PSY 1010: Exam 1 Test Questions and
All Correct Answers.
Experimental Method - Answer researcher randomly assigns participants to different
conditions and ensures that these conditions are identical except for the independent variable
Independent Variable - Answer variable a researcher changes or varies to see if it has an
effect on some other variable (the dependent variable)
Dependent Variable - Answer variable a researcher measures to see if it is influenced by the
independent variable
Random Assignment - Answer procedure ensuring that every participant has an equal chance
of being in any of the experimental conditions
Extraneous Variables - Answer Variables other than the independent variable that may affect
the dependent variable
What is the main goal of an experiment? - Answer To show that there is a casual relationship
between the IV and the DV
Confounding Variables - Answer Extraneous variables that vary systematically with the
independent variable.
Internal Validity - Answer Ensuring that nothing else besides the independent variable can
affect the dependent variable
External Validity - Answer Extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other
situations and other people.
Lab Experiments - Answer Higher in internal validity, somewhat lower in external validity.
Field Experiments - Answer Higher in external validity, somewhat lower in internal validity.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) - Answer Panel of experts who evaluate the costs and
benefits of a proposed study.
, Correlation Method - Answer two or more variables are measured and the relationship
between them (how much one can be predicted from the other) is assessed
Positive Correlation - Answer increases in the value of one variable are associated with
increases in the value of another variable
Negative Correlation - Answer increases in the value of one variable are associated with
decreases in the value of another variable
Directionality Problem - Answer Does variable A cause variable B or does variable B cause
variable A?
Third Variable Problem - Answer Is there an underlying third variable that can cause either
variable A or variable B to occur?
Soma - Answer Contains nucleus, cell body, messages relay through here from the dendrites
and to the axon
Dendrites - Answer Tree like, receive nerve impulses and carry them into the cell body
Axon - Answer Single long fiber, carries impulses away from the cell body to the terminal
endings
Synapses - Answer Meeting points where neurotransmitters are release from the synaptic
vesicles
Axon Terminals - Answer The end of the axon, where impulses are carried to
Myelin Sheaths - Answer Fatty white sheath insulating the neuron, makes impulse
transmission more efficient
Action Potential - Answer When an axon generates an action potential, a neuron fires. A very
brief shift in the neuron's electrical charge that travels along an axon.
Positive Sodium - Answer flows into the brain, causing the brain to depolarize
Positive Potassium - Answer flows out of the brain, causing the brain to repolarize
All Correct Answers.
Experimental Method - Answer researcher randomly assigns participants to different
conditions and ensures that these conditions are identical except for the independent variable
Independent Variable - Answer variable a researcher changes or varies to see if it has an
effect on some other variable (the dependent variable)
Dependent Variable - Answer variable a researcher measures to see if it is influenced by the
independent variable
Random Assignment - Answer procedure ensuring that every participant has an equal chance
of being in any of the experimental conditions
Extraneous Variables - Answer Variables other than the independent variable that may affect
the dependent variable
What is the main goal of an experiment? - Answer To show that there is a casual relationship
between the IV and the DV
Confounding Variables - Answer Extraneous variables that vary systematically with the
independent variable.
Internal Validity - Answer Ensuring that nothing else besides the independent variable can
affect the dependent variable
External Validity - Answer Extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other
situations and other people.
Lab Experiments - Answer Higher in internal validity, somewhat lower in external validity.
Field Experiments - Answer Higher in external validity, somewhat lower in internal validity.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) - Answer Panel of experts who evaluate the costs and
benefits of a proposed study.
, Correlation Method - Answer two or more variables are measured and the relationship
between them (how much one can be predicted from the other) is assessed
Positive Correlation - Answer increases in the value of one variable are associated with
increases in the value of another variable
Negative Correlation - Answer increases in the value of one variable are associated with
decreases in the value of another variable
Directionality Problem - Answer Does variable A cause variable B or does variable B cause
variable A?
Third Variable Problem - Answer Is there an underlying third variable that can cause either
variable A or variable B to occur?
Soma - Answer Contains nucleus, cell body, messages relay through here from the dendrites
and to the axon
Dendrites - Answer Tree like, receive nerve impulses and carry them into the cell body
Axon - Answer Single long fiber, carries impulses away from the cell body to the terminal
endings
Synapses - Answer Meeting points where neurotransmitters are release from the synaptic
vesicles
Axon Terminals - Answer The end of the axon, where impulses are carried to
Myelin Sheaths - Answer Fatty white sheath insulating the neuron, makes impulse
transmission more efficient
Action Potential - Answer When an axon generates an action potential, a neuron fires. A very
brief shift in the neuron's electrical charge that travels along an axon.
Positive Sodium - Answer flows into the brain, causing the brain to depolarize
Positive Potassium - Answer flows out of the brain, causing the brain to repolarize
