Question 1

Which of the following best describes the scientific approach used in psychology?

Accepted Answer

It uses evidence, tests ideas, and seeks the truth through systematic observation.

Question 2

According to the concept of reciprocal determinism, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A person's thoughts, feelings, and actions interact with and influence their environment, and vice versa.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of confirmation bias?

Accepted Answer

Seeking out evidence that supports your belief while ignoring evidence that contradicts it.

Question 4

A student believes they are bad at math. Even after receiving evidence of improvement, they continue to believe they are bad. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Belief perseverance

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'culture shapes perception'?

Accepted Answer

Western participants tend to focus on central objects, while East Asian participants focus on the whole scene.

Question 6

What is the main difference between a scientific theory and a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A theory is a broad explanation supported by evidence, while a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction derived from a theory.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about common sense and psychology is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Psychology uses scientific methods to reduce bias and test ideas, unlike common sense.

Question 8

A researcher observes that students who study in groups tend to perform better on exams. She predicts that forming study groups will improve exam scores. What is her prediction an example of?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis

Question 9

Which of the following best defines naïve realism?

Accepted Answer

The belief that our perceptions of reality are always accurate and unbiased.

Question 10

Which of the following is a key takeaway from the scientific approach in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Science helps reduce bias and leads to more accurate understanding of behavior.

Question 11

A psychologist wants to test whether sleep deprivation affects memory. She forms a specific, testable prediction that students who sleep less than 6 hours will recall fewer words on a memory test. According to the scientific method, this prediction is:

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis

Question 12

Which of the following best describes why contradictory proverbs (e.g., 'opposites attract' vs. 'birds of a feather flock together') are problematic for understanding human behavior?

Accepted Answer

They feel true but cannot both be universally correct, so psychology uses science to test which is accurate.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

It cannot be tested or refined.

Question 14

If a person continues to believe in a myth about the brain even after being shown scientific evidence disproving it, this is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Belief perseverance

Question 15

Which of the following best illustrates the importance of multiple levels of analysis in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Considering biological, psychological, and social factors when studying depression.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of how individual differences can affect behavior?

Accepted Answer

Some students feel confident, while others feel anxious or indifferent when asked to present in front of the class.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the relationship between science and intuition in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Science uses evidence and testing, while intuition relies on gut feelings and can be biased.

Question 18

A psychologist observes that people who exercise regularly report higher levels of happiness. She then predicts that increasing exercise will lead to increased happiness. What is the next step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Design a study to test the hypothesis.

Question 19

Which of the following is a reason why science is necessary in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Science helps reduce bias and provides more reliable knowledge than intuition alone.

Introduction to Psychology: Foundations, Methods, and Critical Thinking

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