MS Master of Psychology

Question 1

What distinguishes experimental research from correlational research in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Experimental research involves manipulation of a variable and can establish causation; correlational cannot

Answer

Experimental designs randomly assign participants to conditions and manipulate independent variables, allowing causal conclusions, while correlational studies only identify relationships without implying causation.

Question 2

What is the primary premise of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?

Accepted Answer

Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and changing distorted thinking patterns reduces psychological distress

Answer

CBT is based on the cognitive model that maladaptive thought patterns (cognitive distortions) influence emotions and behaviors, and that systematically challenging these thoughts produces therapeutic change.

Question 3

In social psychology, what does the fundamental attribution error describe?

Accepted Answer

The tendency to over-attribute others' behavior to dispositional factors and under-weight situational factors

Answer

The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to explain others' behavior in terms of personality traits or character (dispositions) while minimizing the influence of situational context.

Question 4

What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning?

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning associates stimuli; operant conditioning associates behavior with consequences

Answer

Classical conditioning (Pavlov) pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a response, while operant conditioning (Skinner) uses reinforcement and punishment to shape voluntary behavior.

Question 5

What does Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs propose about human motivation?

Accepted Answer

Lower-level deficiency needs (physiological, safety) must be satisfied before higher-level growth needs (belonging, esteem, self-actualization) motivate behavior

Answer

Maslow proposed a pyramidal hierarchy where basic physiological and safety needs must be met before people are motivated by psychological needs like belonging, esteem, and ultimately self-actualization.

MS - Master of Science Practice Test

MS - Master of Science Practice Test

MS Master of Psychology