WGU C180 Final Exam Study guide
(Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) Introduction
to Psychology Guide | Verified Questions
& Answers |100% Correct
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 )
, WGU C180 Final Exam Study guide
(Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) Introduction
to Psychology Guide | Verified Questions
& Answers |100% Correct
(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.
, WGU C180 Final Exam Study guide
(Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) Introduction
to Psychology Guide | Verified Questions
& Answers |100% Correct
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
, WGU C180 Final Exam Study guide
(Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) Introduction
to Psychology Guide | Verified Questions
& Answers |100% Correct
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.
(Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) Introduction
to Psychology Guide | Verified Questions
& Answers |100% Correct
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 )
, WGU C180 Final Exam Study guide
(Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) Introduction
to Psychology Guide | Verified Questions
& Answers |100% Correct
(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.
, WGU C180 Final Exam Study guide
(Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) Introduction
to Psychology Guide | Verified Questions
& Answers |100% Correct
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
, WGU C180 Final Exam Study guide
(Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) Introduction
to Psychology Guide | Verified Questions
& Answers |100% Correct
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.
