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Principles of Psychology Flashcards

7 cards from real Psychology Degree practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the central conflict of adolescence is:

    Answer: Identity vs. role confusion

    Erikson described adolescence as the stage where individuals must forge a coherent sense of self or risk confusion about their roles in society.

  2. A researcher finds that as ice cream sales increase, drowning rates also increase. This most likely reflects:

    Answer: A third variable (hot weather) causes both

    This classic example illustrates spurious correlation — hot weather drives both ice cream consumption and swimming (drowning risk), making them correlated without causation.

  3. The gate-control theory of pain proposes that pain perception can be modulated by:

    Answer: Neural gates in the spinal cord that can be opened or closed

    Melzack and Wall's gate-control theory suggests spinal cord mechanisms can amplify or inhibit pain signals before they reach the brain.

  4. The phi phenomenon, in which stationary lights flashing in sequence create the perception of movement, is an example of:

    Answer: Apparent motion and Gestalt principles

    The phi phenomenon, demonstrated by Wertheimer, shows how the brain (Gestalt) constructs the perception of continuous motion from discrete stimuli.

  5. Which ethical principle, central to the APA's guidelines, requires psychologists to avoid actions that harm research participants or clients?

    Answer: Nonmaleficence

    Nonmaleficence — 'do no harm' — is a core APA ethical principle requiring psychologists to minimize risk and avoid causing harm.

  6. Cognitive dissonance theory, proposed by Leon Festinger, states that people are motivated to reduce discomfort caused by:

    Answer: Holding contradictory beliefs or behaviors

    Festinger showed that inconsistency between attitudes and behaviors creates psychological tension that people resolve by changing one element.

  7. Which approach to psychology emphasizes the role of unconscious processes, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts in shaping behavior?

    Answer: Psychodynamic psychology

    Psychodynamic psychology (rooted in Freud) focuses on unconscious drives, early experiences, and defense mechanisms as determinants of behavior.