Unit 1

Question 1

What is experimental psychology?

Answer 1

A branch of psychology that uses scientific methods to research and understand human behavior and mental processes.

Question 2

Who is credited as the ‘father of experimental psychology’?

Answer 2

Wilhelm Wundt

Question 3

In what year did Wilhelm Wundt establish the first psychology laboratory?

Answer 3

1879

Question 4

What method did Wundt introduce for studying conscious experiences?

Answer 4

Introspection

Question 5

What is psychophysics?

Answer 5

The study of the relationship between physical stimuli and perception.

Question 6

What major psychological movement emphasized observable behavior over introspection?

Answer 6

Behaviorism

Question 7

Which psychologists were prominent during the Cognitive Revolution?

Answer 7

• Jean Piaget
• Noam Chomsky
• George Miller

Question 8

What are the key applications of experimental psychology?

Answer 8

• Understanding human behavior
• Development of psychological theories
• Application in clinical psychology
• Industrial-organizational psychology
• Counseling psychology
• Educational-school psychology
• Sports-exercise psychology

Question 9

What does the experimental method involve?

Answer 9

Manipulating independent variables to observe effects on dependent variables.

Question 10

What is the purpose of control groups in experiments?

Answer 10

To ensure that results are not due to external factors.

Question 11

What is a double-blind study?

Answer 11

A study that eliminates experimenter and participant biases.

Question 12

What is a between-subjects design?

Answer 12

Different participants are assigned to different conditions.

Question 13

What is the focus of Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning?

Answer 13

How stimuli can be associated with responses.

Question 14

What is Skinner’s Operant Conditioning about?

Answer 14

How reinforcement and punishment shape behavior.

Question 15

What ethical consideration requires participants to agree voluntarily to take part in studies?

Answer 15

Informed Consent

Question 16

What is the assumption of empiricism in experimental psychology?

Answer 16

Factual statements must be based on observations of the world.

Question 17

What does testability imply in scientific theories?

Answer 17

A theory must be testable with available research methods.

Question 18

What is determinism in the context of experimental psychology?

Answer 18

The assumption that events are determined by prior states.

Question 19

What is the principle of parsimony in science?

Answer 19

The search for simplicity in explanations.

Question 20

What is an operational definition?

Answer 20

Defining a concept in terms of concrete, observable procedures.

Question 21

What does reliability measure in experimental psychology?

Answer 21

The consistency or repeatability of an observation.

Question 22

What is internal validity?

Answer 22

The extent to which research findings provide compelling information about causality.

Question 23

What does external validity refer to?

Answer 23

The extent to which research findings can be generalized to other situations.

Question 24

What is construct validity?

Answer 24

The extent to which variables in a study represent the abstract hypothetical variables of interest.

Question 25

What is conceptual validity?

Answer 25

How well specific research maps onto the broader theory it was designed to test.

Question 26

What is a Hipp chronoscope?

Answer 26

An instrument used to measure reaction time and the duration of mental processes.

Question 27

What does a stereoscope do?

Answer 27

Presents two slightly different images to each eye to create depth perception.

Question 28

What is the purpose of an audiometer?

Answer 28

To find the auditory threshold of a subject.

Question 29

What do algesiometers measure?

Answer 29

Mechanical stimulation of pain.

Question 30

What does an olfactometer measure?

Answer 30

The sense of smell.

Question 31

What are the two types of mazes commonly used with rats in psychological experiments?

Answer 31

* Radial arm maze * Morris water maze

Question 32

What does an electroencephalograph (EEG) measure?

Answer 32

The summed electrical activity of neural cell assemblies in the brain.

Question 33

What is the function of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)?

Answer 33

To detect changes in blood oxygen levels in the brain.

Question 34

What does positron emission tomography (PET) detect?

Answer 34

Drugs binding neurotransmitter receptors in the brain.

Question 35

What does fMRI detect?

Answer 35

Changes in blood oxygen levels over time ## Footnote fMRI shows where brain activity occurs by measuring increases in blood oxygen levels.

Question 36

What is a downside of using PET scans?

Answer 36

Requires radioisotopes to be injected into the body ## Footnote The radioisotopes decay quickly, preventing accumulation in the body.

Question 37

What do eye trackers measure?

Answer 37

Where someone is looking or how their eyes are moving relative to the head ## Footnote Eye trackers provide observable measures of attention in visual perception studies.

Question 38

What is the integration of neuroscience in experimental psychology?

Answer 38

Use of technologies like fMRI and EEG to explore brain activity during cognitive tasks ## Footnote This integration enhances understanding of cognitive functions.

Question 39

How is artificial intelligence being used in psychology?

Answer 39

To simulate human cognition and decision-making ## Footnote AI applications in psychology help model and understand cognitive processes.

Question 40

What does cross-cultural psychology examine?

Answer 40

How culture influences psychological processes ## Footnote This field studies variations in behavior and cognition across different cultural contexts.

Question 41

What is the significance of big data in computational psychology?

Answer 41

Used to analyze behavioral patterns ## Footnote Large datasets provide insights into trends and correlations in behavior.

Question 42

What is the reproducibility crisis?

Answer 42

Some classic psychological studies fail to be replicated ## Footnote This raises questions about the reliability of psychological findings.

Question 43

What ethical dilemmas exist in human and animal research?

Answer 43

Balancing scientific inquiry with participant well-being ## Footnote Ethical considerations are crucial in conducting experiments.

Question 44

What impact does technology have on psychology?

Answer 44

Raises questions about attention, cognition, and social interactions ## Footnote The rise of digital devices and social media has transformed psychological research and practice.

Question 45

What is a future direction for experimental psychology involving virtual reality?

Answer 45

Increased use of VR to simulate real-life environments ## Footnote VR has applications in various fields including education and entertainment.

Question 46

What is personalized psychology?

Answer 46

Using AI and machine learning for individualized mental health treatments ## Footnote This approach tailors interventions to the needs of the individual.

Question 47

What area of research is expanding due to AI integration?

Answer 47

Human-robot interaction research ## Footnote This field explores the dynamics of human relationships with AI and robots.

Question 48

What is a conclusion about experimental psychology?

Answer 48

It is an influential and dynamic field that contributes to understanding human thought, behavior, and emotions ## Footnote Advances in technology continue to evolve experimental psychology.