Intro to Psych | Chapters 1-5 Homework & Quiz Questions
Which of the following secondary sex characteristics is promoted by testosterone? A. Beard growth B. Layer of fat under the skin C. Wide hips D. Soft skin
Beard growth
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
The fusion of your father's sperm and your mother's egg is referred to as: A. gene expression. B. fertilization. C. epigenetics. D. spermatization.
Fertilization.
An individual typically possesses _______ allele(s) for each gene. A. 1 B. 2 C. 20 D. 46
2
To which pair of siblings would the term "dizygotic" apply? A. A brother and sister born several years apart B. A brother and sister born at the same time C. Two brothers born several years apart D. Two sisters originating from a single fertilized egg
A brother and sister born at the same time
A fertilized egg is called: A. a placenta. B. a zygote. C. an embryo. D. a fetus.
A zygote
The period of transition from childhood to adulthood is called: A. Menarche. B. Adolescence. C. Puberty. D. Myelination.
Adolescence.
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
The followers of _______ argue that there is a close relationship between animal behavior and human behavior. A. Charles Darwin B. Sigmund Freud C. John Locke D. René Descartes
Charles Darwin
Twins who do not share 100 percent of their genes are called: A. identical. B. dizygotic. C. discordant. D. monozygotic.
Dizygotic.
In terms of which genes cells use to make particular proteins, differences among cells are due to differences in gene: A. expression. B. replication. C. interaction. D. mutation.
Expression.
The process by which a cell directs a gene to make a certain protein is called: A. genetic modification. B. gene expression. C. DNA extraction. D. chromosome assembly.
Gene expression.
Even though your body changes and you develop new physical and behavioral characteristics, your _______ never changes. A. archetype B. phenotype C. genotype D. appearance
Genotype
In the final stages of synaptogenesis, neurons: A. differentiate into cerebral cells. B. grow dendrites and axons. C. undergo synapse rearrangement. D. die as a result of natural aging.
Grow dendrites and axons.
According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which question best corresponds with an adolescent's search for identity? A. What activities am I good at, compared to other people? B. Which adults can I trust, and which are not trustworthy? C. How can I fit in socially with the people around me? D. What rules can I break without getting caught?
How can I fit in socially with the people around me?
Which condition was the first genetic disorder to be associated with a mental disability? A. Phenylketonuria B. Schizophrenia C. Huntington's disease D. Autism
Phenylketonuria
After a skydiving accident, an MRI showed damage to Rose's cerebellum. She is most likely to have difficulty with: A. practicing yoga. B. controlling emotions. C. reading. D. understanding speech.
Practicing yoga.
A new mother is nursing her daughter and holds the baby to her breast. As the breast strokes the baby's cheek, the child turns her head, finds the nipple, and begins to nurse. Turning toward the breast is an example of the _______ reflex. A. rooting B. feeding C. sucking D. grasping
Rooting
Dopamine is most directly involved in A. inhibiting neurons. B. reducing pain perception. C. signaling pleasure. D. slowing heart rate.
Signaling pleasure.
At about eight months of age, as a part of normal attachment development, infants begin to show: A. rooting reflexes. B. avoidant attachment. C. stranger anxiety. D. ambivalent attachment.
Stranger anxiety
Any substance that can potentially harm the fetus during birth is called a: A. teratogen. B. pollutant. C. plasticity factor. D. cell death agent.
Teratogen
A child finds a five-dollar bill beside her teacher's desk. Which scenario describes the application of preconventional moral reasoning? A. The child wants her teacher to like her, so she gives him the money. B. The child knows that stealing is wrong, so she leaves the money where she found it. C. The child is afraid she'll get in trouble if she takes the money, so she gives it to her teacher. D. The child knows it is wrong to keep the money, but she slips it into her pocket, anyway.
The child is afraid she'll get in trouble if she takes the money, so she gives it to her teacher.
Which factor was identical for all of the Genain quadruplets? A. The genetic makeup that contributed to the onset of schizophrenia B. The environmental factors that contributed to the onset of schizophrenia C. The ways in which they exhibited symptoms of schizophrenia D. The age of onset of schizophrenia
The environmental factors that contributed to the onset of schizophrenia
One of the most pervasive psychological myths is that: A. humans use only 10 percent of their brains. B. mental disorders and IQ can be altered by life experiences. C. dogs can be taught to salivate in response to the sound of a bell. D. one side of the brain controls most of our language ability.
Humans use only 10 percent of their brains.
Inhibitory synapses: A. hyperpolarize neurons. B. trigger action potentials. C. increase the likelihood that a neuron will reach the firing threshold. D. cannot exist in the same part of the body as excitatory synapses.
Hyperpolarize neurons.
Twin studies of the heritability of schizophrenia generally show that: A. there is a 50 percent difference in the genomes between those with schizophrenia and those without it. B. monozygotic twins tend not to inherit genes for schizophrenia. C. 90 percent of twins who inherit genes for schizophrenia will develop symptoms. D. the heritability of schizophrenia is about 50 percent.
The heritability of schizophrenia is about 50 percent.
According to Erik Erikson, the major crisis facing adolescents involves the crisis of _______ versus _______. A. integrity; despair B. identity; role confusion C. generativity; stagnation D. intimacy; isolation
Identity; role confusion
If human beings demonstrated _______, a newborn baby would think that the attending physician in the delivery room was her mother or father. A. attachment B. imprinting C. theory of mind D. conservation
Imprinting
A scientist has inserted an electrode into the frontal lobe of a monkey. Electrical stimulation would most likely cause the monkey to: A. respond as if it were hearing other monkeys' screeches. B. make a kicking motion. C. feel no pain. D. demonstrate behaviors of intense anxiety.
Make a kicking motion.
At about age 50, women's reproductive systems begin to shut down. This process is called: A. ovulation. B. menstruation. C. menopause. D. menarche.
Menopause.
A mutation is defined as involving the: A. mismatch of a chromosome pair. B. recombination of amino acids. C. recombination of nucleotides. D. miscopying of a gene.
Miscopying of a gene
Which is the correct order of measures of central tendency, from lowest to highest, for a positively skewed distribution? A. Median, mode, mean B. Mean, median, mode C. Mean, mode, median D. Mode, median, mean
Mode, median, mean
Proteins are composed of combinations of as many as _______ different amino acids. A. 40 B. 23 C. 46 D. 20
20
Which of the following demonstrates the concept of habituation? A. A toddler repeats an activity in the same way multiple times. B. An infant shows a preference for viewing a single object over multiple objects. C. A baby stares into her mother's eyes while breast feeding. D. A baby glances at a familiar stuffed animal, then stares at a new one.
A baby glances at a familiar stuffed animal, then stares at a new one.
Endorphins have the most significant impact on: A. pain. B. movement. C. mood. D. breathing.
Pain.
A technique that tracks blood flow to measure brain activity is: A. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). B. positron emission tomography (PET). C. computed tomography (CT). D. the electroencephalogram (EEG).
Positron emission tomography (PET).
The procedure by which researchers test whether a child has developed a theory of mind is called the: A. strange situation task. B. conservation test. C. preferential looking task. D. Sally and Anne test.
Sally and Anne test
Which statement about vesicles is accurate? A. They are responsible for the breakdown of used neurotransmitters. B. They empty neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. C. They are the only places where two neurons touch. D. They bind neurotransmitters released by axon terminals.
They empty neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
Recent findings associated with aging and cognitive functioning show that older adults outscore younger adults on _______ tests. A. auditory B. vocabulary C. visual D. memory
Vocabulary
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Twins who share a certain physical or behavioral trait are _______ for that trait. A. monozygotic B. dizygotic C. concordant D. discordant
Concordant
Before the mechanisms behind PKU were known to science, infants that inherited the genes for the disorder almost always: A. grew to pass on the genes to offspring. B. developed mental impairments. C. maintained a low body weight. D. died before the age of ten.
Developed mental impairments.
During neural development, the nervous system generates more cells than it ultimately needs. Over half of the extra cells: A. die though a natural process before birth. B. are stored in the cortex to replace damaged neurons later. C. are integrated into the circulatory system. D. develop into cell masses that house the neurotransmitters.
Die though a natural process before birth.
Preoperational children are often described as _______ because they do not understand that different people can have different points of view. A. logical B. egocentric C. constructivist D. preconventional
Egocentric
Matters of gene-environment interaction form the basis of the study of: A. replication. B. mutation. C. epigenetics. D. genetics.
Epigenetics.
Sensory experience from behavior is an especially important factor in gene-environment interaction because: A. many genes are adaptive for coping with the environment. B. levels of activity in neurons influence gene expression. C. extreme hardship can accelerate genetic mutation. D. many sensory traits are related to dominant alleles.
Levels of activity in neurons influence gene expression.
The hippocampus plays the most significant role in A. hunger. B. language. C. memory. D. motor coordination.
Memory
Which developmental milestone characterizes menarche? A. The onset of menstruation B. An enhanced sex drive C. The first signs of puberty D. Thinning hair
The onset of menstruation
Which of the following constitutes a gene? A. A set of proteins B. A pair of nucleotides C. A length of DNA D. A sequence of amino acids
A length of DNA
Neurotransmitters are packaged inside _______, in microscopic spheres called _______. A. vesicles; dendrites B. axon terminals; synaptic clefts C. vesicles; axon terminals D. axon terminals; vesicles
Axon terminals; vesicles
In cases where only one of two identical twins develops schizophrenia, all of the following factors may be responsible except: A. nurturing. B. nutrition. C. birth weight. D. birth order.
Birth order
The term "plasticity" is used to describe the human brain as: A. changeable. B. durable. C. uniform. D. fragile.
Changeable.
The "visual cliff" test demonstrates that babies as young as two months old have some: A. sense of color. B. motor skills. C. simple reflexes. D. depth perception.
Depth perception
The key purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to: A. identify the most appropriate statistical analyses for a study. B. determine whether a proposed study is ethical. C. punish unethical researchers. D. evaluate whether a researcher's conclusions match the data.
Determine whether a proposed study is ethical.
_______ is best suited to monitoring the activation of synapses. A. Computed tomography (CT) B. Electroencephalography (EEG) C. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) D. Positron emission tomography (PET)
Electroencephalography (EEG)
A researcher would most likely use _______ to investigate which brain areas are active during speech? A. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) B. X-ray C. computed tomography (CT) D. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Xander has taken a medication that is an endorphin antagonist. Which side effect is most likely? A. Reduced sensitivity to touch and pressure B. Impulsivity C. Increased pain sensitivity D. Impaired motor control
Increased pain sensitivity
A correlation of −0.80 between meditation and anxiety symptoms would indicate: A. meditation predicts lower levels of anxiety. B. meditation and anxiety symptoms are unrelated. C. anxious people are more likely to meditate. D. meditation effectively reduces anxiety symptoms.
Meditation predicts lower levels of anxiety.
Because neurons are full of proteins that tend to be _______ charged, they tend to attract _______ charged ions. A. positively; negatively B. positively; positively C. negatively; positively D. negatively; negatively
Negatively; positively
The peripheral nervous system is divided into the _______ nervous system and the _______ nervous system. A. spinal cord; somatic B. somatic; autonomic C. sympathetic; motor D. central; autonomic
Somatic; autonomic
The process of reuptake removes neurotransmitter molecules from: A. vesicles. B. synaptic clefts. C. axon terminals. D. receptors.
Synaptic clefts.
Heritability estimates tell us: A. the degree to which variations in a population can be attributed to genetics. B. the rate at which people in a given population develop a particular disorder. C. the chance that any one person will carry a particular gene. D. the percentage of people who can pass on a specific gene to a child.
The degree to which variations in a population can be attributed to genetics.
Researchers studying infants in the "strange situation" have found that most infants are: A. not upset with their parents when they depart because they know they will return shortly. B. happy with their parents when they depart and remain happy with them when they return. C. upset with their parents when they depart but are happy when they return. D. upset with their parents when they depart and remain upset at them when they return.
Upset with their parents when they depart but are happy when they return.
Which set of letters correctly identifies the four different nucleotides? A. RXYT B. ATCG C. RDNA D. ANXY
ATCG
A child has facial deformities, a smaller-than-normal head, aggressive behavior, and mental impairment. These defects can be linked to a teratogen used by the mother when she was pregnant. Which of the following did the mother most likely use? A. Nicotine B. Marijuana C. Caffeine D. Alcohol
Alcohol
Gerard's mother has noticed that he becomes very upset when she leaves for work in the morning. When she gets home, he is resistant to her attempts to bond with him. Gerard is displaying: A. disorganized attachment. B. ambivalent attachment. C. secure attachment. D. avoidant attachment.
Ambivalent attachment.
To prove that electrical stimulation can produce intense feelings of anxiety, the mad scientist would stimulate his victim's: A. corpus callosum. B. amygdala. C. basal ganglia. D. temporal lobe.
Amygdala.
A neuron with _______ would be expected to have the slowest-moving action potential. A. many nodes of Ranvier B. an unmyelinated, thin axon C. a well-myelinated, thick axon D. an unmyelinated, thick axon
An unmyelinated, thin axon
Which is the best description of habituation? A. Babies typically learn to walk by frequent repetition. B. Babies show more interest in new things than in familiar things. C. Newborns have poor vision because their eyes cannot focus. D. Infants prefer sounds that resemble human speech.
Babies show more interest in new things than in familiar things.
A recessive allele affects an individual's phenotype only when it is present on: A. a chromosome that is paired with one with a dominant allele. B. a single chromosome. C. the same chromosome as a dominant allele. D. both chromosomes.
Both chromosomes.
Piaget's theory of development has been referred to as _______ because in his view, children adapt to the world by actively building and organizing their experiences. A. constructivism B. postconventional C. egocentrism D. psychosocial
Constructivism
In the experiment with dull and bright rats, Cooper and Zubek demonstrated a gene-environment interaction by showing that when navigating the maze: A. dull rats raised in impoverished environments performed poorly. B. dull rats raised in enriched environments eventually performed as well as bright rats. C. dull rats raised in all environments always made more errors. D. bright rats raised in enriched environments sometimes made more errors.
Dull rats raised in enriched environments eventually performed as well as bright rats.
Schizophrenia most often presents itself at what stage? A. Early childhood, when parental influences are most significant B. Late adulthood, when brain and body cells are more susceptible to breaking down C. Early adulthood, when people begin to face the world on their own D. Late childhood, when genetics and family environment have the greatest impact
Early adulthood, when people begin to face the world on their own
You give your grandfather a Rubik's Cube. Though he has never seen the puzzle before, he looks it over and then begins to try to solve it. In this situation, your grandfather is using his _______ intelligence. A. crystallized B. perceptual C. postconventional D. fluid
Fluid
(1 - front of head. 2 - top back of head. 3 - back of head. 4 - side). Which correctly names the lobes labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively? A. Temporal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, frontal lobe B. Frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe C. Frontal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal lobe D. Temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, frontal lobe
Frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe
A researcher plans to study changes in patients' brain activity as Alzheimer's disease progresses by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen content. The appropriate brain imaging technique to use is: A. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). B. computed tomography (CT). C. electroencephalography (EEG). D. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
On an empathy questionnaire, Group 1 had a mean score of 117 with a standard deviation of 14. Group 2 had a mean score of 96 with a standard deviation of 23. Therefore, _______ scored higher on average and their scores were _______ spread out than scores from _______. A. Group 2; more; Group 1 B. Group 2; less; Group 1 C. Group 1; less; Group 2 D. Group 1; more; Group 2
Group 1; less; Group 2
Which pair of scientists most closely shared views of behavior? A. Ivan Pavlov and Edward Thorndike B. B. F. Skinner and William James C. William James and Wilhelm Wundt D. Mary Whiton Calkins and Edward Titchener
Ivan Pavlov and Edward Thorndike
The action potential of a neuron is best compared to: A. a baseball traveling farther when it is thrown harder. B. liquid starting to spill over the rim of a cup when just enough force is applied. C. the speed of a remote-controlled car depending on the battery charge. D. a heavier bowling ball knocking down more pins than a lighter ball does.
Liquid starting to spill over the rim of a cup when just enough force is applied.
Neural development begins with rapid division of nerve cells in a process called: A. synaptogenesis. B. cell migration. C. differentiation. D. neurogenesis.
Neurogenesis.
A depressed teenager treated with medication begins feeling better immediately, even though the medication typically takes weeks to work. This is an example of a _______ effect. A. double-blind B. demand C. confound D. placebo
Placebo
Which strategy has been most effective in reducing the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? A. Feeding babies every two hours B. Placing babies on their backs when sleeping C. Covering babies with soft blankets when sleeping D. Postponing vaccinations until age two
Placing babies on their backs when sleeping
A 14-year-old boy is browsing through a bookstore and thinks for a moment that he could easily tuck a book into his coat and leave the store without paying for it. He decides not to take the book because he is afraid he might get caught and punished. According to Lawrence Kohlberg, at what stage of moral development is the boy? A. Avoidant B. Postconventional C. Preconventional D. Conventional
Preconventional
Kohlberg constructed his theory of moral reasoning by asking people to decide how a fictional character, Heinz, should respond to a moral dilemma. Kohlberg was most interested in the: A. number of times people changed their minds while deciding. B. reasoning by which people reached their decisions. C. degree of empathy in the decision-making process. D. degree of justice in the decision-making process.
Reasoning by which people reached their decisions.
A researcher testing a new medication for attention deficit disorder randomly assigns half of the participants to get the actual medication and half to get a sugar pill. Neither the researcher nor the participants know who is getting what. This study design will: A. increase measurement reliability. B. reduce study validity. C. reduce unconscious bias. D. increase explicit bias.
Reduce unconscious bias.
In Plato's cave allegory, a prisoner was temporarily unchained and allowed to see the fire at the mouth of the cave. When he returned to the chains, the other prisoners: A. immediately accepted his insight. B. marveled at his great knowledge. C. began to reconsider their own views. D. refused to believe him.
Refused to believe him.
Which situation is most consistent with the results of twin studies of schizophrenia? A. Schizophrenia is more likely to materialize in a twin who experiences extreme stress. B. When both twins carry the gene for schizophrenia, only one will develop symptoms. C. Twins who inherit the gene for schizophrenia very rarely present symptoms of the disorder. D. Having a father with schizophrenia greatly increases the chance that male twins will develop the disorder.
Schizophrenia is more likely to materialize in a twin who experiences extreme stress.
Vision researchers have shown that a person will fail to develop visual perception abilities if light does not stimulate the eye early in development. This is evidence of _______ during development. A. synaptic pruning B. plasticity C. sensitive periods D. cell migration
Sensitive periods
A gene carries the information needed to: A. link pairs of chromosomes. B. break down essential proteins. C. form combinations of nucleotides. D. sequence chains of amino acids.
Sequence chains of amino acids.
Computed tomography (CT) scans: A. provide less detailed brain images than transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). B. show brain structures but not areas of brain activity. C. require the injection of radioactive markers. D. measure the response of brain tissue to magnetic fields.
Show brain structures but not areas of brain activity.
Which of the following summarizes what occurs during synapse rearrangement? A. Some neural connections are eliminated, and new ones are formed. B. Neurons in the brain create billions of connections, called synapses. C. Neurons begin to develop specific shapes and functions. D. Neurons scatter and begin to form into clumps of cells.
Some neural connections are eliminated, and new ones are formed.
Genes regulate protein synthesis by A. coding for the arrangement of ribosomes on DNA molecules. B. setting the cell's biological clock and controlling how and when a cell divides. C. regulating the influx of ions like sodium and potassium, which code for proteins. D. specifying which amino acids will be joined together, and in what order.
Specifying which amino acids will be joined together, and in what order.
Which of the following approaches to psychology did Edward Titchener advocate in the late 1800s? A. Functionalism B. Psychoanalysis C. Structuralism D. Humanistic psychology
Structuralism
The _______ is part of the _______. A. spinal cord; somatic nervous system B. brain; somatic nervous system C. sympathetic nervous system; autonomic nervous system D. sensory nervous system; autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system; autonomic nervous system
Thinning of the top layer of the cortex in adolescence is a good indicator of the neurodevelopmental process called: A. synapse rearrangement. B. demyelination. C. differentiation. D. cell death.
Synapse rearrangement
The idea that children are born with no knowledge or "content" whatsoever and are "filled" by life experiences is called: A. nature vs. nurture. B. tabula rasa. C. rationalism. D. determinism.
Tabula rasa.
Alzheimer's disease is dementia that is caused by: A. normal slowing of cognition due to rapid aging of the frontal cortex. B. random cell death primarily in the temporal lobe. C. the build-up of amyloid in and outside of acetylcholine neurons. D. diets high in fat, which cause the slow disintegration of brain cells.
The build-up of amyloid in and outside of acetylcholine neurons.
Why are dominant, yet harmful, alleles like the huntingtin gene so rare in our genomes? A. Only a few harmful alleles affect the nervous system. B. The allele can be transmitted only to another dominant carrier. C. The alleles for disorders are not active until adulthood. D. The carrier does not survive long enough to pass on the allele.
The carrier does not survive long enough to pass on the allele.
A 70-year-old woman who is given a touch-screen tablet becomes hopelessly frustrated when she tries to use it. Which of the following best explains her lack of success? A. A decline in crystallized intelligence makes it difficult for her to apply previous knowledge to a new situation. B. A decline in fluid intelligence keeps her from reasoning abstractly when confronted with an unfamiliar object. C. The similarity between her laptop computer and the tablet causes confusion between crystallized and fluid intelligence. D. The unfamiliarity of the tablet's technology causes a breakdown of her crystallized intelligence.
A decline in fluid intelligence keeps her from reasoning abstractly when confronted with an unfamiliar object.
Which of the following demonstrates an epigenetic effect? A. A child who sleeps in a cold bedroom wakes up crying throughout the night. B. A mother who is unable to breastfeed her infant fails to bond with him. C. A young adult whose father is an alcoholic abstains from consuming alcohol. D. A mother who smokes during her pregnancy gives birth to a child with a low birth weight.
A mother who smokes during her pregnancy gives birth to a child with a low birth weight.
Which neurotransmitter would you be most likely to find in the synaptic cleft between a motor neuron and a muscle? A. Acetylcholine B. Serotonin C. Glutamate D. GABA
Acetylcholine
When a child learns new information about the world that fits with her schema, it is called _______. When a child learns new information that requires her to change her schema, it is called _______. A. assimilation; accommodation B. association; assimilation C. accommodation; assimilation D. accommodation; association
Assimilation; accommodation
The hallmarks of psychology as a science are: A. careful experimentation and the application of critical thinking. B. the use of informal data and the belief in perseverance in all research. C. reliance on authority and cautious measurement of data. D. adherence to conventional morality and deductive reasoning.
Careful experimentation and the application of critical thinking.
Neurotransmitters influence the polarization of a neuron by: A. blocking ion flow. B. causing neurons to expel sodium ions. C. causing receptor channels to open, allowing positively charged sodium ions to flow into the neuron. D. crossing into the neuron, bringing their charge with them.
Causing receptor channels to open, allowing positively charged sodium ions to flow into the neuron.
After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, Kaela had her thyroid removed. The effects of this are likely to include: A. an inability to regulate her endocrine system. B. an inability to trigger the fight-or-flight response. C. difficulty breaking down sugar. D. changes in metabolism.
Changes in metabolism.
Which statement regarding brain development is true? A. Adult brains are better able to recover from injury than children's brains. B. Young children's brains do not experience synapse rearrangement. C. The final stage of plasticity occurs during the adolescent years. D. Children's brains are much more plastic than adults' brains.
Children's brains are much more plastic than adults' brains.
Each of our _______ consists of tightly coiled DNA. A. chromosomes B. nucleotides C. amino acids D. cell proteins
Chromosomes
Walker and Lewine's observations of twin babies who later became discordant for schizophrenia revealed that the twin who developed schizophrenia: A. commonly showed more disorganized behavior, compared to the other twin. B. commonly showed inferior problem-solving skills, compared to the other twin. C. was less likely than the other twin to have experienced highly stressful events. D. was more likely than the other twin to have suffered a physical illness at a young age.
Commonly showed more disorganized behavior, compared to the other twin.
A doctor needs a brain imaging technique that shows brain structure but not brain function. Which technique should the doctor choose? A. Positron emission tomography (PET) B. Computed tomography (CT) C. Electroencephalography (EEG) D. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Computed tomography (CT)
Which statement is consistent with research on cognitive processing and aging? A. Older people typically respond faster than younger people in memory experiments. B. Fluid intelligence develops and improves from adolescence through old age. C. Memory decline in older people is the result of an enlargement of the hippocampus. D. Crystallized intelligence continues to grow throughout the aging process.
Crystallized intelligence continues to grow throughout the aging process.
Which theory outlines a series of stages that occur throughout the lifespan and involve tension between conflicting ways of interacting with others? A. Freud's psychosexual theory B. Erikson's psychosocial theory C. Piaget's constructivist theory D. Bowlby's attachment theory
Erikson's psychosocial theory
Dizygotic twins: A. rarely resemble each other. B. appear to be identical. C. have identical DNA. D. grow from separate zygotes.
Grow from separate zygotes.
Which factor is most closely associated with the eventual onset of schizophrenia? A. A diet low in carbohydrates B. Habitual drug use C. Excessive amounts of sleep D. Growing up in a big city
Growing up in a big city
Which statement best describes a valid gene-environment interaction on behavior? A. In rats, littermates reared by mothers of different strains display the same exploratory behavior as their biological siblings. B. Identical twins adopted by different families often display behaviors typical of their adoptive families. C. Shrews raised in a lab without their mother fail to nurture their young. D. Two people with the same phenotype may not share the same genotype.
Identical twins adopted by different families often display behaviors typical of their adoptive families.
What is the key difference between twin studies and adoption studies? A. In adoption studies, twins are separated at birth, adopted, and raised apart. B. In twin studies, the effects of the environment are not taken into consideration. C. Twin studies involve identical twins, while adoption studies involve fraternal twins. D. Adoption studies involve non-twin biological siblings raised by different families.
In adoption studies, twins are separated at birth, adopted, and raised apart.
Based on this figure, which conclusion is correct? A. Boys tend to reach puberty at an earlier age than girls in most Western countries. B. In many Western countries, girls are beginning their periods at an earlier age than in the past. C. In many Western countries, puberty for both boys and girls is occurring at an earlier age than in the past. D. Exposure to human-made chemicals is accelerating menarche in Western countries.
In many Western countries, girls are beginning their periods at an earlier age than in the past.
Which type of neuron is most common in the brain? A. Sympathetic neuron B. Motor neuron C. Interneuron D. Sensory neuron
Interneuron
What do studies of maternal nurturing behavior in rats suggest about humans? A. People who are adequately nurtured early in life tend to be less nurturing when they have children of their own. B. Children with nurturing mothers develop fewer natural defenses to stress and are more likely to become suicidal. C. Maternal neglect early in life may have lasting impacts on a person's ability to cope with life's challenges. D. Maternal nurturing causes children to release corticosterone, which reduces levels of stress and leads to more nurturing.
Maternal neglect early in life may have lasting impacts on a person's ability to cope with life's challenges.
How do gene mutations contribute to evolution? A. Beneficial and unfavorable mutations take hold in the population equally over numerous generations. B. Unfavorable mutations have a more significant effect on genes than do favorable mutations, so they are spread through the population. C. Natural selection favors beneficial mutations, so they survive and are passed on to future generations. D. Beneficial mutations are passed on to several members of a generation, quickly taking hold in a population.
Natural selection favors beneficial mutations, so they survive and are passed on to future generations.
Which of the following shows the six stages of neural development in correct sequence? A. Neurogenesis -> differentiation -> synapse rearrangement -> synaptogenesis -> cell migration -> neuronal cell death B. Cell migration -> differentiation -> neurogenesis -> neuronal cell death -> synapse rearrangement -> synaptogenesis C. Neurogenesis -> cell migration -> differentiation -> synaptogenesis -> neuronal cell death -> synapse rearrangement D. Differentiation -> neurogenesis -> synaptogenesis -> cell migration -> synapse rearrangement -> neuronal cell death
Neurogenesis -> cell migration -> differentiation -> synaptogenesis -> neuronal cell death -> synapse rearrangement
A _______ is most likely to study the brain activities that underlie human behavior. A. neuroscientist B. behaviorist C. functionalist D. structuralist
Neuroscientist
A patient has a dangerously low heart rate and is having difficulty breathing. The neurotransmitter that would be most helpful to him is: A. GABA. B. norepinephrine. C. acetylcholine. D. serotonin.
Norepinephrine.
A proponent of functionalism would most likely be found in a: A. forest, studying the observable behavior of animals. B. classroom, working to improve teaching methods. C. laboratory, trying to identify the basic components of perception. D. sweat lodge, meditating about the meaning of life.
Not B lol
Lila is 18 months old and is no longer surprised when her mother hides her ball, only to reveal it again in a different position in front of her. What cognitive milestone is Lila displaying? A. Concrete operations B. Object recognition C. Conservation D. Object permanence
Object permanence
After her stroke, Mei was able to hear, smell, and taste normally. However, she had difficulty with her vision. She most likely experienced damage to her: A. prefrontal cortex. B. limbic system. C. occipital lobe. D. thalamus.
Occipital lobe.
Which is true of twins who are discordant for a certain trait? A. One of them has the trait and the other does not. B. Both of them have the trait in a similar degree. C. Neither of them has the trait. D. Both of them have the trait, but in different degrees.
One of them has the trait and the other does not.
One reason dysfunctional alleles can have such specific effects on the workings of our sensory systems is that: A. the toxicity of dysfunctional alleles degrades the action of the entire brain. B. only one allele has a significant effect on each system. C. only a single allele needs to be dysfunctional to result in a deficit. D. our sensory systems rely on the functioning of more than one protein.
Our sensory systems rely on the functioning of more than one protein.
All of the following are female secondary sex characteristics except: A. wide hips. B. breast development. C. soft skin. D. ovaries.
Ovaries
The effects of PKU are epigenetic because: A. having two genes for PKU doubles the chances that phenylalanine will impact a child's brain development. B. PKU is harmful only if a child ingests significant amounts of phenylalanine. C. phenylalanine causes mental deficits even if a child inherits just one gene for PKU. D. a child inherits two genes for PKU only when environmental conditions are favorable.
PKU is harmful only if a child ingests significant amounts of phenylalanine.
Following a head injury, Maria experienced a dramatic personality change. She now gambles heavily, swears and yells at work, and has difficulty planning ahead. She most likely experienced damage to her: A. basal ganglia. B. central sulcus. C. occipital lobe. D. prefrontal cortex.
Prefrontal cortex.
A child has an eight-ounce cup full of juice. While he watches, you pour the juice from the cup into a quart jar. He gets upset, because he thinks he now has less juice. The child is most likely in Piaget's _______ stage of cognitive development. A. preoperational B. sensorimotor C. concrete operational D. formal operational
Preoperational
Individuals with Huntington's disease possess an allele that causes severe symptoms by: A. replacing pairs of chromosomes. B. halting the process of gene expression. C. producing certain abnormal proteins. D. regulating the sequences of nucleotides.
Producing certain abnormal proteins.
Positron emission tomography (PET) uses _______ to show how the brain works. A. magnetic fields B. X-ray emissions C. radioactive markers D. ultrasound pulses
Radioactive markers
Two reflexes that help an infant receive nourishment are the _______ reflex, or the turning of the head in response to a brush of the cheek, and the _______ reflex, primarily for intake of breast milk. A. grasping; sucking B. rooting; grasping C. sucking; rooting D. rooting; sucking
Rooting; sucking
Which confounding variable is teased out when psychologists study the traits of identical twins? A. Shared zygotes of monozygotic twins B. The influence of dysfunctional alleles C. Similar environments shared by relatives D. The genetic influence of the huntingtin gene
Similar environments shared by relatives
A person's emotional makeup is called: A. identity. B. morality. C. temperament. D. character.
Temperament
Kobe, a native English speaker, has moved to Germany and is learning to speak German. Which brain region is likely to show the greatest plasticity? A. Parietal lobe B. Temporal lobe C. Limbic system D. Prefrontal cortex
Temporal lobe
The sensation of a fly landing on your arm is weaker than the sensation of being hit with a dodgeball because: A. the dodgeball triggers more action potentials per second from each sensory neuron. B. the dodgeball triggers faster moving action potentials from each sensory neuron. C. the fly depolarizes neurons, but the dodgeball hyperpolarizes neurons. D. the dodgeball triggers a more negatively charged action potential.
The dodgeball triggers more action potentials per second from each sensory neuron.
Epigenetics is most concerned with: A. the heritability of genotypes that have been altered over multiple generations. B. the expression of a particular gene as influenced by external inputs. C. environmental influences on gene expression over experiential influences. D. changes in a person's genotype resulting from environmental influences.
The expression of a particular gene as influenced by external inputs.
Which single gene effect do men display more often than women? A. The inability to distinguish red from green B. A gradual decline in the ability to hear C. The inability to distinguish different pitches D. A gradual decline in the ability to focus on distant objects
The inability to distinguish red from green
The estimated heritability of 48 percent for neuroticism in the population supports the claim that: A. the incidence of neuroticism is associated with that of another distinct trait. B. the variability in neuroticism is due partly to genetic variability in the population. C. the population in general has a recessive gene for neuroticism. D. those with the neurotic trait share a particular dominant allele.
The variability in neuroticism is due partly to genetic variability in the population.
Which technology can be used most effectively to temporarily disrupt the function of specific brain regions? A. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) B. Computed tomography (CT) C. Electroencephalography (EEG) D. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
The primary reason that confounding variables pose problems for researchers is because they tend to: A. be difficult to measure. B. vary in magnitude. C. vary along with one another. D. be difficult to explain scientifically.
Vary along with one another.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
"Green is the prettiest color" is a _______ hypothesis because it is _______. A. good; testable B. good; true C. poor; not true D. poor; not testable
Poor; not testable
Which correlation coefficient represents the weakest correlation between two variables? A. +0.31 B. −0.60 C. −0.42 D. +0.40
+0.31
Which value represents a realistic measurement of a neuron's resting potential? A. 2,100 V B. 800 V C. -60 mV D. -240 mV
-60 mV
You take a job selling magazine subscriptions from home because the recruitment video says the average earnings per employee are $90,000 a year. You work 60 hours a week for a year and earn $30,000. An Internet search reveals that hundreds of people have had the same experience with this and other work-at-home schemes. How can companies legitimately claim that the average salary is $90,000 if most employees make less than $30,000? A. The average salary does not consider the highest and lowest salaries. B. The modal salary is higher than the mean salary. C. The mean salary reflects the presence of outliers. D. The median salary is higher than the mean salary.
The mean salary reflects the presence of outliers.
Your uncle tells you about an interesting magazine article explaining that humans use only 10 percent of their brains. As a student of psychology, your response should be: A. "I know! Isn't that just astonishing?" B. "The data aren't conclusive on that yet, but most psychologists would agree with you." C. "In fact, most neuroscientists would say the figure is closer to 5 percent." D. "Well, research actually shows that almost all of the brain is continually active."
"Well, research actually shows that almost all of the brain is continually active."
Which of these correlations has the least predictive value? A. −0.75 B. +0.10 C. −0.35 D. +0.50
+0.10
Which of the following numbers represents a statistically significant p-value? A. 0.750 B. 1.800 C. −0.900 D. 0.002
0.002
Which numbered arrowheads in the figure represent instances of spurious causation? A. 3, 4, 5, and 6 B. 1, 2, 3, and 4 C. 2, 4, and 6 D. 1 and 2
1 and 2
The median is a better measure of central tendency than the mean for which of the following distributions? A. 10, 12, 13, 14, 106 B. 1024, 1024, 1024, 1048, 1059 C. 275, 282, 293, 300, 311 D. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
10, 12, 13, 14, 106
Control group scores: 32, 34, 38, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45 Experimental group scores: 38, 40, 41, 44, 47, 48, 50, 55, 56 The table shows the test scores of subjects in a controlled experiment, where a treatment undergoing testing was expected to boost the performance of subjects. What is the mode test score in the study? A. 39 B. 43 C. 47 D. 38
38
In an analysis testing differences between an experimental and a control group on the dependent variable, a p-value of 0.07 means there is a: A. 7 percent chance that differences between the two samples are due to chance alone. B. statistically significant difference between the groups. C. statistically significant validity problem with the measure of the dependent variable. D. 93 percent chance that differences between the two samples are due to chance alone.
7 percent chance that differences between the two samples are due to chance alone.
Which of the following best represents the case study method? A. A book that documents the development of a person who was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness at a young age B. An article that analyzes the results of responses to questionnaires asking about a number of controversial social issues C. A report that discusses the different responses of two groups to variations in medical treatment D. A documentary film that presents footage of members of an isolated tribe going about their daily lives
A book that documents the development of a person who was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness at a young age
What is the primary difference between a hypothesis and a theory? A. Hypotheses are used to generate theories. B. A hypothesis is an untested theory. C. A hypothesis is based on a hunch, and a theory is based on data. D. A theory is a collection of data-based hypotheses.
A theory is a collection of data-based hypotheses.
A researcher is designing an experiment to look at the effects of food consumption on the quality of social interaction. A dependent variable in such an experiment would be the: A. amount of food that subjects consume. B. specific tasks that subjects are instructed to perform. C. criteria used to determine the quality of communication by subjects. D. ability of subjects to maintain conversations with others.
Ability of subjects to maintain conversations with others.
Which neurotransmitter plays the most central role in slowing heart rate? A. Acetylcholine B. Serotonin C. Glutamate D. Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
A psychologist has formulated the hypothesis that a lack of positive reinforcement by supervisors in the workplace leads to lower morale among workers, based on the observed correlation between these two phenomena. To support this hypothesis, the four-step process of strong inference would prescribe: A. methods for varying the level of exposure to positive reinforcement by test subjects. B. an experiment with a control group that receives no reinforcement by an authority figure. C. an experiment that will test whether low worker morale leads to less frequent reinforcement. D. a wide variety of methods for observing and measuring both reinforcement and morale.
An experiment that will test whether low worker morale leads to less frequent reinforcement.
Gestalt psychologists such as Max Wertheimer and Wolfgang Köhler: A. argue that the overall experience of human perception is greater than the sum of its parts. B. insist that only readily measured, observable behaviors are worthy of study. C. believe that behaviors have an adaptive function that helps humans survive. D. claim that emotions and consciousness should be kept outside the realm of psychology as a science.
Argue that the overall experience of human perception is greater than the sum of its parts.
A neuron's _______ meets another neuron's dendrite at a(n)_______. A. synapse; glial cell B. cell body; axon C. axon; synapse D. axon; vesicle
Axon; synapse
The study of the nervous system is called: A. psychophysics. B. psychopathology. C. cognitive science. D. neuroscience.
Neuroscience.
A _______ would be most likely to argue that a 13-year-old boy took up smoking because his father, older brothers, and friends were smokers. A. behaviorist B. cognitive psychologist C. neuroscientist D. functionalist
Behaviorist
Which part of the brain relays information between the spinal cord and the cerebellum? A. Brainstem B. Hippocampus C. Corpus callosum D. Amygdala
Brainstem
(Loosely scattered dots starting off high in the left and lowering to the right). This scatterplot reveals a _______ correlation. A. spurious B. non-linear C. positive D. negative
Negative.
In the late 1800s, a student of Edward Titchener would likely have been trained to: A. carefully examine his own internal experiences. B. determine the purpose of a particular human behavior. C. listen closely while individuals tell him of their psychological symptoms. D. examine the behavior of animals to find clues about human behavior.
Carefully examine his own internal experiences.
Which part of the brain plays the greatest role in controlling higher mental functions? A. Cerebrum B. Thalamus C. Hypothalamus D. Cerebellum
Cerebrum
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
(Sensory input -> Participant processing information -> Report. press button, etc.) The figure above illustrates a typical experiment in: A. evolutionary psychology. B. functionalism. C. cognitive psychology. D. Gestalt psychology.
Cognitive psychology.
An unethical experimenter wants to test the relationship between discomfort and aggression. On a hot day, she turns off the air conditioning in one dorm and leaves it on in another, then has her research assistants count occurrences of verbal aggression in common areas of the buildings. Students in the air-conditioned dorm would be the _______, and students in the overheated dorm would be the _______. A. independent sample; dependent sample B. study population; sampling frame C. representative sample; random sample D. control group; experimental group
Control group; experimental group
Which term refers to the branchlike extensions of the neuron that receive signals from other neurons? A. Synapses B. Glia C. Dendrites D. Axons
Dendrites
For a behaviorist, the goal of psychology is to: A. determine how various experiences result in different behaviors. B. help troubled individuals restore their mental health. C. pay close attention to what one is experiencing at any given moment. D. understand the practical function of mental processes.
Determine how various experiences result in different behaviors.
Which neurotransmitter plays an important role in signaling pleasure? A. GABA B. Noradrenaline C. Glutamate D. Dopamine
Dopamine
Which approach would be most appropriate for testing the hypothesis that taking practice tests improves learning more than studying alone does? A. Correlational research B. Surveys of representative samples of students C. Experimental research D. Case studies of high-achieving students
Experimental research.
Control group scores: 32, 34, 38, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45 Experimental group scores: 38, 40, 41, 44, 47, 48, 50, 55, 56 The data support the statement that the _______ group has a greater mean and a _______ standard deviation. A. experimental; greater B. experimental; lower C. control; lower D. control; greater
Experimental; greater
Parents who agree with John Locke's notion of tabula rasa would most likely: A. expose their children to a rich variety of sensory experiences. B. believe that their children will develop adequately with little parental support. C. view their children as their intellectual equals. D. reject the notion that they need to "teach" their children, since all knowledge is innate.
Expose their children to a rich variety of sensory experiences.
Cognitive psychology: A. focuses on how people think, remember, store, and use information. B. attempts to explain reality in a way that does not rely on our fallible senses. C. studies the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord and all of their connections to the body. D. focuses exclusively on externally visible behavior and ignores internal mental processes.
Focuses on how people think, remember, store, and use information.
You feel sick after eating leftovers you found in the back of the refrigerator. Occam's razor would favor the hypothesis that you have: A. stomach cancer. B. been poisoned by your roommate. C. contracted swine flu. D. food poisoning.
Food poisoning.
What is a mainstream psychologist most likely to think about Sigmund Freud? A. Freudian theory is untestable and not grounded in science. B. Freud was a complete fraud who barely rates a mention in psychology textbooks. C. Rigorous research has proven that most of Freud's theories were correct. D. Freud, a great pioneer in psychology, discovered the unconscious.
Freudian theory is untestable and not grounded in science.
The motor cortex is located in the _______ lobe of the brain. A. temporal B. frontal C. occipital D. parietal
Frontal
Which of the following perspectives argues that human behavior develops in certain ways because it serves a useful purpose? A. Psychoanalysis B. Functionalism C. Cognitive psychology D. Behaviorism
Functionalism.
A quarter in your hand casts a different image on your retina than a quarter taped to the wall across the room, yet you know that the quarters have exactly the same dimensions. This phenomenon would be best explained by a: A. Gestalt psychologist. B. evolutionary psychologist. C. structuralist. D. behaviorist.
Gestalt psychologist.
_______ play the greatest role in regulating the strength of the connection between two neurons. A. Neurotransmitter receptors B. Synaptic clefts C. Axon terminals D. Glial cells
Glial cells
According to René Descartes, the very fact that he is thinking proves that: A. he exists. B. knowledge relies on our senses alone. C. the brain is nothing like a machine. D. he cannot be deceived by his senses.
He exists.
Which of the following is a myth of psychology? A. Heritable traits, such as IQ, cannot be altered by experience. B. Experience physically alters the structure of the brain. C. We are consciously aware of only a small part of our mental activity. D. The mind is a product of a physical machine, the brain.
Heritable traits, such as IQ, cannot be altered by experience.
How is natural selection related to psychology? A. All organisms have been shown to be capable of learning. B. Animals share many genes with human beings. C. Survival depends on environment just as much as it depends on genes. D. Humans behave as they do in part because that behavior promotes survival.
Humans behave as they do in part because that behavior promotes survival.
Students _______ would be the most representative sample for a study of competitiveness in high school. A. in a required health class B. who agree to do the study during lunch C. competing in sports D. in advanced math classes
In a required health class.
Hyperpolarizing a neuron _______ its polarity, making it _______ likely to fire. A. increases; less B. increases; more C. reduces; less D. reduces; more
Increases; less
In experimental research, which of the following variables is controlled by the researcher? A. Independent B. Dependent C. Experimental D. Confounding
Independent
A researcher presents his participant with a series of flashing lights at varying intervals. After each presentation of a light, he asks the participant to fully describe her internal experiences, a method known as: A. behaviorism. B. introspection. C. psychoanalysis. D. functionalism.
Introspection.
Control group scores: 32, 34, 38, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45 Experimental group scores: 38, 40, 41, 44, 47, 48, 50, 55, 56 The psychologist running this experiment could best uphold standards for double-blind assessment by taking which of the following measures? A. Keeping the researcher who administers treatments from knowing which ones are placebos B. Verifying that the placebo will have no positive effects on the subjects C. Ensuring that subjects who take the test have no prior knowledge of its subject matter D. Having each of the test subjects take the test in complete isolation
Keeping the researcher who administers treatments from knowing which ones are placebos
When the U.S. Supreme Court was deliberating on whether to require schools to integrate black children and white children, their decision to strike down laws permitting segregated schools was greatly influenced by the "Doll Test," conducted by: A. Francis Sumner. B. B. F. Skinner. C. Mary Cover Jones. D. Kenneth Clark and Mamie Phipps Clark.
Kenneth Clark and Mamie Phipps Clark.
A psychologist administered a test that was designed to measure intelligence. Individuals taking the test on multiple occasions were found to achieve similar scores over time. Another psychologist used the same test to evaluate subjects' memory capacity, and these results were strongly correlated with those of other memory tests. As an instrument designed to measure intelligence, the test has _______ validity and _______ reliability. A. low; high B. high; high C. high; low D. low; low
Low; high
_______ taught at Wellesley College for more than 30 years and was the first woman president of the American Psychological Association. A. Mary Whiton Calkins B. Margaret Floy Washburn C. Mamie Phipps Clark D. Mary Cover Jones
Mary Whiton Calkins
An overwhelming amount of scientific evidence indicates that: A. people are born with specific sexual orientations. B. the crime rate increases dramatically around the time of a full moon. C. subliminal advertising can compel people to buy things they do not really want. D. exposing young children to classical music increases their IQs.
People are born with specific sexual orientations.
The social brain hypothesis states that: A. people can keep close tabs on only about 150 different personal relationships. B. humans have a primitive, innate understanding of animal behavior C. social behaviors among people are intrinsically human. D. excessive social stimulation interferes with brain cell networks.
People can keep close tabs on only about 150 different personal relationships.
The study of how physical events, such as lights and sounds, affect our senses is called: A. psychophysics. B. dualism. C. empiricism. D. functionalism.
Psychophysics.
In order to collect opinion data on key issues in one small city, a research company is planning to send a survey-taker to every hundredth home listed in an alphabetical city directory. The survey-taker will interview all adults living at each selected household. In this situation, the adults interviewed are best characterized as a: A. random and representative sample. B. study population. C. representative sample but not a random sample. D. theoretical population.
Random and representative sample.
Which of the following is not a measure of central tendency? A. Mean B. Mode C. Range D. Median
Range
A self-report measure of the personality trait of agreeableness produces very similar scores each time the same person completes it. It is also strongly correlated with whether family members describe a person as friendly and cooperative. This measure appears to be A. reliable but not valid. B. neither reliable nor valid. C. reliable and valid. D. valid but not reliable.
Reliable and valid.
A given data set has a mean that is significantly greater than its median because the data set has: A. a low variance. B. a low standard deviation. C. several outliers. D. a mode of lesser value.
Several outliers.
A researcher would be most likely to find a negative correlation between _______ and _______. A. occupational success; self-esteem B. shyness; party attendance C. hopelessness; depression D. conscientiousness; grade point average (GPA)
Shyness; party attendance
The principle of Occam's razor is used to compare scientific hypotheses primarily on the basis of: A. testability. B. clarity. C. simplicity. D. usefulness.
Simplicity.
Which statement reflects a reasonable attitude for a good student of psychology to have toward any claim about human behavior? A. The older an idea is, the more likely it is to be correct. B. The more popular an idea is, the more likely it is to be correct. C. It is fine to accept an idea until it is proven wrong. D. Skepticism is advisable until an idea is proven right.
Skepticism is advisable until an idea is proven right.
Whether depression levels are truly lower in a treatment group than in a control group is assessed by determining the _______ of the difference in scores between groups. A. validity B. statistical inference C. statistical significance D. variance
Statistical significance
A news organization wanted to predict who would win the next U.S. presidential election. They sent an opinion poll to every fiftieth person on a list of students enrolled at a nearby college. Which of the following is the study population? A. Americans in general B. Students who return the questionnaire C. Students at this particular college D. College students in general
Students at this particular college.
A meta-analysis most typically focuses on a multitude of: A. phenomena. B. theories. C. studies. D. hypotheses.
Studies.
Which of the following conditions is necessary for a set of hypotheses to earn recognition as a theory? A. Widespread replication of experiments B. Successful testing C. Identification of highly specific phenomena D. Refutation of all alternatives
Successful testing
To identify the most popular exhibits at a science museum, visitors were asked every day for six weeks to rate how much they enjoyed each exhibit. The data were analyzed to look for age and sex differences in exhibit preferences. This was an example of: A. case study research. B. experimental research. C. naturalistic observation. D. survey research.
Survey research.
An important principle to remember when studying psychology is that: A. the act of learning changes the physical structure of the brain. B. adults rarely alter their behavior according to what those around them are doing. C. genetics has very little influence on our behavior. D. we are consciously aware of all the events that affect our behavior.
The act of learning changes the physical structure of the brain.
(X - Rate of traffic accidents. Y - Sales of umbrellas. Z - Amount of rainfall). For the figure above, which statement concerning the relationship between the rate of traffic accidents and umbrella sales is correct? A. The letters x and y represent confounding variables. B. The letters x, y, and z represent confounding variables. C. The letter x represents a confounding variable. D. The letter z represents a confounding variable.
The letter z represents a confounding variable.
Psychology is best defined as the study of: A. consciousness and intuition. B. learning and developmental delay. C. the mind and behavior. D. mental health.
The mind and behavior.
The discipline of psychology can most accurately be defined as the study of: A. the mind and behavior. B. mental processes. C. behavior. D. the anatomy of the brain.
The mind and behavior.
A professor wanted to learn more about the body image concerns of young teenage girls. She randomly selected 200 girls from local middle schools to complete her questionnaire. These girls were: A. the sampling frame. B. a representative sample. C. an experimental group. D. a random population.
The sampling frame.
Control group scores: 32, 34, 38, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45 Experimental group scores: 38, 40, 41, 44, 47, 48, 50, 55, 56 Which of the following conditions would best support the conclusion that the results of the study are statistically significant? A. Analyses show that r = +0.5, meaning that the differences in the group means are unlikely to be due to chance. B. There is a very high probability that a subject who took the test again under the same conditions would get roughly the same score. C. There is only a very low probability that the random assignment of subjects resulted in control and experimental groups with differences in potential performance. D. The members of the experimental group and the control group took the test under virtually identical conditions.
There is only a very low probability that the random assignment of subjects resulted in control and experimental groups with differences in potential performance.
Control group scores: 32, 34, 38, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45 Experimental group scores: 38, 40, 41, 44, 47, 48, 50, 55, 56 Which of the following statements, if true, would most seriously weaken the conclusion that the treatment is effective? A. There is reason to believe that the placebo contains a substance that might tend to weaken performance. B. The researcher who scored the tests was unaware of which tests were completed by control group members. C. Subjects in the control group were told they were receiving an effective form of treatment. D. Statistical analyses reveal a p-value of only 0.01.
There is reason to believe that the placebo contains a substance that might tend to weaken performance.
A psychologist at a university has designed an experiment in which subjects will interact one-on-one with Thomas. Thomas will identify himself as a fellow subject but he is actually a member of the psychologist's research team. The psychologist has told the university's Institutional Review Board (IRB) that the experiment cannot be run successfully without this deception. The IRB is likely to decide that the experiment may proceed only if: A. it is clear that the subjects would not tell Thomas anything they would not tell a researcher. B. Thomas's role is revealed immediately after subjects complete their participation. C. it is redesigned so that Thomas identifies his actual role at the outset. D. the individual administering the study informs the subjects that they will be deceived in some way.
Thomas's role is revealed immediately after subjects complete their participation.
Plato's allegory of the cave indicates that: A. truths about reality are not always obvious. B. majority opinion is almost always correct. C. when we seek the truth, we must always trust our senses. D. imagination is a more reliable guide than objective reality.
Truths about reality are not always obvious.
According to the social brain hypothesis, each of us can deal effectively with social interactions with roughly 150 people. This implies that: A. we function best in groups of roughly 150 people, whether all are friends or strangers. B. most of us are able to maintain close, lifelong friendships with about 150 people. C. most of us cannot recognize more than 150 people at any given time in our lives. D. we are capable of maintaining social networks of up to 150 people throughout our lives.
We are capable of maintaining social networks of up to 150 people throughout our lives.
The year 1879 might be thought of as the beginning of psychology as a science because that is the year: A. Wilhelm Wundt developed and opened the first psychology laboratory. B. Edward Thorndike conducted his first puzzle box experiments. C. Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species. D. Margaret Floy Washburn wrote The Animal Mind.
Wilhelm Wundt developed and opened the first psychology laboratory.
A research team was investigating the impact of stereotypes on performance. In one group, women read a magazine article about why the structure of men's brains makes them better at math. In the second group, women read a magazine article saying there are no biological differences in the mathematical abilities of men and women. All women in the study then took a challenging math test. Researchers scored the number of items women answered correctly. In this study, which of the following was the dependent variable? A. Women's beliefs about their math abilities B. Which article the women read C. How difficult women found the test D. Women's scores on the math test
Women's scores on the math test