Capstone Quiz Psychology Version 21 University

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Answer the following multiple choice questions by highlighting the answer. There is one correct answer per question.

1. Which historical perspective stated that psychologists should study the different components of the mind independently, because to understand how the conscious mind works, we must understand all of its individual parts completely? a. Structuralism b. Functionalism c. Behaviorism d. Gestalt e. Psychodynamic

2. Edward Titchener used a method for studying the mind that became popular during the Structuralist period. The method, called ___, required trained participants to report their conscious mental experiences to the investigator. For example, if a person was angry, they would report all of their experiences during the time they were angry. a. empiricism b. functionalism c. contemplation d. introspection e. conscientiousness

3. A potential problem with ___________ research is _____________. a. longitudinal; cohort differences b. cross-sectional; subject attrition c. cross-sectional; cohort differences d. longitudinal; random assignment e. cross-sectional; maturation

4. Research by _____________ legitimized psychological science when it became the first psychological research presented as evidence to the United States Supreme Court. a. Muzafer Sherif b. Irving Janis c. Mamie Clark d. Phillip Zimbardo e. Kurt Lewin

5. To determine whether changing one variable like education will produce changes in another like income, we must conduct _____________________ research. a. survey b. correlational c. experimental d. statistical e. basic

6. Mary is studying the effect of high blood sugar on intelligence test performance. Which of these might be her hypothesis? a. People should not eat high sugar foods prior to IQ testing. b. High sugar foods increase energy and improve IQ test performance. c. People who eat high sugar foods before testing will have lower scores on an IQ test than people who do not. d. Roughly 75% of people had lower IQ test scores after eating high sugar snacks right before testing. e. Individuals should not be given high sugar snacks prior to IQ testing.

7. Which of the following research methods would be most effective in demonstrating whether the presence of others improves our performance of a task? a. An experiment b. A correlational study c. A survey d. A field study e. An historical study

8. Which of the following psychological studies would you expect to have similar results cross-culturally? a. Milgram’s study of obedience to authority b. Asch’s conformity study c. Study of the symptoms of mental illness d. Study of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs e. Study of parenting styles

9. According to the APA Ethical Standards, psychologists must inform participants of the nature of the research; and that they are free to participate, decline to participate, or withdraw from the research at any time. These requirements, among others, are necessary to ensure the participants’ ______. a. anonymity b. risk level c. informed consent d. debriefing e. risk/benefit ratio

10. Making an ethical decision involves a. simply applying a clear and definitive set of guidelines for ethical research b. deciding that an ethical decision is effective if it makes you happy c. identifying what ethical guidelines are relevant in a situation and what is at stake for all parties involved d. maintaining the anonymity of the researchers e. maintaining the anonymity of the participants

11. According to the APA Ethical Standards, who is ultimately responsible for the ethical conduct of research done in psychology? a. The Institutional Review Board b. The individual researchers c. The sponsoring institution, such as the university d. The assistants who test the participants e. The funding agency

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding Key Concepts in Psychological Research and Ethics

Psychology, as a scientific discipline, has evolved through various historical perspectives and methodological approaches that shape how researchers investigate human behavior and mental processes. Several foundational theories and ethical standards underpin contemporary psychological research, ensuring the integrity of findings and the protection of participants.

One prominent historical perspective is Structuralism, which emphasized breaking down mental processes into their basic components to understand the conscious mind comprehensively. This approach was championed by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener, emphasizing introspection as a method for exploring conscious experiences. Participants would report their immediate thoughts and feelings, providing rich data about the structure of consciousness. Although criticized for its subjective nature, Structuralism laid groundwork for experimental psychology by focusing on systematically studying mental processes (Schultz & Schultz, 2016).

In contrast, other perspectives like Functionalism, influenced by William James, concentrated on understanding how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments. Behaviorism, later dominant in American psychology, shifted focus solely to observable behaviors, dismissing introspection. Gestalt psychology, emphasizing holistic perceptions, argued that the whole of an experience is different from the sum of its parts, challenging the analytical approach of Structuralism (Myers, 2014).

Research methods in psychology are diverse, tailored to specific questions. For example, Titchener’s use of introspection during the Structuralist era required trained participants to continually report their conscious experience, which was effective but limited by its subjective nature. Modern research employs various techniques, including correlational studies, experimental designs, surveys, and field studies, each with strengths and limitations. For instance, experimental research is key to establishing causal relationships, especially when examining whether changing one variable, like education, produces changes in another, such as income (Cozby & Bates, 2012).

Ethical considerations have become central to psychological research, guided by standards established by the American Psychological Association (APA). These guidelines mandate that psychologists must obtain informed consent, ensuring participants understand the nature of the research and can withdraw at any time without penalty. This process safeguards participants’ autonomy while promoting ethical integrity. Ensuring informed consent is critical because it respects individuals' rights and minimizes risks associated with participation (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Historical studies such as Milgram’s obedience experiment and Asch’s conformity studies have demonstrated the profound influence of social context on individual behavior. These studies have shown that social pressures can induce individuals to act in ways contrary to their personal morals, often with cross-cultural consistency. The replicability of such findings across diverse cultures highlights their robustness and fundamental nature in social psychology (Blass, 2016).

Furthermore, ethical decision-making in psychology involves more than applying fixed rules. It requires evaluating relevant guidelines, understanding what is at stake for all parties involved, and balancing scientific objectives with the rights and well-being of participants (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). Ultimately, the responsibility for conducting ethically sound research lies with individual researchers, who must adhere to ethical standards, and with oversight entities such as Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review research proposals to ensure compliance (National Institutes of Health, 2019).

In conclusion, understanding the historical perspectives, research methodologies, and ethical standards that govern psychology is essential for advancing the field responsibly. These principles serve to protect research participants, ensure credible findings, and contribute to the scientific understanding of human behavior.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
  • Blass, T. (2016). The social psychology of obedience: Milgram’s obedience studies revisited. Routledge.
  • Cozby, P. C., & Bates, S. C. (2012). Methods in behavioral research (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
  • Myers, D. G. (2014). Psychology (10th ed.). Worth Publishers.
  • National Institutes of Health. (2019). Protecting human research participants. https://grants.nih.gov/policy/humansubjects.htm
  • Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2016). The history of psychology (5th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2016). The history of psychology (5th ed.). Cengage Learning.