WGU C180 Study Guide Exam |261 Questions with
Answers
What do psychologists study? - -• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
-What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? - -The
scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct
research. In addition to requiring that science is verifiable, the scientific method demands
that procedures are free of personal bias.
-What is the definition of a hypothesis? - -A specific and falsifiable prediction about the
relationship between two or more variables.
-What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - -An operational definition refers
to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract idea that form the basis of
research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured variable ( varialbes consisting of
numbers that represent the conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative words
used in a creative story; number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
-Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - -These are needed
with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to the
participants.
-What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - -Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
-What is descriptive research? - -research designed to provide a snapshot of the current
state of affairs.
-What is Correlational Research - -research designed to discover relationships among
variables and to allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
-What is Experimental Research - -research in which there is a random assignment of
research participants into two groups. This is followed by a manipulation of a given
experience for one group while the other is not manipulated. One group is the experimental
group that receives the manipulation. The other group is the control group that does not.
The two groups are then compared to determine the influence of the manipulation.
, -What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - -The people chosen to
participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be representative of all the
people that the researcher wishes to know about, called the population. "Sampling is the
process of selecting a representative group from the population under study. The target
population is the total group of individuals from which the sample might be drawn. A
sample is the group of people who take part in the investigation. The people who take part
are referred to as "participants"."
-Independent Variable - -The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or compared
-Dependent Variable - -The variable in an experiment that is measured; the outcome of an
experiment
-Control Group - -The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the
independent variable
-Experimental Group - -EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the independent
variable
-What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. - -research
designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future
events from present knowledge.
-Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - -Correlational-To assess the
relationships between and among two or more variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative correlation, the
variables move in inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable increases, the other
variable decreases. For example, there is a negative correlation between self-esteem and
depression. Positive correlation is when there is an increase in one variable it is associated
with an increase in another variable. For example: with height and weight, taller people
tend to be heavier."
-What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? - -
In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations among naturally occurring
variables, whereas in experimental studies the researcher introduces a change and then
monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect on
the dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that extraneous variables
may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect. A correlation identifies
variables and looks for a relationship between them."
-What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? - -Cell Body
(Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
-Cell Body (Soma) - -contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
, -Dendrites - -a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells and
sends the information to the soma
-Axon - -a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell body
toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
-Myelin Sheath - -Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
-What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? - -Neurochemical messengers that
are released by terminal buttons when an action potential triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric Acid),
Glutamate, Serotonin
-Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) - -Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle
contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply
associated with Alzheimer's disease.
-Neurotransmitter: Dopamine - -Used as brains reward system. Involved in movement,
motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under supply =
Parkinsons
-Neurotransmitter: Endorphins - -Released in response to behaviors such as exercise,
orgasm, and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
-Neurotransmitter: GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) - -Major inhibitory
neurotransmitter. Linked to seizures. Controls fear or anxiety, keeps us calm. Too little
GABA can lead to anxiety.
-Neurotransmitter: Glutamate - -cause overstimulation, migraines, and seizures. Most
common neurotransmitter.
-Neurotransmitter: Serotonin - -Involved in mood, appetite, sleep and aggression. Low
levels associated with depressions.
-Where are neurotransmitters stored? How do they communicate between neurons? - -
They are stored in the axon terminal at the very end of the terminal in the very tip of the
finger-like branches. The very end is called the terminal button.
"If the signal reaches the terminal buttons, they are signaled to emit chemicals known as
neurotransmitters, which communicate with other neurons across the spaces between the
cells, known as synapses."
-What is the function of the cerebellum? - -Coordination, balance, and posture. Stand,
walk, run, dance. Circular and tucked up underneath the lobes of the brain. Cinderella's
cerebellum - dancing.
Answers
What do psychologists study? - -• Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
-What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? - -The
scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct
research. In addition to requiring that science is verifiable, the scientific method demands
that procedures are free of personal bias.
-What is the definition of a hypothesis? - -A specific and falsifiable prediction about the
relationship between two or more variables.
-What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - -An operational definition refers
to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract idea that form the basis of
research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured variable ( varialbes consisting of
numbers that represent the conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative words
used in a creative story; number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
-Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - -These are needed
with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to the
participants.
-What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - -Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
-What is descriptive research? - -research designed to provide a snapshot of the current
state of affairs.
-What is Correlational Research - -research designed to discover relationships among
variables and to allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
-What is Experimental Research - -research in which there is a random assignment of
research participants into two groups. This is followed by a manipulation of a given
experience for one group while the other is not manipulated. One group is the experimental
group that receives the manipulation. The other group is the control group that does not.
The two groups are then compared to determine the influence of the manipulation.
, -What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - -The people chosen to
participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be representative of all the
people that the researcher wishes to know about, called the population. "Sampling is the
process of selecting a representative group from the population under study. The target
population is the total group of individuals from which the sample might be drawn. A
sample is the group of people who take part in the investigation. The people who take part
are referred to as "participants"."
-Independent Variable - -The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or compared
-Dependent Variable - -The variable in an experiment that is measured; the outcome of an
experiment
-Control Group - -The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the
independent variable
-Experimental Group - -EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the independent
variable
-What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. - -research
designed to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future
events from present knowledge.
-Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - -Correlational-To assess the
relationships between and among two or more variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative correlation, the
variables move in inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable increases, the other
variable decreases. For example, there is a negative correlation between self-esteem and
depression. Positive correlation is when there is an increase in one variable it is associated
with an increase in another variable. For example: with height and weight, taller people
tend to be heavier."
-What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? - -
In correlational studies a researcher looks for associations among naturally occurring
variables, whereas in experimental studies the researcher introduces a change and then
monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect on
the dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that extraneous variables
may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect. A correlation identifies
variables and looks for a relationship between them."
-What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? - -Cell Body
(Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
-Cell Body (Soma) - -contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
, -Dendrites - -a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells and
sends the information to the soma
-Axon - -a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell body
toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
-Myelin Sheath - -Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
-What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? - -Neurochemical messengers that
are released by terminal buttons when an action potential triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric Acid),
Glutamate, Serotonin
-Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) - -Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle
contractions and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply
associated with Alzheimer's disease.
-Neurotransmitter: Dopamine - -Used as brains reward system. Involved in movement,
motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under supply =
Parkinsons
-Neurotransmitter: Endorphins - -Released in response to behaviors such as exercise,
orgasm, and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
-Neurotransmitter: GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) - -Major inhibitory
neurotransmitter. Linked to seizures. Controls fear or anxiety, keeps us calm. Too little
GABA can lead to anxiety.
-Neurotransmitter: Glutamate - -cause overstimulation, migraines, and seizures. Most
common neurotransmitter.
-Neurotransmitter: Serotonin - -Involved in mood, appetite, sleep and aggression. Low
levels associated with depressions.
-Where are neurotransmitters stored? How do they communicate between neurons? - -
They are stored in the axon terminal at the very end of the terminal in the very tip of the
finger-like branches. The very end is called the terminal button.
"If the signal reaches the terminal buttons, they are signaled to emit chemicals known as
neurotransmitters, which communicate with other neurons across the spaces between the
cells, known as synapses."
-What is the function of the cerebellum? - -Coordination, balance, and posture. Stand,
walk, run, dance. Circular and tucked up underneath the lobes of the brain. Cinderella's
cerebellum - dancing.
