Short Questions

1. What are the goals of psychology?

The four major objectives of psychology are to describe, explain, predict and change or control
behaviours. There is another goal i.e. to improve the quality of human life.
2. Define psychology as a science of mind.
Wilhelm Wundt defined psychology as a science of mind. He was trying to study the mental
process. He said that cognition, conation (behavior) and affect are the three aspects of
psychology. It is the subject matter of psychology. The mind, how it works and how it might
affect human behaviour are the core aspects to cover in psychology. Wundt considered mind as
complete unit, non-matter, active, continuous and subjective. It is also called cognitive
psychology.
3. Define psychology as a science of consciousness.
William James defined psychology as a science of consciousness. He was in view that mind is
flexible and fluid, and characterized by constant change and adaptation in response to a flow of
information. He called this flow, “ a stream of consciousness”, James distinguished between focal
consciousness as its centre and marginal consciousness as its boundary.
4. What is the comprehensive definition of psychology?
Psychology is the systematic and scientific study of human mind and behavior.
5. What is introspection?
The examination or observation of one's own mental and emotional processes is called
introspection. For example, talking with mental health professional while exploring your mental
and emotional states.
6. What do you know about Structuralism and Functionalism?
Structuralism: It is the study of understanding the conscious experience through introspection.
Functionalism: It focused on how mental activities helped an organism to adapt to its
environment.
7. Differentiate between independent variable and dependent variable.
The independent variable is the one the experimenter controls. The dependent variable is the
variable that changes in response to the independent variable. The variables may be related by
cause and effect. If the independent variable changes, then the dependent variable affected.
8. Differentiate between control group and experimental group.
The subjects who do not receive some treatment are called control group. Whereas an
experimental group also known as treatment group receives some treatment whose effect
researchers wish to study.
9. Differentiate between cross sectional method and longitudinal method.
In cross sectional study, we collect data from population in specific point in time; while in
longitudinal study, we collect data from the same sample over an extended period of time.
10. What is synapse and also define neurotransmitter?
Synapse: There is a gap between the end of each neuron and the start the next. This junction is
known as synapse.
Neurotransmitter: These are the chemicals released by axonal end or terminal of a neuron to
transmit the impulse to the next neuron. An example of neurotransmitter is acetylcholine.
11. Differentiate between sensory and motor nerves.
Sensory nerves act as messengers, transmitting sensory information from body's sensory organs
to the CNS.
Motor nerves transmit signals from the CNS to the muscles and glands, enabling voluntary and
involuntary movement.
12. Differentiate between nerve and neuron.
Neurons are the structural and functional units of the nervous system. On the other hand, nerve
is an enclosed cable like bundle of axons and nerve fibres in the peripheral nervous system.
13. Differentiate between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Sympathetic nervous system activates the “fight or flight” response during a threat or perceived
danger, and the parasympathetic nervous system restores the body to a state of calm. For
example, the sympathetic division increases blood pressure and parasympathetic division
decreases it.
14. Describe structure of neuron.
A neuron has three main parts: dendrites, an axon and cell body or soma, which can be
represented as branches, roots and trunk of a tree respectively. A dendrite is where a neuron
receives input from other cells.

15. What is reflex arc?

The pathway involved in a reflex action, including at its simplest a sensory nerve and a motor
nerve with a synapse between is called reflex arc.
16. Define limbic system.
A complex system of nerves and networks in the brain including several areas near the edge of
the cortex connected with instinct and mood is called limbic system. It controls basic emotions
(fear, pleasure, anger) and drives (hunger, dominance, care of offspring).
17. Differentiate absolute threshold and terminal threshold.
Absolute threshold is the smallest detectable limit of a sensory stimulus. It can also be described
as the lowest intensity at which stimulus can be recognized or detected. Whereas terminal
 threshold is the threshold limit beyond which a stimulus may no longer be recognized or
perceived.
18. What is differential threshold?
The differential threshold or just noticeable difference is the minimum increase in a stimulus
required to detect a difference in the perception. For example, the smallest difference in sound
for us to perceive a change in radio's volume.
19. What is optic nerve?
The optic nerve is the second cranial nerve (CN II) relay messages from our eyes to our brain to
create visual images. They play crucial role in our ability to see. Millions of nerve fibres make up
each optic nerve. Damage to an optic nerve can lead to vision loss in one or both eyes.
20. Define sensory adaptation.
Sensory adaptation refers to the way our senses adjust to different stimuli. Various senses
including hearing, touch, smell, sight, and proprioception can adapt in response to changes in
the environment. For example, when we go into dark room or outside at night, our eyes
eventually adjust to the darkness because our pupils enlarge to let in more light.
21. Define colour blindness.
Colour blindness is also known as colour deficiency which can be defined as there is no ability to
see colours. Colour blindness often happens when someone cannot distinguish between certain
colours. This usually happens between green and red, occasionally blues.
22. Define perceptual constancy.
Perceptual constancy is the perception of an object or quality as constant even though our
sensation of the object changes.
23. Define apparent movement.
An optical illusion in which stationary objects viewed in quick succession or in relation to moving
objects appear to be in motion is called apparent movement. For example, the flashing lights on
cinema marquee, which seem to move inward toward the lobby and entice us follow them.
24. Differentiate between deductive method and inductive method.
Deductive method applies general rules to make conclusions about specific cases. While
inductive reasoning observe patterns in specific cases to infer conclusions about general rules.
Deductive method uses a top down approach whereas inductive method uses a bottom up
approach. For example, All men are mortal. John is a man.
25. Define adrenal gland. P
Adrenal glands also known as suprarenal glands are small triangular shaped, located on top of
both kidneys. Adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate metabolism, immune
system, blood pressure, response to stress etc. It helps a person cope with physical and
emotional stress.
26. Differentiate between rod and cone cells.
Photoreceptors in the retina are classified into two groups, named after their physical
morphologies. Rod cells are highly sensitive to light and function in night vision. They do not
mediate colour vision. Whereas cone cells are capable of detecting a wide spectrum of light
photons and are responsible for colour vision.
27. What is optic chiasma?
Optic chiasma is the part of the brain where the optic nerve cross and is therefore of primary
importance to the visual pathway. It is located at the base of the brain inferior to hypothalamus,
 and approximately 10 mm superior to the pituitary gland within the suprasellar cistern.
28. What is light and dark adaptation?
Light adaptation is the process of adjusting to bright light after exposure to dim light. Dark
adaptation, on the other hand, is the process of adjusting to dim light after exposure to bright
light.
29. Define convergence.
Convergence in terms of psychology explores how sensory details, such as sight or touch, are
combined and evaluated to form perceptions like recognizing a familiar face or learning a new
skill. For example, try to look at the tip of your nose, you will be able to feel both of your eyes
focusing on your nose.
30. What is the role motion in depth perception?
The brain processes relative motion signal perceive depth. When an observer translates relative
to their visual environment, the relative motion of objects at different distances (motion
parallax) provides a powerful cue to three dimensional scene structure. Motion parallax is a type
of depth perception cue in which objects that are closer, appear to move faster than the objects
that are far away.