General Psychology Chap 2 questions – Flashcards
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When researchers collect enough data to develop an explanation of why people behave as they do, the researchers are creating a(n): a.theory b.experiment c.hypothesis d. generalization
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A. theory FEEDBACK: A theory is an explanation of how/why a phenomenon occurs
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Jean Piaget observed children to see how they solved problems. Over the course of many studies, he was able to spot general patterns of behavior. This process led him to connect different concepts and behaviors within a single: A. theory B. hypothesis C. experiment D. sample
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A. Theory FEEDBACK: A theory is useful for combining interconnected ideas or concepts, like how children solve problems.
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A specific prediction of behavior that is tested in an experiment is called a: a.theory b.hypothesis c.sample d.naturalistic observation
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b. hypothesis FEEDBACK: A hypothesis is the researcher's best guess, made before conducting a study, as to what s/he expects to be the results of the study.
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A researcher believes that presenting possible suspects in a lineup one at a time instead of in a group would lead to more accurate identification of the true suspect. This belief represents: A. a hypothesis B. an independent variable C. response performance D. a theory
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A. Hypothesis FEEDBACK: A hypothesis is the researcher's best guess, made before conducting a study, as to what s/he expects to be the results of the study.
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Research that is done to test a theory: A. typically involves naturalistic observation B. has to rely on self-report methods C. involves systematic collection of data D. relies on positive correlations rather than negative correlations
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C.. involves systematic collection of data FEEDBACK: After forming a hypothesis based on a theory, researchers test the hypothesis by performing a study. During the study, researchers collect data, which means that they collect information from research participants in a variety of possible ways.
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When researchers document that a phenomenon is real by repeating a study done by another scientist, they are engaging in:
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Replication FEEDBACK: Replication is an important part of the scientific method. By repeating previously conducted experiments, it is possible to see if the same results and conclusions are found. If many different researchers reach the same conclusions in their replications, then it is more likely that the conclusions are correct.
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Psychologists have greater confidence in research results when:
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the results are replicated FEEDBACK: Replication is an important part of the scientific method. By repeating previously conducted experiments, it is possible to see if the same results and conclusions are found. If many different researchers reach the same conclusions in their replications, then it is more likely that the conclusions are correct.
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George is looking for a research project. In doing so, he could formulate and draw on a theory because: a.theories are shown to be true, so subsequent research is successful b.one of the benefits of theories is that they lead to testable hypotheses c.a theory can be successfully replicated by researchers d.theories are likely to result in serendipity, which leads to successful research
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b.one of the benefits of theories is that they lead to testable hypotheses FEEDBACK: Theories, or overarching explanations/models of phenomena, often lead to testable questions/hypotheses.
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According to some psychologists, Sigmund Freud's theory of the meaning of dreams was not successful because:
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it did not lead to many testable hypotheses FEEDBACK: Much of Freud's theory of the meaning of dreams involves the unconscious. Because the unconscious is not able to be easily tested, Freud's theory does not lead to many testable research questions/hypotheses.
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Something that can be measured or manipulated by an experimenter is considered:
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a variable FEEDBACK: A variable is anything that varies from person to person in the world and can be measured or changed by an experimenter (i.e., manipulated).
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Something is considered a variable if it: a.has no operational definition b.can be manipulated by an experimenter c.involves random assignment d.is theoretical rather than concrete
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b.can be manipulated by an experimenter FEEDBACK: A variable is anything that varies from person to person in the world and can be measured or changed by an experimenter (i.e., manipulated).
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If a researcher wanted to study the behavior of protesters who were in a closed group and did not easily admit new people, the researcher would probably use what approach to study them?
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naturalistic observation FEEDBACK: Naturalistic observation requires the researcher just to passively observe the situation by watching and recording information from outside of the group. Because the group would not easily admit new people, naturalistic observation is the likely approach.
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When a researcher joins a social group and talks to the members in order to study that group, the approach is referred to as: A. a self-report method B. participant observation C. experience sampling D. response performance
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B. Participant Observation FEEDBACK: Participant observation requires the researcher to actively take part in the situation s/he is studying. In this case, joining the group is the sign that this is participant observation.
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Paloma randomly assigns participants to two groups and compares the group that receives a treatment with the group that receives no treatment. The group that gets no treatment is the:
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Control Group FEEDBACK: An experimental group receives some sort of treatment that is expected to influence the outcome, while the control group would receive a treatment not expected to affect the outcome (in this case the control group received no treatment at all).
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Researchers investigated whether mood affects participants' ratings of jokes. Participants in the first mood group read sad statements. In the second group, participants read neutral statements. In this study, the participants who read the sad statements constituted the: A. control group B. population C. experimental condition D. observational group
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C. Experimental Condition FEEDBACK: An experimental group receives some sort of treatment that is expected to affect the ratings of the jokes (in this case the sad statements), while the control group would receive a treatment that is not expected to affect the ratings of the jokes (in this case the neutral statements).
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When two variables are correlated, it is not clear which one is a causal variable and which is an effect. This ambiguity reflects: A. the third-variable problem b. random error c. selection bias D. the directionality problem
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D. the directionality problem FEEDBACK: The directionality problem is one reason why researchers conducting correlational research cannot make a cause-effect conclusion. In correlational research there is no manipulated variable; there are only two variables that are measured. Therefore, it is not possible to know the direction of causality (i.e., it is unknown which variable causes which).
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Data collection is particularly problematic when a researcher uses participant observation because:
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the researcher loses objectivity in participating with a group FEEDBACK: Participant observation requires the researcher to actively take part in the situation s/he is studying (e.g., by becoming a member of an exclusive group). Sometimes involving oneself in the situation one is supposed to be objectively studying can influence the point of view of the researcher. In other words, the researcher might slant his/her observation of the group because s/he has now befriended the group members.
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The variable that a researcher manipulates in an experiment is called the:
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Independent Variable FEEDBACK: Two types of variables are required for an experiment: an independent and a dependent variable. The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated/changed by the experimenter (e.g., the researcher randomly chooses which participants will receive a drug treatment and which will receive a placebo). The dependent variable is measured to see if the independent variable had the hypothesized effect (e.g., the researcher measures depression symptoms after administering the drug or placebo treatments).
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The variable that a researcher measures in an experiment to see if it has changed after a treatment is called the:
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Dependent Variable FEEDBACK: Two types of variables are required for an experiment: an independent and a dependent variable. The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated/changed by the experimenter (e.g., the researcher randomly chooses which participants will receive a drug treatment and which will receive a placebo). The dependent variable is measured to see if the independent variable had the hypothesized effect (e.g., the researcher measures depression symptoms after administering the drug or placebo treatments).
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When confounds are present in an experiment, they result in:
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possible alternative explanations for the results of the experiment FEEDBACK: In an experiment, in order to make the conclusion that the independent variable is the cause of the change in the dependent variable, all other variables should remain constant. If other variables differ between control and experimental groups, then the other variables are said to be confounds (i.e., variables that might influence the dependent variable and thereby negate the ability to make a cause-effect conclusion).
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A psychologist wants to create two groups that are as similar as possible at the beginning of an experiment. To do this, she should use: a. random sampling b. random assignment c. self-report methods d. participant observation
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B. random assignment FEEDBACK: Random assignment is when a researcher takes a sample and randomly decides which participants will be assigned to the experimental group and which will be assigned the control group. By randomly assigning participants, it is hoped that any differences between sample members (e.g., sex, age, IQ) are spread evenly between experimental and control groups.
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If a researcher wants to be able to generalize about a population using data pulled from a sample, it is best to use:
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A Random Sample FEEDBACK: A random sample is likely to be a better representation of the population than a convenience sample, which is a sample that may differ from the population because it is chosen from a narrow pool of people.
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In order to maximize the likelihood that experimental and control groups are similar before any treatment is applied, researchers typically use:
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A random assignment FEEDBACK: Random assignment is when a researcher takes a sample and randomly decides which participants will be assigned to the experimental group and which will be assigned the control group. By randomly assigning participants, it is hoped that any differences between sample members (e.g., sex, age, IQ) are spread evenly between experimental and control groups.
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Which of the following would be best researched using a longitudinal study? a.the change in children's concepts of sharing from infancy through adolescence b.the difference between children and adults in their responses to a natural disaster c.the frequency with which people think about sources of stress in their lives over the course of a single day d.the rates of hospitalization of psychiatric patients over the course of the last century
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a.the change in children's concepts of sharing from infancy through adolescence FEEDBACK: The purpose of longitudinal studies is to study changes in development within the same people over at least part of the life span (e.g., from infancy to adolescence). The difference between children and adults would be a cross-sectional design because it examines differences in development between separate groups of people. The rates of hospitalization is not examining changes in development over part of the life span.
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When people are aware of being observed, they might change their behaviors. This phenomenon illustrates: A. variability B. experimenter expectancy C. random assignment D. reactivity
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D. Reactivity FEEDBACK: People often change their behavior when they know they are being watched/researchered by others. This change in the people being watched is known as reactivity.
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A study of the experiences of a synesthete (e.g., a person who experiences a visual sensation when hearing a sound) is likely to use: A. random selection B. a case study C. cross-sectional research D. participant observation
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B. A Case Study FEEDBACK: Case studies involve the in depth study of a person with an unusual skill or ability.
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Investigators who want to gain a lot of information about group attitudes quickly are likely to use what kind of research approach?
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Self Report FEEDBACK: Self-report data, such as surveys and questionnaires, can be quickly administered to many people in a relatively short amount of time. Therefore, it is the quickest and easiest technique for data collection.
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A researcher would be likely to use a reaction-time study in order to see how quickly mental processes proceed when a person solves a problem. Reaction time is an example of:
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Response Performance FEEDBACK: Reaction time (how fast) and response accuracy (correctness) are both types of response performance (ways to determine perceptual/cognitive performance).
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One issue that an institutional review board is likely to consider is: A.systematic error B.directionality problems C.relative risk D.experimenter expectancy
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C.relative risk FEEDBACK: Relative risk has to do with weighing the risks (i.e., the harm that a research study could potentially cause to a participant) compared to the benefits (i.e., the knowledge that can come from the research study). Institutional review board members must weigh the risks and benefits of a research study in their decision to accept or reject the proposed research.
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Before psychologists can begin a research project, they must receive approval from:
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The Institution Review Board FEEDBACK: Explanation: All psychology studies must be reviewed and either accepted or rejected by Institutional Review Boards found at universities and other institutions where research is conducted.
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Jamal wants to find out whether the customers of his coffee shop prefer that he add booths or keep his tables and chairs. A researcher would be likely to use what kind of study to help him? a. participant observation b. self-report c. correlational d. experimental
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b. self-report FEEDBACK: Explanation: Self-report data, such as surveys and questionnaires, can be quickly administered to many people in a relatively short amount of time. Therefore, it is the quickest and easiest technique for data collection.
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Suppose a researcher intended to study people's level of happiness by monitoring how often they smile or laugh when watching a movie. If this measurement does not really indicate level of happiness, psychologists would say that the data are not: A. systematic B.reliable C.internally valid D.event-related
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internally valid FEEDBACK: Internal validity refers to whether what a researcher is hoping to measure (in this case, happiness) is related to what the researcher is actually measuring (in this case, smiling and laughing behavior). If what the researcher is hoping to measure is not captured by what the researcher is actually measuring, then the measurement does not have internal validity.
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When researchers report a measure of central tendency, they might present: a.the standard deviation b.the median c.inferential statistics d.the correlation coefficient
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B. the median FEEDBACK: The three measures of central tendency are mean, median, and mode. All three are single values that are meant to represent the most typical behavior/performance of the studied groups.
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If you list a set of scores from the lowest value to the highest, then take the middle value to indicate what is a typical score, you are using the: A.Mean B.Mode C.Median D.Range
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C. Median FEEDBACK: Median is the value that falls exactly halfway between the lowest and highest scores of a group.
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If a researcher believes that participants in a single group will score very differently from one another on a task, that researcher can find out if that is true by looking at the: A.mean B.median C.correlation coefficient D.standard deviation
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D. standard deviation FEEDBACK: Standard deviation is a measure of the spread of scores (i.e., How variable are the scores from one another?).
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The mean, median, and mode are all examples of: A. inferential statistics B. measures of central tendency C. types of variability D. correlational measures
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B. measures of central tendency FEEDBACK: The three measures of central tendency are mean, median, and mode. All three are single values that are meant to represent the most typical behavior/performance of the studied groups.
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The range and standard deviation are examples of: A.inferential statistics B. measures of central tendency C. types of variability D. correlational measures
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C. types of variability FEEDBACK: Standard deviation and range are both measures of the spread of scores (i.e., How variable are the scores from one another?). Therefore, these are types of variability.
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When a researcher cannot manipulate variables in a project on the relationship between level of education and income, she will be forced to collect naturally occurring data. The data analysis would probably involve: a. a correlational analysis b. descriptive, but not inferential, statistics c. naturalistic observation d. selection bias
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a. a correlational analysis FEEDBACK: When an independent variable cannot ethically be manipulated (e.g., education level, income level), then a correlational study must be used.
