PSYC 1001 FINAL EXAM PREP
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
ANSWERED
2023/2024
,:
1. What is psychology and what are its main goals? (2 marks)
Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Its main
goals are to describe, explain, predict and influence behavior and mental phenomena.
2. What are the differences between structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism,
psychoanalysis and humanism? (5 marks)
Structuralism was an early school of psychology that focused on analyzing the basic
elements of consciousness using introspection. Functionalism was a school of
psychology that emphasized the adaptive functions of behavior and mental processes
in relation to the environment. Behaviorism was a school of psychology that rejected
introspection and focused on observable behavior and its consequences.
Psychoanalysis was a school of psychology that explored the unconscious motives
and conflicts that influence behavior and mental disorders. Humanism was a school of
psychology that emphasized the uniqueness, potential and growth of human beings.
3. What are the main types of research methods in psychology and what are their
advantages and disadvantages? (6 marks)
The main types of research methods in psychology are experiments, correlational
studies, surveys, naturalistic observations and case studies. Experiments involve
manipulating an independent variable and measuring its effect on a dependent
variable while controlling other variables. Experiments can establish cause-and-effect
relationships but may lack ecological validity. Correlational studies involve measuring
the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them.
Correlational studies can reveal patterns and associations but cannot establish
causality. Surveys involve asking a sample of people questions about their attitudes,
opinions or behaviors. Surveys can collect large amounts of data quickly and cheaply
but may suffer from sampling bias, social desirability bias or low response rates.
Naturalistic observations involve observing and recording behavior in its natural setting
without interfering with it. Naturalistic observations can provide rich and realistic data
but may be affected by observer bias, reactivity or ethical issues. Case studies involve
studying an individual or a small group in depth over a period of time. Case studies can
provide detailed and unique insights but may not be generalizable or representative.
, 4. What are the main structures and functions of the nervous system? (4 marks)
The nervous system consists of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral
nervous system (PNS). The CNS includes the brain and the spinal cord, which process
and coordinate sensory and motor information. The PNS includes the somatic nervous
system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The SNS controls voluntary
movements of skeletal muscles. The ANS regulates involuntary functions of internal
organs and glands. The ANS can be further divided into the sympathetic nervous
system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The SNS prepares the
body for action in stressful situations (fight-or-flight response). The PNS restores the
body to a calm state after stress (rest-and-digest response).
5. What are the main parts of the brain and what are their roles in cognition, emotion
and behavior? (5 marks)
The brain can be divided into three major regions: the hindbrain, the midbrain and the
forebrain. The hindbrain includes the medulla, the pons and the cerebellum. The
medulla controls vital functions such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The
pons regulates sleep, arousal and facial expressions. The cerebellum coordinates
movement, balance and posture. The midbrain includes the reticular formation, the
tectum and the tegmentum. The reticular formation filters sensory information and
regulates attention, alertness and arousal. The tectum controls visual and auditory
reflexes. The tegmentum controls voluntary movements, pain perception and reward
processing. The forebrain includes the thalamus, the hypothalamus, the limbic system
and the cerebral cortex. The thalamus relays sensory information to other parts of the
brain. The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis, such as body temperature, hunger,
thirst, sexual behavior and emotional states. The limbic system consists of structures
involved in memory, emotion
and motivation, such as the amygdala, the hippocampus and the nucleus accumbens.
The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain that is responsible for higher
cognitive functions such as perception, language, reasoning, problem-solving,
decision-making and creativity.
6. What are sensation and perception and what are some examples of sensory
thresholds, adaptation, illusions and constancies? (5 marks)
Sensation is the process of detecting physical stimuli from the environment through
sensory organs. Perception is the process of interpreting sensory information in
meaningful ways based on prior knowledge, expectations and context. Sensory
thresholds are the minimum levels of stimulation required to produce a sensation or a
response. For example, absolute threshold is the lowest intensity of a stimulus that can
be detected 50% of the time; difference threshold is the smallest change in a stimulus
that can be
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
ANSWERED
2023/2024
,:
1. What is psychology and what are its main goals? (2 marks)
Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Its main
goals are to describe, explain, predict and influence behavior and mental phenomena.
2. What are the differences between structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism,
psychoanalysis and humanism? (5 marks)
Structuralism was an early school of psychology that focused on analyzing the basic
elements of consciousness using introspection. Functionalism was a school of
psychology that emphasized the adaptive functions of behavior and mental processes
in relation to the environment. Behaviorism was a school of psychology that rejected
introspection and focused on observable behavior and its consequences.
Psychoanalysis was a school of psychology that explored the unconscious motives
and conflicts that influence behavior and mental disorders. Humanism was a school of
psychology that emphasized the uniqueness, potential and growth of human beings.
3. What are the main types of research methods in psychology and what are their
advantages and disadvantages? (6 marks)
The main types of research methods in psychology are experiments, correlational
studies, surveys, naturalistic observations and case studies. Experiments involve
manipulating an independent variable and measuring its effect on a dependent
variable while controlling other variables. Experiments can establish cause-and-effect
relationships but may lack ecological validity. Correlational studies involve measuring
the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them.
Correlational studies can reveal patterns and associations but cannot establish
causality. Surveys involve asking a sample of people questions about their attitudes,
opinions or behaviors. Surveys can collect large amounts of data quickly and cheaply
but may suffer from sampling bias, social desirability bias or low response rates.
Naturalistic observations involve observing and recording behavior in its natural setting
without interfering with it. Naturalistic observations can provide rich and realistic data
but may be affected by observer bias, reactivity or ethical issues. Case studies involve
studying an individual or a small group in depth over a period of time. Case studies can
provide detailed and unique insights but may not be generalizable or representative.
, 4. What are the main structures and functions of the nervous system? (4 marks)
The nervous system consists of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral
nervous system (PNS). The CNS includes the brain and the spinal cord, which process
and coordinate sensory and motor information. The PNS includes the somatic nervous
system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The SNS controls voluntary
movements of skeletal muscles. The ANS regulates involuntary functions of internal
organs and glands. The ANS can be further divided into the sympathetic nervous
system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The SNS prepares the
body for action in stressful situations (fight-or-flight response). The PNS restores the
body to a calm state after stress (rest-and-digest response).
5. What are the main parts of the brain and what are their roles in cognition, emotion
and behavior? (5 marks)
The brain can be divided into three major regions: the hindbrain, the midbrain and the
forebrain. The hindbrain includes the medulla, the pons and the cerebellum. The
medulla controls vital functions such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The
pons regulates sleep, arousal and facial expressions. The cerebellum coordinates
movement, balance and posture. The midbrain includes the reticular formation, the
tectum and the tegmentum. The reticular formation filters sensory information and
regulates attention, alertness and arousal. The tectum controls visual and auditory
reflexes. The tegmentum controls voluntary movements, pain perception and reward
processing. The forebrain includes the thalamus, the hypothalamus, the limbic system
and the cerebral cortex. The thalamus relays sensory information to other parts of the
brain. The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis, such as body temperature, hunger,
thirst, sexual behavior and emotional states. The limbic system consists of structures
involved in memory, emotion
and motivation, such as the amygdala, the hippocampus and the nucleus accumbens.
The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain that is responsible for higher
cognitive functions such as perception, language, reasoning, problem-solving,
decision-making and creativity.
6. What are sensation and perception and what are some examples of sensory
thresholds, adaptation, illusions and constancies? (5 marks)
Sensation is the process of detecting physical stimuli from the environment through
sensory organs. Perception is the process of interpreting sensory information in
meaningful ways based on prior knowledge, expectations and context. Sensory
thresholds are the minimum levels of stimulation required to produce a sensation or a
response. For example, absolute threshold is the lowest intensity of a stimulus that can
be detected 50% of the time; difference threshold is the smallest change in a stimulus
that can be
