PSYCHOLOGY 1100 EXAM 1 CSCC QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE 2026
psychology - Answers the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
psychiatry - Answers the medical specialization focusing on the brain and its disorders
William Wundt - Answers Father of psychology, first to approach the inner workings of the mind as a
science.
Structuralism - Answers A perspective from the early history of psychology that focused on breaking
down mental processes into their structure or basic parts
Functionalism - Answers A perspective from the early history of psychology that focused on the
function of our mental processes and behaviors (tries to determine what our mental processes are
for)
William James - Answers Father of psychology in the United States, His psychology research lab was
the first in the united states. He promoted functionalism
Psychoanalysis - Answers a perspective in psychology created by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes
unconscious mental activity and long lasting influence of childhood experiences.
Sigmund Freud - Answers popularized psychology in the united states and around the world in the
late 1800s. His psychological theory emphasized unconscious mental activity and the impact of
childhood experiences on adult life.
Behaviorism - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes observable behavior over internal
mental processes.
Humanism - Answers A perspective that emphasizes the notion that human nature is generally good
and people are naturally motivated to grow toward their own potential
Multiculturalism - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes the influence of culture on
behavior and mental processes
evolutionary psychology - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes Charles Darwin's
Theory of evolution as an influence on behavior.
Cognitive psychology - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes processes such as
thinking, language, attention, memory, and intelligence.
Neuroscience - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes the link between behavior and
the biological functioning of the brain.
Positive psychology - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes people's strengths and
successes
Biopsychosocial theory - Answers a uniquely comprehensive popular perspective in psychology that
emphasizes biological, psychological, and social factors as influences on behavior.
Pseudopsychology - Answers Information that is not supported by science but still may appear to be.
Critical thinking - Answers an inquisitive, challenging approach to ideas and assumptions
Confirmed Bias - Answers A tendency to prefer information that confirms what you thought in the
first place
Belief perseverance - Answers A tendency to maintain a belief even when evidence suggests it is
incorrect
Descriptive research - Answers research in which the goal is simply to describe a characteristics of the
population
Correlational research - Answers research in which the goal is to determine the relationship between
two variables.
Correlation coefficient - Answers a statistic that shows the relationship between two variables,
ranging from highly positive (+1) to highly negative (-1). It means that as one variable goes up, the
other variable goes up with it.
correlation-causation fallacy - Answers The mistaken belief that when two variables correlate strongly
with each other, one must cause the other.
Experimental research - Answers research in which the goal is to determine the cause and effect
relationship between two variables by manipulating one and observing changes in the other.
Random assignment - Answers a procedure in experimental research by which the assignment of
participants into either experimental or control group happens entirely by chance.
Independent Variable - Answers A variable that is manipulated by the researchers
Dependent variable - Answers a variable that is expected to depend u[on the independent variable
experimental group - Answers the group of participants who receive the treatment that is the focus of
the study
, control group - Answers the group of participants who did not receive the treatment that is the focus
of the study
placebo effect - Answers the effect of expectation rather than the experimental manipulations
Scientific method - Answers a way of asking and answering questions that follows a predetermined
series of steps: posing a question, conducting a literature review, developing a hypothesis, testing the
hypothesis by collecting data, and analyzing the data and drawing conclusions.
Theory - Answers A proposed explanation for observed events
hypothesis - Answers a prediction; typically based on a theory; that can be tested
Naturalistic observation - Answers psychologists collect data from participants by visiting them in the
real-world location where their behavior happens naturally
surveys - Answers A set of questions addressed to a group of people about their behavior or attitudes
Case study - Answers A small number of psychologists conduct research in which the sample consists
of just one person (or a very small group) studied in great depth
Neurons - Answers the cells that facilitate communication within the nervous system.
Dendrites - Answers branches at the end of neurons that receive signals from other neurons
Cell body (soma) - Answers the large central region of a neuron that performs the basic activities,
including the production of energy, to keep the neuron functional
Axon - Answers the part of the neuron that carries information toward other neurons
myelin sheath - Answers a protective sleeve of fatty material that surrounds the axon
action potential - Answers the release, or firing, of an electrical impulse that travels through the axon.
synapse - Answers a gap between two connecting neurons
neurotransmitters - Answers chemical messengers that travel across synapses from one neuron to the
next
Acetylcholine - Answers a compound that occurs throughout the nervous system, in which it functions
as a neurotransmitter
dopamine - Answers neurotransmitter involved in reward system and in movement
serotonin - Answers neurotransmitters involved in mood and possibly sleep and appetite
endorphins - Answers are neurotransmitters involved in reducing pain and increasing pleasure
epinephrine - Answers involved in fight or flight
agonist - Answers drugs that impact the neurotransmitters
antagonist - Answers against the histamine neurotransmitter
Brain stem - Answers the part of the brain that connects to the spine and controls the functions most
essential to staying alive
cerebellum - Answers the part of the brain near the bottom and back primarily involved in balance
and the coordination of movement
medulla - Answers the part of the brainstem most specifically involved in heartbeat and breathing
Thalamus - Answers the brains main sensory processing center, located near the center of the brain
limbic system - Answers a cluster of brain areas involved primarily in emotion
hypothalamus - Answers is the part of the limbic system involved in maintaining steadiness in bodily
functions
hippocampus - Answers the part of the limbic system involved in memory, especially spatial memory
and long-term memory
amygdala - Answers part of the limbic system involved most directly in emotions, especially fear.
cerebrum (forebrain) - Answers is the upper front part of the brain, which consists of two
hemispheres and is involved in sophisticated, often uniquely human abilities.
cerebral cortex - Answers the outer layer of the cerebrum, where sensory information is processed
right cerebral hemisphere - Answers receives pain messages, paired with your right side of your body
left cerebral hemisphere - Answers is paired with the right side of the body, sends the messages
corpus callosum - Answers the bundle of neurons that connects and allows communication between
the two cerebral hemisphere
frontal lobe - Answers the part of the cerebral cortex right behind the forehead, which is involved in
complex thinking tasks, planning, purposeful action, and other advanced functions.
parietal lobe - Answers the part of the brain near the top and back of the head involved in touch and
perception
temporal lobe - Answers the lower middle part of the brain, involved in hearing and speech
production.
occipital lobe - Answers the lower back part of the brain involved with vision
psychology - Answers the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
psychiatry - Answers the medical specialization focusing on the brain and its disorders
William Wundt - Answers Father of psychology, first to approach the inner workings of the mind as a
science.
Structuralism - Answers A perspective from the early history of psychology that focused on breaking
down mental processes into their structure or basic parts
Functionalism - Answers A perspective from the early history of psychology that focused on the
function of our mental processes and behaviors (tries to determine what our mental processes are
for)
William James - Answers Father of psychology in the United States, His psychology research lab was
the first in the united states. He promoted functionalism
Psychoanalysis - Answers a perspective in psychology created by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes
unconscious mental activity and long lasting influence of childhood experiences.
Sigmund Freud - Answers popularized psychology in the united states and around the world in the
late 1800s. His psychological theory emphasized unconscious mental activity and the impact of
childhood experiences on adult life.
Behaviorism - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes observable behavior over internal
mental processes.
Humanism - Answers A perspective that emphasizes the notion that human nature is generally good
and people are naturally motivated to grow toward their own potential
Multiculturalism - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes the influence of culture on
behavior and mental processes
evolutionary psychology - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes Charles Darwin's
Theory of evolution as an influence on behavior.
Cognitive psychology - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes processes such as
thinking, language, attention, memory, and intelligence.
Neuroscience - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes the link between behavior and
the biological functioning of the brain.
Positive psychology - Answers A perspective in psychology that emphasizes people's strengths and
successes
Biopsychosocial theory - Answers a uniquely comprehensive popular perspective in psychology that
emphasizes biological, psychological, and social factors as influences on behavior.
Pseudopsychology - Answers Information that is not supported by science but still may appear to be.
Critical thinking - Answers an inquisitive, challenging approach to ideas and assumptions
Confirmed Bias - Answers A tendency to prefer information that confirms what you thought in the
first place
Belief perseverance - Answers A tendency to maintain a belief even when evidence suggests it is
incorrect
Descriptive research - Answers research in which the goal is simply to describe a characteristics of the
population
Correlational research - Answers research in which the goal is to determine the relationship between
two variables.
Correlation coefficient - Answers a statistic that shows the relationship between two variables,
ranging from highly positive (+1) to highly negative (-1). It means that as one variable goes up, the
other variable goes up with it.
correlation-causation fallacy - Answers The mistaken belief that when two variables correlate strongly
with each other, one must cause the other.
Experimental research - Answers research in which the goal is to determine the cause and effect
relationship between two variables by manipulating one and observing changes in the other.
Random assignment - Answers a procedure in experimental research by which the assignment of
participants into either experimental or control group happens entirely by chance.
Independent Variable - Answers A variable that is manipulated by the researchers
Dependent variable - Answers a variable that is expected to depend u[on the independent variable
experimental group - Answers the group of participants who receive the treatment that is the focus of
the study
, control group - Answers the group of participants who did not receive the treatment that is the focus
of the study
placebo effect - Answers the effect of expectation rather than the experimental manipulations
Scientific method - Answers a way of asking and answering questions that follows a predetermined
series of steps: posing a question, conducting a literature review, developing a hypothesis, testing the
hypothesis by collecting data, and analyzing the data and drawing conclusions.
Theory - Answers A proposed explanation for observed events
hypothesis - Answers a prediction; typically based on a theory; that can be tested
Naturalistic observation - Answers psychologists collect data from participants by visiting them in the
real-world location where their behavior happens naturally
surveys - Answers A set of questions addressed to a group of people about their behavior or attitudes
Case study - Answers A small number of psychologists conduct research in which the sample consists
of just one person (or a very small group) studied in great depth
Neurons - Answers the cells that facilitate communication within the nervous system.
Dendrites - Answers branches at the end of neurons that receive signals from other neurons
Cell body (soma) - Answers the large central region of a neuron that performs the basic activities,
including the production of energy, to keep the neuron functional
Axon - Answers the part of the neuron that carries information toward other neurons
myelin sheath - Answers a protective sleeve of fatty material that surrounds the axon
action potential - Answers the release, or firing, of an electrical impulse that travels through the axon.
synapse - Answers a gap between two connecting neurons
neurotransmitters - Answers chemical messengers that travel across synapses from one neuron to the
next
Acetylcholine - Answers a compound that occurs throughout the nervous system, in which it functions
as a neurotransmitter
dopamine - Answers neurotransmitter involved in reward system and in movement
serotonin - Answers neurotransmitters involved in mood and possibly sleep and appetite
endorphins - Answers are neurotransmitters involved in reducing pain and increasing pleasure
epinephrine - Answers involved in fight or flight
agonist - Answers drugs that impact the neurotransmitters
antagonist - Answers against the histamine neurotransmitter
Brain stem - Answers the part of the brain that connects to the spine and controls the functions most
essential to staying alive
cerebellum - Answers the part of the brain near the bottom and back primarily involved in balance
and the coordination of movement
medulla - Answers the part of the brainstem most specifically involved in heartbeat and breathing
Thalamus - Answers the brains main sensory processing center, located near the center of the brain
limbic system - Answers a cluster of brain areas involved primarily in emotion
hypothalamus - Answers is the part of the limbic system involved in maintaining steadiness in bodily
functions
hippocampus - Answers the part of the limbic system involved in memory, especially spatial memory
and long-term memory
amygdala - Answers part of the limbic system involved most directly in emotions, especially fear.
cerebrum (forebrain) - Answers is the upper front part of the brain, which consists of two
hemispheres and is involved in sophisticated, often uniquely human abilities.
cerebral cortex - Answers the outer layer of the cerebrum, where sensory information is processed
right cerebral hemisphere - Answers receives pain messages, paired with your right side of your body
left cerebral hemisphere - Answers is paired with the right side of the body, sends the messages
corpus callosum - Answers the bundle of neurons that connects and allows communication between
the two cerebral hemisphere
frontal lobe - Answers the part of the cerebral cortex right behind the forehead, which is involved in
complex thinking tasks, planning, purposeful action, and other advanced functions.
parietal lobe - Answers the part of the brain near the top and back of the head involved in touch and
perception
temporal lobe - Answers the lower middle part of the brain, involved in hearing and speech
production.
occipital lobe - Answers the lower back part of the brain involved with vision
