Name ______________________________ Class ___________________ Date ____________________

What Is Psychology? Guided Reading

Section 1

READING THE SECTION

DIRECTIONS Read the definitions below. In the space provided, write
the letter of the term that matches each definition.

_______ 1. the scientific study of behavior and mental

processes a. theory

_______ 2. a statement that attempts to explain why b. principle

things are the way they are and why they
c. psychology
happen the way they do
d. morality
_______ 3. any action that other people can observe or
measure e. behavior
_______ 4. the concept of right or good conduct

_______ 5. a basic truth or law

DIRECTIONS On the line provided before each statement, write T if a

statement is true and F if a statement is false. If the statement is false, write
the correct term on the line after each sentence that makes the sentence a
true statement.

_______ 6. Researchers use psychological constructs to describe things that cannot be

seen, touched, or measured directly.
_______________________________________________________________

_______ 7. Cognitive activities are mental processes, such as dreams, perceptions,

thoughts, and memories.
_______________________________________________________________

_______ 8. Human society and the nature and interactions of individuals are the focus of
the physical sciences, including history and economics.
_______________________________________________________________

_______ 9. The social sciences, such as chemistry and physics, are concerned with the
nature of the physical world.
_______________________________________________________________

_______10. Most psychologists are interested mainly in animal behavior.

_______________________________________________________________

POST-READING QUICK CHECK

DIRECTIONS Read each sentence and fill in the blank with the correct
word or phrase.

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Chapter 1 1 Reading and Activity Workbook
Name ______________________________ Class ___________________ Date ____________________
Section 1 continued Guided Reading

11. Psychologists study human _______________________ by observing and measuring

how people act. (behavior/biology)

12. Psychologists are interested in the _______________________, or basic truths, that

govern behavior and mental processes. (constructs/principle)

13. Because it is concerned with the behavior and interaction of people, psychology can

be considered a _______________________ science. (natural/social)

14. Psychology has roots in the _______________________ sciences, which attempt to

explain the nature of the physical world through observation and experimentation.
(natural/social)

15. Psychologists can use psychological _______________________ to learn about

aspects of human behavior that cannot be measured. (constructs/reinforcement)

DIRECTIONS In your own words, write the definition of each term.

16. psychology:___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

17. morality:______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

18. theory:_______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

19. behavior:_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Original content copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Changes to original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Chapter 1 2 Reading and Activity Workbook