Question 1

Which of the following best describes the scientific approach that distinguishes psychology from pseudo-psychology?

Accepted Answer

It uses systematic observation and empirical evidence to draw conclusions.

Question 2

A psychologist is interested in whether caffeine consumption affects memory performance. She randomly assigns participants to receive either caffeine or a placebo, then measures their recall of a word list. In this experiment, what is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The caffeine or placebo administered

Question 3

Which of the following statements about the action potential is correct?

Accepted Answer

The action potential is an all-or-none event that moves along the axon.

Question 4

A researcher finds a negative correlation between hours of sleep and reported stress levels in college students. Which of the following best describes this relationship?

Accepted Answer

As hours of sleep increase, reported stress levels decrease.

Question 5

According to Darwin's theory of evolution, which process best explains why certain psychological traits are present in humans today?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 6

Which of the following best illustrates the use of a double-blind study in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Neither the experimenter nor the participant knows which group the participant is assigned to.

Question 7

A behavioral psychologist is most likely to study which of the following aspects of human behavior?

Accepted Answer

Observable actions

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The number of words recalled by participants

Question 9

A psychologist using the humanistic approach would most likely focus on which of the following when helping a client?

Accepted Answer

Striving for personal growth and self-fulfillment

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the function of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

They carry chemical messages across the synapse between neurons.

Question 11

A psychologist is interested in the effects of peer pressure on adolescent risk-taking. She observes students in a cafeteria without interfering. Which research method is she using?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why random assignment is important in experimental research?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about genotypes and phenotypes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Genotypes are the genetic makeup, while phenotypes are observable traits.

Question 14

A split-brain patient is shown a word in their left visual field. Which hemisphere of the brain processes this information, and what is a likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

The right hemisphere processes it, and the patient may not be able to verbally report the word.

Question 15

Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with the symptoms of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Question 16

A psychologist wants to test the hypothesis that stress impairs memory. Which of the following would be the best operational definition of 'memory' in this study?

Accepted Answer

The number of words correctly recalled from a list after a stress-inducing task

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the 'all-or-none' law of neural firing?

Accepted Answer

A neuron either fires completely or not at all.

Question 18

Which of the following is a key feature of the behaviorist approach in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Focus on observable behavior as the primary subject of study

Question 19

A psychologist is interested in whether children who watch violent television shows are more likely to display aggressive behavior. Which research design would best allow her to determine causality?

Accepted Answer

An experiment with random assignment to violent or non-violent TV conditions

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the relationship between genotype and phenotype?

Accepted Answer

Genotype refers to genetic makeup; phenotype refers to observable characteristics.

Introduction to Psychology: Key Concepts, Research Methods, and Biological Foundations

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