PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
1. Psychology is often described as the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. In
your own words, what does this definition practically mean in everyday life?
2. Why is psychology considered both a social science and a biological science?
3. Explain why psychology cannot rely only on common sense when explaining human
behaviour.
4. How did early philosophical thinking (Plato and Aristotle) influence modern psychological
thought?
5. What major shift occurred when psychology moved from philosophy into experimental
science?
6. Wilhelm Wundt is called the “father of experimental psychology.” What exactly did he
contribute that made psychology scientific?
7. Compare the contributions of William James and Wilhelm Wundt to the development of
psychology.
8. Why did behaviourism become so influential in the early 20th century?
9. Explain how behaviourism views human learning and why it rejected mental processes.
1
, 10. Cognitive psychology is sometimes called the “return of the mind.” What does that phrase
mean?
11. Compare psychoanalysis and behaviourism in how they explain human behaviour.
12. Why is humanistic psychology sometimes called the “third force” in psychology?
13. Explain how existential psychology views anxiety differently from other approaches.
14. Why is experimental research considered the best method for establishing cause and
effect?
15. In a psychological experiment, what is the difference between an independent variable and
a dependent variable?
16. Why is it difficult to fully control human behaviour in psychological research?
17. Explain why psychologists still use animal models, even though humans are different.
18. How does qualitative research contribute to psychology in ways that quantitative research
may fail to do?
19. Why is ethical approval important in psychological studies involving human subjects?
20. How does the brain influence behaviour, and why is it impossible to separate psychology
from biology?
21. Explain why damage to the frontal lobe can affect personality.
22. Why is the study of neurotransmitters important in understanding mental disorders?
23. How does brain lateralisation influence human cognitive abilities?
2
QUESTIONS
1. Psychology is often described as the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. In
your own words, what does this definition practically mean in everyday life?
2. Why is psychology considered both a social science and a biological science?
3. Explain why psychology cannot rely only on common sense when explaining human
behaviour.
4. How did early philosophical thinking (Plato and Aristotle) influence modern psychological
thought?
5. What major shift occurred when psychology moved from philosophy into experimental
science?
6. Wilhelm Wundt is called the “father of experimental psychology.” What exactly did he
contribute that made psychology scientific?
7. Compare the contributions of William James and Wilhelm Wundt to the development of
psychology.
8. Why did behaviourism become so influential in the early 20th century?
9. Explain how behaviourism views human learning and why it rejected mental processes.
1
, 10. Cognitive psychology is sometimes called the “return of the mind.” What does that phrase
mean?
11. Compare psychoanalysis and behaviourism in how they explain human behaviour.
12. Why is humanistic psychology sometimes called the “third force” in psychology?
13. Explain how existential psychology views anxiety differently from other approaches.
14. Why is experimental research considered the best method for establishing cause and
effect?
15. In a psychological experiment, what is the difference between an independent variable and
a dependent variable?
16. Why is it difficult to fully control human behaviour in psychological research?
17. Explain why psychologists still use animal models, even though humans are different.
18. How does qualitative research contribute to psychology in ways that quantitative research
may fail to do?
19. Why is ethical approval important in psychological studies involving human subjects?
20. How does the brain influence behaviour, and why is it impossible to separate psychology
from biology?
21. Explain why damage to the frontal lobe can affect personality.
22. Why is the study of neurotransmitters important in understanding mental disorders?
23. How does brain lateralisation influence human cognitive abilities?
2
