Question 1

Which research method runs the greatest risk of collecting evidence that may be unrepresentative of what is generally true?

Accepted Answer

A case study typically focuses on a single individual or group, making it difficult to generalize the findings to the larger population. This increases the risk of collecting evidence that may be unrepresentative of what is generally true.

Question 2

Ahmed has five sisters who are 3, 3, 5, 9, and 10 years of age. The number "5" represents the ________ of the sisters' ages.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ahmed has five sisters who are 3,...

Question 3

In a study of factors that might affect memory, research participants were assigned to drink either an alcoholic or a nonalcoholic beverage prior to completing a memory test. Those who drank the nonalcoholic beverage were assigned to the ________ group.

Accepted Answer

The group that is not exposed to the independent variable (alcohol) is typically referred to as the control group, as this allows researchers to compare the effects of the independent variable on the experimental group (those who drank alcohol). Therefore, those who drank the nonalcoholic beverage were assigned to the control group. In an experiment, the group that does not receive the treatment or intervention being studied is called the control group. In this case, the nonalcoholic beverage is not the variable being studied, and therefore participants who drank it would be the control group.

Question 4

Researchers control factors that might influence a dependent variable by means of

Accepted Answer

Random assignment involves randomly assigning participants to different groups, which helps control for potential confounding variables and ensures that any observed differences between groups can be attributed to the independent variable being studied. Replication and operational definitions are important, but they do not necessarily control for other variables that may influence the dependent variable being measured. Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in a natural setting without manipulating any variables, so it does not involve controlling for potential influences on the dependent variable. Random assignment is a technique used to control for variables that could influence the dependent variable. It involves assigning participants to groups (e.g. experimental group versus control group) randomly to ensure that any differences between the groups are due to the independent variable being manipulated and not other variables. Replication is the process of repeating a study to see if the same results are obtained, but it does not necessarily control for variables. Naturalistic observation is an observational research method that does not involve manipulation or control of variables. Operational definitions refer to clear, concise and measurable definitions of a variable or concept in order to ensure that researchers are using the same definitions when measuring the construct. While operational definitions can help to standardize measures, they do not control for the effects of external variables.

Question 5

Which of the following processes typically takes place shortly after people complete their participation in a research study?

Accepted Answer

Debriefing typically takes place shortly after people complete their participation in a research study. During debriefing, researchers provide information about the purpose of the study, clarify any misconceptions participants may have had, and offer support or resources if needed. This ethical practice helps ensure that participants leave the study with a clear understanding of what they have experienced and why it was important, as well as minimize any potential negative effects of their participation. Debriefing typically takes place shortly after people complete their participation in a research study. This is when the researchers inform participants about the true purpose and nature of the study, address any concerns or questions participants may have, and ensure that they leave the study feeling informed and valued.

Question 6

Stacey suggests that because children are more impulsive than adults, they will have more difficulty controlling their anger. Stacey's prediction regarding anger management is an example of

Accepted Answer

Stacey's prediction regarding anger management is an educated guess about the relationship between children's impulsiveness and their ability to control their anger. This is an example of a hypothesis, which is a tentative explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested through research. Hindsight bias is a tendency to remember past events as being predictable when they were not necessarily so. An operational definition is a precise explanation of a variable in a study that specifies how it will be measured or manipulated. The placebo effect refers to the tendency of people to report improvement in symptoms after receiving a treatment that is not actually effective. Stacey's prediction is a hypothesis because it is a testable explanation for a phenomenon. Hindsight bias refers to the tendency to think that an event was more predictable after it has already occurred. An operational definition defines a concept or variable in measurable terms. The placebo effect refers to the phenomenon where a person's beliefs about a treatment or intervention can affect their response to it.

Question 7

Professor Carter observes and records the behavior of grocery shoppers as they select items to purchase. Which type of research is Professor Carter using?

Accepted Answer

Professor Carter is using naturalistic observation, which involves observing behavior in a natural setting without any manipulation of variables. This type of research is often used in psychology and other social sciences to gain a better understanding of how people behave in their natural environments. Professor Carter is engaging in naturalistic observation since she is observing and recording the behavior of grocery shoppers in their natural environment without any manipulation or control over their behavior.

Question 8

The ________ is a measure of ________.

Accepted Answer

The standard deviation is a measure of variation in a set of data. The other answer choices are incorrect because the median and range are measures of central tendency and variation, respectively, while the correlation coefficient is a measure of the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables, not central tendency or variation.

Question 9

After the horror of 9/11, many people said the CIA and FBI should obviously have foreseen the likelihood of this form of terrorism. This perception most clearly illustrates

Accepted Answer

Hindsight bias refers to our tendency to overestimate our ability to have predicted an outcome after we already know the outcome. In this case, people are suggesting that the CIA and FBI should have foreseen the likelihood of terrorism in hindsight. Hindsight bias refers to the tendency of people to think that an event was more obvious and predictable than it was prior to its occurrence. In the case of 9/11, people may have believed that the CIA and FBI should have foreseen the likelihood of terrorism because the event had already occurred, leading to the hindsight bias.

Question 10

The ________ can be a particularly misleading indication of what is average for a_____ distribution of scores.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ________ can be a particularly misleading...

Question 11

In an experimental study of the effects of dieting on weight loss, dieting would be the

Accepted Answer

In experimental studies, the independent variable is the variable that is being manipulated to see its effects on the dependent variable. In this case, dieting is the variable being manipulated, and its effects on weight loss are being measured. Therefore, dieting is the independent variable. The control condition is a level of the independent variable that represents the absence of treatment or manipulation, and the dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or observed as a result of the independent variable. Placebo is a substance or treatment without active ingredients that is used as a comparison treatment in studies testing the efficacy of a treatment. However, in this study, dieting is being used as an active treatment, not a comparison treatment. In an experimental study, the independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable, which is the variable being measured. In this case, dieting is being manipulated to observe its effect on weight loss, so it is the independent variable. Control condition refers to a group that is not exposed to the independent variable, placebo refers to a treatment with no therapeutic effect, so neither of these answer choices make sense in this context.

Question 12

Which method offers the most reliable way of assessing whether athletic performance is boosted by caffeine consumption?

Accepted Answer

The experiment method offers the most reliable way of assessing whether athletic performance is boosted by caffeine consumption. This method involves carefully designing and controlling all variables, including the amount and timing of caffeine consumption, the type of athletic activity, and the measurement of performance outcomes. This allows for accurate comparisons and conclusions to be drawn about the effects of caffeine on athletic performance. Surveys, case studies, and naturalistic observation may provide some insights, but they are not as rigorous or controlled as experiments. The experiment offers the most reliable way of assessing whether athletic performance is boosted by caffeine consumption because the researcher can control confounding variables and randomly assign participants to the caffeine or placebo group. The survey and naturalistic observation are more prone to biases and confounding variables, and the case study may not be generalizable to the larger population.

Question 13

A negative correlation between people's work-related stress and their marital happiness would indicate that

Accepted Answer

A negative correlation means that as one variable increases, the other decreases. Therefore, higher levels of marital happiness are associated with lower levels of work-related stress.

Question 14

In a well-controlled experiment, researchers seek to minimize

Accepted Answer

Minimizing confounding variables helps to ensure that any observed effects are actually due to the independent variable being manipulated and not due to other extraneous factors. Informed consent, replication, and random assignment are important aspects of experimental design but do not directly relate to minimizing confounding variables. Minimizing confounding variables is essential for creating a well-controlled experiment. Confounding variables can introduce extraneous or unwanted factors that may affect the results of the experiment, so controlling them helps ensure the accuracy and validity of the study. Informed consent, replication, and random assignment are also important aspects of research, but they do not necessarily relate directly to creating a well-controlled experiment.

Question 15

Psychological theories

Accepted Answer

Psychological theories are comprehensive frameworks that attempt to explain observed facts, organize scientific observations, and generate hypotheses for further research. Therefore, they do all of these things. Psychological theories serve to organize scientific observations, explain observed facts, and generate hypotheses.

Question 16

Every twenty-fifth person who subscribed to a weekly news magazine was contacted by market researchers to complete a survey of opinions regarding the magazine's contents. The researchers were applying the technique known as

Accepted Answer

The researchers were using random sampling, which involves selecting a sample of individuals randomly from a larger population in order to gather data about that population. This ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, and helps to reduce bias in the sample. The researchers were using random sampling, which involves selecting a sample of participants from the population being studied at random. In this case, every twenty-fifth person who subscribed to the magazine was selected, ensuring that each person had an equal chance of being chosen for the survey. This helps to ensure the sample is representative of the larger population and allows researchers to generalize their findings to the population as a whole.

Question 17

To test the potential effect of hunger on taste sensitivity, groups of research participants are deprived of food for differing lengths of time before they engage in a taste-sensitivity test. This research is an example of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an experiment because the researchers are manipulating the independent variable (length of time without food) to measure the potential effect on the dependent variable (taste sensitivity). This research involves manipulating the independent variable (length of time of food deprivation) and observing its effect on the dependent variable (taste sensitivity). Therefore, it is an experiment.

Question 18

A correlation of +0.70 between children's physical height and their popularity among their peers indicates that

Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient of +0.70 suggests a strong positive relationship between children's physical height and their popularity among peers. Therefore, higher levels of popularity are associated with greater physical height in children.

Question 19

Differences between two samples are LEAST likely to be statistically significant if

Accepted Answer

The answer of Differences between two samples are LEAST likely...

Question 20

When Leanne heard about experimental evidence that drinking orange juice triggers hyperactivity in children, she questioned whether the tested children had been randomly assigned to experimental conditions. Leanne's reaction best illustrates

Accepted Answer

Leanne's questioning of the experimental design demonstrates critical thinking, which involves analyzing and evaluating information to form a reasoned judgment. The other options do not accurately reflect Leanne's reaction to the experimental evidence. The placebo effect refers to the phenomenon where people's expectations influence their response to a treatment. Hindsight bias is the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have predicted or expected that outcome. Overconfidence is a bias where individuals overestimate their abilities or knowledge. Leanne's reaction shows that she is engaging in critical thinking by questioning the validity of the experimental design and considering potential confounding variables that may have influenced the results. The placebo effect refers to a psychological phenomenon where the belief in a treatment leads to improvements in symptoms, hindsight bias is the tendency to believe that an event was predictable after it has occurred, and overconfidence refers to the tendency to overestimate the accuracy of one's beliefs or judgments.

Quiz 20: Insight, Language, and Memory: Exploring Cognitive Processe