The Main Goals of Psychology: Understanding Behavior, Predicting and Controlling It

1. Final Exam Practice Questions

2. What are the main goals of psychology? A. To observe, describe, explain, predict, and control behavior. B. To observe and describe feelings. C. To observe and describe phenomena that science cannot explain. D. To research and teach positive life strategies.

3. A

4. Why is psychology considered a science? A. It studies the physical environment. B. Scientists have researched psychological issues for over 800 years. C. It studies humans and how they interact with each other. D. It’s based on research and evidence.

5. D

6. The opening of the first __________ marked the beginning modern psychology. A. Mental asylum B. Scientific laboratory C. Psychological organization D. Clinic

7. B

8. Psychologists begin their studies by framing A. Hypotheses. B. Research questions. C. Theories. D. Surveys.

9. B

10. Which of the following are methods that researchers use to conduct surveys? A. Case studies and longitudinal studies B. Questionnaires and interviews C. Online surveys and controlled experiments D. Naturalistic observations and interviews

11. B

12. In a __________, each member of the population being studied has an equal chance of being chosen to participate in the survey. A. Stratified sample B. Stratified population C. Random sample D. Control group

13. C

14. Both the cross-sectional and longitudinal methods are concerned with observing A. The ways in which people change over time. B. How people behave under controlled conditions. C. People’s views on a particular subject. D. People’s character traits and temperament.

15. A

16. Observing the way people eat in restaurants is an example of a(n) A. Laboratory observation. B. Experiment. C. Naturalistic observation. D .Case study.

17. C

18. The cross-sectional method collects data by A. Observing one group of participants over a certain period of time. B. Surveying the people who are the same age about their personal histories. C. Manipulating the independent variable. D. Comparing participants from different age groups.

19. D

20. In an experiment it is useful to have a control group to A. Help minimize the effects of volunteer bias. B. Ensure that the target population is represented. C. Complete a full stratified sample. D. Show the effect of the treatment and no other factors.

21. D

22. A double-blind study is sometimes needed because researchers A. May have expectations that affect their observations. B. Cannot control every variable outside a laboratory. C. May not have time for a longitudinal study. D. Are bound by a code of ethics.

23. A

24. After making their observations, scientists study their data using A. Correlation. B. The cross-sectional method. C. The longitudinal method. D. Laboratory observation.

25. A

26. Psychologists keep the records of their research participants confidential to A. Encourage participants to tell the truth, B. Make double-blind studies more effective. C. Make single-blind studies more effective. D. Avoid the placebo effect,

27. A

28. What are the two main parts of the central nervous system? A. Somatic and autonomic nervous systems B. Left and right hemispheres of the brain C. Neurons and nerves D. Brain and spinal cord

29. D

30. Which subsystem in the nervous system is involved in our fight-or-flight response? A. Automatic nervous system B. Somatic nervous system C. Autonomic nervous system D. Central nervous system

31. C

32. The largest part of the brain is the A. Cerebrum. B. Cerebellum. C. Thalamus. D. Reticular activating system.

33. A

34. The corpus callosum is responsible for A. Regulating body temperature. B. Storing nutrients for the brain. C. Moving information from one hemisphere of the brain to the other. D. Maintaining balance and posture.

35. C

36. Which of the following is not a method used by researchers to study the brain? A. Electroencephalogram B. Computerized axial tomography C. Limbic system D. Magnetic resonance imaging

37. C

38. What gland(s) produce(s) a hormone that controls metabolism? A. Adrenal glands B. Ovaries C. Thyroid D. Pituitary

39. C

40. Taken to the extreme, the “nature” point of view may suggest what? A. We cannot change anything about ourselves. B. Our parents’ parenting style makes us who we are. C. Where we were raised changes what we become. D. Plastic surgery is unethical.

41. A

42. How do psychologists justify the inclusion of consciousness in psychology? A. It’s always been studied by psychologists. B. Consciousness can be directly observed and measured; therefore it’s a behavior and should be included in psychology. C. It’s a psychological construct. D. It can’t be directly seen or touched, but it can be directly measured.

43. C

44. The type of consciousness we experience when we are conscious of external sensations is known as A. Sensory awareness. B. Direct inner awareness. C. Self-consciousness. D. Environmental awareness.

45. A

46. Which of the following terms does not relate to the others? A. Subconscious B. Sensory awareness C. Unconscious D. Hidden

47. B

48. Which of the following produces an altered state of consciousness? A. Circadian rhythms B. Meditation C. Sense of self D. Sensory awareness

49. B

50. How many stages sleep are there? A. 4 B. 5 C. 7 D. 8