Download summer reading assessment 40 studies that changed psychology

SUMMER READING ASSESSMENT
40 STUDIES THAT CHANGED PSYCHOLOGY
Directions: For each of the cases listed read the statement and indicate whether it is a TRUE (A)
statement or (B) a FALSE statement about the case.
(1) ONE BRAIN OR TWO: Although it is unethical to cut a person’s brain (corpus callosum)
to test brain function, doctor’s can cure epileptic seizures by doing such a procedure
giving psychologist insight into the function of the different hemispheres tasks in the
brain.
(2) MORE EXPERIENCE = BIGGER BRAIN: Experience does not affect the size of the parts of
the brain.
(3) ARE YOU A “NATURAL”: Twin studies indicate a strong correlation between genetic
factors and personality but researchers agree that environment still contributes, also.
(4) WATCH OUT FOR THE VISUAL CLIFF: Depth perception is inborn but typically not seen in
human beings until at least 6 months of age.
(5) WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED: By studying BaMbuti Pygmies researchers
conclude that some concepts like size constancy are not inborn.
(6) TO SLEEP, NO DOUBT TO DREAM: Sleeping and dreaming are necessary for all humans
and when prevented from sleeping and dreaming humans try to “make up” for the loss.
(7) UNROMANCING THE DREAM: Dreaming is purely psychological and a way to rid our
mind of useless information.
(8) ACTING AS IF YOU ARE HYPNOTIZED: Research concluded that hypnosis is an altered
state of consciousness.
(9) IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT SALIVATING DOGS: Pavlov’s dogs learned classical conditioning by
pairing an unconditioned stimulus (bell) which yielded an unconditioned response
(salivating) which eventually led to a conditioned stimuli resulting in a conditioned
response.
(10) LITTLE EMOTIONAL ALBERT: Little Albert confirmed that classical conditioning controls
only behavior and not emotions.
(11) KNOCK WOOD: Skinner’s study of operant conditioning revealed that for every
behavior there is a consequence which can lead to ridiculously stupid superstitions.
(12) SEE AGGRESSION=DO AGGRESSION: Aggression in children is inborn and not modeled
by environment.
(13) WHAT YOU EXPECT IS WHAT YOU GET: According to the self-fulfilling prophecy
teachers may be influenced by expectations of students.
(14) MAKING A GOOD IMPRESSION: First impressions are based on a person’s cognitive
processes and not on descriptions or emotions.
(15) MAPS IN YOUR MIND: Tolman’s study of cognitive maps concluded that environment
has no consequence on behavior.
(16) THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: Eye witnesses typically reveal events inaccurately which
is why people never really believe their accunts.
(17) DISCOVERING LOVE: Biological needs are not our only priority.
(18) OUT OF SIGHT, BUT NOT OUT OF MIND: Piaget’s study of cognitive development led to
his theory of (4) stages of development.
(19) BORN FIRST, BORN SMARTER: Family size does not affect intelligence levels and birth
order is the only determining factor.
(20) IN CONTROL, AND GLAD OF IT: Elderly persons want responsibility and are happier
when given a sense of control.
(21) A SEXUAL MOTIVATION: After studying sexual responses, research indicated (4) stages
of the sexual response cycle which differ between men and women.
(22) I CAN SEE IT ALL OVER YOUR FACE: Facial expressions are not inborn or associated with
emotions.
(23) LIFE, CHANGE, AND STRESS: There is no clear link between stress and illness.
(24) THOUGHTS OUT OF TUNE: If you do something contrary to your attitude you will tend
to change your opinion to make it fit with what you said.
(25) ARE YOU THE MASTER OF YOUR FATE: Internal and external locus of control are a
relatively stable aspect of human personality and can be used as a predictor of human
behavior.
(26) HOW MORAL ARE YOU: Kohlberg developed (6) stages of moral development
indicating that as age increases so does moral reasoning.
(27) RACING AGAINST YOUR HEART: There is a direct correlation between personality traits
(anxious, competitive) and health.
(28) THE ONE, THE MANY: Collectivism and individualism types of cultures do not vary in
point of view.
(29) WHO’S CRAZY HERE, ANYWAY: When “normal” human individuals were placed in
psychological hospitals they reported no change in thought.
(30) YOU’RE GETTING DEFENSE AGAIN: Anna Freud identified defense mechanisms used to
protect against depression.
(31) LEARNING TO BE DEPRESSED: Seligman and Maier’s research on dogs led to the
beginnings of a theory to explain why people become helpless, hopeless, and
depressed.
(32) CROWDING INTO THE BEHAVIORAL SINK: Crowded situations causes aggressiveness
and submissiveness along with other conditions.
(33) CHOOSING YOUR PSYCHOTHERAPIST: Getting therapy is better than not and your own
expectations are important.
(34) RELAXING YOUR FEARS AWAY: The best way to get rid of a phobia is to hypnotize a
person.
(35) PROJECTIONS OF WHO YOU ARE: Rorschach’s inkblots give insight into a test subject’s
personality.
(36) PICTURE THIS: Subjects are shown pictures and are asked to make up stories that are
not relevant to their own personal lives.
(37) NOT PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH: Our beliefs typically are the way we act.
(38) THE POWER OF CONFORMITY: Asch concluded that people will go along with obviously
wrong answers just because the entire group did.
(39) TO HELP OR NOT TO HELP: According to the bystander effect, most people will help in
an emergency situation no matter how many people are watching the event.
(40) OBEY AT ANY COST: In Milgram’s experiment extremities of compliance were tested
and people did not comply with authority if test subjects were hurt.