Question 1

At a single point in time,researchers may test and compare the intelligence of members of different age groups.This bests illustrates a

Accepted Answer

A cross-sectional study involves comparing different groups of individuals at a single point in time. In this case, researchers are comparing the intelligence of different age groups, and not following the same individuals over time (longitudinal study) or comparing individuals born at the same time (cohort study). The measure of fluid intelligence is not relevant to the question.

Question 2

The relatively narrow range of intelligence among the college seniors who take the Graduate Record Exam serves to ________ the ________ of the Graduate Record Exam.

Accepted Answer

When a testing population has a narrow range of scores, it decreases the predictive validity of the test. This is because a narrow range of scores means less variability in performance, making it harder to accurately predict future outcomes based on the test scores. Therefore, the relatively narrow range of intelligence among college seniors who take the Graduate Record Exam serves to decrease the predictive validity of the exam.

Question 3

Andrea is conducting a study measuring the effectiveness of a new drug to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD ).She has to select a scale that will consistently provide objective data about OCD symptoms on a weekly basis.Andrea needs the scale to provide consistent results that gradually change only in response to the positive effects of the drug.Andrea needs a scale with good

Accepted Answer

Andrea needs a scale with good reliability, which ensures that the results will be consistent over time and not affected by random error. This will allow her to accurately assess the effectiveness of the drug in treating OCD symptoms. Standardization (A) refers to the consistent administration and scoring of the scale by different individuals, which is important for comparing results across different settings but not essential for Andrea's study. Predictive validity (B) refers to whether the scale can predict future outcomes, which is not relevant for Andrea's study as she is only interested in evaluating the current effects of the drug. Content validity (D) refers to whether the scale measures all aspects of the construct being studied, which is important but not the most essential feature for Andrea as long as the scale measures the core symptoms of OCD.

Question 4

The correlation is likely to be lowest between the

Accepted Answer

GRE scores and grades of graduate students are likely to have the lowest correlation among the options provided. This is because, by the time students reach graduate school, factors such as research skills, time management, and specific academic interests often play a more significant role in determining grades than the general cognitive abilities measured by the GRE. Additionally, the grading systems and expectations in graduate programs can be more varied and subjective compared to undergraduate or earlier education levels.

Question 5

Which test has been demonstrated to be a highly reliable measure?

Accepted Answer

All three tests (Stanford-Binet, WAIS, and WISC) have been demonstrated to be highly reliable measures.

Question 6

The widespread improvement in intelligence test performance during the past century is called

Accepted Answer

The widespread improvement in intelligence test performance during the past century is called the Flynn Effect. This is because James Flynn was the first researcher to extensively document and analyze this phenomenon.

Question 7

A college administrator is trying to assess whether an admissions test accurately predicts how well applicants will perform at his school.The administrator is most obviously concerned that the test is

Accepted Answer

The administrator is concerned with the accuracy of the test in predicting how well applicants will perform at the school, which is a question of validity. Therefore, the correct answer is B. While standardization, reliability, and normal distribution are important factors to consider in test administration, they are not directly related to the administrator's main concern in this scenario.

Question 8

Dr.Bronfman has administered her new 100-item test of abstract reasoning to a large sample of students.She is presently comparing their scores on the odd-numbered questions with those on the even-numbered questions in an effort to

Accepted Answer

By comparing scores on odd-numbered questions with those on even-numbered questions, Dr. Bronfman is able to assess the test's reliability. This is because she is checking for consistency in students' scores across different items of the test. If there is a strong positive correlation between odd-numbered and even-numbered scores, this would suggest that the test is internally consistent and produces reliable results.

Question 9

About ________ percent of WAIS scores fall between 70 and 130.

Accepted Answer

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) has a mean score of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Using the empirical rule, which states that approximately 68% of scores fall within one standard deviation of the mean, about 68% of WAIS scores fall between 85 and 115. Using the same rule, about 95% of scores fall within two standard deviations of the mean, therefore approximately 95% of WAIS scores fall between 70 and 130.

Question 10

Different age groups are tested at the same time in a(n)

Accepted Answer

In a cross-sectional study, individuals from different age groups are tested at the same time. This provides a snapshot of how different age groups compare on a particular variable or outcome. Longitudinal studies follow the same individuals over time, while cohort studies study a specific group of individuals who share a common characteristic (such as being born in the same year). Intelligence tests can be used in a variety of different study designs.

Question 11

An increase in average intelligence test performance during the past decades would best illustrate why intelligence tests need

Accepted Answer

If average intelligence test performance is increasing, it suggests that the current test norms may no longer accurately reflect the population's actual intelligence levels. This highlights the need for periodic restandardization to ensure that the tests remain valid and reliable. The other options (A, C, and D) are not as relevant to this specific scenario.

Question 12

After learning about his low score on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale,Gunter complained,"I don't believe that test is a measure of intelligence at all." Gunter's statement is equivalent to saying that the WAIS lacks

Accepted Answer

Gunter's statement suggests that he does not believe that the WAIS accurately measures what it is intended to measure (intelligence), which indicates a lack of validity. Standardization refers to the process of administering a test under standardized conditions, reliability refers to the consistency of results over time and across different administrations of the test, and a normal distribution refers to the bell-shaped curve that represents the distribution of scores on many standardized tests. While these factors are important for a test to be considered reliable and accurate, Gunter's statement specifically targets the validity of the WAIS.

Question 13

A test is reliable if it

Accepted Answer

A test is reliable if it yields dependably consistent scores, meaning that if the same test is administered multiple times to the same group of people, the scores should be similar each time. Option A suggests validity, which is a different concept. Option C refers to standardization and option D refers to normal distribution, which are important but not the primary determinants of reliability.

Question 14

Researchers assess the correlation between scores obtained on alternate forms of the same test in order to measure the ________ of the test.

Accepted Answer

The correlation between scores obtained on alternate forms of the same test measures the consistency or reliability of the test. Choices A, B, and C are not related to this specific measurement.

Question 15

The correlation between intelligence test scores and annual income will probably be HIGHEST if computed for a group having test scores ranging from

Accepted Answer

The correlation is likely to be highest in a group with a wider range of scores, as it allows for more variability and a clearer relationship between intelligence and income. The range of 80 to 120 provides a broader spectrum of intelligence levels compared to the other options.

Question 16

If both depressed and nondepressed individuals receive similar scores on a diagnostic test for depression,it suggests that the test

Accepted Answer

If both depressed and nondepressed individuals receive similar scores on a diagnostic test for depression, it suggests that the test is not valid because it fails to accurately distinguish between those who have depression and those who do not.

Question 17

Raul has taken the GRE three times and his scores varied by only 10 points each time.Raul's test scores reflect the GRE's

Accepted Answer

The fact that Raul's scores varied by only 10 points each time he took the GRE suggests that the test has reliability, meaning it consistently measures the same construct in a similar manner.

Question 18

A test has a high degree of validity if it

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the degree to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to measure or predict. The other options refer to reliability (B), score distribution (C), and standardization (D), which are important features of a test but not the primary determinant of its validity.

Question 19

The Flynn effect best illustrates that the process of intelligence testing requires up-to-date

Accepted Answer

The Flynn effect is the phenomenon of the increase in performance on intelligence tests over time, suggesting that the tests require regular updates to maintain their reliability and validity. Standardization samples help ensure that the test is measuring what it is intended to measure and that the results are consistent across different test administrations. Therefore, the best choice is B - standardization samples.

Question 20

Children of different age groups were asked to complete the WISC so that researchers could compare the performance of younger and older children.The procedure used in this research best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The fact that children of different age groups were compared at one point in time suggests that this is a cross-sectional study. This is because the study is collecting data at a single point in time, rather than tracking the same group of individuals over an extended period (longitudinal study) or examining the degree to which two variables are related to one another (correlational study). The Flynn effect refers to the observation that IQ scores have tended to rise over time, which is not directly relevant to this particular study.

Quiz 11: Intelligence