D Cross-sectional study

Answer B - A nature view reflects the enduring effects of genetics.

To study the effects of smoking on sense of smell, a researcher would most likely conduct a Responses A longitudinal study on 200 smokers to determine whether their sense of smell improved over time B longitudinal study on 100 smokers and a matched sample of 100 nonsmokers to determine whether the smokers’ sense of smell declined more over time than the nonsmokers’ did C cross-sectional study of 100 nonsmokers to determine whether nonsmokers’ sense of smell improved with age D cross-sectional study on 200 smokers to determine whether smokers’ sense of smell stayed the same over time

Answer B - By conducting a longitudinal study comparing sense of smell in smokers and a matched sample of nonsmokers, a researcher can differentiate the decline in smell due to age or other factors and the decline due to smoking.

In homes where parents do not use correct grammar, their children tend to make more grammatical errors. Which of the following concepts identifies a type of error children might make? Responses A Telegraphic speech B Babbling C Overgeneralization D Non-verbal manual gestures

Answer C - Overgeneralization occurs when children extend regular grammatical patterns to irregular words, such as adding “ed” to throw to make the past tense.

Anthony is an adolescent who has a pimple on his cheek and thinks everyone is looking at it. Which of the following best explains what Anthony is experiencing? Responses A The personal fable phenomenon B The imaginary audience phenomenon C Identity foreclosure D Identity diffusion

Answer B - Imaginary audience is the belief adolescents hold that everyone is as attentive to their looks and behaviors as they are.

A researcher studied 30 people ages twenty to forty, 30 people ages forty-one to sixty, and 30 people ages sixty-one to eighty. The researcher set up two rooms—one with a faint rose smell, and one with a faint lemon smell. Each participant was asked to enter each room and identify the smell in the room. What research method did the researcher use, and what outcome would be found? Responses A Cross-sectional. As people age, their sense of smell diminishes, especially in older age. B Cross-sectional. Middle-aged people have the strongest sense of smell. C Cross-sectional. No conclusions can be made because cause and effect cannot be inferred. D Longitudinal. As people age, their sense of smell diminishes, especially in older age.

Cross-sectional. As people age, their sense of smell diminishes, especially in older age.

A researcher explored the importance of comfort in newborn rhesus monkeys. The researcher separated infant monkeys from their biological mothers and introduced them to two inanimate surrogate mothers. One surrogate mother was constructed of wire and had a milk bottle attached to it, and the second was covered in soft cloth but did not have a milk bottle attached to it. The baby monkeys spent almost all of their time on the soft cloth mother and only went to the wire monkey to eat. In this experiment, what is the dependent variable? Responses A The wire surrogate with milk. B The soft cloth surrogate without milk. C The amount of time the infants were separated from their biological mothers. D The amount of time the infant spent with each surrogate mother.

Answer D - The variable being measured is how much time the infant spent with each surrogate mother.

Dr. Lawrence conducts a survey to gather information about socialization of gender roles. As part of the section on demographics, Dr. Lawrence asks the following question. Which gender identity do you identify with? Female Male Not sure All of the above Why might it be better for Dr. Lawrence to use an open-ended questionnaire rather than multiple choice when asking this question? Responses A There is little difference between these options; therefore, participants will not be able to select just one option. B The survey does not provide an option to select one’s chromosomal sex as XX or XY. C The three options provided are too limiting and will not allow for other response options participants can use to self-report. D This question does not include the option to describe one’s sexual orientation.

Answer C - The four options presented to not offer the opportunity for all gender identities to be honestly reported as part of the data.

Which of the following scenarios best describes the relationship between temperament and child-parent relationships? Responses A Garrett’s parents reward him for having an easy temperament, so he remains an easy child. B Stanley has an easy temperament, which has made him more sensitive to differences in parenting. C Fred has a slow-to-warm-up temperament, which has led his parents to be distant with him. D Sammy has a difficult temperament, but his parents love and care for him anyway.

Answer D - Research indicates that the parents of difficult children are usually as loving and caring with their children as parents of easy children are.

Researchers were interested in seeing how quickly toddlers learned how to play with a new toy while interacting with one of their caregivers. They documented the number of interactions between toddlers and caregivers as they learned to play with the new toy. The researchers noted that caregivers from different cultures varied in the number of verbal statements spoken to the children to explain how to play with the toy. Which of the following concepts best describes the topic of the research study? Responses A Zone of proximal development B Theory of mind C Conservation D Object permanence

Answer A - Vygotsky believed children are social learners who learn through interacting with other people within sociocultural contexts. Ideally, learning occurs while the person is in their zone of proximal development – the space where guidance is needed from more knowledgeable others (caregivers).

Dr. Belzer documented the behaviors of parents with their children at a local restaurant. She looked for specific examples of permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative parenting styles. Which of the following best describes the method of research used by Dr. Belzer? Responses A Experiment B Case Study C Meta-analysis D Naturalistic Observation

Answer D - The researcher observed and took notes of behaviors in natural settings

Students who have faced many obstacles in educational settings were asked to participate in a study that required that they take a test. Many of the students scored poorly on the test. Which of the following ethical issues arises because the students feel that their low test scores are reflective of their abilities, rather than their circumstances? Responses A Anonymity B Right to withdraw C Debriefing D Risk to participants

Answer D - A negative self-perception based on the test score can lead to low self-esteem and self-image and become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Risk to well-being is increased.

Professor Belvedere wants to help her anatomy students memorize the names of different parts of the body. Which of the following techniques will best help her students? Responses A Teaching them a rhyme for each word B Asking them questions about the meaning of each word C Writing the words in different colors and having the students think about the color that each word is printed in D Having them write sentences where each word of the sentence starts with the same letter as one of the parts of the body

Answer B - Craik and Tulving found that elaborative encoding, in which the learner thinks about the meaning of the thing to be memorized, is most effective.

Researchers were interested in whether there is a correlation between binocular cues and depth perception. Which of the following would be an operational definition of depth perception? Responses A How far someone can see objects clearly B Whether people can tell how far away something is C How far away a research assistant stands from the participant D How many times a person accurately judges the distance of an object

Answer D Correct. This presents a measurable definition of depth perception.

Alumni of a small high school where everyone knew each other were tracked down twenty years after their high school graduation. Alumni were shown photographs of other individuals they graduated with. First, they were asked if they recognized the person in the photograph. Participants responded “yes” 75% of the time. Next, they were asked if they knew the person’s name. Participants could only correctly name the person in the photograph 25% of the time. Which of the following is the dependent variable in the recall condition? Responses A How the question was asked B The percentage of people identified by name C The number of “yes” responses to the recognition question. D How well they knew the individuals in the study.

Answer B - The dependent variable is the outcome or what is measured in a study. The percentage of people identified by name is the dependent variable for the recall condition

Dr. Lofter is a professor of cognitive psychology at a university. He has been collecting data from student performances on tests throughout the school year. Every other test is formatted as either a fill-in-the-blank test, which relies on recall, or a multiple-choice test, which relies more on recognition. At the end of the year, Dr Lofter publishes the research findings in a journal on cognitive sciences showing how students perform better on recognition tests than recall tests. Which of the following ethical violations did Dr. Lofter commit? Responses A Dr. Lofter’s students did not give informed consent to be a part of the research. B Dr. Lofter did not protect his students from harm. C Dr. Lofter did not give any other researchers an opportunity to replicate the study. D Dr. Lofter should never use their own students as research subjects.

Answer A - The students were being used to collect data without their informed consent.

Memory researchers want to determine if using a mnemonic device will prevent participants from forgetting information. They present a list of nonsense syllables to participants that have been randomly divided into two different groups. One group is instructed to use an assigned mnemonic device to remember the words while the other group is instructed to just try to recall the words without using any memory aid. Participants are then asked to recall the nonsense syllables after one hour, one day, and one week. Which of the following research designs best describes this research? Responses A Case Study B Naturalistic Observation C Experiment D Correlational Study

Answer C - The study has an independent variable (use of a mnemonic device), a control condition (no mnemonic device), and random assignment to groups, which are all the components of an experiment.

A corporation created what they referred to as an “intelligence assessment” to give to people who are applying for jobs with their company, which sells medical equipment. The assessment asked questions about popular culture, sports, and historical events that occurred in the United States. Which of the following might explain why the assessment results did not give the company a diverse pool of final candidates? Responses A The assessment lacked reliability by only asking about United States cultural and historic topics. B The assessment lacked validity by only asking about United States cultural and historic topics. C The assessment lacked standardization by only asking about United States cultural and historic topics. D The assessment lacked metacognition by only asking about United States cultural and historic topics.

Answer B - Validity refers to how well an assessment measures what it is supposed to measure. The assessment only asked about United States cultural and historic topics, so the assessment will only likely identify people familiar with United States’ culture

Dr. Shay is designing a research study to demonstrate the serial position effect. They asked 10 of their friends to volunteer as participants in the study. Half of the participants were randomly assigned Group A and shown eight random words on a computer screen. After viewing the words, members of Group A were asked to recall as many words as possible. The other half of the students randomly assigned to Group B also viewed a set of eight random words. After viewing the words, students in Group B were asked to count backwards from one hundred, in increments of 3, before recalling any of the words. What is the design flaw of this study? Responses A Group B will recall fewer words than Group A. B The participants in the study were not randomly selected. C None of the participants gave consent to participate in the study. D Both groups are likely to recall the first and last few words of the list better than they recall the words in the middle.

Answer B - Dr. Shay asked their friends to participate in the study. Their friends may not be an accurate representation of the population to which the results will be generalized.

Which of the following scenarios is an example of retroactive interference? Responses A After a car accident, Serena can no longer form new memories, though she can still remember things that happened before the accident. B Alexis believes that because she has played the lottery many times without winning, she is more likely to win than someone who has never played before. C Carl tries to remember the name of his first boss, but he cannot because he keeps thinking of the name of his current boss. D Raj just bought a new phone and keeps trying to turn it on by pushing the wrong button because the button is in the place where the on button was on his old phone.

Answer C - Retroactive interference occurs when new information (the name of Carl’s current boss) interferes with recalling old information (the name of Carl’s first boss).

Dr. Hayes is studying people’s memories. She had a group of randomly selected participants learn a list of dates related to historical events. Group 1 had to recall the dates without any cues, and Group 2 was given a one-word cue to help them with their recall of the dates. Dr. Hayes then asked the participants to rank how strongly they agreed with the following statement: How confident are you that you remembered the dates accurately? Participants were given a range of numbers to choose from to rank their level of agreement, from 1 meaning they were not confident at all to 5 meaning they were absolutely confident. Which of the following measurement tools was Dr. Hayes using in this study? Responses A Structured interview B Standard deviation C Correlation coefficient D Likert scale

Answer D - A Likert scale is a tool that asks participants to rank their agreement to a statement using a range of numbers.

When Gustavo goes through lists of inventory items and thinks about whether each one is a fruit or not, he remembers more of the items on those lists later than when he goes through lists of inventory items and does not think about what each item is. Which of the following concepts best explains Gustavo’s performance? Responses A Sensory memory, because he is activating information about his sensory experiences of fruit. B The spacing effect, because he is going through the list multiple times. C Elaborative encoding, because engaging in deeper processing improves memory. D Highly superior autobiographical memory, because Gustavo can remember vivid details for any day of his life.

Answer C Correct. Elaborative encoding, or engaging with the word to be remembered on a deeper level (for example, by considering what the word means), leads to better learning than not attending to the meaning at all.

Mary has an IQ score within one standard deviation above the mean score. This indicates her score is best described as having which of the following qualities? Responses A high enough for Mary to be considered a genius B higher than at least 75% of people who took the test C within the middle 68% of people who took the test D higher than exactly 93% of people who took the test

Answer C - About 34% of people score between the mean and one standard deviation below the mean, and about 34% of people score between the mean and one standard deviation above the mean.

A psychologist was interested in how people of different cultures choose a pet. They posted on social media a question that asked people to respond with what kind of animal would make a good pet. Which of the following psychological concepts would best characterize what the psychologist was examining? Responses A Algorithms B Heuristics C Schemas D Episodic memories

Answer C - Schemas are mental frameworks for how people think about the world. The researcher is examining people’s schemas about pets.

Shayna is chronically tired and decides to record how many hours of sleep she is getting. Her data for the last ten nights include the following estimated hours: 8, 8, 8, 4, 6, 3, 6, 10, 6, 5. What number represents the median value? Responses A 10 B 6 C 8 D 7

Answer B - The middle of the rank-ordered values is 6.

Samantha experienced a traumatic brain injury and afterward began to exhibit bizarre symptoms that no one had ever documented before. The best research method to study Samantha would be Responses A an experiment B a correlational study C a case study D naturalistic observation

Answer C - Samantha’s sym

Dr. Copeland is interested in studying how diet impacts the nervous system activity of professional dancers. She randomly assigns a group of professional ballet dancers to either a protein-rich diet or a carbohydrate-rich diet. After three weeks on each food plan, she measures the function of specific parts of the brain and nervous systems while they are dancing. Which of the following is true about Dr. Copeland’s study? Responses A Dr. Copeland is conducting an experiment. B Dr. Copeland is conducting a case study. C Dr. Copeland is using meta-analysis to test her hypothesis. D Dr. Copeland is using a correlational method.

Answer A - Dr. Copeland has randomly assigned participants to two experimental conditions (protein-rich and carbohydrate-rich).

Dr. Copeland is interested in studying how diet impacts the nervous system activity of professional dancers. She randomly assigns a group of professional ballet dancers to either a protein-rich diet or a carbohydrate-rich diet. After three weeks on each food plan, she measures the function of specific parts of the brain and nervous systems while they are dancing. Dr. Copeland found that ballet dancers on a carbohydrate-rich diet had greater activity levels in the somatic nervous system. Which is a prediction that can be made from these findings? Responses A The nervous system activation of untrained dancers on carbohydrate-rich diets would be similar. B The nervous system activation for any other type of dancers on carbohydrate-rich diets would be similar. C The dancers will make fewer mistakes on the carbohydrate-rich diet. D The dancers will make fewer mistakes on the protein-rich diet.

Answer B - These results could be expected again with other types of dancers with similar training and diets.

Answer C - This part of the nervous system helps calm the body and instigates digestion of food.

Researchers at a local veteran’s hospital wanted to explore the impact of traumatic brain injuries on veteran’s ability to sleep. Which of the following would the researchers use if they wanted to see the brain activity in a particular area of the brain as the veteran’s were sleeping? Responses A EEG B Survey C fMRI D Lesioning

Answer C Correct. An fMRI measures brain activity in specific parts of the brain.

A manager of a company that makes self-driving cars is interested in showing that self-driving cars cause fewer accidents than traditional cars. She recruited 30 people for her study. After keeping her participants awake for 24 hours straight, she randomly assigned them to either drive a traditional car or a self-driving car. Which of the following is the most significant ethical factor that might influence the approval of this study? Responses A Informed consent B Protection from harm C Debriefing D Confidentiality

Answer B Correct. The participants have been kept awake for hours which will cause delayed reflexes and slowed thinking needed to drive a car safely.

Dr. Popoca studied the characteristics of individuals experiencing red-green and yellow-blue color vision deficiency. They recruited one individual with each type of color vision deficiency and assessed each person three times per week for a period of three months. They found that all of the participants in their study were left-handed. Following their research, Dr. Popoca concludes that all individuals who experience dichromatism are left-handed. Why is their conclusion inappropriate based on their research strategy? Responses A Dr. Popoca has assumed that correlation implies causation. B Dr. Popoca’s study did not include the use of random assignment, therefore they cannot draw a conclusion about the differences between their subjects. C Dr. Popoca has conducted a case study, which cannot be generalized to the population. D Dr. Popoca has not operationally defined their variables.

Answer C Correct. Their sample size is only two and results cannot be generalized to the larger population.

Which study is a researcher who wants to draw correct cause-and-effect conclusions about the sense of smell likely to conduct? Responses A A case study in which the researcher records a person’s facial expressions when the person encounters different smells and then determines that when a person smells a good smell, the person smiles. B A study in which 50 participants are asked to rate the degree to which different smells evoke happy memories. The researcher then determines which smells are associated with happy memories. C A study in which the researcher randomly selects two groups of 30 people and exposes one group to the smell of roses and the other group to the smell of gasoline to determine whether members of the group that smelled roses act nicer to one another afterward. D A study in which the researcher randomly assigns 50 people to a group that is exposed to a strong smell of roses and 50 people to a group that experiences an odor-free environment to see whether the group exposed to the strong smell of roses reports experiencing more memories.

Answer D Correct. An experiment with random assignment and a control group allows the researcher to draw cause-and-effect conclusions, and strong smells do evoke memories from past experiences.

Which of the following biological systems is most likely responsible for an increase in heart rate while experiencing anxiety? Responses A The central nervous system B The sympathetic nervous system C The parasympathetic nervous system D The opponent-process system

Answer B Correct. The sympathetic nervous system controls the fight-or-flight response, which occurs in response to a perceived threat.

A research study seeks to examine the influence of REM sleep disruption on memory and attention. To investigate this, researchers gather a representative sample of healthy participants ages 18 to 40 years old with no prior history of sleep disorders or psychiatric conditions. They give each participant a baseline cognitive functioning test. The participants are housed in a sleep research lab for the duration of the study where they have their REM sleep disrupted multiple times each night. Following a three-week period of REM sleep disruption, participants will repeat the initial cognitive assessments to evaluate changes in performance. Which of the following research methods is being used in this study? Responses A A naturalistic observation B A correlational study C An experiment D A case study

Answer C Correct. An experimental study involves manipulation and control over an independent variable (REM sleep) to observe its effect on the dependent variable (cognitive functioning test scores).

Two researchers are interested in the social skills by people with synesthesia to perceive color. Researcher A interviews people with this disorder, and Researcher B creates a survey with a dozen questions that the participants answer using a numeric scale. Which of the following is true about this research scenario? Responses A Both researchers are using qualitative measures. B Researcher A is using a quantitative measure. C Researcher B is using a qualitative measure. D Researcher B is using a quantitative measure.

Answer D Correct. The numeric ratings that the participants provide are considered a quantitative measure.

eurologists trying to find a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease selected 100 individuals with moderate to severe symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Fifty participants were randomly placed into either an experimental condition that received a new medication that acted as an agonist for acetylcholine or the control condition which continued to receive same care as before. The study lasted for ten weeks at which time members of both groups took a cognitive assessment to determine their level of functioning. Which of the following best explains the operational definition of the dependent variable in this study? Responses A The group that received the new medication. B The group that continues with their treatment as before. C How the participants were placed into their respective groups. D The score on the cognitive assessment.

Answer D Correct. The dependent variable is the outcome or what is measured in a study, and the operational definition describes how that variable will be measured. The assessment is the measurement tool, and the operational definition is the score.

A sample of pregnant women is given a high dose of caffeine daily to determine if their babies are born with an addiction to caffeine. Which of the following is an ethical issue in this study? Responses A There was no random assignment. B Deception is not allowed in psychological research. C There is possible long-term harm to the babies. D Pregnant women are not a random sample.

Answer C Correct. It is important that informed consent be obtained from the participants, especially when there is a potential for long-term effects. Also, an IRB would need to review this study to determine if the potential benefit of the study outweighed the risks to the participants.

Dr. Jones conducted a study in which he surveyed participants and compared their reported levels of physical activity to their measures of brain plasticity. Dr. Jones concludes that higher levels of physical activity cause a greater degree of neuroplastic changes in the brain. He plans to publish his findings. What mistake is Dr. Jones making in his research conclusion? Responses A Dr. Jones’s study was correlational, so it cannot generate a causal conclusion. B Dr. Jones did not fully debrief participants of his findings at the conclusion of the study. C Dr. Jones plans to publish his research findings without peer review. D Dr. Jones did not operationally define how he measured levels of physical activity.

Answer A Correct. This study is correlational; therefore, it cannot generate causal conclusions.

Which of the following studies is from an evolutionary perspective? Responses A A study to see if people who had a more congruent view of their real self and their ideal self were happier B A study to see if women were more attracted to men who liked children than men who did not like children C A study looking at how biological, psychological, and social factors affect development D A study looking at how quickly a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement leads to extinction resistant behaviors

Answer B Correct. Evolutionary psychology is concerned with mating strategies, and perceived attractiveness of the opposite sex in relation to their affinity for their children.

A researcher is interested in measuring adrenaline levels in male subjects and then comparing those levels to each participant’s corresponding level of aggression. The researcher takes blood samples from each male participant to identify their adrenaline levels, and then gives each participant a survey that measures aggression. The results of the study indicate that higher levels of adrenaline were associated with higher rates of aggression. Which of the following best describes why the researcher cannot report a causal relationship in this study? Responses A There was no manipulation of an independent variable. B The sample was not large enough to be representative. C There is no operational definition of aggression. D There is no reliable way to measure testosterone in the subjects.

Answer A Correct. This research is not experimental because there was no manipulation of an independent variable.

Based on its effects on the central nervous system, alcohol can be classified as which of the following concepts? Responses A a hallucinogen B a depressant C an antagonist D a neurotransmitter

Answer B Correct. Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it has a calming effect on the central nervous system.

The drugs that block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters in the synapse during neural transmission are best identified as which of the following concepts? Responses A reuptake inhibitors B antipsychotics C antihistamines D stimulants

Answer A Correct. Reuptake inhibitors block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters back into the sending neuron.

Answer B Correct. This study has an independent variable (stimulants) that are manipulated by the researchers and compared to a control measure to determine the effect on a dependent variable (brain activity).

Researchers measured changes in neural firing in the frontal lobes for ten rats that were exposed to stimulants. The researchers used an MRI that indicates brain activity with colors. Normal brain activity is indicated by greens and yellows. High brain activity is indicated by reds and oranges. Low brain activity is indicated by grays and blues. All the rat’s brains showed normal activity prior to being exposed to the stimulant. What is the operational definition of neural activity in the rats? Responses A The amount of stimulant given to each rat. B Random selection of the rats from a large population to be part of the stimulant group. C The color presented in the MRI images. D The size of the rats’ frontal lobes.

Answer C Correct. The color in the fMRI is the measurable and observable element of the study being described.

Researchers measured changes in neural firing in the frontal lobes for ten rats that were exposed to stimulants. The researchers used an MRI that indicates brain activity with colors. Normal brain activity is indicated by greens and yellows. High brain activity is indicated by reds and oranges. Low brain activity is indicated by grays and blues. All the rat’s brains showed normal activity prior to being exposed to the stimulant. Which of the following is a prediction that could be made about the activity of the rats’ brains when exposed to the stimulant? Responses A The MRI will show more greens and yellows when exposed to the stimulants. B The MRI will show more blues and grays when exposed to the stimulant. C The MRI will show no difference in neural activity. D The MRI should show more oranges and reds when exposed to the stimulant.

Answer D Correct. The stimulant would increase brain activity, which is indicated by oranges and reds.

A small sample of living neural tissue is being studied under a powerful microscope. The researcher notices that some of the neural cells have connections to capillaries and seem to nourish and support the other neural cells. What type of research is being conducted? Responses A Experiment B Naturalistic observation C Correlational D Case study

Answer B Correct. The researcher is simply observing the behavior of the cells under the microscope without any interference.

The figure shows the myelin sheath, a semipermeable membrane that provides support and helps speed up the action potential in neurons. What condition occurs when the immune system causes the deterioration of the myelin sheath? Responses A Alzheimer’s disease B Multiple sclerosis C Autism D Myasthenia gravis

Answer B Correct. Deterioration of the myelin sheath is the cause of muscular sclerosis.

A researcher studied rats to determine the effectiveness of a new drug on acetylcholine receptor sites. First, the rats were trained to find a reward at the end of a maze. Next, the rats were randomly assigned to two groups. One group of rats were injected with the new acetylcholine-like drug. The second group of rats were injected with a saline solution. Finally, researchers measured how many mistakes the rats made as they navigated the maze. Which of the following research methods was used by the researchers? Responses A Correlational B Experimental C Naturalistic observation D Case study

Answer B Correct. The study manipulates an independent variable and measures the dependent variable to determine its effects while using random assignment of subjects into experimental and control groups.

Getting a headache from not having a morning coffee after substantial daily coffee consumption for several months is most likely due to which of the following concepts? Responses A tolerance B withdrawal C dependence D accommodation

Answer B Correct. After becoming dependent on a drug, abstaining from that drug can cause unpleasant physiological symptoms.

Below is a transcript of a case study about an individual named Arjun. Arjun was diagnosed with epilepsy and struggled with seizures regularly. After trying multiple unsuccessful treatments, his neurologist recommended surgery that severed the connections between the two hemispheres of the brain. Arjun agreed to the surgery. After surgery, Arjun experienced changes that were noticed during special testing in a laboratory setting by a researcher. In the laboratory, psychologists flashed different images or words to his left and right visual fields. Arjun could easily speak the names of items that were flashed to his right visual field. He could not easily speak the names of items that were flashed to this left visual field. Arjun was studied by a researcher for many years, and his experiences went unchanged. The researcher published the research with Arjun where he shared Arjun’s experience and his first and last name. Which of the following parts of the brain was severed to address Arjun’s epileptic seizures? Responses A Amygdala B Cerebellum C Corpus Callosum D Medulla

Answer C Correct. The corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres of the brain.

Below is a transcript of a case study about an individual named Arjun. Arjun was diagnosed with epilepsy and struggled with seizures regularly. After trying multiple unsuccessful treatments, his neurologist recommended surgery that severed the connections between the two hemispheres of the brain. Arjun agreed to the surgery. After surgery, Arjun experienced changes that were noticed during special testing in a laboratory setting by a researcher. In the laboratory, psychologists flashed different images or words to his left and right visual fields. Arjun could easily speak the names of items that were flashed to his right visual field. He could not easily speak the names of items that were flashed to this left visual field. Arjun was studied by a researcher for many years, and his experiences went unchanged. The researcher published the research with Arjun where he shared Arjun’s experience and his first and last name. Which of the following parts of the brain allowed Arjun to speak the names of the items flashed to his right visual field? Responses A Hypothalamus B Hippocampus C Primary visual cortex D Broca’s Area

Answer D Correct. Broca’s area is in the left frontal lobe and assists in speech production.

Below is a transcript of a case study about an individual named Arjun. Arjun was diagnosed with epilepsy and struggled with seizures regularly. After trying multiple unsuccessful treatments, his neurologist recommended surgery that severed the connections between the two hemispheres of the brain. Arjun agreed to the surgery. After surgery, Arjun experienced changes that were noticed during special testing in a laboratory setting by a researcher. In the laboratory, psychologists flashed different images or words to his left and right visual fields. Arjun could easily speak the names of items that were flashed to his right visual field. He could not easily speak the names of items that were flashed to this left visual field. Arjun was studied by a researcher for many years, and his experiences went unchanged. The researcher published the research with Arjun where he shared Arjun’s experience and his first and last name. Which of the following ethical procedures did the researcher neglect when they published the research with Arjun? Responses A Confidentiality B Informed consent C Deception D Sampling bias

Answer A Correct. The researcher shared Arjun’s full name in the journals where he shared his research.

Much of the research regarding the function of brain areas has been gathered from case studies of individuals with brain injury or disease. Which of the following identifies a reason for this? Responses A Quantitative research studies cannot demonstrate cause and effect between variables. B The independent variable in an experiment would inflict brain injury, which is unethical. C There would be no relationship between an injured area of the brain and the functioning of that respective area. D It is not possible to find enough participants to conduct a proper qualitative research study.

Answer B Correct. An experiment involves manipulation of an independent variable and random assignment to groups. Researchers cannot intentionally cause harm to participants.

Which of the following activities most directly relies on the hippocampus? Responses A Remembering events specific to one’s life B Memorizing the layout of a neighborhood C Using short-term memory to recreate a picture when drawing a copy of the picture D Rehearsing a fact to remember it for a short period of time

Answer B Correct. The hippocampus is most involved in creating cognitive maps (such as a layout of a new neighborhood).

Professor Janeja is studying which brain regions are involved in learning to correctly navigate a maze task. She randomly assigns half of a group of mice to get a lesion in one area of the brain. The other half does not get a lesion. Based on the following graph, where in the brain is the most likely site of the lesion? The figure shows a bar graph. The vertical axis is labeled “Accuracy,” and the numbers through 100, in increments of 20, are indicated. Two categories are indicated on the horizontal axis. Each category has one bar. The data represented by the bar are as follows. Note that all values are approximate. Mice with a Lesion, 5. Mice without a Lesion, 100. Responses A The hippocampus B Wernicke’s area C The thalamus D The pons

Answer A Correct. The hippocampus is associated with spatial learning and navigation, so lesioning it would cause difficulties with navigation.

Which of the following best describes a major role of the thalamus? Responses A It regulates body temperature. B It regulates hunger. C It regulates the autonomic nervous system. D It relays most sensory signals to the cortex.

Answer D Correct. All sensory signals, except for olfactory signals, reach the cortex by first passing through the thalamus.

A researcher discovered a chemical compound that seems to slow down the heart rate of monkeys by targeting an area of the medulla. The researcher believes that the compound could help reduce the symptoms associated with panic disorder. Which of the following is the appropriate next step for the researcher to take after developing the compound into a new drug? Responses A Immediately begin giving the drug to humans to test its effects. B Publish the findings in an appropriate journal and see if the results can be replicated. C Report the findings to a reputable pharmaceutical company to apply for a patent. D Apply to an institutional review board (IRB) to begin animal trials for the drug.

Answer D Correct. This is the first step in testing a new drug for its effectiveness for treating panic disorder symptoms.

The parietal lobe is most involved in which of the following processes? Responses A processing sensory information B storing information in long-term memory C coordinating complex motor movements D regulating emotions

Answer A Correct. The parietal lobe processes and integrates sensory information, including taste, hearing, sight, touch, and smell.

Researchers conducted an experiment on baboons by inserting a wire into the reticular activating system (RAS) that produced a mild electrical current. The researchers stimulated the RAS while the baboons were performing different tasks. Which of the following operational definitions would be most easily replicated by other researchers trying to duplicate the experiment? Responses A The baboons were observed to see if they were more awake after they had the RAS stimulated. B The baboons’ heart rates were measured by a monitor attached to their chest before and after the RAS was stimulated. C The baboons enjoyed a food reward after the mild electrical current was experienced. D The baboons were observed to see if they were more aggressive after having the RAS stimulated.

Answer B Correct. The variable of a heart rate difference before and after the RAS stimulation has data that could be compared if the experiment were replicated.

Which of the following is a testable hypothesis using operational definitions about people who have undergone split-brain surgery to help control severe epilepsy? Responses A Split-brain patients will not be able to name an object placed in their left visual field. B Split-brain patients will no longer appreciate art following the surgery. C Split-brain patients will have very vivid dreams following the surgery. D Split-brain patients will be more amused by jokes following the surgery.

Answer A Correct. The wording of this hypothesis has a specific measurable variable that can be observed.

An institutional review board (IRB) rejected a proposal for research where participants requesting to lesion Wernicke’s Area in otherwise healthy individuals to study the resulting speech comprehension issues. Which of the following is the most likely ethical consideration for rejecting the study? Responses A Informed Consent B Protection from Harm C Deception D Generalizability of Results

Answer B Correct. Lesioning a healthy brain for the purposes of a study would harm the patents and therefore violate this ethical principle.

Kara thinks she sees a spider on the floor of her bathroom. She is extremely afraid of spiders. Which of the following nervous systems would be responsible for her fearful reaction to the spider? Responses A Somatic nervous system B Parasympathetic nervous system C Sympathetic nervous system D Central nervous system

Answer C Correct. The sympathetic nervous system helps the body respond to stress.

Kara thinks she sees a spider on the floor of her bathroom. She is extremely afraid of spiders. Upon further inspection, though, she realizes the “spider” is only a ball of hair. Which of the following nervous systems would be responsible for calming her down after she realizes the ball of hair is not a spider? Responses A Somatic nervous system B Parasympathetic nervous system C Sympathetic nervous system D Central nervous system

Answer B Correct. The parasympathetic nervous system serves to calm the body allowing rest and repair.

Tamara’s coach reminds the team not to eat for several hours before the basketball game because the digestive process will be slowed down due to the intense activity. Which of the following aspects of the peripheral nervous system is directly responsible for slowing down digestive processes during the game? Responses A Somatic nervous system B Parasympathetic nervous system C Central nervous system D Sympathetic nervous system

Answer D Correct. The sympathetic nervous system consists of nerves that slow digestive functions, elevate arousal, and prepare the body for action.

Changes in Physiology Pupils Increases Heart rate Increases Salivation Decreases Digestion Decreases The physiological changes in the table most clearly represent activation of which of the following? Responses A The parasympathetic nervous system B The sympathetic nervous system C A spinal reflex arc D The vestibular system

Answer B Correct. These changes are indicative of a fight or flight response triggered by the sympathetic nervous system.

Trinna and Suzanne are identical twins who were the same length at birth. They were adopted by different families at birth and then reconnected in their early thirties. Trinna is two inches shorter and was a severely selective eater as a child. A researcher was conducting an investigation about twins separated at birth. What research method and explanation best fit this scenario? Responses A A longitudinal study, because heredity is much more important than environment in determining length and height. B A case study, because environment is much more important than heredity in determining length and height. C A case study, because both heredity and environment are important in determining length and height. D A longitudinal study, because environment is much less important than heredity in determining height in early childhood.

Answer C Correct. A case study is appropriate, and both heredity and environment are important in determining length and height. Nutritional factors and maternal smoking during pregnancy affect length and height, as do genetic factors.

Johnny often hits his brother even though his brother does not do anything to antagonize him. Johnny’s aggression is most likely due to a combination of which of the following factors? Responses A his genetic makeup, the fact that aggression can be evolutionarily adaptive, and a lack of neuroplasticity B the environment he grew up in, developmental delays, and the fact that aggression can be evolutionarily adaptive C his genetic makeup, developmental delays, and a lack of neuroplasticity D his genetic makeup, the environment he grew up in, and the fact that aggression can be evolutionarily adaptive

Answer D Correct. Johnny’s genetic makeup, the environment he grew up in, and the fact that aggression can be evolutionarily adaptive probably all played a part in his aggressive behavior.

Ruth and Debbie are identical twins who were raised by the same family. Vince and Frankie are identical twins who were separated at birth and raised by different families. According to research on the heritability of personality traits, Ruth's and Debbie's personalities are statistically Responses A more likely to be similar to one another than are Vince’s and Frankie’s personalities B likely to be as similar and dissimilar to one another as are Vince’s and Frankie’s personalities C more likely to be dissimilar to one another than are Vince’s and Frankie’s personalities D less likely to match on the personality dimensions of agreeableness and extraversion than are Vince and Frankie but not on other personality dimensions

Answer B Correct. This was the main conclusion of the large-scale Minnesota twin study and has been further supported by more recent research studies about twins. Identical twins raised apart have the capacity to be just as similar and dissimilar as twins raised together.

Mark and Matt are twins. A psychologist studies Mark and Matt from birth until their 25th birthday. The psychologist gathers data about their likes and dislikes, extracurricular activities, school success, and doctor visits. The psychologist is interested in the interaction of nature and nurture on their development. Which of the following research methods is the psychologist using to study Mark and Matt? Responses A Case Study B Experimental method C Survey D Cross-sectional

Answer A Correct. Based on the information, the psychologist is investigating Mark and Matt in depth over a long period of time.

Which of the follow scenarios is the best example of natural selection? Responses A During a drought, the foliage in a region turns brown. More brownish moths than whitish moths from a particular breed survive predation and produce more offspring. Subsequent generations of moths have a higher percentage of brownish moths than the generation before. B During a hurricane, both brownish and whitish moths are killed in approximately equal numbers by the storm. The population of moths is substantially reduced. C Just before the moth breeding season, the weather conditions result in an unusual abundance of food. With so much food, the moth population increases dramatically, regardless of color. D An increase in predation substantially reduces the population of adult brownish and whitish moths. Relatively few moths survive to breed, and the population is reduced in the next generation.

Answer A Correct. Because a portion of the moth population had a trait that allowed them to survive the drought and breed, the characteristic (i.e., color) allowed for greater survival, and subsequent breeding was increased in the later generation, which is natural selection.

Dimitri and Dominic are identical twins who were separated at birth and raised by different families. When they found each other through DNA tracking, they were surprised to see how different they were. Which research method would a psychologist most likely use to document their behavioral differences? Responses A Experiment B Correlation C Case Study D Meta-analysis

Answer B Correct. To establish the difference between the two people, extensive survey questions offer the best option.

In a recent study on the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, researchers recruited 300 volunteers from a local university. The study required participants to either sleep for 4 hours or 8 hours for three consecutive nights. Following this, their memory, attention, and reaction times were tested using standardized cognitive assessments. To ensure the diversity of the sample, participants were chosen from various departments, years, and backgrounds. The recruitment posters were placed around the university, and participants were selected based on who responded first to the advertisement. Which of the following allows psychologists to generalize research findings to the intended population? A Replication B Random Assignment C Random Sample D Double-Blind Technique

team of researchers is interested in studying the impact of video gaming on sleep quality among teenagers. They hypothesize that teenagers who play video games for more than three hours daily exhibit poorer sleep quality compared to those who play less. To objectively measure "sleep quality," the researchers decide to use several criteria including the total sleep time, the time it takes to fall asleep, and the number of awakenings during the night. These criteria are monitored using a wearable sleep tracker that records sleep patterns over two weeks. Which of the following best illustrates the use of an operational definition in the researchers' study? A "Video gaming" is defined as playing video games on any electronic device including consoles, computers, or mobile phones, specifically for more than three hours per day. B "Poor sleep quality" is quantified by the total sleep time of less than seven hours per night, more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, and more than three awakenings during the night as recorded by the wearable sleep tracker. C "Teenagers" are identified as individuals aged between 13 and 19 years old, enrolled in middle or high school, and actively participating in the study. D "Electronic devices" include any device capable of running video game software, such as consoles, computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Which of the following correlation coefficients reflects the weakest relationship between two variables? A -0.95 B +0.10 C -0.40 D +0.65

Dr. Davis conducted an experiment to determine whether a new type of therapy designed to reduce anxiety is more effective than the traditional methods currently in use. She divided her participants into two groups: one received the new therapy, and the other received the traditional therapy. After six weeks, Dr. Davis collected data on the anxiety levels of all participants, using a standardized anxiety assessment tool. The results were analyzed statistically to determine if there was a significant difference in the effectiveness of the two therapy methods. The statistical analysis showed that the difference between the means of the two groups was statistically significant. If the difference between the means of two groups is statistically significant, what does this mean? A The findings are important and will impact our understanding of a specific psychological phenomenon. B The scores in the distributions for the two groups are normally distributed. C Outliers have skewed the distribution of the scores for the different groups.. D The difference between the groups is not likely due to chance.

Dr. Thompson is exploring the potential benefits of a new cognitive training program designed specifically for older adults. The study involves 60 participants aged 65 to 85 who have reported concerns about their cognitive abilities but do not have any diagnosed cognitive impairments. The participants are divided into two groups: one group participates in the cognitive training program, which includes puzzles, memory games, and problem-solving activities, while the other group engages in general discussions about health and nutrition without specific cognitive exercises. This setup runs for 12 months, with cognitive assessments conducted at the start, middle, and end of the period to measure changes in cognitive performance. What type of research method is used to study the impact of the cognitive training program on cognitive ability? A Survey B Case study C Naturalistic observation D Experimentation

Dr. Moreno, a social psychologist, is investigating the interactions between parents and children in public settings to better understand patterns of communication and discipline in real-world environments. She spends several months observing families at various community parks, without intervening or altering the settings in any way. Dr. Moreno takes detailed notes on verbal and non-verbal behaviors exhibited by both parents and children, paying particular attention to responses to misbehavior. She ensures that her presence is unobtrusive to avoid influencing the behaviors being observed. The goal of this study is to provide an empirical basis for theories on parenting styles and their immediate effects on child behavior in natural settings. What research method is Dr. Moreno using to study parent-child interactions in community parks? A Naturalistic observation B Experimental design C Survey research D Case study

Dr. Evans, a psychologist specializing in organizational behavior, is conducting a study to assess employee satisfaction within various departments of a large corporation. To gather comprehensive data, she develops a survey using Likert scales, where employees rate their agreement with statements on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The statements cover topics like job satisfaction, management support, work-life balance, and opportunities for professional development. Dr. Evans plans to analyze these ratings to identify areas where the company excels and where it could improve. The survey results are intended to help formulate better policies that enhance employee welfare and productivity. What is the primary purpose of using Likert scales in Dr. Evans' study on employee satisfaction? A To determine the causal relationship between management support and employee productivity. B To quantify the subjective opinions of employees in a way that can be statistically analyzed. C To identify specific employees who are dissatisfied for targeted interviews. D To test a new theory regarding the impact of work-life balance on job satisfaction.

Dr. Spencer, a psychologist specializing in adolescent development, conducts a study to evaluate the variability in sleep patterns among teenagers. He collects data from 200 high school students, tracking their total hours of sleep per night over a one-month period. Dr. Spencer is particularly interested in understanding how sleep patterns vary, as inconsistent sleep can significantly impact cognitive and emotional development during adolescence. After analyzing the data, he notices a wide range of sleep durations, from as few as 4 hours to as many as 10 hours per night. Dr. Spencer calculates the mean sleep duration to be 7 hours. To further analyze the data, he decides to calculate the standard deviation to measure the extent of variation or dispersion of sleep hours around this mean. Why is it important for Dr. Spencer to calculate the standard deviation of sleep durations in his study? A To determine the average amount of sleep that all teenagers get. B To identify which sleep duration is most common among teenagers. C To measure how much individual sleep durations vary around the average. D To find out the minimum and maximum sleep durations recorded.

Which of the following approaches to psychology emphasizes observable responses over inner experiences when accounting for behavior? A Behaviorist B Cognitive C Existentialist D Psychodynamic

According to one theory of psychology, many people have mental illnesses because their maladaptive behaviors have proven rewarding for them in the past and thus have been continued. This belief is consistent with which of the following models? A Behavioral B Biological C Cognitive D Psychodynamic

Although Paul seems bright and capable to his parents and friends, he has been failing in school. Paul agrees to speak with a psychologist, who suggests that his problems stem from internal processes such as unrealistic expectations and negative thinking. The psychologist’s view is typical of which of the following models of behavior? A Psychoanalytic B Humanistic C Cognitive D Behavioral

During a city-wide marathon, Jamie, an experienced runner, finds herself in a tense situation when she narrowly avoids a collision with a distracted cyclist on the course. Almost immediately, Jamie notices her heart rate increases, her breathing becomes rapid, and her muscles feel more tense, ready to respond quickly to any further sudden events. This automatic physiological response helps her stay alert and focused as she continues her race. Which part of Jamie's nervous system is primarily responsible for these immediate physical reactions? A The parasympathetic nervous system, which conserves energy and slows the heart rate, helping her to calm down after the near collision. B The sympathetic nervous system, which activates the body's fight-or-flight response, increasing her heart rate and readiness to respond to potential threats. C The central nervous system, which processes information and is the main reason she was able to notice the cyclist and avoid a collision. D The somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary muscle movements and allowed her to physically maneuver away from the cyclist.

Liam, an avid pianist, has been practicing for his upcoming performance at a prestigious music competition. During his practice sessions, he notices that his finger movements on the piano keys have become slower and sometimes uncoordinated, unlike his usual fluid playing style. Concerned, Liam visits his doctor, who explains that this issue may be related to a neurotransmitter involved in muscle action, learning, and memory. The doctor suggests that the levels of this neurotransmitter might be lower than normal, affecting Liam’s motor control. Which neurotransmitter is most likely being described that is crucial for Liam’s ability to control his finger movements while playing the piano? A Dopamine, which primarily influences mood and reward-based motor function, possibly affecting his motivation and precision in playing. B Serotonin, known for its role in mood regulation and sleep patterns, which might be affecting his overall alertness and motor coordination. C Acetylcholine, which is essential for muscle activation and motor control, and could be directly influencing his ability to perform complex finger movements. D GABA, which inhibits nerve transmission in the brain, potentially leading to decreased coordination and motor control if not properly balanced.

While camping in the wilderness, Alex accidentally steps on a sharp object. Instantly, he feels a sharp pain and reflexively pulls his foot away before he even realizes what has happened. This quick response involves signals being sent to and from his brain to initiate the rapid withdrawal of his foot. This scenario illustrates the functioning of a specific part of Alex's nervous system, which is responsible for transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system and carrying motor commands away from the central nervous system to the rest of the body. Which part of Alex's nervous system is primarily involved in his immediate reaction to stepping on the sharp object? A Autonomic Nervous System B Central Nervous System (CNS) C Somatic Nervous System D Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Dr. Warner, a cognitive psychologist, designs an experiment to investigate the neural correlates of decision-making under stress. Participants are recruited from a local university and are placed in a simulated environment where they must make quick decisions about which path to take in a virtual maze, with some paths leading to rewards and others to penalties. During the task, participants’ brain activity is monitored using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to identify areas of heightened activity. Dr. Warner specifically looks at changes in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala to assess how stress influences decision-making processes. The study aims to provide insights into which brain regions are most active during high-pressure decision-making and how these areas interact. Which of the following best identifies a potential limitation of using fMRI in Dr. Warner’s study on decision-making under stress? A fMRI provides real-time, second-by-second analysis of brain activity, which may not accurately capture the fast-changing dynamics of decision-making processes. B The high cost of fMRI technology limits the number of participants Dr. Warner can include in her study, potentially reducing its statistical power. C fMRI measures blood flow in the brain, which is an indirect measure of neural activity, and may not precisely reflect the actual electrical activity occurring during decision-making. D The noisy environment of the fMRI scanner can induce additional stress in participants, possibly confounding the effects of the simulated stress in the experiment.

Max, who is attempting to lose weight, notices that his feelings of hunger seem almost unbearable between meals, despite consuming a calorie-restricted diet that should be nutritionally adequate. As part of his diet plan, he undergoes medical tests to better understand his body's responses to hunger. His doctor explains that a hormone responsible for signaling hunger to the brain is found at higher levels in his blood tests, which might explain his intense feelings of hunger. Understanding this hormone's role is crucial for managing Max’s dietary needs and weight loss plan effectively. Which hormone, known for its significant role in signaling hunger, is likely influencing Max's increased hunger sensations? A leptin B ghrelin C insulin D cortisol

After suffering a stroke, Martin experiences significant challenges with speech production. He struggles to form complete sentences and often pauses mid-speech, searching for the right words, which frequently results in frustration. During a conversation, he understands what others say but can only respond with disjointed and effortful speech. His neurologist explains that the stroke damaged a specific area of the brain associated with speech production, leading to these symptoms. Based on Martin’s condition, which disorder, characterized by difficulty in producing speech while largely retaining comprehension abilities, is most likely affecting him? A Broca's aphasia B Wernicke's Aphasia C Global Aphasia D Anomic Aphasia

During a neuroscience lecture, Professor Thompson discusses a case study of a patient who experienced sudden impairments in sensory processing following a brain injury. The patient reported difficulties in effectively processing visual and auditory information, leading to challenges in navigating environments and understanding spoken language. These sensory issues were traced back to damage in a specific brain structure that acts as a central hub for relaying and integrating sensory information before it reaches the cortex. Based on the description of the patient's symptoms and the role of the affected brain structure, which part of the brain is most likely involved in the patient's sensory processing difficulties? A Thalamus B Hypothalamus C Amygdala D Cerebellum

A survey shows that children who have encyclopedias in their home environment earn better grades in school than children whose homes lack encyclopedias. The researcher concludes that having encyclopedias in the home environment improves grades. Which of the following explains why the researcher has reached an erroneous conclusion? A She failed to allow for experimenter bias. B She did not identify the independent variable. C She inferred correlation from causation. D She inferred causation from correlation.

In terms of the effect on the central nervous system, alcohol is most accurately classified as which of the following types of drug? A Depressant B Narcotic C Psychoactive D Stimulant

Juana accidentally touched a hot iron. She immediately drew back her hand. Which of the following is true about the withdrawal of her hand? A It was initiated in the motor cortex. B It was initiated in the spinal cord. C It was due to instructions from the brain. D It was an operantly conditioned response.

Which of the following circumstances would most likely lead to a person experiencing an increased feeling of love? A Decreasing levels of endorphins B Consistently high levels of adrenaline C A sudden increase in levels of norepinephrine D A sudden increase in levels of oxytocin

Dr. Nance studies the effects of psychoactive drugs on memory and decision-making. When conducting research in this area, Dr. Nance must be sure that people's previous experiences with psychoactive drugs are taken into account. Which of the following procedures is intended to control for preexisting differences between the groups of participants in an experiment? A A double-blind design B Random sampling C Random assignment D Running one participant at a time

Which of the following is a disease in which the immune system attacks the insulated covering of neurons in the central nervous system? A Alzheimer's disease B Multiple sclerosis C Schizophrenia D Epilepsy

ignificant damage to which of the following parts of the brain will most likely cause a person to fall into a deep coma from which the person will be unable to awaken? A Hypothalamus B Frontal lobe C Reticular formation D Thalamus

Damage to the cerebellum would most likely result in which of the following problems? A aphasia B increased aggression C a loss of motor coordination D a change in personality

Emma has lost the ability to understand language. She has most likely suffered damage to the A left frontal lobe B left temporal lobe C cerebellum D right temporal lobe

An image projected to the left visual field of a split-brained person will be processed in the A left visual cortex B right visual cortex C right side of the left retina D left side of the right retina

The network of structures involved in emotion, motivation, and memory is the A limbic system B corpus callosum C occipital lobe D parietal lobe

The pituitary gland is controlled by the A hippocampus B medulla C amygdala D hypothalamus

After several weeks of intense studying for her final exams, Maya notices significant changes in her sleep patterns. Initially, due to her busy schedule and anxiety about her exams, her sleep was short and frequently interrupted, leading to less restful nights. Once her exams were over, she found herself sleeping longer than usual, with particularly vivid and intense dreams that she could easily recall upon waking. A sleep researcher might explain that this change in Maya's sleep pattern, especially the increase in vivid dreaming, is due to a phenomenon known as REM rebound. What does REM rebound suggest about Maya’s recent sleep experiences? A Maya’s increased REM sleep is compensating for REM sleep lost during her exam preparation, reflecting the brain’s way of balancing sleep cycles. B Maya is experiencing longer REM sleep periods because her stress levels have decreased significantly after exams, allowing her brain to enter deeper sleep stages. C The vividness and intensity of Maya’s dreams are due to increased stress and anxiety from exams, which enhance the emotional content of dreams during REM sleep. D REM rebound is indicative of an underlying sleep disorder that Maya developed due to the stress of her exams, suggesting that her REM sleep is irregular and unhealthy.

Dr. Moreno, a psychologist specializing in sleep research, conducts a study to investigate the effects of circadian rhythms on cognitive performance. She recruits 100 college students and divides them into two groups based on their self-reported sleep patterns: one group consisting of "night owls" and the other of "morning larks." Over a period of one week, Dr. Moreno administers cognitive tests to each participant at three different times: 7 AM, 2 PM, and 9 PM. She hypothesizes that the alignment of peak cognitive performance times with individuals' natural circadian rhythms will demonstrate differing peaks in performance between the two groups. Which of the following best identifies a potential flaw in the research methodology used by Dr. Moreno in her study on circadian rhythms? A The cognitive tests administered may not be sensitive enough to detect differences in performance linked to time of day. B The study could suffer from selection bias, as it relies on self-reported sleep patterns to categorize participants. C The study lacks a control group, which is essential for comparing the effects of circadian rhythms on cognitive performance. D The conclusion that specific circadian rhythms cause better cognitive performance at certain times may be premature without experimental manipulation of sleep patterns.

In a research study on human sensory capabilities, participants are asked to sit in a dark room and identify the moment they can detect a light being turned on. The light's intensity is increased gradually from complete darkness. This experiment aims to determine the point at which the faintest stimulus becomes detectable, which varies from person to person but generally represents a fundamental concept in sensory processing. What is this concept called, which defines the minimum level of stimulus intensity required for detection at least 50 percent of the time? A Absolute threshold B Difference threshold C Signal detection theory D Sensory adaptation

During a sensory perception experiment, Sarah is presented with two bowls of water at slightly different temperatures. She is asked to immerse her hand in each bowl and identify if there is a difference in temperature between them. The experimenters increase the temperature difference incrementally until Sarah is consistently able to discern which bowl is warmer. This process is used to determine the smallest change in temperature that Sarah can reliably detect, a critical concept in sensory perception studies. What is this concept known as, which quantifies the minimum difference in stimulus intensity required to produce a noticeable variation in sensory experience? A Sensory adaptation, which describes the diminished sensitivity to a constant stimulus over time. B Absolute threshold, which is the minimum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected at least half the time. C Just-noticeable difference (JND), which measures the smallest increment in stimulus intensity that can be detected. D Signal detection theory, which assesses how and when a person detects a stimulus amidst background noise.

Dr. Larson, a neuroscientist, is investigating the Gate Control Theory of pain, which suggests that pain perception is not just a direct result of activating pain fibers but is also influenced by the interplay between different neural pathways in the spinal cord that act like gates to either block or allow pain signals to pass to the brain. To explore this theory, Dr. Larson designs an experiment where participants are subjected to mild heat stimuli on their arms while engaged in various activities that involve mental distraction or relaxation techniques. Participants' reported pain levels are recorded, and their neural activity is monitored via EEG to observe changes in brain responses under different conditions. Dr. Larson hypothesizes that engaging in distracting activities or relaxation techniques will effectively 'close the gates' and result in lower pain reports compared to a control condition where no distracting activities are provided. Which of the following best identifies a potential methodological flaw in Dr. Larson’s study of the Gate Control Theory? A The use of EEG might not be specific enough to detect the precise neural mechanisms in the spinal cord that are hypothesized to 'gate' pain signals. B Including a variety of distracting activities might produce variable effects on pain perception, which could complicate the interpretation of results. C Measuring reported pain levels only may not accurately reflect the physiological processes underlying pain perception according to the Gate Control Theory. D Using mild heat stimuli may not activate the gate-control mechanisms as effectively as more intense pain stimuli would, potentially underestimating the theory’s applicability.

Elaine, a quality control manager in a perfume factory, is tasked with ensuring that each batch of perfume maintains a consistent scent intensity. She notices that small changes in the concentration of fragrance oils are not detectable until they exceed a certain percentage. This observation reflects a principle of sensory perception that quantifies the smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected, relative to the baseline or original intensity of the stimulus. Elaine uses this principle to set standards for acceptable variations in scent intensity between batches. Based on Elaine's use of this sensory perception principle, which concept best describes her method for determining detectable differences in perfume intensity? A Sensory Adaptation B Signal Detection Theory C Weber's Law D Difference Threshold

Dr. Ivanova is studying how quickly different sounds are processed in the brain. Participants wear headphones and listen to various tones, each at a different pitch and volume. They are instructed to press a button as soon as they hear a sound. Response times are recorded, and Dr. Ivanova uses these times to infer how quickly the auditory system can convert sounds into neural signals that the brain can interpret. She believes that faster response times indicate more efficient auditory transduction. Which of the following would be a significant limitation of Dr. Ivanova's study on auditory transduction? A Using headphones might not accurately replicate natural hearing conditions, which could affect how sounds are processed. B Individual differences in hearing ability could affect response times, making it difficult to compare results across participants. C The simplicity of the task might not fully engage the auditory processing systems, leading to underestimations of transduction capabilities. D Response times might be influenced by participants' reaction speeds, not just their auditory processing speed.

ena has been participating in a sleep study to better understand her learning and memory processes. Each night, after studying for her university exams, she is asked to sleep in a lab where her brain activity is monitored. Researchers notice a significant amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which Lena reports vivid dreams about the material she studied before bed. The following day, she demonstrates a remarkable recall of the studied material. The researchers hypothesize that the dreams Lena experiences are not random but are instead part of a cognitive process where memories are strengthened and stabilized during sleep. This hypothesis aligns with a specific theory about the role of dreams in psychological function. According to this theory, what is the primary purpose of Lena’s vivid dreams following her study sessions? A Consolidation theory, which suggests that dreams help in cementing and integrating new information into long-term memory, enhancing learning and recall. B Activation-synthesis theory, which posits that dreams are merely a byproduct of brain activation during REM sleep, creating narratives from random brain activity. C Cognitive theory of dreams, which believes that dreams are a reflection of one's cognitive development and current knowledge, but not directly involved in memory consolidation. D Threat simulation theory, which argues that dreams serve an evolutionary purpose by simulating potential threats, though not directly relevant to learning academic material.

Researchers conducted a correlational study during the winter season, which has shorter days and longer nights. The researcher asked about people’s experiences with depression-like symptoms, including feelings of tiredness and reduction in energy output. The researcher found that there was a positive correlation between the amount of daylight and depression-like symptoms. Which of the following statements best reflects how to interpret this correlational finding? A There is a cause-and-effect relationship between the length of daytime and depression-like symptoms. B The variables used in correlational research such as daylight and depressive symptoms are not measurable. C The relationship between daylight and depressive symptoms may also be linked to a third variable. D Correlation studies about mental health offer little in the way of scientific knowledge.

Dr. Wilson, who teaches engineering classes, is interested in learning about how lack of sleep affects performance. What would be the best way to ensure that her findings are generalizable to all the students at her university? A Randomly assigning half the students in one of her classes she teaches at into a condition where they are told to sleep four hours a night and other half a condition in which they are told to sleep eight hours a night. B Surveying every tenth student listed in the university directory about their sleep habits C Surveying all students in the classes she teaches D Studying 40 students over time, from their freshman year through their senior year, to see differences as the students mature

Julia is practicing her trumpet and produces a loud sound. Which of the following is the best explanation for the loudness of the sound? A The sound has a long wavelength. B The sound has a short wavelength. C The sound has a high-amplitude sound wave. D The sound has a low-amplitude sound wave.

An adult with a healthy sleep cycle is most likely to enter REM sleep in which of the following ways? A immediately after falling asleep B after the dream stage is completed C after cycling through the NREM sleep stages D soon after falling asleep and then remain there for the majority of the night

Dr. Ravi wants to conduct a study to investigate the effect of sleep deprivation on problem-solving abilities. Her procedure involves randomly assigning participants to groups and depriving one group of sleep for a period of five consecutive days. She then had each of them take a test that measures their ability to solve various problems. Which of the following is most problematic about Dr. Ravi’s research design? A There is no dependent variable in this study. B The study raises ethical concerns because the amount of sleep deprivation could be harmful to participants in the study. C There would be no way to create a control group for comparison. D The results would be invalid because everyone has different problem-solving abilities.

The explanation that holds that dreams are merely the brain’s attempt to make sense of meaningless patterns of brain activity during sleep is best identified as which of the following theories? A activation-synthesis theory B psychoanalytic theory C social learning theory D cognitive theory

Banya is taking an AP Psychology class where his teacher gives short quizzes for each unit. During the unit on biological bases of behavior, Banya earned the following quiz scores: 2, 3, 17, 10, 2, 3, 8, 2, 7 What is the mode of the set of scores above? A 2 B 3 C 6 D 7

A person with a severe head injury subsequently acts irresponsibly, does not seem to be able to plan effectively, and is easy to anger. Which of the following brain areas is most likely injured? A Cerebellum B Hypothalamus C Parietal lobe D Frontal lobe

Which of the following findings provides the strongest evidence for the role of heredity in intellectual performance? A Identical twins reared together have more similar intelligence test scores than do identical twins reared apart. B Identical twins reared apart have more similar intelligence test scores than do fraternal twins reared together. C Nontwin siblings reared together have more similar intelligence scores than do nontwin siblings reared apart. D Fraternal twins reared together have more similar intelligence test scores than do fraternal twins reared apart.

When Nyala comes into contact with a cat, her heart rate increases, her pupils dilate, and her salivation decreases. These responses are controlled by the A corpus callosum B primary sensory cortex C sympathetic nervous system D parasympathetic nervous system

The role of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is to A facilitate the body’s fight-or-flight response B prepare the body to cope with stress C prompt the body to use its resources in responding to environmental stimuli D establish homeostasis after a fight-or-flight response

Mrs. Downing is 80 years old and lives in an assisted living facility. She often stops speaking in the middle of sentences because she can't remember the topic being discussed. She also tries on most days to leave the facility so she can get home to cook dinner for her family. The depletion of which of the following neurotransmitters is most closely associated with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease that Mrs. Downing is likely experiencing? A Dopamine B Acetylcholine C Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) D Norepinephrine

Pierce had surgery and was prescribed a painkiller that mimicked endorphins in his body. He experienced some intense, uncomfortable pain for a day or two after he was finished taking his medicine as prescribed. Pierce's painful experience associated with termination of the use of an addictive substance is known as which of the following? A discontinuance B tolerance C withdrawal D forced independence

Kenyatta is participating in a research study examining the effects of a particular hormone. After she is given the hormone, she engages in behaviors that demonstrate trust in strangers, peer bonding, and group cohesion. Kenyatta was most likely given which of the following as part of the study? A Melatonin B Adrenaline C Ghrelin D Oxytocin

When people consume large amounts of alcohol, they are often unable to recall what they did and said while they were drinking. This occurs because alcohol interferes with the brain’s ability to form new memories in the A reticular formation B parietal lobe C thalamus D hippocampus

Significant damage to which of the following parts of the brain will most likely cause a person to fall into a deep coma from which the person will be unable to awaken? A Hypothalamus B Frontal lobe C Reticular formation D Thalamus

A research team lesioned the lateral hypothalamus of a rat and then monitored the rat’s activity when it recovered from the surgery. Their hypothesis is likely to be that the rat would do which of the following? A Experience impaired short-term memory in learning a maze B Form extreme fear responses to nonthreatening stimuli C Show reduced eating behavior D Display increased sociability toward other rats

Although his parents repeatedly warn him about the dangers of texting while driving, seventeen-year-old Marco continues to do so. Which of the following most likely explains Marco’s persistence? A Authoritative parenting style B High level of the Big Five trait of neuroticism C Incomplete frontal lobe development D Narcissistic personality disorder

For most people, which of the following is an activity based in the right hemisphere of the brain? A Simple spatial reasoning B Arithmetic reasoning C Language comprehension D Speech

Which of the following brain structures is most associated with the emotion of fear? A Cerebral cortex B Amygdala C Cerebellum D Medulla

Which of the following would most likely result from an injury to the medulla? A Receptive aphasia that makes it difficult to understand what other people are saying B Retrograde amnesia that destroys previously established memories C A problem regulating hunger D A life-threatening disruption of heartbeat and breathing

Which of the following is true of the frequency distributions shown in the graphs above? A Distribution A has more variation than distributions B or C. B Distribution B has more variation than distributions A or C. C Distribution B and distribution C have the same variation. D The standard deviation of distribution A is infinite.

A double-blind control is essential for which of the following? A A study comparing the IQ test scores of children from different educational systems B A study of relationships among family members C An experiment to determine the effect of a food reward on the bar-pressing rate of a rat D Assessment of a treatment designed to reduce schizophrenic symptoms

Martha is an undergraduate student who is interested in pursuing a career in psychology. She wants to use her knowledge of psychology to help employees become more productive in the workplace. Which field of psychology should Martha select in graduate school? A Physiological B Cognitive C Educational D Industrial-organizational

During a visit to an art gallery, Emily, an experienced artist, observes a new abstract painting. While many visitors find the image unclear and confusing, Emily quickly identifies a subtle representation of a cityscape within the chaotic brush strokes. Her ability to perceive and interpret complex visual patterns in the painting, when others see only random colors and shapes, is influenced by her prior knowledge and experience with art. This scenario exemplifies a psychological concept that describes how our expectations, knowledge, and previous experiences shape our perception of sensory information. Which concept best explains Emily's ability to discern the cityscape in the abstract painting? A Top-down processing, where her expertise and expectations help her interpret ambiguous visual stimuli based on her knowledge and past experiences. B Bottom-up processing, which involves analyzing the individual elements of the painting first, building up to a complete perception. C Perceptual constancy, which allows her to recognize the shapes and forms within the painting despite the unusual presentation. D Gestalt principles, focusing on how Emily perceives the whole painting rather than just the sum of its parts.

Dr. Nora, a psychologist specializing in cognitive biases, designs an experiment to investigate the influence of functional fixedness on problem-solving abilities. In her study, she presents two groups of college students with a common problem-solving task: to secure a candle to a wall so that it burns without dripping wax onto the table below. One group is given a box of tacks, a candle, and a book of matches. The box is presented as a container for the tacks. The second group receives the same items, but the tacks are presented next to the box, which is described as a potential tool. Dr. Nora hypothesizes that the second group will more readily use the box as a candle holder, demonstrating reduced functional fixedness compared to the first group, where the box is seen merely as a container. Which of the following best identifies a potential limitation in Dr. Nora's methodology for studying functional fixedness? A The use of college students may not provide a diverse enough sample to generalize the findings across broader populations. B Describing the box as a potential tool to the second group may lead to experimenter bias, influencing how participants perceive and use the box. C The simplicity of the task might not adequately challenge the participants' problem-solving abilities, potentially underestimating the effect of functional fixedness. D The task setup might inadvertently prime participants in both groups, leading them to think about conventional uses of boxes and possibly skewing the results.

At a bustling networking event, Laura is engaged in a deep conversation about career opportunities with a potential employer. Despite the loud background noise and multiple conversations happening around her, she is able to focus intently on her conversation. Suddenly, she hears her name mentioned in a conversation behind her, which immediately draws her attention away from her current discussion. This phenomenon, where Laura can selectively attend to her conversation yet quickly shift her focus when something personally relevant, like her name, is heard, illustrates a well-studied auditory phenomenon. Which concept best explains Laura’s ability to filter out distractions and then swiftly redirect her attention upon recognizing a specific stimulus? A Selective attention, where she focuses on important sounds and ignores others, but quickly shifts focus when a significant cue is detected. B Sensory adaptation, where she becomes less responsive to constant background noise but remains sensitive to new, relevant stimuli. C Echoic memory, which allows her to retain and recall specific auditory information from the background noise. D Cocktail party effect, which describes her ability to focus on one conversation in a noisy environment, yet still notice personally relevant cues like her name.

After watching several news reports about airplane crashes over the past month, Kevin begins to believe that air travel is becoming increasingly dangerous. Despite statistics showing that air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation, his perception is skewed by the recent, vivid reports. In a discussion with his friends about upcoming travel plans, Kevin strongly advocates for driving instead, citing these reports as his reason. His decision-making process illustrates a cognitive bias where judgments are influenced more by what is easily recalled from memory than by comprehensive data. This psychological concept, demonstrating how easily remembered events can impact decision-making and risk assessment, is known as what? A Availability Heuristic B Confirmation Bias C Anchoring Bias D Representativeness Heuristic

n an advanced psychology class, Professor Thompson introduces a complex concept related to the biological basis of learning and memory. She explains that through repeated stimulation of certain neural pathways, the synaptic connections between neurons become stronger over time. This process, fundamental to forming and retaining memories, is demonstrated during a lab experiment where rats learn to navigate a maze more efficiently with repeated trials. The increase in synaptic efficiency after frequent activation enhances the rats' ability to remember the correct path. This neural mechanism, crucial for synaptic plasticity, is highlighted as a key process underlying memory formation in humans and animals alike. Which concept is Professor Thompson explaining that describes how repeated use of a neural pathway enhances the connection between neurons, facilitating learning and memory? A Neural adaptation, where neurons adjust their responses to repeated stimuli, reducing their sensitivity over time. B Hebbian theory, which posits that neurons that fire together wire together, but more focused on simultaneous activation rather than repeated stimulation. C Long-term potentiation, which involves an increase in synaptic strength following frequent activation, crucial for learning and memory. D Synaptic pruning, which refers to the process by which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions.

During a meeting to discuss the educational needs of various students, a school psychologist presents a report on standardized test scores. The report shows a wide range of results in specific cognitive abilities like verbal reasoning, spatial awareness, and mathematical skills. However, a consistent pattern emerges where students who perform well in one cognitive area tend to do well in others, suggesting a common underlying factor influencing their performance across diverse intellectual domains. This observation supports a theory in intelligence research that posits the existence of a broad mental capacity that impacts overall cognitive performance. What concept is being illustrated by the psychologist's observation that some students consistently excel across various cognitive tasks? A Fluid Intelligence B Crystallized Intelligence C General Intelligence (g) D Multiple Intelligences

In an experiment designed to explore visual perception, a psychology professor shows students a series of ambiguous images where the content can be interpreted in multiple ways. One image, in particular, can be seen either as an old woman or a young lady, depending on the viewer's focus. Prior to showing the images, half of the class is told stories about youth and beauty, while the other half hears tales about aging and wisdom. When asked to describe the ambiguous image, the majority of each group sees the figure consistent with the theme of the story they were told beforehand. This experiment highlights a psychological phenomenon where a person's expectation or predisposition to see a particular thing influences their perception of ambiguous stimuli. What concept does this scenario best illustrate? A Perceptual Set B Top-Down Processing C Schema D Selective Attention

Dr. Klein, an educational psychologist, is exploring how different environmental contexts influence divergent thinking in high school students. Divergent thinking is defined in this study as the ability to generate multiple unique solutions to open-ended questions. Students are divided into three groups, each placed in distinct environments: a conventional classroom (Group A), a creatively stimulating room with art supplies and inspirational materials (Group B), and a serene outdoor setting (Group C). Each group is tasked with generating as many uses as possible for a set of common household items within a 30-minute session. The students' responses are quantified based on the number of unique ideas produced. Which of the following best identifies a potential limitation in Dr. Klein’s methodology for studying the impact of environment on divergent thinking? A The definition of "unique ideas" may vary between raters, leading to inconsistencies in how responses are quantified. B The environmental settings might influence the students' mood and motivation more than their cognitive divergent thinking abilities. C The quantification based on the number of ideas may not accurately reflect the creativity or practicality of the ideas, which are central to divergent thinking. D The 30-minute time limit might restrict the full expression of students' divergent thinking capabilities, particularly in unfamiliar environments.

After a severe car accident, Maria wakes up in the hospital with significant memory loss. She recognizes her family and can remember her address and where she works, but she has no memory of the events leading up to the accident or anything from the preceding weeks. As she recovers, her long-term memories from years ago remain intact, but the details of her life just before the accident are fuzzy and disjointed. Her condition, where she cannot recall recent events that occurred before the trauma, is being closely examined by her neurologist to better understand the impact of the injury on her memory. Which type of amnesia is Maria most likely experiencing, characterized by the loss of memories formed shortly before the incident? A Retrograde Amnesia B Anterograde Amnesia C Dissociative Amnesia D Infantile Amnesia

Dr. Ellis, an educational psychologist, is analyzing historical IQ test data from several countries to study trends in cognitive abilities over generations. In her research, she notes a consistent and significant increase in average IQ scores documented every decade. Intrigued, Dr. Ellis correlates these trends with various societal changes, including improvements in educational systems, nutrition, health care, and more widespread access to information. As she prepares her findings for a conference presentation, she plans to discuss a well-documented phenomenon that suggests a global increase in cognitive abilities over time, potentially due to these enhanced environmental factors. What concept is Dr. Ellis most likely to focus on that describes the worldwide increase in IQ scores over successive generations? A Rosenthal Effect B Hawthorne Effect C Flynn Effect D Pygmalion Effect

During a study skills workshop, high school students are shown a graph representing memory retention over time. The graph displays a steep decline in the retention of information shortly after learning, which then levels off, indicating that much of what is forgotten occurs soon after initial learning. The workshop facilitator explains that this demonstrates why reviewing material at strategic intervals is crucial for long-term retention. To help students apply this information, they are asked to analyze the graph and relate it to their own study habits. The facilitator intends to emphasize a psychological phenomenon that explains why the rate of forgetting decreases over time after the initial learning period. Based on the description and the graph presented in the workshop, which concept best describes the pattern shown in the graph and provides an explanation for the rapid early loss of information? A Serial Position Effect B Forgetting Curve C Spacing Effect D Encoding Specificity Principle

Dr. Ellis conducts a study to explore the misinformation effect, where participants are initially shown a realistic and emotionally charged simulated news report about a political event. After viewing the report, participants are provided with a written summary that contains several inaccuracies deliberately introduced by the researcher. The next day, participants are asked to recount the details of the news report in a survey. Dr. Ellis aims to measure how the inaccuracies affect the participants' recall of the event. The study is designed to assess the persistence and impact of misinformation on memory and perception of real-world events. Which of the following ethical considerations is most critical for Dr. Ellis to address in her study on the misinformation effect? A Ensuring that participants are fully debriefed about the purpose of the misinformation and its potential effects on their perceptions after the study to mitigate any lasting impact. B The necessity to obtain informed consent specifically highlighting the use of intentional misinformation and its purpose before the study begins. C The potential emotional distress participants might experience from the misleading content, especially if it involves sensitive political topics. D The use of realistic news reports, which must be carefully crafted to avoid influencing participants' political beliefs or behaviors outside of the experimental context.

During a lesson on probability and decision-making, Mr. Thompson, a high school psychology teacher, introduces his students to the concept of cognitive biases through a simulation of a roulette game. The students record red and black outcomes after each spin, and after observing a long streak of black, many begin to place increasingly larger bets on red, believing it is "due" to come up next. Mr. Thompson uses this moment to discuss how their expectation of a red outcome is influenced by a common misconception about probability. He explains that each spin is an independent event, and the odds remain constant, regardless of previous outcomes. This belief that a deviation from what occurs on average or in the short term will be corrected in the future is known as what? A Confirmation Bias B Availability Heuristic C Gambler's Fallacy D Anchoring Bias

15 In a psychology class, Professor Liu conducts an experiment called the "Stroop Effect" to demonstrate the concept of selective attention. Students are shown a list of color words (e.g., "red," "blue," "green") that are printed in colors different from the words themselves (e.g., the word "red" printed in blue ink). They are instructed to name the color of the ink rather than the word itself. During the exercise, many students struggle and hesitate, often accidentally reading the word instead of stating the color of the ink. This common error underscores the challenge of focusing on one aspect of a stimulus while ignoring another conflicting element. This experiment is used to illustrate which psychological concept, highlighting how attention resources are allocated during a task? A Selective Attention B Divided Attention C Sustained Attention D Executive Attention

Dr. Carter, a computer scientist, is collaborating with a team of psychologists to develop a new software tool designed to enhance learning outcomes in mathematics for high school students. The software incorporates a systematic problem-solving approach that guarantees finding the correct solution to various types of math problems by following a series of predetermined steps. During the design phase, Dr. Carter explains to the educational staff that this method, based on strict rules and sequences, allows the software to cover all possible moves or pathways to ensure accuracy and efficiency. This method is contrasted with more common heuristic methods used in educational tools that rely on speed and simplification but do not guarantee a solution. Which cognitive strategy is Dr. Carter employing in the development of this educational software that ensures exhaustive checking of every potential solution to a problem? A Algorithms B Heuristics C Insight Learning D Analogical Problem Solving

Dr. Hall conducts an experimental study to investigate the effects of a growth mindset intervention on middle school students' academic performance and resilience. Two classes at the same school are chosen for the study: one class undergoes a six-week program that incorporates workshops and activities designed to foster a growth mindset, while the other class follows the regular curriculum without additional interventions. Academic performance is measured through test scores obtained before and after the six-week period, and resilience is assessed using a standardized psychological resilience scale at the same two points. Dr. Hall hypothesizes that the class receiving the growth mindset program will show greater improvements in both areas compared to the control class.Which of the following best identifies a critical aspect of Dr. Hall’s research methodology that strengthens the study’s validity? A The inclusion of pre- and post-intervention measurements allows for direct comparison of changes over time within each group. B Implementing the intervention in only one class minimizes the disruption to the regular curriculum and school activities. C Using standardized tests and resilience scales provides objective data that are easier to analyze and compare. D Randomly assigning entire classes to either the intervention or control group helps control for variables that might influence the outcomes.

During a competitive quiz game in class, high school student Jasmine is asked to solve a series of complex math problems in her head without using paper. She has to hold numbers in her mind while also applying various mathematical operations. Jasmine finds herself mentally juggling between storing these numbers and computing results, often repeating the digits silently to keep them fresh while she works through the problems. This activity demands her to use a specific type of memory that involves the manipulation and temporary storage of information necessary for complex cognitive tasks. Her ability to update and handle multiple pieces of information simultaneously during this mental arithmetic highlights which cognitive concept? A Long-term memory B Sensory memory C Working memory D Explicit memory

In a recent experiment, a psychology professor presented a group of participants with a series of images, asking them to identify which ones best represented the concept of "bird." The images included a sparrow, a penguin, a bat, and an ostrich. The participants were more likely to identify the sparrow as a bird and less likely to identify the penguin, bat, or ostrich, despite all being classified as birds. This tendency to favor the sparrow, which closely matches their mental prototype of what a bird looks like, illustrates a common cognitive shortcut. Which concept does this scenario best demonstrate? A Heuristics B Schemas C Prototypes D Algorithms

A university's admissions office is evaluating the effectiveness of its entrance exam, which is designed to predict student success in undergraduate programs. To assess this, the university conducts a study comparing students' entrance exam scores with their GPA at the end of their first year. The aim is to determine if the exam scores are a reliable indicator of academic performance throughout college. The admissions office is particularly interested in a specific characteristic of the exam that concerns its ability to forecast future academic success based on the scores obtained. What is this characteristic of the entrance exam that the university is assessing? A The exam’s ability to accurately predict student GPA and subsequent academic success illustrates its predictive validity. B The consistency of the exam scores over repeated administrations to the same individuals shows its reliability. C The extent to which the exam measures the breadth of knowledge necessary for success in university courses reflects its content validity. D The degree to which the exam reflects the academic standards and curriculum of the university demonstrates its construct validity.

Dr. Bennett is researching how elaborative rehearsal — a cognitive strategy that involves explaining and linking new information with existing memories — impacts the learning of scientific concepts among college students. In her experiment, she selects two sections of a freshman biology course. One section (Group A) is trained in elaborative rehearsal techniques and encouraged to apply them while studying their course materials, specifically during their preparation for weekly quizzes. The other section (Group B) uses standard rote memorization techniques as instructed by the textbook. At the end of the semester, all students take the same cumulative final exam, designed to assess deep understanding and application of biological concepts. Dr. Bennett hypothesizes that students who used elaborative rehearsal will score higher on the exam, demonstrating better retention and understanding. Which of the following adjustments should Dr. Bennett have considered to better control for potential confounding variables in her study on elaborative rehearsal? A Ensuring that both groups have instructors with similar teaching styles and expertise to minimize differences in instructional quality. B Introducing periodic memory tests unrelated to biology throughout the semester to measure the general memory capacity of students. C Offering an incentive for high performance on the final exam to equally motivate both groups. D Randomly assigning individual students to each group rather than using entire course sections to avoid group-based biases.

During an advanced art class focusing on landscape painting, the instructor emphasizes the importance of depth perception in creating realistic scenery. The students are asked to paint a scene featuring a long, straight road disappearing into the horizon. The instructor explains how the parallel sides of the road should appear to converge at a point in the distance, creating an illusion of depth on the flat canvas. This technique, which manipulates the visual perception of distance, involves a specific principle of depth perception that artists have used for centuries. What is the term for this visual principle that the instructor is teaching, which helps to depict three-dimensional depth using two-dimensional cues? A Linear Perspective B Interposition C Texture Gradient D Aerial Perspective

During a family reunion, 70-year-old Eleanor engages in a detailed discussion with her grandchildren about her childhood experiences during the 1960s. She shares vivid stories about her school days, family holidays, and how historical events like the moon landing impacted her personally. While recounting these stories, Eleanor displays a rich emotional connection to her past, emphasizing specific details such as the smells of her mother's kitchen and the excitement of watching the moon landing on television with her family. These narratives illustrate a type of memory that involves a complex interplay of episodic and semantic memories, deeply intertwined with Eleanor's personal history and identity. What concept best describes Eleanor's rich and detailed recollection of personal past experiences that are emotionally significant to her? A Autobiographical memory is reflected in Eleanor's detailed and emotional recollections of her personal history and significant life events. B Flashbulb memory is shown by Eleanor’s vivid and detailed memory of a specific, surprising historical event, like the moon landing C Episodic memory is demonstrated through Eleanor’s ability to recall specific events from her past, although this doesn’t encompass the personal significance. D Semantic memory is involved as Eleanor remembers facts and knowledge about the 1960s, but it doesn't capture the personal and emotional aspects of her stories.

In a groundbreaking study, a researcher shared a translation of an American Indian folk tale with middle-class British participants. Later, the participants were asked to repeat the story. The researcher measured the accuracy of their recollections when they were repeating the story. Several of the participants changed the words “canoes” to “boats” and “hunting seals” to “fishing”. Which of the following explains why the participants made errors in their recollections? A The participants only had the chance to repeat the story five times. B The participants had difficulty repeating the story because the details didn’t fit with their cultural schema. C The participants were experienced drive-reduction and, therefore, could not carefully to the story. D The participants experienced the serial position effect.

One night, Noel went to a new restaurant. While waiting for her meal, she could not ignore the slurping sound the other diners made while eating. She was so focused on that sound that she could not even enjoy her meal. Which of the following concepts explains Noel's experience? A Gestalt principle of proximity B Monocular cue of texture gradient C Change blindness D Selective attention

Clive Wearing is an individual involved in a well-known case study examining anterograde amnesia. Clive experienced a high fever which led to damage to the hippocampus nearly 40 years ago. Since that time, Clive has not been able to encode new memories and, by some estimations, can only hold a thought for 7 to 9 seconds. Which of the following is an ethical consideration regarding the case of Clive Wearing? A Neither Clive nor his wife can provide their informed consent to be studied because of his condition. B The level of risk in studying Clive’s condition is too great. C We should not know Clive’s identity, especially while he is still living. D This information should only be published or publicly discussed after Clive’s death.

Darnayia has been seeing a lot of social media ads about an exciting new sports simulation game. While several of her friends say that the game is their ideal example of a video game, others who have played the game complain that it was too expensive and not as fun as they expected. Darnayia buys the game. When her mother asks her why she chose that game, Darnayia only mentions the advice she heard about the game was the best one they’ve ever played. Which of the following cognitive processes explains why Darnayia can justify her purchase of the expensive game and ignore her concerns over the cost? A Mental set B Schemas C Priming D Confirmation bias

44 To help himself remember the name of his new colleague, Hope, Jose thinks about the meaning of her name—the feeling of hopefulness. Which of the following concepts best corresponds to Jose’s strategy? A Chunking B Semantic encoding C Self-reference D Imagery

Fatima tries out for the debate team at her school because she believes that debate team members are the smartest kids in school. She is not chosen as a team member. After failing to make the debate team, Fatima remembers that the students who made the team last school year were juniors and members of the History Club. She now decides that she knew she should not have tried out since she is a sophomore and not a member of the History Club. Which of the following cognitive processes is Fatima using to justify her failure to make the team? A Hindsight bias B The representativeness heuristic C Accommodation D Assimilation

A researcher evaluated over 300 studies where algorithms were used to predict the future of the stock market. This study determined that Algorithms accurately predicted the stock market within three percentage points on average. These findings were later provided to individuals who follow the market to inform them about when to sell or buy stocks. Which of the following research techniques best represents the research described? A Experiment B Case Study C Meta-analysis D Correlational Study

Which of the following best describes the primacy effect? A When people have better recall of things that occur at the beginning of a sequence B When people have better recall of things that occur at the end of a sequence C When people who know very little about a subject tend to be overly confident about how much they know about that subject, while people who know a great deal about the subject tend to downplay their knowledge about that subject D When people tend to rely too heavily on the first piece of information they get when making decisions

Which of the following is the best operational definition of superior autobiographical memory? A The ability to encode and retain information for later retrieval. B Recalling information about life events with over 90% accuracy. C A memory that allows the relatively permanent retention of information without limits regarding how much information can be stored. D A type of memory that relates to accumulated knowledge about the world.

When studying for a vocabulary test, Catherine read one of her vocabulary words and its definition aloud several times. About twenty seconds later, she still remembered the word’s meaning, but then she moved on to the next word in the list without engaging in any further strategies to enhance her memory. The next day, she tested herself on the same vocabulary word at the same time, in the same mood, and in the same location as when she had first studied the word, but she could not remember its definition. It is most likely that Catherine could not remember the word because she failed to engage which of the following memory functions? A Sensory memory, because Catherine did not pair the word with one of her senses to remember it the next day. B Long-term memory, because Catherine failed to encode the word; therefore, the word did not become a part of her long-term memory. C Retrieval, because though Catherine probably stored the memory, it was difficult for her to retrieve it. D Context-dependent memory, because Catherine did not study the word in a variety of locations.

Dr. Walker is conducting research on the impact of early attachment styles on later interpersonal relationships. She gathers 200 adults and uses a detailed questionnaire to determine their attachment styles—secure, avoidant, or anxious—based on adaptations of Ainsworth's Strange Situation classifications. Participants are then required to complete a series of surveys about their relationship experiences, focusing on satisfaction, communication patterns, and emotional responses in relationships. The purpose is to investigate how these attachment styles correlate with various aspects of interpersonal dynamics. What should Dr. Walker consider to ensure that her study accurately assesses the impact of attachment styles on adult relationships? A She should verify that the adaptation of the Strange Situation classifications to an adult questionnaire maintains its validity and reliability for this age group. B She needs to control for potential confounding variables such as participants' current relationship status or past relationship experiences. C It is important for Dr. Walker to use a cross-sectional design to capture a snapshot of relationships at one point in time, avoiding the complexities of longitudinal data. D Dr. Walker should include a diverse population in her sample to ensure that the findings are not biased by cultural factors affecting attachment and relationship styles.

During a high school health class, the teacher notices that several students are expressing heightened concerns about their peers' opinions of them. One student, Maya, shares that she often feels as though everyone is constantly watching and judging her appearance and actions, especially during school events. This belief leads Maya to spend considerable time choosing outfits and rehearsing conversations. The teacher recognizes these behaviors and perceptions as typical developmental phenomena associated with this age group, where individuals believe that they are the focal point of others' thoughts and attentions more than they actually are. What concept best describes Maya's feelings and behaviors, reflecting a common cognitive bias in adolescents? A Adolescent Egocentrism B Personal Fable C Imaginary Audience D Spotlight Effect

Dr. Hamilton is conducting a study on crystallized intelligence, which refers to the ability to use learned knowledge and experience. She hypothesizes that crystallized intelligence increases with age. To test this, she assembles a diverse group of participants ranging in age from 20 to 70 years old. Each participant takes a standardized test designed to measure crystallized intelligence, which includes tasks like vocabulary comprehension, general knowledge quizzes, and solving real-world problems using acquired skills. Dr. Hamilton analyzes the scores to determine if there is a correlation between age and crystallized intelligence levels. What methodology could Dr. Hamilton use to strengthen her study on the correlation between age and crystallized intelligence? A Incorporate a longitudinal design to track changes in crystallized intelligence in the same participants over time. B Use a larger sample size to ensure that the results are statistically significant across the age spectrum. C Compare the participant results with a younger control group who do not participate in the intelligence test but complete a different assessment. D Include neuroimaging data to observe brain activity patterns associated with tasks measuring crystallized intelligence.

In a sociology class, Professor Thompson introduces a module on gender socialization by observing how children play with toys in a controlled classroom setting. The children, aged four to six, are provided a mix of toys traditionally seen as 'boys' toys' (such as trucks and action figures) and 'girls' toys' (such as dolls and tea sets). Initially, children gravitate towards toys stereotypically associated with their own gender. However, over several sessions, as the children interact and see others playing with different toys, some begin to explore and enjoy toys not traditionally associated with their gender. This observation leads to a class discussion on how societal norms influence individual behaviors and preferences from a young age. What concept is being examined in Professor Thompson's class through the observation of children's toy preferences and subsequent discussion? A Gender Stereotypes B Gender Identity C Gender Roles D Social Learning Theory

During a parent-teacher conference, Mrs. Lopez discusses the behavior of her student, Ethan, a five-year-old in kindergarten. Ethan often attempts to lead group activities and suggests new games during playtime, demonstrating enthusiasm and confidence. However, when his ideas are not accepted by peers or criticized by adults, he sometimes responds with feelings of guilt and retreats from participating further. Mrs. Lopez uses these observations to explain to Ethan's parents about a stage in child development characterized by burgeoning leadership and decision-making, which is also sensitive to feedback and can result in feelings of guilt over missteps or failures. Which concept from Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development best describes Ethan's behaviors as explained by Mrs. Lopez? A The description pertains to the Trust vs. Mistrust stage, emphasizing Ethan’s emotional responses to acceptance and rejection by peers B This scenario reflects the Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt stage, focusing on Ethan's struggle for independence and the emotional consequences of failing. C Ethan's actions align with the Industry vs. Inferiority stage, where his attempts to initiate activities are crucial for developing a sense of competence. D Ethan is exhibiting behaviors typical of the Initiative vs. Guilt stage, where he tries to assert control and leadership but feels guilty when his initiatives fail.

During a preschool observation for a child development study, researchers notice four-year-old Amelia exhibiting specific behaviors when interacting with her caregivers. Amelia frequently checks to see if her caregiver is watching her, becomes visibly upset when the caregiver leaves the room, and shows mixed emotions upon the caregiver's return, seeking comfort yet also resisting affection. These behaviors suggest a certain attachment style, which the researchers are particularly interested in analyzing due to its implications for emotional regulation and relationship patterns in later life. What attachment style is Amelia likely demonstrating, characterized by a desire for closeness but also showing signs of distrust and anxiety about being abandoned? A This behavior is indicative of Avoidant Attachment, where children often show indifference or avoidance toward their caregivers. B Amelia's actions suggest an Anxious Attachment style, where she seeks closeness but remains anxious and ambivalent about the reliability of her relationship with her caregiver. C Amelia may be displaying characteristics of a Secure Attachment style, typically marked by comfort and confidence in the caregiver's presence and absence. D The observations point to Disorganized Attachment, where children exhibit confused or contradictory behaviors towards their caregivers.

During a classroom activity designed to assess perspective-taking abilities, a teacher shows a group of children a model mountain with different features on each side. Each child sits on one side of the model and is asked to describe what they see from their perspective. Then, they are asked to describe what another child sitting opposite them might see. Five-year-old Noah struggles with this task. He insists that the other child sees the same side of the mountain he does, even though they are sitting at opposite ends. Noah's difficulty in understanding that the other child has a different view suggests a specific cognitive limitation often seen in early childhood development. What concept best describes Noah’s inability to recognize that others may have different perspectives and views from his own? A Object Permanence B Theory of Mind C Egocentrism D Conservation

Seventeen-year-old Derek is often unsure about his future career path and has shown little interest in college exploration. Unlike his peers, he does not engage in conversations about future goals or aspirations and seems indifferent when discussing potential career interests. His parents and teachers have noticed that he tends to avoid making any definitive decisions about his future, preferring to change the subject or dismiss the importance of such decisions altogether. Derek's behavior illustrates a specific psychological state where an individual has not yet committed to an identity and shows little interest in exploring personal values, goals, or beliefs. What concept best describes Derek's lack of commitment and exploration in terms of his personal identity? A Identity Diffusion B Foreclosure C Moratorium D Identity Achievement

One-year-old Sydney cries when his father hands him to an unfamiliar babysitter and leaves the room. Sydney’s reaction is a result of his acquisition of A conventional reasoning B self-concept C gender identity D object permanence

A nine-year-old girl first learning about her capabilities on the playground and in the classroom would be in which of Erikson’s stage of development? A Industry vs. Inferiority B Identity vs. role confusion C Autonomy vs. shame and doubt D Integrity vs. despair

Brain damage that leaves a person capable of understanding speech but with an impaired ability to produce speech most likely indicates injury to which of the following? A The basal ganglia B Wernicke’s area C The substantia nigra D Broca’s area

A person accidentally touches a hand to a hot stove and quickly pulls the hand away, even before sensory information about the hot stove reaches the brain. The person’s reaction is most directly enabled by A the hypothalamus B the cerebellum C a spinal reflex arc D the sensory cortex

In right-handed individuals, which of the following abilities is predominantly a function of the right hemisphere of the brain? A Writing B Spatial reasoning C Reading comprehension D Language comprehension

One theory of hearing suggests that a neuron may fire and then stop firing when a second neuron fires. The first neuron then fires again, while the second one does not. This type of sequence is then repeated in response to auditory stimuli. Which of the following describes this pattern? A Place theory B Volley theory C Gate-control theory D Opponent-process theory

50 All summer Thomas hears the sound of the icecream truck approaching before his brother Oscar hears it. Thomas most likely has which of the following? A A lower absolute threshold for hearing than Oscar B A greater difference threshold for hearing than Oscar C A deficit in a sensory system other than hearing D A greater amount of experience with approaching ice-cream trucks than Oscar

While attending a concert, Anthony finds that he can clearly recognize the melody coming from the lead violin above all the other instruments playing in the orchestra, even though the other instruments may be louder. Gestalt psychologists would explain Anthony’s ability using the principle of A figure-ground B simplicity C constancy D proximity

While at a crowded gathering, Zach realized that his attention was being drawn away from his conversation every time a person nearby said the word “exactly.” Zach’s response is an example of A the cocktail party effect B sensory adaptation C bottom-up processing D the just-noticeable difference

An individual uses a paper clip to unlock the door to her house because she has misplaced her key. This individual’s approach to solving the problem avoids A syllogistic reasoning B inductive reasoning C deductive reasoning D functional fixedness

Chuck recalls the day last summer when he fell off his bicycle and scraped his knee. This is an example of A iconic memory B procedural memory C semantic memory D episodic memory

Fall final exam questionnaire Flashcards

(210 cards)