Deck 1: Extension C: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods

Question 1

One of the disadvantages of the correlational method is that

A)correlations may be weak.
B)correlations may be negative or zero.
C)it can only be used in laboratory settings.
D)the relationships observed between variables may be caused by some unknown third factor.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Gun shot wounds, brain tumors, accidental poisonings, and similar problems provide much information about the human brain.These would usually be studied using

A)field experiments.
B)meta-analyses.
C)natural clinical tests.
D)correlational studies.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

An in-depth focus on a single individual best describes the

A)single-blind experiment.
B)double-blind experiment.
C)correlational method.
D)case study.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

One of the advantages of the correlational method is that

A)greater control is possible over the phenomenon in question.
B)cause-and-effect relationships can be confirmed.
C)it allows prediction.
D)it can only be used in the laboratory.

Question 5

An analysis of your medical records would be similar to which research method?

A)naturalistic observation
B)survey
C)experimental method
D)clinical method

Question 6

Which of the following would most likely be investigated by use of a case study?

A)the extent of marijuana usage in the general population
B)the effects of caffeine on memory
C)a rare psychological problem such as multiple personality
D)the correlation between hours of sleep per night and the grade-point averages of college students

Question 7

If the correlations between one's self-concept and academic performance were positive, we could say that

A)academic performance and self-concept are largely unrelated.
B)academic performance is an important cause of one's self-concept.
C)one's self-concept is an important cause of academic performance.
D)a self-concept and academic performance are related, but no causal relationship has been established.

Question 8

An advantage of the clinical method is that it

A)provides identification of clear cause-and-effect relationships.
B)allows information about large numbers of people to be gathered.
C)allows prediction.
D)allows investigation of rare or unusual problems or events.

Question 9

A case study

A)is an in-depth study of all aspects of a single person.
B)is used extensively by clinical psychologists.
C)may sometimes be thought of as a "natural" clinical test.
D)is characterized by all of these.

Question 10

According to the text, case studies

A)lack formal control groups.
B)produce results that generalize better than survey results.
C)are the most scientific of the research methods.
D)are generally superior to experiments.

Question 11

Case studies may sometimes be thought of as _____, which are accidents or other natural events that provide psychological data.

A)field experiments
B)meta-analyses
C)natural clinical tests.
D)naturalistic observations

Question 12

Abdul is listening to a radio talk show and hears the announcer talk about "a high correlation between crime and poverty." The announcer concludes that since there was a high correlation, poverty must cause crime.Abdul is taking psychology and is skeptical of what he just heard.He knows that

A)correlation does not indicate causation.
B)to properly evaluate the statement, he needs to know the magnitude of the correlation.
C)poverty and crime rates are difficult to measure.
D)the research indicates that crime causes poverty and not vice versa.

Question 13

If a researcher finds a negative correlation between the number of hours that students play computer games and grades.This means that

A)computer game playing causes a decrease in grades.
B)computer game playing causes an increase in grades.
C)lower grades causes a student to be disinterested in studying and more interested in playing computer games.
D)an experiment would have to be performed to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between video game playing and grades.

Question 14

In-depth studies of Phineas Gage, Michael Melnick, and each of the Genaine sisters are examples of

A)correlational studies.
B)field experiments.
C)case studies.
D)surveys.

Question 15

An educator who wants to explore all the different factors that might affect the motivation of a particular student would most likely use

A)a controlled experiment.
B)the clinical method
C)the survey method.
D)naturalistic observation.

Question 16

Income and crime within one's neighborhood have a negative correlation.We can say that

A)increased crime causes income to decrease.
B)increased income causes crime to decrease.
C)as income increases, neighborhood crime decreases.
D)as income increases, neighborhood crime increases.

Question 17

A psychiatrist does extensive interviewing and testing of a client with at least three distinct personalities.Her investigation is a

A)case study.
B)controlled experiment.
C)single-blind study.
D)psycho-history.

Question 18

Rare conditions, such as cases involving usual mental disorders, childhood "geniuses," or "rampage" school shootings, are often studied using which method?

A)survey
B)clinical method
C)single-blind experiment
D)double-blind experiment

Question 19

The clinical method would most likely be used to study

A)the attitudes of the public concerning sex education being taught in the schools.
B)the behaviors of adolescents in the mall.
C)the effects of Vitamin E on cholesterol.
D)the behaviors of amnesia patients.

Question 20

Psychologists who are interested in mental disorders, such as depression or anxiety, are more likely to use _____ when studying these problems and the therapies used to treat them.

A)the clinical method
B)the correlational method
C)the survey method
D)naturalistic observation

Question 21

Questions about the opinions and behavior of large groups of people are often best answered using

A)the clinical method.
B)the correlational method.
C)the survey method.
D)naturalistic observation.

Question 22

Concerning Internet surveys, which of the following statements is/are TRUE?

A)It is not easy to control who actually answers online questionnaires.
B)Biased samples can limit web-based research.
C)Internet studies have provided interesting information about topics, such as anger, prejudice, religion, and other attitudes.
D)All of these statements are true.

Question 23

The random selection of subjects by the researcher is used to produce a(n)

A)balance-biased sample.
B)representative sample.
C)balance-biased population.
D)representative population.

Question 24

By selecting a _____ and polling them, we can draw conclusions about the larger group called the _____.

A)natural clinical trial; sample
B)sample; population
C)population; sample
D)sample; natural clinical trial

Question 25

The survey method involves

A)an in-depth study of the opinions and attitudes of a selected individual.
B)an overview of the attitudes and backgrounds of selected groups.
C)direct observation and recording of a representative sample of behavior.
D)careful questioning of a representative sample of people.

Question 26

A local television station conducts what they refer to as "surveys," in which they ask viewers to call in their opinions to various topics.These "surveys" are not considered a scientific poll because the television station

A)does not allow subjects to e-mail their responses.
B)is using a biased sample.
C)limits the response to only 20 minutes.
D)does not separate the responses according to gender or race.

Question 27

The study of unusual events is to _____ as information from a large number of people is to _____.

A)clinical method; naturalistic observation
B)correlational method; survey method
C)experimental method; naturalistic observation
D)clinical method; survey method

Question 28

Meridian Community College has a total of 4,000 students.One hundred of these students are surveyed about the programs offered at the college.All of the students at the college would be the

A)population.
B)sample.
C)control group.
D)independent group.

Question 29

Which of the following is a FALSE statement concerning Internet surveys?

A)Web-based research has been disadvantaged because of its high cost in time and money.
B)Web-based research can reach very large groups of people.
C)Biased samples can limit web-based research.
D)Internet studies have provided interesting information about topics, such as anger, prejudice, religion, and other attitudes.

Question 30

Meridian Community College has a total of 4,000 students.One hundred of these students are surveyed about the programs offered at the college.These 100 students surveyed would constitute the

A)population.
B)sample.
C)control group.
D)independent group.

Question 31

The use of public polling techniques to answer psychological questions describes the

A)clinical method.
B)case study method.
C)survey method.
D)experimental design method.

Question 32

Senior seminar in psychology is open only to psychology majors and all psychology majors must complete the seminar to graduate.A random sample of students in this seminar is representative of all

A)college students in the U.S.
B)students at the college where the seminar is offered.
C)seniors at the college where the seminar is offered.
D)senior psychology majors at the college where the seminar is offered.

Question 33

A researcher wants to determine the opinion of the average U.S.citizen regarding gun control.He conducts his survey at a national fishing and hunting convention.His survey is

A)based on a biased sample.
B)only limited by the wording of the survey questions.
C)representative of all registered voters.
D)an accurate survey.

Question 34

A _____ is a small group that accurately reflects a larger population by including the same proportion of men, women, young, old, professionals, blue-collar workers, Republicans, Democrats, whites, African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asians, and so on as found in the population as a whole.

A)correlational group
B)control group
C)representative sample
D)balance-bias sample

Question 35

A representative sample is an essential element of the

A)survey method.
B)psychoanalytic method.
C)natural experiment or case study.
D)clinical method.

Question 36

A common method for selecting representative samples is to select them

A)randomly from the larger population.
B)strictly from volunteers.
C)by threatening or coercing institutionalized populations.
D)from confidential lists of mail order firms.

Question 37

The Gallup Poll, which is a report that contains the responses of hundreds of people to questions such as how good a job the president is doing with foreign affairs, is an example of the

A)naturalistic observation technique.
B)survey method.
C)field experiment.
D)curvilinear relationship.

Question 38

The town of Indianola, Mississippi wants to know what the community thinks about building a high-tech movie theatre.Increased taxes will be used to pay for the new theatre.Therefore, elected officials are mailing out questionnaires to determine public opinion about the theatre and the use of increased taxes to pay for it.Which type of research method are they using?

A)correlation
B)experiment
C)survey
D)case studies

Question 39

An entire group of animals or people belonging to a particular category is called a

A)biased sample.
B)representative sample.
C)population.
D)natural clinical trial.

Question 40

Researchers conducting web-based research have trouble controlling who actual answer their on-line questionnaires, which places limits on their research due to

A)researcher bias.
B)research participant bias.
C)biased samples.
D)the Barnum effect.

Question 41

A theater reports increased beverage sales during showings of The Great African Desert.We cannot conclude that the film affected beverage consumption because

A)the placebo effect was not considered.
B)only a correlation can establish causation.
C)no correlation was computed.
D)there was no control group.

Question 42

One of the limitations of the survey method is

A)observer bias.
B)that it sets up an artificial situation.
C)that replies may reflect social desirability.
D)that results cannot be generalized.

Question 43

An advertisement promising to "unlock your hidden potential in just two hours!" should be suspect because

A)it is an over-simplification.
B)it is based on single cases and testimonials.
C)the experience is not repeatable.
D)correlation does not mean causation.

Question 44

In conducting a survey on computer use, the fact that many people do not want to admit that they don't know how to use a computer is called a(n)

A)observer bias.
B)researcher bias.
C)non-representative sample.
D)courtesy bias.

Question 45

Regarding courtesy biases in survey studies, answers to questions concerning _____ tend to be less than truthful.

A)sex, drinking, or drug use
B)income
C)church attendance
D)all of these

Question 46

Which of the following would be considered high quality evidence when drawing conclusions?

A)anecdotal evidence
B)opinions of authorities
C)scientific observation
D)all of these

Question 47

Gender bias in research includes which of the following?

A)the tendency for females to be under-represented as research subjects
B)female topics being ignored by many investigators
C)women being under-represented among the researchers themselves
D)all of these

Question 48

When newspaper or magazine articles claim the effectiveness of some product or service, it is wise to

A)realize that the authenticity of the report has been thoroughly checked by the media.
B)be wary of overly complex explanations.
C)remember that truth is often stranger than fiction.
D)consider the source of the information.

Question 49

A person who is observed crying may not be sad.This suggests that it is important to distinguish between

A)individual cases and generalizations.
B)correlation and causation.
C)control groups and experimental groups.
D)observation and inference.

Question 50

As consumption of ice cream increases during the year, so does the number of aggravated assaults.A politician advocates that ice cream be banned so that the crime rate will go down.Besides needing to be voted out of office, this politician needs to understand

A)the dangers of a single example.
B)the difference between observation and inference.
C)the difference between correlation and causation.
D)that the Barnum effect occurs only in ten-year cycles.

Question 51

If a television ad tells you that a "psychic hotline" can predict your entire future for you,

A)beware of over-simplification.
B)examine whether the claim is motivated by monetary gain.
C)be skeptical and remember the source.
D)remember all of these.

Question 52

Students who completed a study skills course raised their grade point averages.Can we conclude that the course caused their improvement?

A)Yes, because the scientific data was collected.
B)Yes, because a negative correlation exists between these students' grade point averages before and after taking the course.
C)Yes, because the course resulted in a self-fulfilling prophecy.
D)No, because there was no control group.

Question 53

You are planning to recruit volunteers from among the students at a local university.If you accept both male and female volunteers, you should be aware that

A)unequal numbers of men and women may volunteer for some kinds of research.
B)combining the results from men and women may hide important male-female differences.
C)both of these situations may affect your results.
D)neither of these situations will have a significant effect on your results.

Question 54

A researcher determines that the crime rate in a large city is related to the phases of the moon.She concludes that the gravitational pull of the moon influences human behavior.She has committed what error?

A)the dangers of a single example.
B)the difference between observation and inference.
C)the difference between correlation and causation.
D)that the Barnum effect occurs only in ten-year cycles.

Question 55

Incredible but false stories posted on the Internet, such as "the health department in Oregon looking for someone fluent in the fictional language of Klingon," illustrates the need for readers to always

A)be skeptical.
B)be wary of overly complex explanations.
C)remember that truth is often stranger than fiction.
D)that numerous postings of information on the Internet are required to establish proof.

Question 56

In an experiment to determine whether the THC in marijuana impairs memory, the independent variable would be the

A)THC in the marijuana.
B)memory scores.
C)differences in male and female marijuana usage.
D)addictive potential of the THC.

Question 57

The tendency of persons being surveyed to give polite or socially desirable answers is known as the

A)Barnum effect.
B)courtesy bias.
C)experimenter bias.
D)self-fulfilling prophecy.

Question 58

Doctors recommend that both men and women take an aspirin every day to prevent heart attacks.However, the sample in the research study only contained men.The problem with doctors making this aspirin recommendation reflects a _____ bias.

A)gender
B)courtesy
C)cultural
D)sexual orientation

Question 59

A psychologist visiting a classroom concludes that one of the children is depressed because the child is quiet and unresponsive.Actually, the child has the flu.The psychologist has made what error?

A)failure to distinguish correlation from causation
B)failure to distinguish inference from observation
C)failure to use experimental controls
D)failure to obtain a representative sample

Question 60

You caution a friend about eating so many foods that are high in fat content.Your friend replies that his grandfather ate all the bacon and cheese he wanted and he lived to be 93.Which of the following is the BEST explanation for your friend's error in reasoning?

A)the Barnum effect
B)the use of individual cases
C)the self-fulfilling prophecy
D)the fallacy of negative instances

Question 61

In an experiment to determine whether the THC in marijuana impairs memory, the number of hours the subjects slept during the week of the experiment would be

A)the independent variable.
B)the dependent variable.
C)an extraneous variable.
D)a control variable.

Question 62

Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate, compare, analyze, critique, synthesize, and reflect on information.

Question 63

Remembering your social security number would be considered an overt behavior.

Question 64

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" was the motto of the behaviorists.

Question 65

In a research study, the experimental group ate food that contained THC, while the control group ate food that did not contain THC.Both groups were asked to study a list of words and then were asked a week later to recall the words.The results of this experiment indicated that

A)the experimental group remembered less words.
B)the control group remembered less words.
C)there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the number of words remembered.
D)the participants were not randomly assigned to the two groups.

Question 66

In the method section of a research report, a psychologist provides background information on his or her study by reviewing prior studies on the same or related topics to the current one being investigated.

Question 67

When a personnel director uses tests and interviews to select the best candidate for the job, this selection process is illustrating the psychological goal of prediction.

Question 68

In an experiment to determine whether the THC in marijuana impairs memory, the dependent variable would be the

A)THC in the marijuana.
B)memory scores.
C)differences in male and female marijuana usage.
D)addictive potential of the THC.

Question 69

Psychology is best defined as the study of the human mind and nervous system.

Question 70

In an experiment to determine whether the THC in marijuana impairs memory, the participants who ate food containing the THC were the

A)independent group.
B)dependent group.
C)experimental group.
D)control group.

Question 71

In an experiment to determine whether the THC in marijuana impairs memory, the scores on the memory test would be the _____ variable.

A)independent
B)dependent
C)extraneous
D)control

Question 72

Information gained through direct observation is called empirical evidence.

Question 73

In an experiment to determine whether the THC in marijuana impairs memory, the participants in the control group

A)ate food containing THC.
B)ate food that did not contain any THC.
C)were not given any memory tests.
D)exhibited significant memory impairments that were used for comparison with those in the experimental group.

Question 74

Phrenology involved the reading of the lines on one's palm to reveal personality and predict the future.

Question 75

In an experiment to determine whether the THC in marijuana impairs memory, the THC in the marijuana would be the _____ variable.

A)independent
B)dependent
C)extraneous
D)control

Question 76

Some research questions cannot be answered because of ethical or practical limitations.

Question 77

In an experiment to determine whether the THC in marijuana impairs memory, the participants who ate food containing the THC were the

A)independent group.
B)dependent group.
C)experimental group.
D)control group.

Question 78

In an experiment to determine whether the THC in marijuana impairs memory, the participants who ate food that did NOT contain THC were the

A)independent group.
B)dependent group.
C)experimental group.
D)control group.

Question 79

In an experiment to determine whether the THC in marijuana impairs memory, the participants in the experimental group

A)ate food containing THC.
B)ate food that did not contain any THC.
C)were not given any memory tests.
D)exhibited no memory impairment on the tests.

Question 80

Astrology has repeatedly been shown to have no scientific validity.