Question 1

Psychology is best defined as the scientific study of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The mind and behavior

Question 2

Which of the following statements best reflects the empirical approach in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Gathering information through scientific observation or experimentation

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the main goals of psychology as a field?

Accepted Answer

To precisely predict people’s behavior and reactions

Question 4

According to philosophical materialism, which statement is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

The mind and human consciousness are caused by physical processes in the brain

Question 5

True or False: John Locke believed that humans are born with extensive, species-specific knowledge.

Accepted Answer

False; Locke believed that humans are born tabula rasa, as 'blank slates' with no innate knowledge

Question 6

Which of the following research questions would a structuralist most likely ask?

Accepted Answer

What specific conscious thoughts happen in the mind when a person hears a song?

Question 7

Who is considered the 'Father of Psychology'?

Accepted Answer

Wilhelm Wundt

Question 8

Functionalism was heavily influenced by which scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection

Question 9

Which of the following statements best describes psychoanalytic theory?

Accepted Answer

An approach to psychology that emphasizes the influence of the unconscious on mental processes

Question 10

Which of the following concepts did Freud NOT focus on as a cause of hysteria?

Accepted Answer

Cultural context

Question 11

Gestalt psychology emphasizes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Processing of entire organized wholes rather than individual components

Question 12

Who is considered the founder of Gestalt psychology?

Accepted Answer

Max Wertheimer

Question 13

Behaviorism was a particularly dominant field in psychology during which period?

Accepted Answer

1920 – 1950

Question 14

Who is credited with establishing behaviorism as a formal field in psychology?

Accepted Answer

John B. Watson

Question 15

Which of the following statements best describes developmental psychology?

Accepted Answer

A field of psychology that focuses on how psychological phenomena change over the lifespan, and examines when, why, and how those changes take place

Question 16

Which of the following prominent psychologists is NOT considered a founder of developmental psychology?

Accepted Answer

Alfred Adler

Question 17

Which of the following topics is NOT commonly studied in social psychology?

Accepted Answer

Sensation and perception

Question 18

Which pair of psychologists are considered the founders of humanism?

Accepted Answer

Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers

Question 19

If a cognitive psychologist were to criticize a behaviorist, what might they say?

Accepted Answer

By focusing entirely on behavior, we are limiting ourselves because most psychological phenomena happen in the mind

Question 20

Which of the following research questions would you expect a neuroscientist to ask?

Accepted Answer

How do neurotransmitters influence mood and behavior?

Introduction to Psychology: Foundations, Perspectives, and Major Figures

Study Guide - Practice Questions