Question 1

Dr. Palcon designs a study to test which strategy is best in terms of encouraging residents to recycle on a weekly basis. Dr. Palcon is most likely conducting ________ research.

Accepted Answer

Applied research is focused on solving practical problems and is conducted with the intention of directly influencing or improving real-world applications. Dr. Palcon's study aims to find the best strategy to encourage residents to recycle, which is a practical problem with direct real-world applications.

Question 2

Dr. Lovill conducted an experiment to test whether the investment or evolutionary models of romantic relationships are more accurate. Dr. Lovill is most likely conducting ________ research.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Lovill is conducting a scientific investigation to test two competing theories about romantic relationships (investment and evolutionary models). This type of research is typically classified as basic research, which seeks to increase our understanding of fundamental principles and processes. Applied research, on the other hand, typically aims to solve practical problems or investigate specific real-world scenarios. Esoteric research refers to highly specialized or obscure areas of inquiry, which is not applicable in this scenario. The fact that Dr. Lovill is conducting this experiment as part of his dissertation is not relevant to the type of research being conducted.

Question 3

Several auto makers have recently come out with hybrid engines which rely partially on gasoline and partially on electricity. Such innovations are examples of solving environmental problems by

Accepted Answer

Hybrid engines are an improvement in technology as they offer a more environmentally friendly option for transportation, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and emitting less harmful pollutants.

Question 4

Which of the following does not belong?

Accepted Answer

The terms A, B, and D all relate to something that can be implemented or used in real-life situations, whereas basic refers to something that is fundamental or foundational knowledge.

Question 5

Kurt Lewin is considered to be the

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin is widely considered to be the founder of empirical social psychology due to his numerous contributions to the field of social psychology and his emphasis on experimental methods. While he did make important contributions to personality psychology and applied methodology, he is most commonly associated with social psychology.

Question 6

In order to test the effectiveness of an intervention using an experiment, it is best to have a

Accepted Answer

In order to test the effectiveness of an intervention using an experiment, it is important to have a randomly assigned control group. This allows for comparison between the group receiving the intervention and the group who did not, and helps control for extraneous variables that could affect the results. Having a visible independent variable may be helpful, but it is not necessary for testing effectiveness. A representative control group is also ideal, but not as important as having a randomly assigned control group. A double-blind study is important when testing the effectiveness of a drug or treatment, but may not be necessary in all intervention experiments.

Question 7

Jerry has rigged his television to run from energy that is created when he pedals a stationary bicycle. Jerry is an example of how we can solve environmental problems by

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jerry has rigged his television to run...

Question 8

The Mobro 4000 was a trash barge that traveled over 6,000 miles to find a place to dump its garbage. It was not successful and eventually returned home. What problem does this case exemplify?

Accepted Answer

The case of Mobro 4000 exemplifies the problem of where to put trash. The barge traveled over 6,000 miles and was unsuccessful in finding a place to dump its garbage, highlighting the issue of the growing amount of trash and the lack of proper disposal options.

Question 9

According to your text, which method is best suited for understanding which interventions and solutions to real-world problems work best?

Accepted Answer

Experiments are the best way to understand which interventions and solutions to real-world problems work best because they involve manipulating the variables of interest and controlling for confounding variables. This allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships and determine the effectiveness of interventions or solutions. Other methods, such as correlational studies, observational studies, and computer models, may provide valuable insights, but they cannot establish causal relationships as convincingly as experiments can.

Question 10

Kurt Lewin is quoted as saying, "There is nothing so practical as a good theory." This quote is best interpreted as meaning that

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin believed that understanding and applying good theories is essential for solving practical problems. This means that to solve difficult social problems, one first needs to understand the underlying theory. Therefore, option B is the best answer to this question.

Question 11

A number of years ago, the Chinese government adopted a "One Child" rule, in which parents are only allowed to have one child per couple. Such a policy was aimed at addressing the problem of overpopulation by

Accepted Answer

The "One Child" rule was aimed at curbing population growth by limiting the number of children that could be born to each couple. This was seen as a necessary measure to address the problem of overpopulation in China, which was placing a strain on resources and the environment. While the policy was implemented in an authoritarian manner, its primary goal was not to mandate a certain way of life or increase awareness of the problem, but rather to limit the number of births in order to achieve a more sustainable population level. The use of renewable resources was not directly related to the "One Child" policy.

Question 12

According to your text, the residents of the island of Shishmaref, located off the coast of Alaska, are already being affected by which environmental problem?

Accepted Answer

The text specifically mentions that the residents of Shishmaref are facing the threat of coastal erosion due to global warming causing sea level rise and melting permafrost. Therefore, the correct answer is A) global warming.

Question 13

Complete the analogy. Basic research: ________ :: applied research: ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Complete the analogy. Basic research: ________ ::...

Question 14

Dr. Lewis wants to determine which type of intervention is the most effective at increasing the number of carpoolers in the state. According to your text, what type of research design would best answer this question?

Accepted Answer

An experiment would be the best choice to determine the effectiveness of different types of interventions to increase the number of carpoolers in the state. This design would allow Dr. Lewis to manipulate the intervention (independent variable) and measure its impact on the number of carpoolers (dependent variable). It would provide the most controlled environment to draw cause-and-effect conclusions about which intervention is most effective.

Question 15

Overpopulation, global warming, and pollution are examples of actions that are beneficial for an individual but will be harmful if all people chose that course of action.

Accepted Answer

A social dilemma occurs when individual self-interest conflicts with the common good of the group. In this case, actions that may benefit one individual (such as overpopulation, using fossil fuels, and littering) can harm the environment and all individuals in the long run. If everyone continues to act in their own self-interest, the collective outcome will be negative for all.

Question 16

A researcher wants to determine which logo is the most effective at inspiring people to take public transportation. According to your text, what type of research design would best answer this question?

Accepted Answer

The best research design to determine which logo is the most effective at inspiring people to take public transportation is an experiment. An experiment involves manipulating one variable (in this case, the logo) and measuring its effect on a dependent variable (in this case, the likelihood of taking public transportation). By randomly assigning participants to different logo conditions and controlling for extraneous variables, the researcher can determine whether the logo has a causal effect on behavior. Correlational designs would only allow the researcher to determine whether there is a relationship between logo preference and transportation behavior, but not whether one variable caused the other. Computer models and naturalistic observation would not allow for the manipulation of the logo and therefore would not be appropriate for this research question.

Question 17

Humans' rapid consumption of natural resources such as fossil fuels and difficulty finding places to put their garbage are symptoms of the underlying problem of

Accepted Answer

Overpopulation is the root cause of many environmental problems. As the population continues to grow, the demand for resources and space increases, leading to the rapid depletion of natural resources and increased pollution. Lack of awareness, apathy, illiteracy, and lack of education can exacerbate the problem, but they are not the underlying cause.

Question 18

Right after a massive fire that killed 10 people, the firefighters were instructed to attend a psychological intervention that lasted for several hours. During this time, they discussed their experiences and responses. This intervention is known as

Accepted Answer

The intervention described is known as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.

Question 19

Based on information from your text, why is it so important to use an experiment to test interventions before implementing them?

Accepted Answer

Using an experiment allows for a comparison of the intervention with a control group without the intervention, which helps determine the effectiveness and impact of the intervention. This is important before implementing the intervention on a larger scale to ensure that it will be successful and worthwhile.

Question 20

You are a member of the next generation of social psychologists. If you follow Lewin's advice (1946, as presented in your text), your research questions can best be tested using

Accepted Answer

According to Lewin's advice (1946), the best way to test research questions in social psychology is through the experimental method. This involves manipulating variables and observing the effects on the outcome variable, allowing for causal inferences to be made. Common sense and intuition may not always be reliable, and correlational designs may not establish causality. Observation alone may not allow for manipulation of variables or controlling potential confounding variables.

Quiz 14: Social Psychology in Action 1: Making a Difference With Social Psychology: Attaining a Sustainable Future