chapter 1

Question 1

What is psychology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Question 2

Who is known as the “father of psychology”?

Answer 2

Wilhelm Wundt, founder of the first psychology lab in 1879.

Question 3

What was Wundt’s method for studying conscious experience?

Answer 3

Introspection—participants reporting their own thoughts and feelings.

Question 4

What is structuralism?

Answer 4

Early school of psychology focused on breaking down mental processes into basic components.

Question 5

Who developed functionalism?

Answer 5

William James, who focused on how mental processes help adapt to the environment.

Question 6

What is functionalism?

Answer 6

A school of thought emphasizing the purpose of behavior and mental processes.

Question 7

What is behaviorism?

Answer 7

Perspective focusing on observable behavior and learning from the environment.

Question 8

Who is associated with classical conditioning?

Answer 8

Ivan Pavlov, known for conditioning dogs to salivate to a bell.

Question 9

Who is associated with operant conditioning?

Answer 9

B.F. Skinner, known for reinforcement and punishment.

Question 10

What is the psychoanalytic/psychodynamic perspective?

Answer 10

Focuses on unconscious drives, conflicts, and childhood experiences.

Question 11

Who founded psychoanalysis?

Answer 11

Sigmund Freud.

Question 12

What is the humanistic perspective?

Answer 12

Emphasizes human potential, self-actualization, and personal growth.

Question 13

Who are key figures in humanistic psychology?

Answer 13

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.

Question 14

What is the cognitive perspective?

Answer 14

Focuses on mental processes like thinking, memory, and problem-solving.

Question 15

What is the biopsychosocial approach?

Answer 15

Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding behavior.

Question 16

What is the difference between applied and basic research?

Answer 16

Basic research seeks knowledge for understanding; applied research solves practical problems.

Question 17

Who was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in psychology in the U.S.?

Answer 17

Margaret Floy Washburn.

Question 18

Who was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in psychology?

Answer 18

Francis Cecil Sumner.

Question 19

What is the scientific method?

Answer 19

Systematic observation, measurement, and experimentation to test hypotheses.

Question 20

What are the four main goals of psychology?

Answer 20

Describe, explain, predict, and control behavior.

Question 21

What is naturalistic observation?

Answer 21

Observing behavior in its natural environment without interference.

Question 22

What is a case study?

Answer 22

In-depth study of one individual or group to explore rare phenomena.

Question 23

What is a survey?

Answer 23

A research method that asks participants questions about their attitudes, behaviors, or opinions.

Question 24

What is a correlation?

Answer 24

A measure of the relationship between two variables.

Question 25

What is the difference between positive and negative correlation?

Answer 25

Positive: both variables increase/decrease together; negative: one increases while the other decreases.

Question 26

Can correlation prove causation?

Answer 26

No; correlation shows relationship, not cause-and-effect.

Question 27

What is an experiment?

Answer 27

A research method manipulating variables to determine cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 28

What is the independent variable (IV)?

Answer 28

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

Question 29

What is the dependent variable (DV)?

Answer 29

The variable that is measured to assess the effect of the IV.

Question 30

What is random assignment?

Answer 30

Assigning participants to groups by chance to reduce bias.

Question 31

What is the placebo effect?

Answer 31

Participants’ expectations influence their behavior or outcomes, even without treatment.

Question 32

What is double-blind procedure?

Answer 32

Neither participants nor researchers know who is in the experimental or control group to prevent bias.

Question 33

What is informed consent?

Answer 33

Participants must be informed about the study and voluntarily agree to participate.

Question 34

What is debriefing?

Answer 34

Explaining the purpose of the study and procedures to participants afterward.

Question 35

What is a theory in psychology?

Answer 35

A system of ideas that explains observations and predicts future behavior.

Question 36

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 36

A testable prediction derived from a theory.

Question 37

What is replication?

Answer 37

Repeating a study to confirm its findings.

Question 38

What are ethics in psychological research?

Answer 38

Guidelines to protect participants’ well-being, confidentiality, and rights.

Question 39

What is the difference between structuralism and functionalism?

Answer 39

Structuralism breaks down mental processes; functionalism focuses on the purpose of mental processes.

Question 40

What is introspection?

Answer 40

A method of self-observation to report conscious experiences.

Question 41

What are early schools of psychology?

Answer 41

Structuralism, functionalism, and behaviorism.

Question 42

What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning?

Answer 42

Classical pairs stimuli; operant uses reinforcement/punishment.

Question 43

What is gestalt psychology?

Answer 43

Focuses on perception and how we naturally organize sensory information into wholes.

Question 44

Who are notable gestalt psychologists?

Answer 44

Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Köhler, and Kurt Koffka.

Question 45

What is the evolutionary perspective?

Answer 45

Explains behavior through adaptation, survival, and reproduction.

Question 46

What is the social-cultural perspective?

Answer 46

Focuses on how culture, social norms, and environment influence behavior.

Question 47

What is the difference between psychology and psychiatry?

Answer 47

Psychology studies behavior/mental processes; psychiatry is a medical field treating mental illness.

Question 48

What is empiricism in psychology?

Answer 48

Knowledge should come from observation and experience, not intuition.

Question 49

What is the role of critical thinking in psychology?

Answer 49

Evaluating claims and evidence systematically before accepting conclusions.

Question 50

What is behavior analysis?

Answer 50

Study of behavior through principles like reinforcement and punishment.

Question 51

What is a paradigm shift in psychology?

Answer 51

Major change in how psychological phenomena are understood or studied.

Question 52

What is applied psychology?

Answer 52

Using psychological principles to solve real-world problems.