WGU C180 Study Guide Exam Questions
And Already Passed Solutions.
What do psychologists study? - Answer • Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? - Answer The scientific
method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct research. In addition
to requiring that science is verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are free of
personal bias.
What is the definition of a hypothesis? - Answer A specific and falsifiable prediction about the
relationship between two or more variables.
What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - Answer An operational definition refers to a
precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract idea that form the basis of research
hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured variable ( varialbes consisting of numbers that represent
the conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative words used in a creative
story; number of appointments made with a psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - Answer These are needed with
psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to the participants.
What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - Answer Descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Experimental Research
,What is descriptive research? - Answer research designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of
affairs.
What is Correlational Research - Answer research designed to discover relationships among variables
and to allow the prediction of future events from present knowledge.
What is Experimental Research - Answer research in which there is a random assignment of research
participants into two groups. This is followed by a manipulation of a given experience for one group
while the other is not manipulated. One group is the experimental group that receives the manipulation.
The other group is the control group that does not. The two groups are then compared to determine the
influence of the manipulation.
What is the relationship between a population and a sample? - Answer The people chosen to
participate in the research, called a sample, are selected to be representative of all the people that the
researcher wishes to know about, called the population. "Sampling is the process of selecting a
representative group from the population under study. The target population is the total group of
individuals from which the sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of people who take part in the
investigation. The people who take part are referred to as "participants"."
Independent Variable - Answer The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or compared
Dependent Variable - Answer The variable in an experiment that is measured; the outcome of an
experiment
Control Group - Answer The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the independent
variable
Experimental Group - Answer EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the independent variable
What does a correlational research design examine? Provide an example. - Answer research designed
to discover relationships among variables and to allow the prediction of future events from present
knowledge.
,Describe examples of a positive and a negative correlation. - Answer Correlational-To assess the
relationships between and among two or more variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of diapers they use "Negative correlation, the variables move in
inverse, or opposite, directions. As one variable increases, the other variable decreases. For example,
there is a negative correlation between self-esteem and depression. Positive correlation is when there is
an increase in one variable it is associated with an increase in another variable. For example: with height
and weight, taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in interpretations of correlational and experimental designs? - Answer In
correlational studies a researcher looks for associations among naturally occurring variables, whereas in
experimental studies the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect on the
dependent variable, and controls the environment in order that extraneous variables may be eliminated.
Experiments establish cause and effect. A correlation identifies variables and looks for a relationship
between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron and its role in neural communication? - Answer Cell Body (Soma),
Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
Cell Body (Soma) - Answer contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive
Dendrites - Answer a branching, treelike fiber which collects information from other cells and sends the
information to the soma
Axon - Answer a long, segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell body toward
other neurons or to the muscles and glands.
Myelin Sheath - Answer Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
What is a neurotransmitter? What are a few examples? - Answer Neurochemical messengers that are
released by terminal buttons when an action potential triggers them.
Acetylocholine (ACh), Dopamine, Endorphins, GABA (Gamma Aminobuytric Acid), Glutamate, Serotonin
, Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh) - Answer Used in spinal cord to simulate muscle contractions
and in brain to regulate memory, sleeping and dreaming. Undersupply associated with Alzheimer's
disease.
Neurotransmitter: Dopamine - Answer Used as brains reward system. Involved in movement,
motivation, and emotion. Used in learning. Increase = Schizophrenia. Under supply = Parkinsons
Neurotransmitter: Endorphins - Answer Released in response to behaviors such as exercise, orgasm,
and eating. Nataural pain reliever. Creates a runners high
Neurotransmitter: GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) - Answer Major inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Linked to seizures. Controls fear or anxiety, keeps us calm. Too little GABA can lead to anxiety.
Neurotransmitter: Glutamate - Answer cause overstimulation, migraines, and seizures. Most common
neurotransmitter.
Neurotransmitter: Serotonin - Answer Involved in mood, appetite, sleep and aggression. Low levels
associated with depressions.
Where are neurotransmitters stored? How do they communicate between neurons? - Answer They are
stored in the axon terminal at the very end of the terminal in the very tip of the finger-like branches. The
very end is called the terminal button.
"If the signal reaches the terminal buttons, they are signaled to emit chemicals known as
neurotransmitters, which communicate with other neurons across the spaces between the cells, known
as synapses."
What is the function of the cerebellum? - Answer Coordination, balance, and posture. Stand, walk, run,
dance. Circular and tucked up underneath the lobes of the brain. Cinderella's cerebellum - dancing.
What is the function of the hypothalamus? - Answer Body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sex drive.
Below the thalamus. Hypothermostat = body temperature.
What is the function of the thalamus? - Answer Consciousness and sleep. Underneath the corpus
callosum right in the middle of the brain. Thank you thalamus for letting me sleep.
