Psychology 30 - Unit 1: Written Response Exam Review

Psychology 30 - Unit 1 Written Response Practice Exam Notes

Question 1: Connection of Four Domains of Human Development

  • Four Domains of Human Development:

    • Physical: Growth and changes in the body and brain.

    • Cognitive: Mental processes such as thinking, learning, and memory.

    • Emotional: Understanding and managing emotions, development of self-esteem.

    • Social: Interaction with others, development of relationships and social skills.

  • Connection of Domains:

    • The four domains are interconnected and influence each other. For example,

    • A challenge in the emotional domain (e.g., low self-esteem due to bullying) can lead to difficulties in the social domain (e.g., withdrawal from peer interactions).

    • This, in turn, can affect cognitive development (reduced opportunities to practice communication skills and social problem-solving).

  • Detailed Example:

    • A teenager who experiences trauma (emotional) may struggle academically (cognitive) because they are preoccupied with distress (emotional) and avoid socializing with peers (social). The impact of trauma in one domain can cascade into the others, highlighting the importance of an integrated approach to development.

Question 2: Nature vs. Nurture

  • Nature: Refers to genetic inheritance and biological factors influencing personality and behavior.

    • Examples include temperament, predisposition to certain diseases, and physical traits.

  • Nurture: Refers to environmental influences and experiences shaping personality and behavior.

    • Examples include parenting styles, cultural influences, education, and life experiences.

  • Influences on Personality and Behavior:

    • Both nature and nurture interact to develop personality traits.

    • Genetic predispositions can be enhanced or inhibited by environmental factors.

  • Example:

    • A child with a genetic predisposition for high anxiety (nature) may exhibit severe anxiety levels, but positive reinforcement and supportive parenting (nurture) can help them cope more effectively, thus mitigating the effects of their anxiety.

Question 3: Theorist Theory Explanation

  • Choose One Theorist:

    • Example: Sigmund Freud

  • Main Idea:

    • Freud’s theory focuses on the unconscious mind and its role in human behavior and personality.

  • Key Concepts:

    • Id: Basic instincts and desires that seek immediate gratification.

    • Ego: Mediator that tries to satisfy the id within the constraints of reality.

    • Superego: Represents internalized societal norms and morals.

  • Example:

    • A person experiencing internal conflict between desires (id) and moral values (superego) may experience anxiety related to their behaviors.

  • Contribution to Modern Psychology:

    • Freud’s ideas have led to the development of psychoanalytic therapy, influencing clinical psychology and understanding of mental processes.

Question 4: Effects of Trauma on Development

  • Effects of Trauma:

    • Trauma can have profound effects on development, impacting various domains.

  • Domains Affected by Trauma:

    • Cognitive Domain: Impaired ability to focus, process information, or learn new tasks.

    • Emotional Domain: Heightened anxiety and difficulty managing emotions; may lead to depression.

    • Social Domain: Withdrawal from social interactions and difficulty forming relationships.

  • Specific Example:

    • A child who witnesses domestic violence may struggle academically (cognitive impact), experience frequent emotional outbursts (emotional impact), and avoid interacting with peers (social impact).

Question 5: Experimental vs. Correlational Research

  • Definitions:

    • Experimental Research: A research method that involves manipulating one variable to determine if it causes a change in another variable.

    • Correlational Research: A research method that examines the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them.

  • Examples:

    • Experimental Example: A study assessing the effectiveness of a new medication by comparing its effects on a group receiving the medication versus a placebo group.

    • Correlational Example: A study examining the relationship between hours spent studying and grades achieved in a class, identifying a positive correlation but not inferring causation.

  • Why Correlation Does Not Prove Causation:

    • Correlation simply indicates that two variables are related, but it does not imply that one variable causes the other. External factors or third variables may influence both.

Question 6: Ethics Case Study

  • Study Overview:

    • A psychologist studies anxiety in 14-year-old teenagers using loud noises without proper informed consent from parents.

  • Ethical Violations:

    • Informed Consent: Participants (and their guardians) were not adequately informed about the nature of the study and the loud noises involved.

    • Psychological Harm: Some students experienced extreme distress, violating the ethical principle of avoiding harm.

    • Deception: The true purpose of the study was not communicated to participants, violating transparency in research ethics.

    • Right to Withdraw: Participants were not allowed to leave the study, contradicting the ethical requirement that individuals must be free to withdraw from research at any time without penalty.