Question 1

Which of the following is the strongest correlation between two variables?

Accepted Answer

The correlation coefficient of -0.97 represents a very strong negative correlation between the two variables. The closer the correlation coefficient is to -1 or 1, the stronger the correlation between the variables.

Question 2

A scientist is interested in finding out if there is a statistical relationship between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. Which type of research will be most effective in this regard?

Accepted Answer

A correlational study would be the most effective type of research in this case because it can measure the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables (in this case, cigarette smoking and lung cancer) without manipulating any variables or interfering with natural behavior. This would allow the scientist to determine if there is a statistical relationship between the two variables. A survey would be limited by relying on self-reported data, while laboratory observation and naturalistic observation would not be appropriate as they do not allow for statistical analysis of the relationship between smoking and lung cancer.

Question 3

Scientists have found that, on average, as people's scores on intelligence tests increase, the better their academic performance tends to be. This is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

A positive correlation means that as one variable (intelligence test scores) increases, the other variable (academic performance) also tends to increase. This is exactly what the statement describes.

Question 4

In an experiment, if there are two groups being studied and one group is given alcohol to measure its effects on driving ability, while the other group is not given the alcohol, the subjects' driving ability is the ______.

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable being measured or observed in an experiment. In this case, the subjects' driving ability is being measured to see the effects of alcohol consumption. The independent variable is the variable being manipulated in the experiment, which in this case is whether or not the subjects were given alcohol. Experimental control refers to the measures taken to ensure that the experiment remains fair and reliable, and experimental blind refers to the method of keeping the subjects unaware of which group they are in. Neither of these terms accurately describes the measurement of driving ability in this experiment.

Question 5

A scientific method that seeks to discover cause-and-effect relationships by introducing independent variables and observing their effects on dependent variables is the ______ method.

Accepted Answer

The experimental method involves manipulating an independent variable and observing its effects on a dependent variable. This allows for the discovery of cause-and-effect relationships. Correlational, naturalistic observation, and case study methods do not typically involve manipulating variables in this way.

Question 6

Most psychologists agree that the preferred method for determining cause and effect in human behavior is the ______ method.

Accepted Answer

The experimental method is the preferred method for determining cause and effect in human behavior because it allows researchers to manipulate the independent variable and control for extraneous variables, allowing for the establishment of cause and effect relationships. The other methods listed (case study, correlational, and laboratory observation) do not provide the same level of control or manipulation of variables.

Question 7

Scientists have found that, on average, as a person's weight increases, her or his activity level decreases. This is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

This is because a negative correlation indicates an inverse relationship between two variables - as one variable increases, the other decreases. In this case, weight and activity level have a negative correlation, meaning as weight increases, activity level tends to decrease.

Question 8

Which of the following represents the weakest correlation between two variables?

Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient of +0.01 represents a very weak correlation, as it is closer to 0 and indicates a very low degree of association between the two variables.

Question 9

A correlation coefficient measures ______ of the relationship between two variables.

Accepted Answer

The correlation coefficient measures both the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables. The value ranges from -1 to 1, where -1 indicates a strong negative correlation, 0 indicates no correlation, and 1 indicates a strong positive correlation. Therefore, the strength and direction of the relationship can be determined by the value of the correlation coefficient.

Question 10

Scientists have found that, on average, as a person's height increases, so does her or his weight. This finding is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

A positive correlation means that as one variable increases, the other variable also tends to increase. In this case, as height increases, weight tends to increase as well, indicating a positive correlation between the two variables. The other choices do not accurately describe the relationship between height and weight.

Question 11

In an experiment, if there are two groups of drivers being studied and one group is given alcohol to measure its effects on driving ability while the other group is not given the alcohol, the alcohol would be considered the ______.

Accepted Answer

The alcohol is being manipulated by the researchers, meaning it is the independent variable. The dependent variable would be the driving ability of the participants, which is being measured and affected by the independent variable (the alcohol). Experimental control refers to efforts made to minimize extraneous variables that could affect the outcome of the experiment. Experimental blind refers to participants not knowing which group they have been assigned to in order to reduce bias.

Question 12

A scientist investigates if there is a statistical relationship between people's IQ scores and their risk of committing suicide. After months of tracking smokers and nonsmokers, she finds that the lower people's IQ scores are, the greater their risk is of attempting suicide at some point in their life. This scientist is using the ______ method of research.

Accepted Answer

The scientist is investigating whether there is a statistical relationship between people's IQ scores and their risk of committing suicide. This is a correlational method of research, as it is examining the relationship between two variables without manipulating one variable to see its effect on the other (as in experimental research). The scientist is not conducting a laboratory observation or a survey.

Question 13

A correlation coefficient is a number that varies between ______.

Accepted Answer

The correlation coefficient, also known as Pearson's r, varies between -1.00 and 1.00. A perfect positive correlation is represented by a correlation coefficient of 1.00, while a perfect negative correlation is represented by -1.00. A correlation coefficient of 0.00 indicates no correlation between the variables. Any value between -1.00 and 1.00 represents varying degrees of correlation. Therefore, option B is the correct answer as it provides the correct range for correlation coefficients.

Question 14

Scientists have found that, on average, as people's stress levels increase, the functioning of their immune system decreases. This is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scientists have found that, on average, as...

Question 15

A relationship between variables in which one variable increases as the other decreases is a ______.

Accepted Answer

A negative correlation is a relationship between two variables where one variable increases as the other variable decreases. This is in contrast to a positive correlation, where both variables increase or decrease together, and is not related to placebo effects or selection factors.

Question 16

Recent research indicates that people who live together before getting married are ______ than people who marry without living together first.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Recent research indicates that people who live...

Question 17

If a researcher could ethically conduct research to directly find out what CAUSES the relationship between lung cancer and cigarette smoking, what method of research would be most effective for doing this?

Accepted Answer

An experimental study would be the most effective method for determining causality between variables. In this case, a researcher could randomly assign participants to two groups, one that smokes cigarettes and one that does not, and then compare the incidence of lung cancer in each group. This would allow the researcher to draw conclusions about whether or not there is a causal relationship between smoking and lung cancer.

Question 18

A weakness of correlational studies is that ______.

Accepted Answer

Correlational studies only show a relationship between two variables but cannot prove causation.

Question 19

. A condition in a scientific study that is manipulated so that its effects may be observed is the ______.

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the condition in a scientific study that is manipulated and therefore its effects are observed. The dependent variable is the outcome that is measured and may be influenced by the independent variable. Experimental control refers to keeping all other variables constant in the study to isolate the effects of the independent variable, while experimental blind refers to keeping participants or researchers unaware of which condition they are in to prevent bias.

Question 20

A relationship between variables in which one variable increases as the other also increases is a ______.

Accepted Answer

A positive correlation describes a relationship between variables in which one variable increases as the other also increases. The other options, placebo effect, selection factor, and negative correlation, do not fit the description of a positive correlation.

Quiz 1: Psychology and the Challenges of Life