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CHAPTER 1
The Science of Psychology

Test Bank for Psychology Concepts and Applications 4th


Edition by Nevid
full chapter at: https://testbankbell.com/product/test-bank-for-psychology-concepts-and-
applications-4th-edition-by-nevid/
MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Which of the following is the most complete definition of psychology?


a. Psychology is the science of abnormal behavior and thoughts.
b. Psychology is the science of behavior.
c. Psychology is the science of mental processes.
d. Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes.
e. Psychology is the art of behavior and mental processes.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Chapter Introduction
OBJ: 1-Define psychology and explain why psychology is a science.
TOP: MOD: Intro KEY: Define/Describe MSC: conceptual

2. Psychology is best described as a science that studies:


a. the role of the mind in explaining behavior.
b. how the mind controls our behavior.
c. observable behavior only.
d. mental processes only.
e. behavior and mental processes.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Chapter Introduction
OBJ: 1-Define psychology and explain why psychology is a science.
TOP: MOD: Intro KEY: Define/Describe MSC: conceptual

3. The word ‘psychology’ comes from two Greek roots that mean:
a. knowledge and mind.
b. emotion and mind.
c. emotion and spirit.
d. mind and emotion
e. knowledge and spirit.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 1-Define psychology and explain why psychology is a science.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: conceptual

4. In the definition of psychology, the concept of behavior incorporates ALL EXCEPT which of the following?
a. Thinking
b. Dreaming
c. Quiet reading
d. Making yourself a sandwich
e. Secretion of insulin by the pancreas
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Chapter Introduction
OBJ: 1-Define psychology and explain why psychology is a science.
TOP: MOD: Intro KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual

5. Why is psychology considered to be a scientific discipline?


a. Psychology discounts tradition and folklore.
b. Psychology focuses on testing theories.
c. Psychology relies on popular opinion.
d. Psychology emphasizes mental, as opposed to behavioral, processes.
e. Psychology values scholarly opinions over laboratory tests.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Chapter Introduction
OBJ: 1-Define psychology and explain why psychology is a science.
TOP: MOD: Intro KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual

6. Psychology made the transition from philosophy to scientific discipline with which event?
a. Fechner published Elements of Psychophysics.
b. Confucius proposed the idea that humans have an inborn capacity for good.
c. G. Stanley Hall founded the American Psychological Association.
d. Titchener brought methods of introspection to the United States.
e. Wundt founded the first psychological laboratory.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

7. Psychology is a scientific discipline in that it focuses on:


a. the pursuit of truth, not simply opinion.
b. testing opinions and assumptions in the light of evidence.
c. systematically building theories to explain phenomena.
d. behavioral, as opposed to mental, processes.
e. the accumulated wisdom of scholars.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Chapter Introduction
OBJ: 1-Define psychology and explain why psychology is a science.
TOP: MOD: Intro KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual
NOT: WWW
1
8. For her first psychology paper in graduate school, Tina decided to write about the subject of psychophysics. Which of th e following is most
likely to be the name of her paper?
a. Men's physical reactions to different concentrations of perfume
b. People's reflections upon first coming in contact with "silly putty"
c. Why do only women wear makeup?
d. Why are people susceptible to optical illusions?
e. Which parts of the mind are activated when one looks at great art?
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Apply MSC: applied

9. G. Stanley Hall is known for all of the following EXCEPT that:


a. he founded the American Psychological Association.
b. he is considered the founder of American psychology.
c. he was the first president of the American Psychological Association.
d. he established the first psychological laboratory in the United States.
e. he was the first American to work in Wundt's laboratory.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: factual

10. Which of the following early pioneers of psychology became the first scientist of the mind?
a. Fechner
b. von Helmholtz
c. James
d. Wundt
e. Titchener
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

11. You have been assigned to write a report on Wilhelm Wundt's contributions to psychology. Which would be the most useful term for an
Internet search?
a. Introspection
b. Psychodynamic
c. Behaviorism
d. Association
e. Humanism
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 3-Describe the major concepts associated with early schools of psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe | Apply MSC: applied

12. A functionalist is most likely to ask which of the following questions?


a. Can you describe the taste of a peach?
b. What is the purpose of superstitions?
c. What does the texture of chalk remind you of?
d. How does seeing a butterfly make you feel?
e. What thoughts does this musical passage evoke?
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Apply MSC: applied

13. Your psychology professor asks a student volunteer to concentrate on eating an apple and then describe the individual el ements of that
experience. Your professor is demonstrating the technique of , which is a technique used by investigators of .
a. stream of consciousness; functionalism
b. introspection; structuralism
c. introspection; Gestalt
d. introspection; humanism
e. stream of consciousness; structuralism
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 3-Describe the major concepts associated with early schools of psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe | Apply MSC: applied

14. Psychological researcher Dr. Tatrino relies chiefly on introspection. Tatrino probably belongs to which school of psycho logy?
a. Behaviorism
b. Structuralism
c. Humanism
d. Functionalism
e. Psychodynamic
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: conceptual

15. Identify the school of thought that focused on breaking conscious experience into its component parts.
a. Psychoanalysis
b. Structuralism
c. Gestalt
d. Introspection
e. Functionalism
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual NOT: WWW

2
16. Which early school of psychology is associated with the method of introspection?
a. Behaviorism
b. Gestalt
c. Functionalism
d. Structuralism
e. Social-cognitive
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

17. Who is generally recognized as the founder of American psychology?


a. Hall
b. James
c. Wundt
d. Freud
e. Watson
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

18. Wundt is to as James is to .


a. structuralism; Gestalt
b. structuralism; functionalism
c. behaviorism; Gestalt
d. behaviorism; functionalism
e. functionalism; psychoanalysis
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: conceptual

19. Functionalism focused on:


a. breaking down mental experience into its component parts.
b. how individuals adapt to their environment.
c. studying overt behavior that could be recorded and measured.
d. how the human brain organizes perceptions so that they make sense.
e. unconscious sexual and aggressive forces that motivate behavior.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 3-Describe the major concepts associated with early schools of psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: factual
NOT: WWW

20. The founder of behaviorism was:


a. Watson.
b. Skinner.
c. James.
d. Pavlov.
e. Freud.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

21. In preparing a report on John Watson, which of the following search terms would likely yield the best results?
a. Psychodynamic
b. Functionalism
c. Structuralism
d. Humanism
e. Behaviorism
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

22. The behaviorist emphasis on observable events as the focus of inquiry can be traced to which philosopher?
a. Socrates
b. Plato
c. Aristotle
d. Rousseau
e. Confucius
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

3
23. A strong belief that the environment molds the behavior of humans and other animals is characteristic of which school of psychology?
a. Psychodynamic
b. Behaviorist
c. Structuralist
d. Gestalt
e. Humanist
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 3-Describe the major concepts associated with early schools of psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: conceptual

24. The major proponent of behaviorism for much of the twentieth century was:
a. Titchener.
b. Skinner.
c. James.
d. Wertheimer.
e. Freud.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

25. Animal trainer Bob Jeffers uses rewards to teach his animals to perform silly tricks in the circus. Jeffers's techniques are based on principles
from which school of psychology?
a. Behaviorism
b. Structuralism
c. Psychodynamic
d. Functionalism
e. Humanism
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

26. Regarding behaviorism, which of the following statements is FALSE?


a. Watson believed that with control of their environments, he could shape infants to be any
kind of adult.
b. B F Skinner conducted most of his research with humans.
c. In the early 20th century, behaviorism was the dominant force in psychology.
d. B F Skinner presented ideas and techniques for rewarding and punishing behavior.
e. Behaviorists rejected introspection as a research method.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: factual

27. Your dog is demonstrating an unacceptable behavior. You are able to go back in time to talk to one of the pioneers of psychology. Who would
be the best choice to help you modify your dog’s behavior?
a. Sigmund Freud
b. Wilhelm Wundt
c. Edward Titchener
d. William James
e. B F Skinner
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify | Apply NOT: WWW

28. The Gestalt school of psychology was founded by:


a. Wundt.
b. Koffka.
c. Maslow.
d. Darwin.
e. Wertheimer.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

29. Dr. Spires talks with some students before psychology class begins. Spires says, "I believe that mental experience is best understood as a
whole, rather than in terms of its parts." Her students recognize that Spires follows which school of thought?
a. Gestalt
b. Humanism
c. Introspection
d. Structuralism
e. Functionalism
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Evaluate/Explain | Apply MSC: applied

4
30. The psychodynamic school of psychology places an emphasis on:
a. breaking down mental experiences into their component parts.
b. how behavior helps individuals adapt to demands of their environment.
c. the acquisition of more adaptive behaviors to overcome psychological problems.
d. the unconscious and early childhood experiences.
e. the ways in which the brain organizes perceptions of the world.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 3-Describe the major concepts associated with early schools of psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: conceptual

31. The definition of the German word "Gestalt" is closest to that of the English word:
a. "thought."
b. "element."
c. "guess."
d. "pattern."
e. "part."
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 3-Describe the major concepts associated with early schools of psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: factual

32. According to Freud, abnormal behaviors, like phobias, are:


a. shaped by early experiences.
b. learned through reinforcement.
c. genetically determined.
d. adaptive from an evolutionary perspective.
e. the product of introspection.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 3-Describe the major concepts associated with early schools of psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: factual
NOT: WWW

33. "Talk therapy" is associated with which of the following?


a. William James
b. Edward Titchener
c. Kurt Kafka
d. Max Wertheimer
e. Sigmund Freud
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 2-Identify the early schools of psychology and their important contributors.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

34. Which of the following reflects an influence of psychodynamic theory in today's culture?
a. The realization that ethnicity plays a role in psychological adjustment
b. The stress on the creative potential of each individual
c. The tendency to explain human thinking in computer terms
d. The belief that psychological problems are rooted in childhood
e. The understanding of the biological bases of behavior
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 3-Describe the major concepts associated with early schools of psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe | Evaluate/Explain
MSC: conceptual

35. An extension of the behavioral perspective that incorporates the study of mental processes is termed:
a. social-cognitive theory.
b. psychophysics.
c. Gestalt psychology.
d. humanism.
e. neuroscience.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

36. Which of the following mental health professionals is most likely a behavior therapist?
a. Dr. Angelo, who helps clients learn techniques for changing maladaptive thoughts.
b. Dr. Barney, who uses techniques based on learning principles to help clients alter
maladaptive behaviors.
c. Dr. Childers, who helps her clients uncover unconscious motives and desires.
d. Dr. Diaz, who prescribes drugs for his patients who suffer from anxiety disorders.
e. Dr. Evans, who helps her patients understand how their culture influences their
maladaptive behaviors.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe | Apply MSC: applied

5
37. Compared to Freud, neo-Freudians place less emphasis on:
a. childhood roots of abnormal behavior.
b. sexual and aggressive motives.
c. self-awareness.
d. self-direction.
e. conscious choice.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: conceptual

38. The "third force" in psychology is more formally known as:


a. social-cognitive theory.
b. humanistic psychology.
c. the psychodynamic perspective.
d. Gestalt psychology.
e. the physiological perspective.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

39. Which theorists are associated with humanistic psychology?


a. John B. Watson and B. F. Skinner
b. Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener
c. William James and Charles Darwin
d. Max Wertheimer and Sigmund Freud
e. Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

40. A humanistic psychologist is most likely to agree with which of the following statements?
a. "Human behavior is determined by the environment."
b. "Behavior reflects inherited dispositions that had survival value to our ancestors."
c. "Each individual is unique."
d. "Psychology should focus on unconscious motives and wishes."
e. "Psychology should limit itself to observable behavior."
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: The Humanistic Perspective
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe | Evaluate/Explain
MSC: conceptual

41. Your friend asks whether there is any evidence that ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) might be due to abnormal brain
structures. You might suggest that she take a course in:
a. cognitive psychology.
b. physiological psychology.
c. personality psychology.
d. evolutionary psychology.
e. geropsychology.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

42. The approach that studies the relationships between biological processes and behavior is termed:
a. cognitive-behavioral therapy.
b. Gestalt psychology.
c. structuralism.
d. introspection.
e. physiological psychology.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

43. A movement within modern psychology that applies principles from Darwin's theories is called:
a. humanism.
b. evolutionary psychology.
c. cognitive psychology.
d. behaviorism.
e. sociocultural psychology.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

6
44. Which of the following psychologists is most likely to study how humans process information?
a. Dr. Alvarez, a behaviorist
b. Dr. Benitez, a humanist
c. Dr. Carlson, a cognitive psychologist
d. Dr. Dimitri, a neo-Freudian
e. Dr. Elrod, a physiological psychologist
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: factual

45. Cognitive psychologists would be interested in all of the following EXCEPT:


a. concept formation.
b. language processes.
c. problem solving.
d. decision making.
e. instincts.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe | Evaluate/Explain
MSC: conceptual NOT: WWW

46. Which perspective is most responsible for bringing issues related to diversity to the forefront of psychological researc h?
a. Cognitive
b. Behaviorism
c. Psychodynamic
d. Sociocultural
e. Humanistic
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: The Sociocultural Perspective
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

47. Regarding the major contemporary perspectives in psychology, which of the following statements is FALSE?
a. The behavioral perspective focuses on observable actions and the influences of learning
processes in behavior.
b. The humanistic perspective emphasizes the importance of subjective conscious
experience and personal responsibility and freedom.
c. The physiological perspective examines how behavior and mental experience is shaped
by biological processes and the workings of the brain and nervous system.
d. The sociocultural perspective focuses on mental processes that allow us to gain
knowledge about ourselves and the world.
e. The psychodynamic perspective suggests that our psychology is shaped by unconscious
motives and conflicts outside the range of ordinary awareness.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe | Evaluate/Explain
MSC: conceptual

48. Dr. Holder is a psychologist working from the sociocultural perspective. In her research, which variable is Dr. Holder LEAST likely to study?
a. Income level
b. Individual personality differences
c. Gender
d. Disability status
e. Sexual orientation
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Evaluate/Explain | Apply MSC: applied

49. What is a limitation of early psychological research studies?


a. The samples are made up of white, middle class, male college students and findings may
not generalize to other populations.
b. The samples are made up of college students who are smarter than the general
population.
c. The sample sizes are too small.
d. The studies were conducted with animals and cannot be generalized to humans.
e. The studies have not been replicated.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual

50. An eclectic psychologist is one who:


a. compares different cultural and ethnic groups on psychological measures.
b. conducts basic as opposed to applied research.
c. does research only on animal subjects.
d. applies the principles of computer-based information processing to humans.
e. employs the theories and principles of different psychological perspectives.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.1 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: factual

7
51. Positive psychology is distinctively different from much of the rest of psychology because of its emphasis on:
a. unconscious factors in determining thoughts and behaviors.
b. understanding human weaknesses and deficits.
c. behavior as opposed to mental processes.
d. understanding the sociocultural factors that influence human behavior and thinking.
e. understanding human strengths and assets.
ANS: E
Module: 1.1

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
KEY: Define/Describe MSC: conceptual

52. Who is most closely associated with the positive psychology movement?
a. Abraham Maslow
b. Kenneth Clark
c. Martin Seligman
d. Sigmund Freud
e. Max Wertheimer
ANS: C
Module: 1.1

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
KEY: Identify MSC: factual

53. Which perspective in psychology would suggest that depression is related to changes in brain chemistry?
a. Psychodynamic
b. Physiological
c. Cognitive
d. Humanistic
e. Behavioral
ANS: B
Module: 1.1

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
KEY: Identify MSC: conceptual

54. A humanist would give which explanation for aggression?


a. Brain abnormalities explain violent behavior in some people.
b. Social conditions give rise to drug use, which, in turn, causes aggressive behavior.
c. Aggression results from unconscious impulses.
d. Aggression increases when people become frustrated by not being able to meet their
goals.
e. Aggression is learned through observing others and through reinforcement.
ANS: D
Module: 1.1

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual NOT: WWW

55. Dr. von Waldner conducts research on depression. His hypothesis is that depression results from maladaptive thought patt erns. From which
perspective is von Waldner working?
a. Cognitive
b. Humanistic
c. Psychodynamic
d. Sociocultural
e. Physiological
ANS: A
Module: 1.1

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

56. Which perspective in psychology would suggest that obesity is related to unresolved childhood needs for love and support?
a. Cognitive
b. Psychodynamic
c. Sociocultural
d. Humanistic
e. Behavioral
ANS: B
Module: 1.1

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


OBJ: 4-Identify and describe major contemporary perspectives in psychology.
KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

8
57. A researcher adhering to the behavioral perspective would likely believe that:
a. unhealthy eating habits might lead to obesity.
b. aggression results when people are blocked from pursuing their goals.
c. depression is related to changes in brain chemistry.
d. depression is linked to social stresses like poverty.
e. aggression is related to unconscious impulses.
ANS: A
Module: 1.1

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual

58. You eavesdrop as several psychologists eat lunch together. After reading the first chapter in your psychology textbook, you can correctly
identify which psychologist as a behaviorist?
a. Dr. Tsui, who says, "I'm excited about my new research project. I'll be studying how
creativity helps people solve problems."
b. Dr. Lightman, who says, "I believe that early learning experiences have shaped my
actions as an adult."
c. Dr. Melfi, who says, "I have a client who has a lot of unresolved unconscious conflicts
with his mother. I think we'll be working together a long time."
d. Dr. Fraser, who says, "Looking back at my life at midlife, I recognize how my goals have
given me a sense of meaning."
e. Dr. Reeves, who says, "I'm delivering my favorite lecture today – the role of heredity in
language development."
ANS: B
Module: 1.1

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


KEY: Evaluate/Explain | Apply MSC: applied

59. A researcher adhering to the psychodynamic perspective would likely believe that depression:
a. represents anger turned inward.
b. stems from a sense of purposelessness.
c. is influenced by genetic factors.
d. is more common among certain groups because of social stresses more prevalent in those
groups.
e. can be treated through changes in reinforcement patterns.
ANS: B
Module: 1.1

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


KEY: Evaluate/Explain | Apply MSC: applied

60. As a humanist, Dr. Randall is most likely interested in which of the following questions?
a. Do negative role models play a part in eating disorders?
b. Is shyness inherited?
c. Is obesity associated with a malfunction in the hypothalamus?
d. Can a lack of purpose influence a person's depression?
e. How do aggressive people direct their unconscious impulses?
ANS: D
Module: 1.1

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


KEY: Evaluate/Explain | Apply MSC: applied

61. The difference between basic and applied research is that only basic research:
a. involves finding solutions to specific problems.
b. has practical consequences.
c. is conducted in the workplace.
d. is almost always associated with universities or government agencies.
e. involves psychologists who provide services to individuals or organizations.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual

62. What is the graduate degree most commonly earned by psychologists?


a. Psy.D.
b. Ph.D.
c. Ed.D.
d. Master's
e. Bachelor's
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

9
63. Which subspecialty represents the largest group of psychologists?
a. Industrial/organizational
b. Clinical
c. Counseling
d. School
e. Experimental
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

64. Of the following subspecialties in psychology, which is LEAST likely to focus on applied research?
a. Experimental
b. Clinical
c. School
d. Industrial/organizational
e. Counseling
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual

65. The Psy.D. degree is appropriate for those who wish to focus more on skills than on skills.
a. practitioner; research
b. writing; practical
c. teaching; consulting
d. basic; applied
e. research; clinical
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

66. Regarding training to work in the field of psychology, which of the following statements is FALSE?
a. The primary difference between the Ph.D. and the Psy.D. is that the Psy.D. focuses more
on practitioner skills than on research skills.
b. Those who pursue doctorate level work in schools of education typically earn a
Doctorate in Education, or Ed.D.
c. A dissertation requires the completion of an original research project.
d. The Bachelor’s degree is recognized as the entry-level degree for professional work in
some specialty areas like school psychology and industrial/organizational psychology.
e. The Doctor of Philosophy is the most common doctoral degree.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: factual

67. The work of psychologists often overlaps with the work of psychiatrists.
a. experimental
b. physiological
c. clinical
d. biological
e. comparative
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

68. A school psychologist would be most likely to:


a. consult to a classroom teacher about how to address a student’s behavior problems.
b. study how groups affect individuals.
c. provide psychoanalysis for troubled students.
d. make suggestions as to how managers could improve employee morale.
e. investigate the relationship between childhood obesity and self-esteem.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Apply MSC: applied

69. Dr. Fiennes, a psychological researcher, studies the biological bases of memory problems in the elderly using animal research subjects.
Fiennes is a(n) psychologist.
a. comparative
b. biological
c. environmental
d. health
e. physiological
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

10
70. The executives of an aircraft company want to redesign the interior of their jet planes to offer passengers the most com fort within the confined
space. What type of psychologist would they need to consult?
a. Industrial/organizational
b. Social
c. Cognitive
d. Environmental
e. Consumer
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

71. An industrial/organizational psychologist would typically:


a. testify at a trial in which the defendant's sanity was in question.
b. make suggestions to a manager regarding employee morale.
c. administer a cognitive abilities test to a teenager.
d. be interested in the structure and measurement of personality.
e. do research to determine how to help people quit smoking.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Apply | Evaluate/Explain MSC: applied
NOT: WWW

72. A developmental psychologist is most likely to study which of the following research questions?
a. How can we get teenagers to eat more nutritious meals?
b. What effect do fast-food restaurants have on teens' eating habits?
c. What personality characteristics do obese teens have in common?
d. How do children's eating habits change as they progress from childhood through
adolescence?
e. What psychological disorders are likely to coexist with eating disorders in teenagers?
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Apply | Evaluate/Explain MSC: applied

73. Dana and Leonard are being quizzed tomorrow in their elective psychology courses. Dana is studying the variables that influence initial
attraction, while Leonard is studying the traits that are typical of couples in long-term relationships. Dana is most l ikely taking a class in
psychology, whereas Leonard is most likely taking a class in psychology.
a. social; personality
b. developmental; health
c. experimental; social
d. social; developmental
e. personality; environmental
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

74. Graduate student Felicity Farraday has just completed her dissertation, which is entitled "The role of observational lea rning in the development
of prejudice." What is Farraday's area of graduate study?
a. Health psychology
b. Environmental psychology
c. Experimental psychology
d. Educational psychology
e. Social psychology
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

75. A health psychologist might study the:


a. brain centers that are involved in nicotine addiction.
b. effectiveness of ads that use fear to get adolescents to stop smoking.
c. different brands of cigarettes that men and women prefer.
d. change in smoking habits as teens progress through high school and then college.
e. personality traits that chain smokers have in common.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Apply | Evaluate/Explain MSC: applied

76. Caroline Sherry is a counseling psychologist. Which of the following is she LEAST likely to see as a client?
a. Mr. Andrews, a mailman, who has generalized anxiety disorder
b. Mr. and Mrs. Babette who have marital problems
c. Ms. Diaz, a college student, who is confused about choosing a college major
d. Mr. White, a high school student, who is being bullied by his peers
e. Ms. Evans and her teenage daughter, who are having communication problems
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Apply | Evaluate/Explain MSC: applied

11
77. Which type of psychologist is most likely to administer an intelligence test to a seven-year-old child who is being evaluated for placement in a
special education program?
a. School
b. Educational
c. Counseling
d. Clinical
e. Personality
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

78. Dr. Vickers just took a position as an educational psychologist with the Blackstone School System. Of the following tasks, which is Vickers
LEAST likely to perform in this position?
a. Develop a test to measure students' academic potential.
b. Train teachers in the use of a new instructional method.
c. Administer intelligence tests to students.
d. Develop a new instructional method for use in the classroom.
e. Conduct research on student motivation.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Apply | Evaluate/Explain MSC: applied

79. Which type of psychologist would most likely study such phenomena as the effects of parenting style on a child's emotional growth?
a. Clinical
b. Physiological
c. Experimental
d. Developmental
e. Health
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied
NOT: WWW

80. Of the following, which psychologists would be most likely to be involved in a study that seeks to identify the common traits of people who
develop a stress-related disorder?
a. Experimental psychologists
b. Personality psychologists
c. Environmental psychologists
d. Social psychologists
e. Developmental psychologists
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Major Specialty Areas
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

81. Which type of psychologist would evaluate whether overcrowding in urban areas is associated with increased violent crimes?
a. Evolutionary
b. Consumer
c. Environmental
d. Social
e. Personality
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

82. Dr. Greenberg is an industrial/organizational psychologist. In his job at Acme Corporation, he is NOT likely to work on which of the following
tasks?
a. Use psychological tests to determine the fit between a job applicant’s abilities and
available positions in the company.
b. Identify leadership qualities that are most effective in increasing worker productivity.
c. Examine ways to make computer systems easier to use.
e) Conduct a survey to determine employees’ job satisfaction.
e) Conduct a survey to determine which consumers are most likely to buy Acme’s
products.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Apply | Evaluate/Explain MSC: applied

83. Dr. Mars is conducting research on the type of toothbrush that is most likely to appeal to young adults. Dr. Mars is most likely which of the
following type of psychologist?
a. Consumer
b. Physiological
c. Industrial/organizational
d. Clinical
e. Health
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

12
84. A geropsychologist is likely to spend time working mostly with:
a. college students.
b. stroke victims.
c. senior citizens.
d. schizophrenics.
e. athletes.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: factual

85. Dr. Samuelson conducts research on the relationship between stroke and speech problems. He is probably a(n) _.
a. experimental psychologist
b. health psychologist
c. neuropsychologist
d. social psychologist
e. geropsychologist
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

86. Which type of psychologist would be most interested in memory loss in elderly individuals?
a. Social psychologist
b. Health psychologist
c. Counseling psychologist
d. Forensic psychologist
e. Geropsychologist
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

87. Dr. Starling works with the FBI to develop personality profiles of rapists. Dr. Starling is probably a(n) psychologist.
a. social
b. forensic
c. industrial/organizational
d. physiological
e. health
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

88. Dr. Fernandez evaluates a mother’s parenting skills for a child custody dispute. Dr. Fernandez is probably a(n) psychologist.
a. developmental
b. forensic
c. educational
d. consumer
e. industrial/organizational
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 5-Identify specialty areas and apply your knowledge to the varied work of psychologists.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

89. Christine Ladd-Franklin is credited as being:


a. the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in psychology.
b. the first African-American woman to conduct research in psychology.
c. the earliest woman pioneer in psychology.
d. the first person to receive a Ph.D. in psychology from Johns-Hopkins University.
e. the first female president of the APA.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 6-Identify women and African-American pioneers in psychology and describe their contributions. TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY:
Define/Describe
MSC: factual NOT: WWW

90. Which of the following statements regarding Mary Whiton Calkins is FALSE?
a. She was the first female pioneer in psychology, having completed her doctorate
requirements at Johns Hopkins University in 1882.
b. She was the first female president of the American Psychological Association, in 1905.
c. Although she completed all of her doctoral requirements at Harvard, the school denied
her a doctorate.
d. She conducted important research on learning and short-term memory.
e. She was a student of William James.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 6-Identify women and African-American pioneers in psychology and describe their contributions. TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY:
Define/Describe | Evaluate/Explain
MSC: factual

13
91. Who is the only African American to have served as president of the American Psychological Association?
a. Kenneth Clark
b. J. Henry Alston
c. Gilbert Haven Jones
d. Francis Sumner
e. Richard Suinn
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 6-Identify women and African-American pioneers in psychology and describe their contributions. TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY:
Identify MSC: factual

92. Who was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in psychology in the United States?
a. Mary Whiton Calkins
b. Margaret Floy Washburn
c. Christine Ladd-Franklin
d. Francis Sumner
e. Mamie Phipps-Clark
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 6-Identify women and African-American pioneers in psychology and describe their contributions. TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY:
Identify MSC: factual

93. , an early pioneer in psychology, developed a new theory of color vision and received his/her Ph.D. several decades after completing
all of the requirements for completing the degree.
a. Mary Whiton Calkins
b. Margaret Floy Washburn
c. Christine Ladd-Franklin
d. Francis Sumner
e. Gilbert Haven Jones
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 6-Identify women and African-American pioneers in psychology and describe their contributions. TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY:
Identify MSC: factual

94. Kenneth and Mamie Phipps-Clark conducted a classic study that showed which of the following?
a. Preschool children are “color blind,” and neither African-American nor white children
showed a preference for playing with a white or black doll.
b. Preschool children showed preferences for playing with dolls of their own race, i.e.,
African-American children preferred to play with black dolls and white children
preferred to play with white dolls.
c. African-American preschool children preferred to play with white dolls and attributed
more positive characteristics to the white dolls.
d. African-American preschool children preferred to play with black dolls and attributed
more positive characteristics to the black dolls.
e. Preschool children preferred to play with children of their own race.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 6-Identify women and African-American pioneers in psychology and describe their contributions. TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY:
Define/Describe
MSC: factual

95. The first African American to receive a doctorate in psychology in the United States was , and the first African American to publish
research findings in a major U.S. psychology journal was .
a. Kenneth Clark; Mamie Clark
b. J. Henry Alston; Kenneth Clark
c. Gilbert Haven Jones; Francis Sumner
d. Mary Whiton Calkins; Margaret Floy Washburn
e. Francis Sumner; J. Henry Alston
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 6-Identify women and African-American pioneers in psychology and describe their contributions. TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY:
Identify MSC: factual
NOT: WWW

96. Whose work played an important role in the U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas?
a. Kenneth and Mamie Clark
b. J. Henry Alston
c. Gilbert Haven Jones
d. Francis Sumner
e. Margaret Floy Washburn
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 6-Identify women and African-American pioneers in psychology and describe their contributions. TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY:
Identify MSC: factual

97. Women now account for approximately what proportion of doctorates in psychology?
a. one-third
b. one-half
c. two-thirds
d. three-quarters
e. nine-tenths
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 7-Describe ethnic and gender characteristics of psychologists today and changes over time.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: factual

14
98. In 1970, women accounted for about what proportion of new doctorates in psychology?
a. one in ten
b. one in five
c. two in five
d. five in ten
e. nine in ten
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 7-Describe ethnic and gender characteristics of psychologists today and changes over time.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: factual

99. A member of which minority group is least likely to be the recipient of a doctorate in the field of psychology?
a. Latino American
b. African American
c. Pacific Islander
d. Asian American
e. Native American
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 7-Describe ethnic and gender characteristics of psychologists today and changes over time.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: factual
NOT: WWW

100. Despite the fact that the percentage of minorities in the field of psychology has increased in recent years, what percen tage of new recipients of
doctorates in psychology are in a minority group?
a. 50%
b. 25%
c. 10%
d. 15%
e. 5%
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 7-Describe ethnic and gender characteristics of psychologists today and changes over time.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Define | Describe MSC: factual

101. Currently, there is one Native American psychologist per how many Native Americans?
a. 1,000
b. 3,000
c. 10,000
d. 30,000
e. 50,000
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do
OBJ: 7-Describe ethnic and gender characteristics of psychologists today and changes over time.
TOP: MOD: 1.2 KEY: Define | Describe MSC: factual

102. A method of developing knowledge based on the evaluation of evidence from experiments and careful observation is called the:
a. intuitive approach. b.
statistical approach. c.
empirical approach. d.
theoretical approach.
e. introspective approach.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

103. The goals of psychology are to describe, predict, explain, and:


a. replicate studies.
b. persuade people.
c. manipulate people.
d. publish results.
e. control events.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

104. All of the following are steps in the scientific method EXCEPT:
a. drawing conclusions.
b. developing a hypotheses.
c. ignoring contradictory evidence.
d. gathering evidence.
e. generating a research question.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 8-Identify and describe steps of scientific method. TOP: MOD: 1.3
KEY: Identify | Evaluate/Explain MSC: factual

105. Hypotheses are:


a. conclusions drawn from observations.
b. precise predictions that can be tested through research.
c. useful only if they prove to be correct.
d. explanations that organize observations and account for the relationships among them.
e. ultimate truths.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 8-Identify and describe steps of scientific method. TOP: MOD: 1.3
KEY: Define/Describe MSC: factual NOT: WWW

15
106. Based on social-cognitive theory, the expectation that teens will be more likely to try marijuana if they believe smoking marijuana will make
them more popular among their peers, is an example of a(n) .
a. intuition.
b. inference.
c. theory.
d. control.
e. hypothesis.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 8-Identify and describe steps of scientific method. TOP: MOD: 1.3
KEY: Identify MSC: factual

107. How do psychologists evaluate the evidence they gather in their research studies?
a. They compare their results to evidence from past studies.
b. They apply statistical methods to determine whether their results are unlikely to be due
to chance.
c. They adjust their hypotheses, but not the theories from which the hypotheses are derived.
d. They have their study undergo peer review.
e. They cannot say what the results of their studies are with confidence.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 8-Identify and describe steps of scientific method. TOP: MOD: 1.3
KEY: Define/Describe | Evaluate/Explain MSC: factual

108. Which of the following is identified in the text as a step in the scientific method?
a. Developing a theory
b. Selecting a research method
c. Consulting the literature
d. Forming a hypothesis
e. Identifying subjects
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 8-Identify and describe steps of scientific method. TOP: MOD: 1.3
KEY: Identify MSC: factual

109. A hypothesis is what an investigator uses to:


a. duplicate research findings of other scientists.
b. frame his/her research question.
c. explain why he/she obtained a certain result from an experiment.
d. define the parameters of a research study.
e. determine what kind of research design to use.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 8-Identify and describe steps of scientific method. TOP: MOD: 1.3
KEY: Define/Describe MSC: factual

110. After reading about a study that concluded that having a dog is beneficial for an elderly person's health, Dr. Wolpe was skeptical. Therefore,
he decided to do a similar study to see whether he would achieve the same results. Dr. Wolpe's study would be termed a:
a. double-blind study.
b. duplication.
c. replication.
d. repeat.
e. retest.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 8-Identify and describe steps of scientific method. TOP: MOD: 1.3
KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

111. Ajit is a graduate student in psychology who is conducting research on the effectiveness of two types of therapy in the treatment of phobias.
Ajit is at the stage where he uses statistics to analyze the data he has collected in order to determine if his initial hypothesis is supported by the
research. At which stage of the scientific method is Ajit working?
a. Drawing conclusions
b. Developing a research question
c. Gathering evidence
d. Replicating results
e. Forming a hypothesis
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 8-Identify and describe steps of scientific method. TOP: MOD: 1.3
KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

112. Which of the following is the correct order of steps in the scientific method?
a. Forming a hypothesis, developing a research question, gathering evidence, drawing
conclusions
b. Gathering evidence, developing a research question, forming a hypothesis, drawing
conclusions
c. Developing a research question, forming a hypothesis, gathering evidence, drawing
conclusions
d. Formulating a theory, developing a research question, gathering evidence, drawing
conclusions
e. None of the above
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 8-Identify and describe steps of scientific method. TOP: MOD: 1.3
KEY: Identify | Define/Describe MSC: factual NOT: WWW

16
113. Your psychology professor refers to a research study and says the results were "statistically significant.” What does t his mean?
a. The results can be generalized from the sample to the population.
b. The results have been replicated.
c. The hypothesis proves the theory it was testing.
d. The results are unlikely to have been due to chance or other random factors.
e. The results do not suffer from social desirability bias.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: conceptual

114. Dr. Kavanaugh noticed that many of her students have difficulties understanding the basic parts of a nerve cell (neuron) , but don’t have the
same problems understanding the regions of the brain. She wonders if her lectures have some bearing on this situation and has posed the
following question, which she intends to pursue in her research: Do the ways in which information is presented to stude nts affect interest in
and memory of the material? If she is interested in pursuing this research question further, her next step in the scient ific method would be to:
a. develop a research question.
b. form a hypothesis.
c. gather evidence.
d. manipulate the way she delivers lectures.
e. draw conclusions.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 8-Identify and describe steps of scientific method. TOP: MOD: 1.3
KEY: Identify | Apply MSC: applied

115. Dr. Mingus keeps a very detailed record of a series of interviews with an individual who is suffering from a rare brain disorder. This is an
example of which research method?
a. Experimental
b. Correlational
c. Case study
d. Field study
e. Survey
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Identify | Apply
MSC: applied NOT: WWW

116. The experimental method requires random sampling in order to ensure a sample drawn from the population is:
a. homogenous.
b. diverse.
c. sufficiently large.
d. representative.
e. in need of an intervention.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Define/Describe
MSC: factual

117. Developmental psychologist Arthur Chang observes children in a day care center through a one-way mirror. Dr. Chang is utilizing which form
of research?
a. Case study
b. Correlational method
c. Survey
d. Experimentation
e. Naturalistic observation
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Identify | Apply
MSC: applied

118. The correlational method of research makes use of which type of statistical measure?
a. Correlational inference
b. Correlation variables
c. Correlation coefficient
d. Change scores
e. Zero-order mean difference
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Identify MSC: factual

119. Which of the following correlations represents two variables with the strongest relationship?
a. +0.80
b. -0.95
c. +.06
d. -0.75
e. The answer cannot be determined with the information given.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Evaluate/Explain
MSC: conceptual

17
120. Which of the following relationships would most likely have the weakest correlation?
a. A school child's age and vocabulary
b. The number of tires on a truck and its weight
c. A person's height and intelligence
d. Air temperature and number of air conditioners being used
e. Amount of snowfall and number of skiers
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Apply MSC: applied
NOT: WWW

121. In her dissertation research, a graduate student finds a correlation of +0.95 between two of the variables being studied . How should she
interpret this correlation coefficient?
a. There is no relationship between the variables.
b. The variables have a moderate, positive relationship.
c. The variables have a strong, negative relationship.
d. The variables have a moderate, negative relationship.
e. The variables have a strong, positive relationship.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Apply MSC: applied

122. A correlation coefficient of 0.00 means that:


a. there is no relationship between the variables.
b. as one variable increases, the other variable increases.
c. as one variable decreases, the other variable decreases.
d. as one variable increases, the other variable decreases.
e. the variables are dependent.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: conceptual

123. A correlation coefficient of +1.00 means that:


a. there is an error in the calculations.
b. one variable causes the other.
c. knowing the value of one variable allows perfect prediction of the value of another.
d. increases in one variable will be associated with decreases in another.
e. two variables are not closely related.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: conceptual

124. In an experimental study of the effects of sleep deprivation on aggressiveness, the number of hours that a participant stays awake represents
the:
a. dependent variable.
b. independent variable.
c. placebo.
d. control variable.
e. random variable.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Apply | Define/Describe
MSC: applied

125. Using the experimental method, a researcher investigates whether watching television while eating causes a person to eat more potato chips
than one eats when not watching television. In this case, the number of potato chips eaten represents the:
a. dependent variable.
b. independent variable.
c. control variable.
d. random variable.
e. placebo.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Apply | Define/Describe
MSC: applied

126. In the experimental method, the independent variables are and their effects on the dependent variables are .
a. controlled; measured
b. manipulated; measured
c. manipulated; controlled
d. manipulated; random
e. manipulated; predictable
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Define/Describe
MSC: conceptual NOT: WWW

18
127. In an experiment, the factor that is expected to change is referred to as the:
a. independent variable.
b. dependent variable.
c. control variable.
d. random variable.
e. placebo.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

128. An experimental group receives treatment and is then measured for the effect. What happens to the control group in the experiment?
a. It receives the same treatment and is measured for the effect, exactly like the
experimental group.
b. It receives a random treatment.
c. It receives no treatment at all, but it is measured.
d. It receives the same treatment as the control group, but it is not measured.
e. It receives no treatment, and it is not measured.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Define/Describe
MSC: conceptual

129. In a drug study, Group One receives an inactive pill, and Group Two receives a pill that is believed to be effective in treating depression.
Group Two is the:
a. control group.
b. placebo group.
c. independent group.
d. dependent group.
e. experimental group.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Apply MSC: applied

130. Every participant in an experiment has an equal chance of receiving one of the treatments. This is called a:
a. control assignment.
b. random selection.
c. placebo effect.
d. random assignment.
e. control selection.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Identify MSC: factual

131. Dr. Schultze conducts research on the effects of a new drug on obsessive-compulsive disorder. In his study, neither Schultze nor the
participants knows who is receiving the active drug and who is receiving the placebo. This is an example of:
a. random sampling.
b. a double-blind study.
c. a single-blind study.
d. a control factor.
e. social desirability bias.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Apply MSC: applied

132. A placebo effect would be most likely to account for changes in:
a. blood pressure.
b. blood sugar.
c. pupil dilation.
d. pain intensity.
e. body temperature.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual

133. In the case "Anatomy of a Research Study: Do Warm Hands Make a Warm Heart," presented in your text, what was the finding?
a. Tactile warmth has no effect on personality judgments of warmth in others.
b. Tactile warmth influenced people to make personality judgments of warmth in others
more rapidly.
c. Tactile warmth influences personality judgments of warmth without direct awareness of
such influences.
d. Tactile warmth gave people greater confidence in their personality judgments of warmth
in others.
e. Tactile warmth paradoxically influences personality judgments of coldness without
direct awareness of such influences.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Evaluate/Explain
MSC: conceptual

19
134. In the case "Anatomy of a Research Study: Do Warm Hands Make a Warm Heart," presented in your text, the manipulation of tactile warmth
with a hot or cold cup of coffee was the:
a. independent variable.
b. dependent variable.
c. placebo.
d. hypothesis.
e. control.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 9-Identify and describe psychological research methods and apply knowledge to types of studies. TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY:
Apply MSC: factual

135. Dr. Chen finds in her study of people’s charitable habits that individuals overestimate the amount of money they give to churches and private
schools. Dr. Chen’s results may reflect:
a. a random sample bias.
b. a social desirability bias.
c. a small sample bias.
d. a large sample bias.
e. volunteer bias.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 10-Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of psychological research methods.
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Identify | Evaluate/Explain | Apply MSC: applied

136. The use of the survey method is limited by which of the following biases?
a. social desirability and volunteer bias
b. random sampling bias and population bias
c. case study bias and observational bias
d. survey bias and volunteer bias
e. method bias and population bias
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 10-Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of psychological research methods.
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual

137. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of correlational research?


a. It can establish cause-and-effect relationships.
b. It can identify high-risk groups.
c. It can allow prediction of one variable on the basis of the other.
d. It can help increase understanding of relationships between variables.
e. It can offer clues to underlying causes.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 10-Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of psychological research methods.
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual
NOT: WWW

138. As a researcher, what might you need to do to overcome one of the challenges of the naturalistic observation method?
a. Bring the participants into the lab.
b. Take careful notes.
c. Allow the participants to become accustomed to your presence.
d. Tell the participants what they should do while being observed.
e. Only spend short periods of time observing the participants.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 10-Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of psychological research methods.
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Evaluate/Explain MSC: conceptual

139. Dr. Finnegan, a psychological researcher, adheres to the ethical principle that he must ensure participants’ confidentia lity. This means that he:
a. informs participants about the risks of the study.
b. discusses their ethical concerns with them.
c. randomly assigns participants to treatment categories.
d. maintains the privacy of his research records.
e. informs them of the results after the investigation is complete.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 11-Describe the ethical standards that govern research in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Define/Describe | Apply MSC: applied

140. Which of the following is NOT a concern regarding animal research?


a. Demonstration that there is no alternative way to conduct the research
b. Protection from unnecessary harm
c. Approval from a review board
d. Informed consent
e. Following ethical practices
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Identify | Evaluate/Explain MSC: factual

20
141. The ethical code of psychologists is NOT based on which of the following ideas?
a. People have a basic right to make their own decisions.
b. Research participants or clients must not be harmed.
c. People’s dignity and welfare must be respected.
d. People have a basic right to exercise choice.
e. Determination of ultimate truth outweighs individual cost.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 11-Describe the ethical standards that govern research in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Define/Describe | Evaluate/Explain
MSC: factual NOT: WWW

142. The ethical guideline of “informed consent” can best be described as:
a. obtaining the informed consent of an Institutional Review Board before proceeding with
the study.
b. having each participant take an oath of confidentiality before participating in the study.
c. requiring that information about a research study be disclosed to potential research
participants before they agree to participate.
d. making sure that you are only conducting research in an area in which you are well
informed.
e. ensuring you are informed about the potential negative outcomes of the study before
consenting to be the investigator.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology
OBJ: 11-Describe the ethical standards that govern research in psychology.
TOP: MOD: 1.3 KEY: Define/Describe MSC: factual

143. Latoya reads a news headline stating that eating blueberries prevents cancer. She reads further and finds that this cla im is based on a study
that found a negative correlation between amount of blueberries people eat and the risk of developing cancer. She knows that the statement
that blueberries prevents cancer is an overstated claim because:
a. correlation is not causation.
b. it is based on assumptions about the cancer-preventive effects of blueberries.
c. the correlation should have been positive.
d. the measurement of how many blueberries people eat is not reliable.
e. social desirability bias may have impacted the results.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Becoming a Critical Thinker
OBJ: 12-Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate claims and online information.
TOP: MOD: 1.4 KEY: Apply | Evaluate/Explain MSC: applied

144. Andrij has referenced some scientific journals in his research paper. He knows that they are trustworthy sources of inf ormation because:
a. the scientists who write them are very knowledgeable.
b. they describe the findings of research.
c. the articles are long and detailed.
d. they are sponsored by private corporations.
e. they undergo peer review by other professionals prior to publication.
ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: Becoming a Critical Thinker
OBJ: 12-Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate claims and online information.
TOP: MOD: 1.4 KEY: Apply | Evaluate/Explain MSC: applied

145. Jeremy’s roommate frequently goes online to find information for papers he writes for his health science class. The roommate uses a popular
search engine and visits the first few sites that turn up on the search. It is important for Jeremy’s roommate to unders tand that:
a. online health information is usually accurate and reasonably complete.
b. online health information provided by private corporations has been checked for
accuracy.
c. online health information is frequently inaccurate and uninterpretable.
d. online health information is usually accurate, but incomplete.
e. online health information is generally as accurate as information published in scientific
journals.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: Becoming a Critical Thinker
OBJ: 12-Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate claims and online information.
TOP: MOD: 1.4 KEY: Apply | Evaluate/Explain MSC: applied
NOT: WWW

21
ESSAY

1. Psychology is often characterized as being represented by three main forces: the psychodynamic approach, behaviorism, and humanism.
Highlight the main features of each of these forces.

ANS:
The psychodynamic approach originated with Freud’s conceptualization of the unconscious, a region of the mind that lay beyond the scope of
ordinary consciousness. The unconscious is responsible for primitive drives of a sexual and aggressive nature (instincts ). The wishes and
desires that these instincts generate serve to motivate our behaviors. Freud also stressed the importance of early child hood experience in
forming our personality and shaping our behavior. Abnormal conditions arise from unresolved childhood conflicts. These conflicts are the
result of a constant battle between the primitive instincts of the unconscious and mental forces that act to prevent the se instincts from
achieving conscious awareness. Psychodynamic theorists who have followed Freud tend to place less emphasis on basic drives like sex and
aggression than Freud did and more emphasis on processes of self-awareness, self-direction, and conscious choice.
Behaviorism was founded by John Watson. Its primary tenet was that psychology should focus on the study of overt behavior that observers
could record and evaluate objectively. Thus, mental processes, such as the conscious or unconscious, should not and coul d not be the subject
of study. A second major belief of Watson was that the environment shapes the behavior of humans and other animals. All behavior was the
result of learning. Another behaviorist, B. F. Skinner, observed that behaviors that led to pleasant outcomes (reinforce rs) were likely to be
repeated and behaviors that led to unpleasant outcomes (punishers) were not likely to be repeated. In the 1950s, humanistic psychology
developed as a response to the essentially deterministic nature of Freudian theory and behaviorism. Humanistic psychologists contended that
free will and conscious choice are fundamental components of being human. They appreciated the unique qualities of each individual.
Humanistic psychologists also focus on conscious experience. They stress the importance of self-awareness. People can achieve authenticity
by being true to themselves. All people have creative potential and can make choices that give meaning and purpose to their lives.

PTS: 1 REF: Foundations of Modern Psychology


TOP: MOD: 1.1

2. Discuss the key differences among the four professional degrees awarded psychologists (Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D., and master's degree).

ANS:
The most common degree is the Ph.D., which is awarded to those who complete a course of graduate studies and a dissertation based on
original research. The Psy.D. is a doctoral degree that places more of an emphasis on applied, practitioner skills than research skills. The
Ed.D. is the doctoral degree awarded by schools of education. A master's degree is sufficient for entry-level professional work in some fields,
such as industrial/organizational psychology and school psychology.

PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do


TOP: MOD: 1.2

3. Summarize the major specialty areas of psychology.

ANS:
Experimental psychologists utilize experimental techniques to analyze behavioral and mental processes. They typically study such concerns as
learning, memory, sensation, and perception. Comparative psychologists are experimental psychologists who focus on behavior in different
species and seek to understand what it might teach us about human behavior. Physiological psychologists investigate the biological basis of
behavior. Clinical psychologists focus on individuals with psychological disorders. They are involved in diagnosis and treatment. Some
engage in research; and others train future clinicians. This category represents the largest group of psychologists. Cou nseling psychologists are
similar to clinicians but tend to deal with individuals whose problems are less severe, such adjusting to college or mar ital issues. School
psychologists help children in a school setting who have academic, emotional, or behavioral problems and may require special education
programs. Educational psychologists may also work in a school setting. They typically focus on test and curriculum development.
Developmental psychologists are interested in how people change across the lifespan. They often focus on the extent to which development is
shaped by nature (or genetics) and nurture (or environment). Child psychologists are developmental psychologists who emphasize the early
periods of development. Social psychologists are interested in the ways in which people are affected by group or social influences.
Environmental psychologists focus on how the physical environment influences behavior. They study such matters as noise pollution and
overcrowding. Industrial/organizational psychologists study people in the workplace. They focus on issues such as performance appraisal,
motivation, and leadership. Health psychologists look at the relationship between psychological factors and physical health. For example, they
study how stress affects health. Consumer psychologists are interested in understanding consumer behavior. They explore why people buy
certain products or certain brands.

PTS: 1 REF: Psychologists: Who They Are and What They Do


TOP: MOD: 1.2

4. You are planning to do an experimental study with fellow students as participants. Discuss the ethical guidelines that y ou need to consider at
every step.

ANS:
When planning the study, be aware of the need to avoid inflicting physical or psychological harm on the participants. Submit a proposal to the
ethics review committee of the university to make sure that the study meets the school's research guidelines. When you recruit participants,
obtain their informed consent. This means that they need to have enough information about the study to judge whether or not they wish to
participate. If the study calls for deception, make sure that there is no other way to obtain the same results and that participants are informed of
the deception as soon as possible. Once the study begins, if students wish to withdraw, allow them to do so without negative consequences.
After the study is completed, to ensure privacy, protect the confidentiality of participants' records.

PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology TOP: MOD: 1.3

22
5. Explain the fundamentals of experimental research. Use examples.

ANS:
Experimental research allows one to establish cause-and-effect relationships. In an experiment, one variable is systematically controlled and its
effects on another variable are measured. The variable that is controlled is referred to as the independent variable. Th e variable that is
measured is referred to as the dependent variable. For example, one might be interested in whether a new teaching technique is more effective
than another in terms of student performance. In this case, teaching technique is the independent variable and student p erformance is the
dependent variable. There would have to be at least two groups, one of which (referred to as the control group) is taugh t using a traditional
method and another of which (the experimental group) is taught using the new technique. Ultimately, the performance of the control group
would be compared to the performance of the experimental group. Perhaps the most important consideration in an experiment is ensuring that
variables other than the independent variable are not responsible for differences between the groups. For example, in ev aluating different
teaching techniques, you would have to consider who is teaching, the time of day of the classes, the motivational levels of the students, and
many other factors.
The more similar the two groups are in factors other than the independent variable, the more likely that changes in the dependent variable are
due to the independent variable.

PTS: 1 REF: Research Methods in Psychology TOP: MOD: 1.3

23
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
Raz, nous forçaient à rebrousser chemin ou à chercher un abri,
qu’on ne nous accordait pas toujours de bonne grâce, dans les
chaumières enfumées et sordides des pêcheurs de la région. Au
bout d’une demi-douzaine d’expériences de ce genre, ma femme en
eut assez. Même par temps de soleil, ce fut vainement que je tâchai
de l’entraîner au dehors.
— Pour voir quoi ? soupirait-elle… Des ajoncs et des pierres, des
pierres et des ajoncs ?… J’en ai autant à contempler de ma fenêtre.
A quoi bon me déranger ?
J’imaginai alors des excursions plus lointaines, vers Audierne,
vers Pont-Croix et, tout au Nord, jusqu’à Douarnenez.
Nous partions de grand matin, dans un char-à-bancs de louage.
A mesure que les cimes du Cap s’effaçaient derrière nous, dans la
brume occidentale, et qu’à la clarté du jour levant se déroulait une
nature plus riche, plus heureuse, sur le visage d’Adèle aussi une
lumière montait, la jolie lumière rose de son sang jeune, soudain
ravivé. Elle souriait aux arbres, aux maisons, aux passants. Et des
chansons s’envolaient de ses lèvres, des refrains de sônes
trégorroises sautillants et vifs comme des trilles de rouges-gorges ou
de pinsons. On descendait à l’auberge la plus avenante et l’on y
mangeait à table d’hôte, parmi des marchands forains, des clercs de
notaire, des commis des contributions indirectes. Adèle jouissait
d’être regardée, ayant sorti pour la circonstance des toilettes que, là-
bas, à la Pointe elle n’avait aucun plaisir à porter. Puis, on flânait le
long des rues, on s’arrêtait aux boutiques, on visitait l’église, le
cimetière, et c’était un délice, jusqu’au soir. J’avais l’illusion d’avoir
ressaisi, d’avoir reconquis ma femme. Que n’eussé-je pas donné
pour que toutes les journées s’écoulassent de la sorte !… Mais,
hélas ! j’avais à compter avec mon maigre budget de gardien de
phare… Et d’ailleurs, à ces voyages si gais succédaient des retours
si tristes !
— Allons ! en route, les damnés de l’Enfer du Raz, disait Adèle
en se hissant à mes côtés, dans la voiture.
Rentré à la caserne, une demi-heure, une heure après elle, à
cause de la carriole et du cheval qu’il fallait ramener chez leur
propriétaire, je la surprenais à genoux devant le tiroir entrouvert de
la commode où elle venait de serrer son tablier de moire et son
châle-tapis ; et si j’attirais à l’improviste contre mon sein sa tête
décoiffée, mes lèvres, sous l’emmêlement des cheveux, ne
pressaient qu’une bouche sans baisers et des yeux embrumés de
larmes.
Je ne me sentais pas le cœur de lui en vouloir. Aussi bien, dans
ma pensée, la coupable, ce n’était pas elle, mais cette maudite
contrée du Raz et l’existence qui nous y était faite. Je ne rêvais plus
que d’un changement de poste.
Peut-être avez-vous gardé mémoire, mon ingénieur, d’une lettre
que je vous adressai par voie hiérarchique, à la date du 7 février
1875. C’était pendant la durée d’un de mes congés. J’avais poussé,
dans l’après-midi, jusqu’au bourg de Plogoff, pour des emplettes.
Comme je passais, en revenant, devant la porte du brigadier des
douanes, celui-ci me héla :
— Je vais dans vos parages, monsieur Dénès.
Chemin faisant, il m’apprit que son beau-frère, Joachim Méléart,
maître de phare à Kermorvan, demandait sa mise à la retraite. J’eus
un éblouissement subit, comme si, jaillissant des ombres du soir, la
projection d’une flamme électrique eût rayé le ciel. Le brigadier
continua de parler, mais je ne l’écoutais plus. Je le quittai même, je
crois, assez impoliment, pour m’engager dans un sentier de
traverse, tant j’avais hâte d’être auprès de ma femme et de lui
annoncer la nouvelle.
Kermorvan, si j’obtenais la place, c’était la douce vie ancienne
retrouvée, notre vie de Bodic, de Port-Béni, de Lantouar, la vie à
terre, la vie en commun ! Plus de séparation, plus d’exils au large.
C’en serait fini de mes longs martyres de Gorlébella.
— Et toi, mon Adèle, ma fleur unique, tu ne sécheras plus
d’isolement et d’ennui !…
Le timide, le taciturne Léonard avait disparu ; je m’exaltais. Elle
m’interrompit :
— Et où est-ce ça, Kermorvan ?
Je lui peignis de mon mieux cette côte d’entre Océan et Manche ;
la tiédeur du rivage, que touche un courant venu des Tropiques ; la
baie des Sablons, d’une étincelante blancheur, pareille à un
merveilleux parvis de marbre ; le phare, sur sa presqu’île de granit
bleu veiné de porphyre, et, dans le fond de la passe qu’il éclaire, le
Conquet, la perle des ports bretons, véritable ruche marine, toute
bourdonnante, en effet, comme une conque, avec ses quais étagés
en terrasses, les quatre cents voiles de sa flottille de pêche, ses
maisons quasi seigneuriales, bâties aux âges opulents de la flibuste,
sa population, enfin, bruyante et bigarrée, mélange de tous les types
et de tous les sangs de la Bretagne.
— Attends donc, fit Adèle, n’est-ce pas au Conquet ?… Mais si !
je me rappelle maintenant… Mon père m’a raconté cela. Des
pêcheurs paimpolais s’y rendirent avec leurs familles, voici une
vingtaine d’années. Leur intention était de n’y rester que durant la
saison du homard. Mais ils se plurent dans le pays et y demeurèrent.
Il y avait des gens de ma parenté parmi eux, les Goastêr, les
Évenou, d’autres encore.
Il fut décidé, séance tenante, que je solliciterais le poste de
Kermorvan.
J’étais plein de confiance dans l’issue de ma démarche. Quant à
ma femme, elle ébauchait déjà des projets, se brodait un avenir de
féeries, tout en travaillant à la dentelle de sa courtepointe.
Lorsqu’elle sut que Brest n’était qu’à trois heures de voiture du
Conquet, je dus lui jurer par saint Goulven, mon patron, que je la
mènerais au théâtre, au café-concert, et aussi que je lui ferais visiter
l’escadre, principalement le Jemmapes, à bord duquel je servais,
l’année de nos fiançailles. Elle était redevenue expansive,
caressante, presque passionnée. Que serait-ce donc une fois
installés là-bas !… Plus de doute : Adèle m’était rendue, tout était
sauvé !
Le 15 février arriva votre réponse, mon ingénieur, et tout fut
perdu. Elle contenait simplement ceci, cette réponse :
« L’administration n’a pas statué encore sur la demande du gardien
Méléart, mais, vu les nécessités budgétaires, il ne pourra y être
donné satisfaction avant un délai d’au moins quinze mois. Il est, du
reste, pris bonne note de la candidature du gardien Dénès. »
C’est Adèle qui, la première, avait décacheté le pli. Elle n’y eut
pas plutôt jeté les yeux, qu’elle pâlit de désappointement et de
colère, et, me lançant le papier au visage, comme pour m’en
souffleter :
— Tiens ! dit-elle, ton Kermorvan, mon bel ami, c’est pour l’an
quarante !
Il y avait dans l’intonation de sa voix comme dans l’expression de
sa physionomie quelque chose de si dur, de si méprisant, que j’en
fus abasourdi au point d’oublier ma propre déception. Elle ajouta :
— D’ailleurs, j’aurais dû m’y attendre… Tu es de ceux à qui rien
ne réussit ! Avec la mine que tu as, on effarouche la chance au lieu
de l’amadouer. Ah ! mon pauvre homme ! mon pauvre homme !…
Je l’écoutais, en quelque sorte, sans l’entendre. Je ne
comprenais plus. Je voyais au loin, tout au loin, comme en songe,
une Trégorroise aux traits harmonieux descendre posément la
Grand’Rue, son psautier de vêpres dans ses mains gantées ; je la
voyais, dans la salle basse de la rue Colvestre, incliner sous la
lampe son profil de vierge, d’un charme indiciblement pur ; je la
voyais surtout, en ces nuits de quart dont la vertu de ses sortilèges
faisait d’exquises veillées d’amour, je la voyais s’avancer vers moi,
dans le rayonnement de la flamme du phare, si lumineuse elle-
même que toute la clarté qui se mouvait là-haut, dans la nuit, au-
dessus de nos têtes, semblait émaner d’elle comme un nimbe. Et,
comparant avec cette image la créature qui m’accablait à cette
heure de son insultante commisération, je me demandais : « Qu’y a-
t-il de commun entre celle-ci et l’autre, et comment une âme aussi
diabolique a-t-elle pu se loger dans le corps d’Adèle Lézurec ? »
Elle me tournait le dos maintenant et, rencoignée dans l’étroite
embrasure de la fenêtre, elle se tenait là comme une forme de
crépuscule, noyée d’ombre par la nuit qui tombait. Je m’approchai
d’elle, avec des paroles d’apaisement et presque d’exorcisme :
— Adèle, lui dis-je, rentre en toi-même, au nom du Christ ! Que
t’ai-je fait pour que tu sois mauvaise envers moi ? Est-il juste que tu
m’en veuilles, et, ce projet avorté, est-ce que je n’en souffre pas, moi
aussi, et doublement, à cause de ta souffrance qui m’est plus
douloureuse que la mienne ?
Elle répondit d’une voix sombre, sans se retourner :
— Je t’en veux d’être venu me chercher en Trégor, voilà tout !…
Je n’aurais pas quitté l’auberge des Trois-Rois, et tu aurais épousé
quelque Léonarde. Cela eût mieux valu… La preuve que nous
n’étions pas faits l’un pour l’autre…
Je ne lui permis pas d’achever.
— Malheureuse ! m’écriai-je, tu ne proféreras point ce
blasphème !
Je l’avais saisie violemment sous l’aisselle et j’allais lui appliquer
mon autre main sur la bouche comme un bâillon. Alors, elle, croyant
ou feignant de croire que, si je levais ainsi le bras, c’était pour la
frapper, elle pencha la tête et dit avec un calme dédaigneux :
— A ton aise !… Donne-moi le coup de grâce et que tout soit fini !
Oh ! à la seule idée qu’elle pût me supposer capable d’une telle
infamie, je fus sur le point de la broyer, de la piétiner, en effet. Durant
l’espace d’une seconde, je me vis, sans horreur aucune, l’emportant,
roidie, jusqu’à l’extrémité de la Pointe et, après un dernier baiser sur
ses lèvres mortes, sautant avec son cadavre dans l’abîme. Il y avait
peut-être là quelque avertissement du destin. Quel dommage, pour
elle comme pour moi, que je n’y aie point obéi !… Au lieu de cela,
fou de désespoir et de honte, je gagnai d’un bond le seuil de la
chambre et je me précipitai, tête baissée, dans la nuit.
Tout le ciel était tendu comme d’une funèbre draperie de nuages
que le vent remuait sans parvenir à les écarter. Les lampes des
phares, au loin, brûlaient sans éclat, telles que des braises éparses
qui agonisent dans le noir d’un four éteint. Les bruits du ressac se
confondaient pour moi avec le bourdonnement de mes oreilles et de
mes tempes. J’allais où me conduisaient mes pas. Des souches
d’ajoncs, des arêtes de roches, à tout instant, me faisaient trébucher.
Deux ou trois fois, des embruns d’eau salée m’enveloppèrent, me
soufflant à la face la soudaine fraîcheur du vide. Je souhaitais
ardemment mourir, mais, par scrupule religieux, je tenais à ce que la
mort me cueillît d’elle-même… Tout à coup, une voix dit, presque à
me frôler :
— Gare aux lames sourdes, monsieur Dénès ! Vous êtes ici dans
leurs parages.
Je ne distinguais personne, mais l’Ilienne, avec ses prunelles
phosphorescentes de rôdeuse de nuit, m’avait reconnu. Je lui contai
je ne sais plus trop quelle histoire, et, pour achever de lui donner le
change, je m’en revins en sa compagnie vers la caserne.
Je trouvai Adèle étendue sur le lit, tout habillée ; elle avait dû
s’endormir d’émotion et de fatigue, laissant la chandelle grésiller sur
la table. Je demeurai debout au milieu de la pièce à la considérer et,
brusquement, la profonde altération de ses traits m’épouvanta. Un
cerne jaunâtre se creusait au-dessous de ses paupières ; le rose
même de ses pommettes s’était évanoui ; ses mains au repos
s’allongeaient diaphanes et décolorées.
A cette vue, mon cœur s’amollit : je ne sentis plus en moi qu’une
pitié immense pour cet être de beauté qui dépérissait. Tout de suite,
ma résolution fut prise, quoi qu’il m’en pût coûter, et, l’esprit en paix,
je me couchai par terre, sur un paillasson, pour attendre son réveil.
— Adèle, lui dis-je quand elle ouvrit les yeux, pardonne-moi la
peine involontaire que je t’ai causée. Je te dois une compensation :
tu vas partir pour Tréguier aujourd’hui même.
Elle s’était mise sur son séant et me regardait fixement, comme à
travers les brumes d’un rêve, sans comprendre.
— Pour Tréguier !…
— Parfaitement. D’ailleurs, ne serait-ce que dans l’intérêt de ta
santé, il faut que tu partes. Cela te changera les idées et te rendra
des forces. Je m’en serais avisé plus tôt, si je n’étais un lourdaud
stupide… Par exemple, tu n’as que le temps de faire tes préparatifs.
Elle s’était jetée à bas du lit ; ses yeux étaient pleins de larmes
où la joie riait comme du soleil dans des fontaines. Puis, avec une
hésitation :
— Mais toi, Goulven ?
— Moi ! Est-ce que je n’aurais pas été obligé de te quitter
demain, n’importe comment ? Tu sais bien que je m’embarque, au
jusant du soir, pour Gorlébella.
V

25 avril.

Je me suis aperçu, cette après-midi, que j’avais omis de prendre


avec moi ses lettres. Force m’a donc été de descendre quérir, dans
ma cellule du premier étage, le coffret en laque de Chine où elles
étaient enfermées. Comme je passais devant la porte maudite, il m’a
semblé entendre qu’on fredonnait. En remontant, j’ai prêté l’oreille.
Rien ne bougeait à l’intérieur. Nul autre bruit vivant que le murmure
de cette voix qui flottait, indécise et comme assoupie, dans le
silence. C’était la voix de la Trégorroise, mais à peine
reconnaissable ; tant les inflexions, naguère encore si pures, en
étaient vieillies, cassées, chevrotantes ; le chant disait :

J’ai bâti ma maison sur le bord de la grève…

Je me suis sauvé ; mais, toute la soirée, ce chant m’a poursuivi


— ce chant et aussi le ton lamentable, le ton morne et saccadé tout
ensemble de la voix qui chantait… Pour faire diversion, j’ai vidé sur
mes genoux le contenu du coffret aux reliques.
A manier cette petite boîte légère, à respirer la pénétrante odeur
de choses exotiques qui s’en exhale, je me suis rappelé une nuit d’il
y a dix ans, à Saïgon, là-bas, sur l’autre bord du monde. C’était au
cours de ma première campagne, un 15 août. A cause de la fête de
l’empereur, on nous avait donné campos.
— Viens-tu, Pater-Noster ? m’avaient dit les camarades.
Et, par crainte du ridicule, j’étais allé.
La maison, toute en bois, avait de grands stores flottants qui
laissaient entrer la fraîcheur du fleuve. Sur des nattes de joncs
multicolores, des femmes peintes, vêtues d’étoffes à ramages,
mimaient je ne sais quelle légende asiatique, aux sons d’une
musique assourdie. Tout autour, une assistance composite faisait
cercle : des marins de l’État et du commerce ; des Chinois, fumeurs
d’opium ; des pirates aux moustaches en parenthèses, descendus
des hautes terres dans leurs sampans.
Soudain, une espèce de vieux petit magot à figure ratatinée
poussa la porte. Il disparaissait sous une charge d’objets de toutes
formes et de toutes dimensions, et me fit penser aux tamisiers
nomades qui parcourent le Léon, chaque été, avec des sacs à farine
empilés sur leur dos… D’une voix obséquieuse, et en multipliant de
tous côtés les salutations, il se mit à offrir sa marchandise. Il ne
pouvait tomber plus mal, le pauvre diable ! Des cris, des
vociférations l’accueillirent.
— Jim, dehors ! A l’eau, Jim !
Lui, effaré, se confondait de plus en plus en révérences, en
grimaces, qui voulaient être des sourires. Une brute quelconque
l’empoigna, le pétrit comme une boulette et l’envoya rouler tout
sanglant à mes pieds.
Seul, peut-être, parmi les gens qui étaient là, je n’étais pas ivre.
J’eus pitié de cette misérable loque humaine et la couvris de ma
protection. Jim sortit du bouge sur mes épaules, sinon intact, du
moins vivant. Sa pacotille, en revanche, était fort avariée, sauf
quelques coffrets en laque — dont celui-ci qu’aussitôt hors de péril il
s’empressa de me tendre, avec des gestes suppliants et mille
simagrées.
— Joli, beaucoup joli souvenir pour bonne amie, bredouillait-il en
son charabia.
Je crus à un témoignage de gratitude, à un cadeau. Je ne
connaissais pas encore le prodigieux esprit de mercantilisme de ces
peuples. Jim eut vite fait de me détromper.
— Toi donner petit argent, moi laisser pas cher.
Il s’était cramponné à ma vareuse ; je ne me débarrassai de lui
qu’en lui jetant à la figure une pièce de cinq francs.

Dans les premiers temps de notre mariage, Adèle prenait un


malin plaisir, chaque fois que nous étions en compagnie, à me faire
raconter « l’histoire du coffre à Jim ». Jamais il ne m’a quitté, ce
meuble minuscule. Il fut de tous mes voyages, et ici, à Gorlébella, il
m’a tenu société, durant mes longues solitudes. C’était une de mes
distractions favorites, les nuits si fréquentes où je ne dormais pas,
d’ouvrir l’un après l’autre ses tiroirs à secret et d’inventorier, d’un
doigt pieux, les humbles archives de ma vie confiées à sa garde. Je
viens de les étaler auprès de moi, sur mon banc de veille. Voici mon
certificat de baptême, délivré par M. Abgrall, recteur de
Plounéventèr ; puis mon diplôme de membre de la congrégation de
Saint-Joseph, au collège de Saint-Pol. Cette image représentant un
calice d’or devant lequel sont agenouillés deux anges, dans les
nues, me fut donnée, le jour de ma première communion, par la
vieille béguine qui, aux soirs d’hiver, nous faisait repasser notre
catéchisme. Et voici le sou de dix-huit deniers, percé d’un trou et
marqué d’une croix, que ma mère me remit à la dérobée, comme un
talisman, le matin de mon départ pour le service.
— Il avertit des mauvais sorts, me dit-elle tout bas, et brillera
dans l’obscurité si quelque malheur te menace, toi ou l’un des tiens.
De ma mère aussi, cette médaille d’argent, à l’effigie de Notre-
Dame de Lochrist. Les cheveux dont fut tressée cette bague, pâles
et soyeux comme du lin cardé, je les reçus en commémoration de la
prise de voile de ma sœur Anne-Marie, religieuse au couvent des
Augustines de Carhaix… Mon livret, mes papiers de matelot,
maintenant ; mon brevet de quartier-maître ; ma nomination de
gardien de phare. Enfin, les lettres.
Il y en a onze en tout : trois sont de mes parents, huit sont
signées d’Adèle. Celles-ci portent, la plupart, le timbre des
Messageries du Levant. De leurs enveloppes fanées se dégage
encore le parfum de nos fiançailles… Deux, d’une encre qui n’a pas
eu le temps de jaunir, sont adressées à « Monsieur Goulven Dénès,
en Plogoff ». Dans l’une, ma femme m’annonçait son heureuse
arrivée à Tréguier, son réveil dans sa chambre de jeune fille et la joie
enfantine qu’elle avait eue, en s’habillant à sa fenêtre, à entendre
claquer dans la rue les socques des Sœurs du Tiers-Ordre se
rendant aux messes d’aube, et les martinets chers à saint Yves
piailler dans les meurtrières de la Tour d’Hastings, au-dessus de la
cathédrale.
Dans l’autre, la plus récente, elle me prévenait que les noces
prochaines d’une sienne cousine l’obligeraient sans doute à retarder
d’une semaine son retour. Au bas de cette lettre, mon ingénieur, se
lisaient les lignes suivantes, que je vous demande la permission de
transcrire :
« Suis-je assez tête folle ! J’allais oublier une démarche dont on
m’a chargée auprès de toi. Il s’agit du frère de mon futur cousin par
alliance, un garçon très bien, paraît-il, que je dois avoir pour cavalier.
Son congé fini dans l’infanterie de marine, il a fait comme toi, s’est
présenté à l’examen des phares. Il vient d’être nommé gardien de
troisième classe au cap Fréhel. Mais cela ne lui dit pas, de s’en aller
en pays gallot. Puis il préférerait un poste en mer : il prétend qu’on
avance plus vite. Gorlébella, d’après ce qu’il m’a fait savoir, lui
plairait beaucoup. N’y aurait-il pas moyen qu’il permute avec un de
tes hommes ? Chevanton, c’est sûr, ne voudra pas : sa diablesse
d’Ilienne se noierait dans le Raz plutôt que de consentir à perdre de
vue son île… Mais Hamon, le célibataire, voudra peut-être, lui qui
n’est jamais bien que là où il n’est pas. Tâche de le décider. Ma
cousine, qui t’envoie ses amitiés, t’en sera reconnaissante ; et moi-
même, je t’avoue, je ne serais pas fâchée que tu aies un compagnon
d’esprit ouvert et d’humeur agréable comme est, de l’avis public, le
jeune homme dont je te parle. T’ai-je dit qu’il a nom Hervé Louarn,
des Louarn de Kerglaz, proche notre ancienne résidence de
Bodic ? »
Cela était griffonné d’une plume hâtive et comme négligemment
jeté en post-scriptum. Précaution d’ailleurs bien superflue. J’avais en
ma femme une confiance aveugle. Je l’aimais d’un amour si fort et si
compact que la dent du soupçon se fût brisée à vouloir y mordre.
Je me sentis seulement un peu triste à l’idée qu’il me faudrait
vivre à terre huit jours sans elle. Car je quittais Gorlébella par le
bateau qui m’avait apporté sa lettre ; et c’est Hamon, précisément,
qui se trouvait être mon remplaçant. Je l’entretins tout de suite,
tandis que le Ravitailleur débarquait les provisions, de l’offre de
permutation qui lui était faite. Docile aux recommandations d’Adèle,
j’insistai pour qu’il acceptât et lui présentai sous les couleurs les plus
riantes la situation qui l’attendait au cap Fréhel. C’était un esprit
inquiet, destiné à être partout malheureux, mais toujours avide de
changer de misère. Il me demanda quarante-huit heures pour
réfléchir.
— Après-demain, sur le coup de midi, je vous donnerai ma
réponse, me dit-il.
Nous convînmes qu’il arborerait au mât du phare la flamme
rouge, signal du beau fixe, si c’était oui ; le drapeau noir, présage de
tempête, si c’était non.
Deux jours plus tard, l’angélus de midi sonnant à Plogoff, je vis,
de la roche où je me tenais en observation, tout à l’extrémité de la
Pointe, la flamme rouge s’éployer au-dessus de Gorlébella.
— Allons ! pensai-je, Adèle sera contente.
Je lui écrivis le soir même, de façon à ce qu’elle eût ma lettre
avant la noce. « Voici, lui disais-je, de quoi donner du cœur et des
jambes à ton cavalier. Mais, quand tu auras assez dansé, reviens-
moi vite. »

Elle m’arriva plus tôt que je ne l’espérais, la semaine n’étant pas


encore écoulée… On était sur la fin de mars. Un soleil plus tiède
chauffait nos vitres et les marches de notre seuil ; les violiers qui
formaient touffes de chaque côté de la porte s’apprêtaient à fleurir.
J’avais entrepris de refaire la toilette de notre maison, afin qu’Adèle
la trouvât toute neuve, toute reluisante à son retour. De l’aube à la
nuit pleine, je peignais, je vernissais, je frottais. Déjà la blancheur
des boiseries, rehaussée de filets verts, avait eu le temps de sécher.
Ce qui me ravissait surtout, c’était d’avoir pu rendre à nos meubles
leur premier éclat, cette fraîcheur, cette pureté si engageantes des
choses qui n’ont pas servi. Il ne me restait plus qu’à fourbir le
plancher, et c’est à quoi je m’étais attelé, ce vendredi-là, dès le
matin.
Comme autrefois, quand j’étais de corvée pour le lavage du pont,
sur le Jemmapes ou la Melpomène, je m’étais mis à nu, ne gardant
pour tout vêtement qu’un caleçon de toile bise, noué aux reins d’une
ficelle. Ces grandes lessives en tenue de nègres, comme nous
disions, étaient parmi nos meilleurs souvenirs du bord. Voici qu’il me
semblait entendre, du fond de ma jeunesse, les rires, les lazzi de
mes camarades, et cette évocation, jointe à la douceur de songer
que l’absence d’Adèle allait prendre fin, m’emplit l’âme d’une telle
allégresse juvénile que, tout en faisant mousser le savon sous le crin
de ma brosse, moi, le moins mélodieux des hommes, je m’oubliai
jusqu’à chanter. Il n’était guère varié, mon répertoire. Vieux chants
de matelots, improvisés sur le tillac ou dans les hautes vergues, et
qui se lèguent d’un équipage à l’autre, depuis des siècles. J’en avais
retenu, de-ci, de-là, des couplets épars qui, maintenant, me
remontaient aux lèvres, comme renvoyés par les échos de toutes les
mers où mes navigations anciennes avaient passé.
Je les fredonnais comme ils me venaient, vaille que vaille, et cela
n’avait aucun sens, hormis que le soleil était clair, qu’Adèle pourrait
se mirer dans sa demeure, et que l’attente du bonheur est aussi
capiteuse que le bonheur même.
J’avais entonné, il me souvient, la ritournelle malouine :

C’est les filles de Cancale


Qui ont fait un armement,
Qui ont fait un armement…
Les bass’ voiles en dentelles,
Les avirons en argent.

et je lançais à tue-tête le refrain :

Ma brunette, allons ! gai ! gai !…

quand une ravissante voix féminine, au dehors, termina :

Ma mie, allons, gaiement !

Le ciel se fût ouvert, laissant échapper toutes ses harmonies,


que je n’eusse point éprouvé, je crois, un saisissement plus fort.
J’étais à quatre pattes sur le parquet ruisselant et dans
l’accoutrement que vous savez. Paralysé par l’émotion, c’est à peine
si je réussis à me relever sur les genoux.
— Toi ? m’écriai-je, c’est toi ?
J’avais croisé les mains dans un geste d’adoration, ainsi qu’on
voit faire dans les tableaux d’église aux saints à qui la Vierge vient
d’apparaître tout à coup. Elle, debout dans le cadre de la porte,
souriait ; puis, ramenant ses jupes, par crainte de les salir, elle
s’avança vers moi sur la pointe des pieds. Et vraiment, sa démarche
avait quelque chose de si léger, de si aérien, que je tremblai de la
voir s’évanouir en un clin d’œil, comme une figure de rêve, en effet,
comme une apparition. Sa parole seule me rassura.
— Attends, dit-elle, que je t’éponge.
Je voulus protester, mais déjà elle s’était emparée d’un linge et
m’en frictionnait. Oh ! la subtile et fluide caresse de ses doigts
délicats ! Jamais encore elle n’avait eu pour moi de ces menues
attentions. Jamais non plus, à son contact, je n’avais frémi d’un
pareil trouble… Tout en étanchant l’eau qui s’égouttait de mes
membres, mêlée à la sueur, elle poursuivit, en phrases brèves,
haletantes, où vibrait une ardeur inaccoutumée :
— Tu me manquais trop à la fin. J’ai précipité mon départ. Je
comptais d’abord t’envoyer une dépêche ; mais j’ai préféré te
surprendre. N’est-ce pas que j’ai bien fait ?… A Quimper, j’ai gagé le
voiturin qui nous transporta l’hiver dernier, nous et nos meubles.
Seulement, cette fois, ce pays du Cap, ce pays si triste, tu te
rappelles, j’y suis rentrée comme en un jardin terrestre. N’étais-tu
pas au bout de la route !… Comme il fait bon ici !… Et quelle arrivée
joyeuse au bruit des chansons !…
Je l’écoutais avidement, et mes yeux la buvaient toute, à longs
traits, comme un filtre de magie, un puissant élixir de vie, d’amour et
de volupté. Elle me revenait parée de je ne sais quelle séduction
plus chaude, avec une lumière, dans le regard, qui avait quelque
chose tout ensemble d’orageux et de languissant. On eût dit de ces
flammes lourdes, énervantes, qui traversent parfois, en haleines de
feu, nos ciels de juillet…
— … A propos, lui demandai-je dans la soirée, et ce Trégorrois,
cet Hervé Louarn ?
— Ah ! oui, fit-elle, je ne t’ai pas encore remercié pour lui.
Elle me tendit ses lèvres ; et ses prunelles élargies se voilèrent
comme d’une brume de songe sous les paupières qui battaient.
VI

26 avril.

Le destin a vraiment des rencontres singulières, mon ingénieur.


C’était aussi un 26 avril, il y a juste un an, jour pour jour… J’avais
quitté le service vers les cinq heures et j’étais débarqué à Beztré par
une jolie fin d’après-midi, sous un ciel de fête, un couchant
merveilleux, tout lambrissé de pourpre et d’or. Adèle avait eu la
gentillesse — dont elle m’avait depuis longtemps sevré — de sortir
au-devant de moi. Elle était gaie, d’une gaieté de lutin, et
coquettement attifée, comme pour un voyage à la ville. Je lui en fis
la remarque.
— C’est en l’honneur de la saison neuve, me dit-elle.
Puis, me prenant la main :
— Passons, si tu veux bien, par l’aire de Kercaradec ; il y a là des
buissons d’aubépines en fleur.
Nous revînmes à la caserne avec des brassées de branchettes
odorantes. Et, tout de suite, elle en orna la cheminée, le chevet du
lit, les étagères du dressoir. Nous soupâmes l’un en face de l’autre,
dans le cercle de lumière de la lampe, parmi cette senteur de
printemps qui me semblait l’arôme de la maison, des meubles et de
ma femme même. J’éprouvais une impression, qui m’était peu
coutumière, de félicité parfaite, d’absolue sécurité. Le visage d’Adèle
aussi respirait un contentement délicieux ; et elle avait, par
moments, des façons longues de me regarder qui m’étaient comme
une caresse d’une inexprimable douceur.
— Sais-tu, proposa-t-elle, le repas terminé, si tu n’étais point trop
las, nous irions jusqu’à la croix de Pénerf, histoire de nous en
retourner après, à la lune, comme des amoureux.
Je n’avais rien à lui refuser. Elle jeta sur ses épaules une frileuse
et nous nous engageâmes, côte à côte, dans la grand-route qui
mène à Plogoff. La croix de Pénerf est à mi-chemin, au sommet
d’une éminence d’où l’on domine au loin les terres du Cap. Un
piédestal de quelques degrés supporte un lourd calvaire monolithe,
grossièrement équarri. Adèle eut la fantaisie d’y grimper, et s’assit
sur la marche la plus haute.
L’air était tiède encore de la chaleur du jour et, dans le firmament,
au-dessus de nos têtes, agonisait un reste de clarté. Des
chaumières basses bossuaient la campagne, çà et là, pareilles à
d’énormes ouvrages de taupes. Le silence était profond. Pas un bruit
humain, pas même un fugitif frisson d’insecte dans le paysage
démesurément amplifié. La monotone rumeur des eaux du Raz
animait seule cet immense désert nocturne. Le disque de la lune
parut derrière un bouquet d’arbres noirs, dans la direction de
Goulien.
— Si tu veux rentrer à la lune, observai-je, voici l’instant.
Elle leva un doigt, me fit signe de prêter l’oreille. On percevait un
roulement de voiture, devers Plogoff.
— Attendons qu’elle ait passé, dit-elle, et que la route soit à nous
seuls.
Non, mon ingénieur, il n’y a pas de justice, il n’y a pas de Dieu !…
Je la vois encore, la misérable créature ! Pour saluer de plus loin son
amant, elle s’était mise debout, un de ses bras enlaçant le fût de la
croix. Et le Christ ne la repoussa point, et la pierre sacrée ne s’abattit
pas sur elle !…
— Pouvez-vous me dire si je ne trouverai pas la grille fermée à la
caserne des gardiens de phare, s’il vous plaît ?
L’homme qui m’interpellait de la sorte venait de sauter à bas du
char-à-bancs arrêté à quelques pas de nous. Il s’exprimait en breton
du Trégor, avec les façons polies habituelles aux gens de sa
contrée. Avant que j’eusse eu le temps de répondre, Adèle, derrière
moi, s’exclamait sur un ton de surprise que je n’avais aucune raison
de croire feinte :
— Eh ! mais, c’est lui… C’est Hervé Louarn !
L’homme porta la main à sa casquette, se découvrit :
— Faites excuse, madame Adèle, je ne vous avais pas reconnue.
Il s’était avancé hors de l’ombre projetée par la voiture, dont le
conducteur assistait, muet à ce colloque. La lune, tout à fait dégagée
maintenant, éclairait à plein sa figure jeune, légèrement basanée par
le soleil des colonies, et sa taille plutôt petite, mais nerveuse et
souple dans sa maigreur. Nous présentions l’un et l’autre le plus
entier contraste. Autant il me semblait menu et, pour parler franc, un
peu gringalet, autant j’étais haut sur jambes, et corpulent, et massif.
Cette constatation, sans que j’eusse su dire pourquoi, ne laissa pas
de m’être agréable. C’était, je vous jure, la première fois que mes
avantages physiques m’inspiraient quelque vanité. Je ne pus me
défendre de mettre comme une nuance de protection dans la phrase
de bienvenue que j’adressais au nouvel arrivant. Mais, tout aussitôt,
j’en eus du remords.
— Adèle, fis-je, monte dans le char-à-bancs ; tu indiqueras au
conducteur où déposer les bagages, et tu prépareras de l’eau
bouillante pour un grog. Louarn et moi, nous vous suivrons à pied ;
comme cela, nous lierons connaissance en chemin.
Je n’ai jamais été causeur. Enfant, je me rappelle être resté des
journées sans ouvrir la bouche, autrement que pour réciter mes
prières du matin et du soir. Parler m’était pénible : le son de ma
propre voix me produisait un effet de malaise. Au collège, il en alla
de même : il fallait m’arracher les mots. Ce fut, je pense, une des
raisons qui me firent passer auprès de mes professeurs pour
stupide. Et, cette paresse de langue, la vie de mer, la vie de phare,
contribuèrent encore à l’aggraver. C’est à peine si je réussissais à la
vaincre avec ma femme. Jugez de mon embarras en présence d’un
indifférent ! Ce m’était un pur supplice.
Eh bien ! avec ce Louarn, je me sentis tout de suite en confiance.
Il y avait, dans ce Trégorrois à mine de femmelette, un peu du
sortilège des filles de sa race. Il est vrai qu’il s’était mis, dès l’abord,
à me parler d’Adèle, à me vanter sa bonne grâce, ses manières
obligeantes, son empressement à rendre service, et cela en des
termes si justes, d’un accent si pénétré !… Je songeai : « C’est un
garçon de cœur. » Nous n’étions pas ensemble depuis cinq minutes
que j’étais gagné, conquis, par un je ne sais quoi de clair, de joyeux
et comme de printanier qui sonnait dans sa voix. Quand nous
atteignîmes la caserne, nous bavardions presque à tu à toi, ainsi que
de vieux amis.
Le grog fumait sur la table. Nous nous apprêtions à prendre
place, lorsqu’un cri retentit, qui semblait sortir de dessous le
plancher, un cri bizarre, indéfinissable, moitié bestial, moitié humain.
Adèle et moi nous nous regardâmes, stupéfaits. Hervé Louarn partit
d’un éclat de rire.
— Ça, c’est mon épouse qui, flairant odeur de sucre, se plaint de
ne vous avoir pas été présentée, — dit-il en se dirigeant vers le coin
de la pièce où étaient empilés ses bagages.
Il souleva le couvercle d’une boîte grillagée qu’enveloppait un
lambeau de serge, et nous vîmes voleter par la chambre un oiseau
si merveilleux que nous en demeurâmes tout saisis, comme à
l’apparition d’un animal fantastique, d’une bête de légende.
C’était un ara de la grande espèce, à bec noir et à tête blanche,
avec des ailes de saphir rayées d’or pâle et une splendide queue de
pourpre.
— N’est-ce pas que c’est une belle personne ? reprit le
Trégorrois. Et c’est bien une femme, vous savez. Demandez plutôt
aux gens de son pays. Là-bas, sur la terre d’Afrique, ils vous
affirmeront tous que les perruches sont des âmes de jeunes
amoureuses réincarnées. Celle-ci chante, siffle, jacasse, et, quand je
la caresse, roule des yeux de langueur.
Il nous conta comment il l’avait achetée, à Dakar, d’un chanteur
nègre, d’un griot sénégalais. Puis, un récit menant à l’autre, il nous
dévida tout un chapelet d’histoires tantôt baroques, tantôt
émouvantes, et toujours avec une telle verve que nous nous
imaginions, Adèle et moi, non les entendre, mais y assister…
Brusquement, il s’interrompit :
— Voilà Cocotte qui se dandine : c’est signe qu’il est l’heure de
coucher les enfants.
Je regardai à l’horloge : il était près de minuit. Jamais veillée ne
nous avait paru si légère ni si courte. S’il avait plu à notre hôte, nous
l’eussions écouté bouche bée jusqu’au matin.
Je l’aidai à transporter sa malle dans la tour de l’ancien phare,
dont un des étages est affecté au logement du troisième gardien. Je
m’attendais à trouver la chambre en désarroi, ne connaissant que
trop les habitudes de désordre du précédent locataire, de ce pauvre
agité de Hamon. J’eus même la précaution, durant le trajet, d’en
avertir son successeur. Mais, contrairement à ce que je craignais,
cet intérieur de garçon — et de garçon peu soigneux — nous offrit,
quand nous y pénétrâmes, un spectacle aussi engageant
qu’imprévu : pas un grain de poussière sur les meubles ; pas une
trace de jus de chique sur le parquet ; dans le lit de sangle, un
matelas quasi moelleux, auquel il ne manquait que des draps ; bref,
le mieux entretenu des ménages, et, quoique inhabité depuis une
quinzaine, fleurant une odeur salubre, l’odeur de la brise d’avril,
comme si quelque esprit familier eût pris plaisir à l’aérer chaque jour.
Je n’en revenais pas. Comment supposer de pareils goûts de
propreté chez ce Hamon, l’homme le plus négligent en matière de
service, et qui, à Gorlébella, salissait toutes choses dès qu’il se
mêlait d’y toucher ? C’était décidément un original ! Je ne pus que
faire amende honorable à sa mémoire et m’excuser, devant Louarn
qui en riait avec moi, de l’avoir calomnié.
— Eh bien ? me demanda ma femme, tandis que je me
déshabillais pour m’étendre à ses côtés, quelle impression t’a faite
mon « pays » ?

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