Prep Guide
Chapter 1: Introductory to Psychology
What is the definition of psychology?
What are the goals of psychology?
In your own words, define each of the seven modern perspectives of psychology
(evolutionary, psychodynamic, sociocultural, humanistic, behavioural, neuroscience, and
cognitive).
Summarize the key issues in psychology and provide your own example for each.
Briefly describe each of the subfields of psychology and note which modern perspective
of psychology the subfield adheres to.
Where does the majority of psychologist’s work?
What has led to an increase in the number of psychologists in Canada over the last few
years?
What level of education does a psychologist need?
The roots of psychology outline the formal beginning of psychology as a discipline. In
your own words, summarize the historical perspectives of psychology (structuralism,
functionalism, Gestalt psychology, behaviourism, and the psychoanalytic approach).
Who was the first woman to receive a doctorate in psychology?
Who was the first female president of the American Psychological Association (APA)?
Why did it take almost a generation after American women for Canadian women to start
attaining PhDs?
Define the Scientific Method and then draw each of the steps.
What is a theory?
In your own words, define the term hypothesis:
In your own words, define the term operational definition:
What factors determine how to devise an operational definition or hypothesis?
Distinguish between descriptive and experimental research.
Briefly summarize the descriptive research methods (naturalistic observation, survey
research, the case study, and correlational research) and note the advantages and
disadvantages of each.
What is a sample?
Distinguish between a representative and a random sample.
What is a variable? Provide your own example of a variable.
Provide your own example of a positive correlation.
Provide your own example of a negative correlation.
In your own words, define what an experiment is.
What is meant by the term “experimental manipulation”?
Briefly describe the five steps of an experiment.
In your own words, explain what an independent variable (IV) is.
In your own words, explain what a dependent variable (DV) is.
What is random assignment? How does this differ from a random sample?
Explain the difference between the experimental and control groups in the experiment.
Which group would receive the treatment?
What is a placebo and why is it used?
What is a confounding variable and how can it impact the results of a study?
If the results of an experiment are significant, does this mean that the researcher can have
full confidence in the results of the study? Why or why not?
What is experimental bias and how might it impact the results of a study?
Describe the two types of experimental bias, experimenter and participant expectations.
What should a researcher do to reduce the impact of experimental bias?
What ethical guidelines should researchers adhere to?
Should animals be used in research?
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Check to see if your instructor has assigned any homework or posted any quizzes or tests,
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flash cards, complete the crossword puzzle, and then see how you do on the pop quiz!