PSYCH 2035 Midterm #1 Exam Questions And
Answers 100% Solved
The paradox of progress - ANSWER The technological advances of the past century,
impressive though they may be, have not led to perceptible improvement in our collective
health and happiness (some critics argue the quality of our lives has declined rather than
increased)
Why do people search for direction? - ANSWER The kaleidoscope of change that we see
around us creates feelings of anxiety and uncertainty which we try to alleviate by searching
for a sense of direction
How do people search for direction - ANSWER - Self realization programs
- Unorthodox religious groups/cults
- Self help books
What are the downsides to self-help books? - ANSWER - "Psychobabble"
- Place more emphasis on sales rather than on scientific soundness
- They don't usually provide explicit directions about how to change your behaviour
- Many of these books encourage a remarkably self-centered approach to life
What to look for in self-help books - ANSWER - Clarity in communication
,- Don't promise too much in immediate change
- Credentials of the author
- Mention of the theoretical or research basis for the program
- Detailed, explicit directions about how to alter your behaviour
- Focus on a specific problem rather than just covering everything
Psychology - ANSWER the science that studies behaviour and the physiological and mental
processes that underlie it, and it is the profession that applies the accumulated knowledge of
this science to practical problems
Behaviour - ANSWER any overt (observable) response or activity by an organism
Clinical psychology - ANSWER the branch of psychology concerned with the diagnosis and
treatment of psychological problems and disorders
Adjustment - ANSWER the psychological processes through which people manage or cope
with the demands and challenges of everyday life
Empiricism - ANSWER the premise that knowledge should be acquired through observation
Advantages of the scientific approach - ANSWER - Its clarity and precision: the empirical
approach requires that scientists specify exactly what they are talking about when they
formulate hypotheses
,- Its relative intolerance of error
Experiment - ANSWER a research method in which the investigator manipulates one
(independent) variable under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether any
changes occur in a second (dependent) variable as a result
Independent variable - ANSWER a condition or event that an experimenter varies in order to
see its impact on another variable
Dependent variable - ANSWER the variable that is thought to be affected by the
manipulations of the independent variable
Experimental group - ANSWER consists of the subjects who receive some special treatment in
regard to the independent variable
Control group - ANSWER consists of similar subjects who do not receive the special treatment
given to the experimental group
Correlation - ANSWER exists when two variables are related to each other
Correlation coefficient - ANSWER - a numerical index of the degree of relationship that exists
between two variables
- Indicates how strongly two variables are related and the direction of the relationship
, (positive or negative)
Naturalistic observation - ANSWER a researcher engages in careful observation of behaviour
without intervening directly with the subjects
Case study - ANSWER - an in-depth investigation of an individual subject
- Can be done by interviewing the person or others who know the individual, direct
observation, examination of records, and physiological testing
Surveys - ANSWER - structured questionnaires designed to solicit information about specific
aspects of participant's behaviour
- Mainly used in correlational research
- Commonly used to gather data on peoples attitudes and on aspects of behaviour that are
difficult to observe directly
A/D of correlational research - ANSWER Advantages
- Broadens the scope of phenomena that psychologists can study
Disadvantages
- It cannot demonstrate conclusively that two variables are causally related
What isn't very important? - ANSWER - Money
- Age
Answers 100% Solved
The paradox of progress - ANSWER The technological advances of the past century,
impressive though they may be, have not led to perceptible improvement in our collective
health and happiness (some critics argue the quality of our lives has declined rather than
increased)
Why do people search for direction? - ANSWER The kaleidoscope of change that we see
around us creates feelings of anxiety and uncertainty which we try to alleviate by searching
for a sense of direction
How do people search for direction - ANSWER - Self realization programs
- Unorthodox religious groups/cults
- Self help books
What are the downsides to self-help books? - ANSWER - "Psychobabble"
- Place more emphasis on sales rather than on scientific soundness
- They don't usually provide explicit directions about how to change your behaviour
- Many of these books encourage a remarkably self-centered approach to life
What to look for in self-help books - ANSWER - Clarity in communication
,- Don't promise too much in immediate change
- Credentials of the author
- Mention of the theoretical or research basis for the program
- Detailed, explicit directions about how to alter your behaviour
- Focus on a specific problem rather than just covering everything
Psychology - ANSWER the science that studies behaviour and the physiological and mental
processes that underlie it, and it is the profession that applies the accumulated knowledge of
this science to practical problems
Behaviour - ANSWER any overt (observable) response or activity by an organism
Clinical psychology - ANSWER the branch of psychology concerned with the diagnosis and
treatment of psychological problems and disorders
Adjustment - ANSWER the psychological processes through which people manage or cope
with the demands and challenges of everyday life
Empiricism - ANSWER the premise that knowledge should be acquired through observation
Advantages of the scientific approach - ANSWER - Its clarity and precision: the empirical
approach requires that scientists specify exactly what they are talking about when they
formulate hypotheses
,- Its relative intolerance of error
Experiment - ANSWER a research method in which the investigator manipulates one
(independent) variable under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether any
changes occur in a second (dependent) variable as a result
Independent variable - ANSWER a condition or event that an experimenter varies in order to
see its impact on another variable
Dependent variable - ANSWER the variable that is thought to be affected by the
manipulations of the independent variable
Experimental group - ANSWER consists of the subjects who receive some special treatment in
regard to the independent variable
Control group - ANSWER consists of similar subjects who do not receive the special treatment
given to the experimental group
Correlation - ANSWER exists when two variables are related to each other
Correlation coefficient - ANSWER - a numerical index of the degree of relationship that exists
between two variables
- Indicates how strongly two variables are related and the direction of the relationship
, (positive or negative)
Naturalistic observation - ANSWER a researcher engages in careful observation of behaviour
without intervening directly with the subjects
Case study - ANSWER - an in-depth investigation of an individual subject
- Can be done by interviewing the person or others who know the individual, direct
observation, examination of records, and physiological testing
Surveys - ANSWER - structured questionnaires designed to solicit information about specific
aspects of participant's behaviour
- Mainly used in correlational research
- Commonly used to gather data on peoples attitudes and on aspects of behaviour that are
difficult to observe directly
A/D of correlational research - ANSWER Advantages
- Broadens the scope of phenomena that psychologists can study
Disadvantages
- It cannot demonstrate conclusively that two variables are causally related
What isn't very important? - ANSWER - Money
- Age
