In the context of the question 'What is Psychology?', factor analysis has been used to identify the most basic what?

• A. stages of cognitive development
• B. methods of classical conditioning
• C. dimensions of personality traits
• D. types of neurotransmitters

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that factor analysis is a statistical method used in psychology to identify underlying relationships between variables by grouping them into factors or dimensions.
2. Recognize that in the context of the question 'What is Psychology?', factor analysis is often applied to personality research to uncover the fundamental traits that make up personality.
3. Recall that factor analysis helps reduce a large number of observed variables (such as personality characteristics) into fewer underlying factors, which are called dimensions of personality traits.
4. Eliminate other options by considering that factor analysis is not typically used to identify stages of cognitive development, methods of classical conditioning, or types of neurotransmitters.
5. Conclude that the most basic elements identified by factor analysis in this context are the dimensions of personality traits.