Question

exam 01 - (fall 2025)
indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

1. which early perspective of psychology focused more on the perception of patterns and whole figures than the individual aspects of a stimulus?

a. psychoanalytic
b. functionalism
c. behaviorism
d. gestalt psychology

1. according to the scientific method, which is a characteristic of all hypotheses?

a. they are true.
b. they are testable.
c. they are formulated only after completion of a study.
d. they are vague.

1. your psychology professor refers to a research study and says the results were “statistically significant.” which step in the scientific method does this apply?

a. drawing conclusions
b. developing a research question
c. gathering evidence
d. replicating results

1. which greek philosopher emphasized the importance of acquiring knowledge through observation of the natural world?

a. aristotle
b. plato
c. socrates
d. hippocrates

1. which of the following is the correct order of steps in the scientific method?

a. forming a hypothesis, developing a research question, gathering evidence, drawing conclusions
b. gathering evidence, developing a research question, forming a hypothesis, drawing conclusions
c. developing a research question, forming a hypothesis, gathering evidence, drawing conclusions
d. formulating a theory, developing a research question, gathering evidence, drawing conclusions

1. at the end of your research study, you determine that the results were “statistically significant.” what does this mean in general?

a. the results were scientifically meaningful with an acceptable risk of chance.
b. the hypothesis was worth testing.
c. the results could not have occurred as the result of chance.
d. the hypothesis has been proven.

1. a psychology researcher who wishes to explore a cause - effect relationship will be best able to do so using

a. the experimental method.
b. a correlational study.
c. a descriptive method.
d. a case study technique.

Explanation:

1. Gestalt psychology emphasizes the perception of patterns and whole figures. Psychoanalysis focuses on unconscious motives, functionalism on the functions of mental processes, and behaviorism on observable behaviors.
2. Hypotheses in the scientific method must be testable to be valid. They are not necessarily true, are formulated before a study, and should not be vague.
3. When results are "statistically significant", it is part of the drawing - conclusions step in the scientific method as it helps in making inferences about the research findings.
4. Aristotle emphasized acquiring knowledge through observation of the natural world. Plato focused more on ideal forms, Socrates on ethical and philosophical dialogue, and Hippocrates on medicine.
5. The correct order in the scientific method is developing a research question first, then forming a hypothesis, gathering evidence, and finally drawing conclusions.
6. Statistically significant results mean that the results were scientifically meaningful with an acceptable risk of chance. It doesn't mean the hypothesis is proven or just that it was worth testing, and results can still have a small chance of occurring randomly.
7. The experimental method is best for exploring cause - effect relationships as it allows for manipulation of variables and control of conditions.

Answer:

1. d. Gestalt psychology
2. b. They are testable.
3. a. Drawing conclusions
4. a. Aristotle
5. c. developing a research question, forming a hypothesis, gathering evidence, drawing conclusions
6. a. The results were scientifically meaningful with an acceptable risk of chance.
7. a. the experimental method