Deck 2: How We Study the Family: Theories and Research Methods

Question 1

A researcher who incorporates parts of several different theories into his or her work is using ______.

A) bioecological theory
B) the scientific method
C) an eclectic approach
D) a structural-functionalist approach

Answer 1

an eclectic approach

Question 2

Which term describes a series of steps a researcher must follow to ensure that the results of a study are valid?

A) scientific validity
B) scientific method
C) scientific reliability
D) scientific model

Answer 2

scientific method

Question 3

A therapist who considers the power structures, communication styles, and boundaries of each family member, as well as how they interact, is applying ______.

A) bioecological theory
B) family systems theory
C) conflict theory
D) structural-functionalism

Answer 3

family systems theory

Question 4

A researcher working from a female deficit perspective would be likely to ______.

A) consider the female experience to be pathological
B) include both the male and female points of view
C) view all experience from a conflict perspective
D) emphasize patriarchy and oppression as causes of behavior

Question 5

Which the mental template we carry within us that defines both ourselves and others and guides our interactions?

A) schema
B) internal working model
C) metanarrative
D) cognitive domain

Question 6

The three levels of analysis in the bioecological model are ______.

A) brain, body, microsystem
B) gene, chromosome, body
C) structure, function, process
D) person, process, context

Question 7

In the bioecological model, the system of influence in which members of your immediate system interact with each other to affect your development is the ______.

A) mesosystem
B) microsystem
C) exosystem
D) macrosystem

Question 8

Due to a recession, your partner has recently lost a job, which puts a severe strain on your family dynamics. This is an example of a(n) ______.

A) mesosystem influence.
B) microsystem influence.
C) exosystem influence.
D) macrosystem influence.

Question 9

The first step in the scientific method is to ______.

A) replicate a previous study
B) choose an experimental model
C) formulate a hypothesis
D) formulate operational definitions

Question 10

The only way to determine causality is to ______.

A) replicate a previous study
B) perform a controlled experiment
C) formulate a clear hypothesis
D) formulate correct operational definitions

Question 11

The independent variable in an experiment is the variable that is ______.

A) manipulated in the study
B) operationalized at the end of the study
C) measured at the beginning of the study
D) measured at the end of the study

Question 12

To perform a baseline assessment, a researcher would measure the ______.

A) independent variable after performing the experiment
B) independent variable before performing the experiment
C) dependent variable after performing the experiment
D) dependent variable before performing the experiment

Question 13

Which group of people are similar to the larger population a researcher wants to study?

A) random sample
B) distributed sample
C) purposeful sample
D) representative sample

Question 14

Experimental results that can be applied to a wide population are said to be ______.

A) reliable
B) valid
C) representative
D) generalizable

Question 15

To say that two variables are correlated means that ______.

A) they are related in some way
B) one variable causes the other
C) one variable does not cause the other
D) as one variable increases, the other decreases

Question 16

An etic approach refers to a(n)______.

A) qualitative method
B) quantitative method
C) outsider's viewpoint
D) insider's viewpoint

Question 17

The term ethnicity refers to a person's ______.

A) physical appearance
B) country of origin
C) family structure
D) cultural background

Question 18

Which term refers to a person's choice of intimate partners?

A) mate selection
B) attachment theory
C) sexual orientation
D) romantic attachment

Question 19

The term social class refers primarily to a person's ______.

A) occupation
B) wealth and income
C) level of education
D) race and ethnicity

Question 20

How are ethnocentrism and heterosexism similar?

A) Both make assumptions about what is right and normal.
B) Both rely on social class to make judgments about people.
C) Both are primarily associated with people of color.
D) Both are valid components of ethnographic research.

Question 21

Cross-sectional studies measure groups of people all at one point in time.

Question 22

Longitudinal studies do not have as many problems as other studies do.

Question 23

The benefits of a longitudinal study include a real developmental picture of change over time and the ability to assess the same people in a lot of depth.

Question 24

Generalizability means that our experimental results must be narrowed to a small population of people.

Question 25

While nonexperimental procedures can tell us about many important variables related to family health and success, most research studies related to families are experimental in nature.

Question 26

A natural or quasi-experiment is an experiment in which almost everything is controlled, except for the assignment to groups.

Question 27

Most social science research is of this correlational nature (rather than controlled laboratory experiments).

Question 28

With correlational results, we may consistently make inferences that causality is at play.

Question 29

Quantitative research studies are those in which the phenomena under study have been turned into numbers.

Question 30

If we want to understand variables from a more nuanced perspective, we might try to collect qualitative data.

Question 31

Quantitative data are usually gathered from open-ended questions or interviews which allow people to talk freely about the topic of interest.

Question 32

Many researchers in the social sciences use a quantitative approach called ethnography.

Question 33

An emic perspective is when a researcher is able to study his or her research question from an "inside" perspective, through the eyes of the inhabitants, their history, beliefs, and world view.

Question 34

Fortunately, qualitative data involve a great deal of control over extraneous variables.

Question 35

An ethnic characteristic is some trait the setting contains or the researcher possesses which may influence the study participant's responses.

Question 36

Intersectional identity refers to the idea that individuals in families are completely unaffected by the interactions between our gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion, and social class, yet many believe this myth.

Question 37

When we imitate or simulate real world conditions, we conduct this kind of experiment.

Question 38

What certainty that one variable causes a specific outcome or change in the other variable?

Question 39

These are carefully controlled studies in which the researcher manipulates the participants' experiences.

Question 40

Which variable is operationally defined and then manipulated in the experiment?

Question 41

Which variable we measure at the end of the study?

Question 42

A technique that is invaluable for making sure our experiment is highly controlled is known as ______.

Question 43

Which group doesn't receive the experimental manipulation?

Question 44

Which group receives the experimental manipulation?

Question 45

In this type of assessment, we measure the dependent variable before we do the experiment.

Question 46

The type of study in which we follow the same people over a long period of time is known as a(n) ______.

Question 47

Explain the relationship between Communist theory and structural-functionalism.

Question 48

Explain the gradual development of attachment theory and the various strands that make up the theory.

Question 49

Define demand characteristics and explain how they can influence the results of a study. Give at least one specific example.