Question 1

Which of the following best describes the biopsychosocial model?

Accepted Answer

A model that explains behavior as a product of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.

Question 2

A researcher wants to test whether a new teaching method improves student performance. She randomly assigns students to either the new method or the traditional method. What type of research design is she using?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Question 3

Which of the following statements about scientific theories is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A scientific theory integrates numerous findings into a coherent whole and generates new hypotheses.

Question 4

What is the main purpose of using a double-blind study in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that neither the participant nor the experimenter knows the exact treatment, reducing bias.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of the placebo effect?

Accepted Answer

A patient reports feeling better after taking a sugar pill, believing it to be real medication.

Question 6

If a hypothesis is described as 'falsifiable,' what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

It is precise enough that it could be proven false.

Question 7

A psychologist observes children at a playground without interacting with them and records their behavior. What research method is being used?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 8

Which of the following best illustrates the principle of parsimony?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the simplest explanation that accounts for all the evidence.

Question 9

A study finds that as hours of sleep increase, levels of stress decrease. What type of correlation is this?

Accepted Answer

Negative correlation

Question 10

Which of the following is a key characteristic of critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

Examining assumptions and biases

Question 11

In a psychological experiment, what is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The variable that the experimenter manipulates to distinguish between groups.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of anecdotal evidence?

Accepted Answer

A single individual's story about how a diet helped them lose weight.

Question 13

A researcher finds that people who exercise more tend to report higher levels of happiness. Which research method was most likely used?

Accepted Answer

Correlational method

Question 14

Which of the following best defines 'validity' in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

The degree to which an instrument or procedure actually measures what it claims to measure.

Question 15

What is the main advantage of using random assignment in experiments?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that groups are roughly equivalent at the start of the experiment.

Question 16

Which of the following is a limitation of experimental methods in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory experiments may not generalize to real-world situations.

Question 17

A psychologist is interested in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Which field does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Clinical psychology

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the Hawthorne effect?

Accepted Answer

A change in behavior that occurs as a result of being observed.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a variable in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

The amount of time spent studying for an exam.

Question 20

A study finds that people who eat more vegetables have lower rates of heart disease. However, the researchers did not control for exercise habits. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Third variable problem

Foundations of Psychology: Scientific Method, History, and Research Principles

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards