Exam 1: What Is Psychology

Researchers in Wilhelm Wundt's laboratory studied:

Why did William James argue that the structuralist approach was a waste of time? What school of psychology did he promote?

Critical thinkers come up with alternative explanations for research findings.

Critical thinkers are able to look for flaws in arguments.

The _______________ was the forerunner of modern cognitive therapies and made efforts to correct the false ideas that were said to make people anxious, depressed, and unhappy.

Which modern psychological perspective focuses on how our behavior is influenced by the other people in our environment and the communities we belong to?

The authors point out that people may be a little "fuzzy" about psychological careers because psychologists contribute to their communities in so many different ways. Describe three ways that psychologists make these contributions.

One common form of oversimplification is "argument by anecdote." Explain the meaning of this statement and provide an example.

The biological perspective of psychology emphasizes bodily events and changes associated with actions, feelings, and thoughts.

_______________ founded the field of psychoanalysis.

Dr. Lyons studies the impact of societal norms and values on human decision-making behavior. It is most likely that she endorses which of the following psychological approaches?

Psychology became a formal discipline in the sixteenth century.

_______________ combine elements of behaviorism with research on thoughts, values, expectations, and intentions and believe that people learn not only by adapting their behavior to the environment, but also by observing and imitating others.

Assumptions are beliefs that are taken for granted.

Guiding our behaviors on "gut feelings" is an important aspect of critical thinking.

Which school of thought in psychology used the method of trained introspection in research studies?

Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists do similar work, but their training differs and they tend to focus on different causes of mental disorders. Contrast the training and approach to therapy between clinical psychologists and psychiatrists.

Basic psychology is the study of psychological issues that have direct practical significance.

Dr. Mannisto is a behaviorist who is studying the causes of excessive violence among some hockey players. She is likely to consider whether:

Anxiety is a common problem. Which of the four major perspectives in psychology is associated with each of these explanations? -Excessive anxiety can be caused by a chemical imbalance.