Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main goal of psychology as a scientific discipline?

Accepted Answer

To study the mind, brain, and behaviour using systematic scientific methods.

Question 2

A friend claims that 'opposites attract' because it is a common saying. According to the principles of scientific thinking, which fallacy is your friend most likely committing?

Accepted Answer

Bandwagon fallacy

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the six principles of scientific thinking described in the text?

Accepted Answer

Emotional reasoning

Question 4

A researcher claims that a new therapy cures depression, but the evidence is based only on a few personal stories. Which warning sign of pseudoscience does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Overreliance on anecdotes

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'confirmation bias'?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring evidence that contradicts your beliefs while seeking out information that supports them.

Question 6

A psychologist is interested in how children’s thinking changes as they grow older. Which type of psychologist is most likely to study this topic?

Accepted Answer

Developmental psychologist

Question 7

Which theoretical perspective in psychology is most concerned with uncovering unconscious mental processes?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalysis

Question 8

A scientist claims that a new drug can improve memory, but the results have not been replicated by other researchers. Which principle of scientific thinking is most relevant here?

Accepted Answer

Replicability

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the difference between emic and etic approaches in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Emic approaches study behaviour from within a culture; etic approaches study behaviour from outside the culture.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a metaphysical claim?

Accepted Answer

There is life after death, but it cannot be tested scientifically.

Question 11

A psychologist is testing whether a new teaching method improves student performance. She randomly assigns students to two groups and compares their test scores. Which scientific principle is she applying by considering other possible explanations for the results?

Accepted Answer

Ruling out rival hypotheses

Question 12

Which of the following best illustrates the principle of Occam’s razor?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the explanation that makes the fewest assumptions when two explanations fit the data equally well.

Question 13

Which school of thought in psychology emphasized the use of introspection to identify the basic elements of experience?

Accepted Answer

Structuralism

Question 14

A psychologist argues that behaviour is shaped by both genetic inheritance and environmental factors. This view is most closely related to which major debate in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Nature vs. nurture

Question 15

Which of the following is a danger of pseudoscience according to the text?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to direct harm and opportunity cost.

Question 16

A psychologist is interested in the physiological bases of behaviour, such as how neurotransmitters affect mood. Which type of psychologist is this?

Accepted Answer

Biological psychologist

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the difference between basic and applied research in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Basic research examines how the mind works; applied research uses findings to solve real-world problems.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of the 'extraordinary claims' principle of scientific thinking?

Accepted Answer

A claim that a person can read minds requires especially strong evidence before being accepted.

Question 19

A psychologist is studying how people interpret and mentally represent information about the world. Which theoretical perspective is she most likely using?

Accepted Answer

Cognitivism

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'reciprocal determinism'?

Accepted Answer

People influence each other’s behaviour, and are influenced in return.

Psychology and Scientific Thinking: Foundations, Challenges, and Frameworks

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