Question 1

The statistical significance of a research finding refers to the

Accepted Answer

Statistical significance refers to the probability that the results of the research finding did not occur by chance. It is commonly indicated by a p-value, which represents the likelihood that the observed effect is due to random variation. A result with a p-value of less than 0.05 is usually considered statistically significant, meaning there is less than a 5% chance of the result being due to chance alone. Statistical significance does not necessarily indicate clinical significance or how important the findings are to patient care.

Question 2

One major limitation of group-based research in earlier clinical research in abnormal psychology is the

Accepted Answer

Overuse of white college students as participants is a major limitation of group-based research in earlier clinical research in abnormal psychology. This is because the sample may not be representative of the larger population and limit the generalizability of the findings.

Question 3

In observational epidemiology, the most common method of data collection used for evaluating the presence of psychological disorders is a(n)

Accepted Answer

Diagnostic interviews are structured, standardized interviews that assess the presence of psychological disorders. They typically have established criteria for determining whether an individual meets diagnostic criteria for a particular disorder. Self-reports and psychiatric rating scales can also be used in observational epidemiology, but they may not provide as comprehensive or accurate a picture of the presence of psychological disorders as diagnostic interviews. Unstructured interviews lack standardized questions and may not reliably assess the presence of psychological disorders.

Question 4

Epidemiological investigators are planning an experiment targeting an increase in the number of adolescent women seeking prenatal care. They have identified two urban communities that have similar rates of teen pregnancy. The intervention will consist of a public awareness campaign through local media and advertising and brochures distributed through high schools. Community A is given the experimental intervention, while Community B serves as the control group. The best measure of the effectiveness of the intervention would be the number of

Accepted Answer

The goal of the intervention is to increase the number of adolescent women seeking prenatal care. Therefore, the best measure of the effectiveness of the intervention would be the number of pregnant adolescents seeking prenatal care for the first time during the period of the campaign. Option A would not be a good measure because it does not indicate whether the intervention helped decrease the number of adolescent pregnancies. Option B is not relevant as it is not measuring the outcome of the intervention. Option C would not be a good measure because it does not necessarily indicate whether the adolescent received prenatal care.

Question 5

In a longitudinal study of depression in children cited in your text, it was found that as girls with a history of depression matured, they were more likely to

Accepted Answer

Girls with a history of depression are more likely to develop eating disorders as they mature, according to longitudinal studies. This is because both depression and eating disorders can be related to how individuals cope with stress and emotions.

Question 6

A placebo control group is one in which

Accepted Answer

A placebo control group is one in which no active treatment is given. This group serves as a comparison to the group receiving the active treatment to determine if the active treatment is actually effective or if any observed effects are due to placebo or other factors. Therefore, option A is the best choice.

Question 7

Randomized controlled designs depend on two conditions in assessment instruments. What are they?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled designs depend on two conditions in assessment instruments, which are reliability and validity. Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of measurement over time, while validity refers to the accuracy of the measurement tool in assessing what it is intended to assess. These two conditions are necessary to ensure that the results obtained from the study are credible and trustworthy.

Question 8

A psychologist is interested in finding the lifetime prevalence rate for substance abuse in the U.S. His main interest is in learning

Accepted Answer

The psychologist's main interest is in finding the lifetime prevalence rate for substance abuse, which refers to the proportion of people who have experienced substance abuse problems at some point in their lives. Therefore, choice B is the most relevant option. Choices A and C are incorrect because they do not necessarily provide information about lifetime prevalence rate. Choice D is also incorrect because the psychologist did not express specific interest in comparing substance abuse rates in different age groups.

Question 9

A researcher is interested in evaluating rates of posttraumatic stress disorder for firefighters involved in 9/11. In this example, participants would be labeled a(n) ________ cohort.

Accepted Answer

The cohort is defined by the exposure to the traumatic incident of 9/11, hence it is an exposure cohort.

Question 10

In the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) study published in 2005 and discussed in your text, results indicated that ________ of respondents met diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder within the last year.

Accepted Answer

The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) study published in 2005 found that 26% of respondents met diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder within the last year.

Question 11

In addition to increasing generalizability of research results, increased diversity in samples allows psychologists to evaluate ________ that may affect assessment and treatment.

Accepted Answer

Increased diversity in samples allows psychologists to evaluate cultural differences that may affect assessment and treatment. By including participants from different cultural backgrounds, psychologists can better understand the impact of cultural factors on psychological processes, and make more informed decisions when working with diverse populations. While clinical significance and statistical significance are important considerations in research, they are not directly impacted by sample diversity. Similarly, design differences may be influenced by sample diversity, but are not specifically evaluated by including diverse populations in a study.

Question 12

The epidemiological approach to the study of abnormal behavior is one that

Accepted Answer

The epidemiological approach to the study of abnormal behavior focuses on behavioral aberrations at the population level. It seeks to understand the prevalence and incidence of mental disorders in the general population, as well as risk and protective factors associated with these disorders.

Question 13

According to your text, both ________ and women were excluded from clinical research well into the 1980's.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to your text, both ________ and...

Question 14

The National Institutes of Health is conducting a study of aging that has been in progress for several years. This study requires that each participant agree to undergo a complete psychological and physical evaluation every three years. Information from this study has generated new findings in risk factors for many disorders. This research has a ________ design.

Accepted Answer

The study described in the passage requires participants to undergo evaluations every three years over a period of several years, indicating a longitudinal design.

Question 15

Which of the following designs captures a "snapshot" of a cohort at one time?

Accepted Answer

A cross-sectional design involves collecting data from a group of people at one point in time, which captures a snapshot of a cohort at that specific moment. Longitudinal designs follow participants over an extended period, randomized controlled trials involve experimental manipulation, and ABAB reversal designs involve alternating treatments to measure their effects; none of these designs solely capture a snapshot of a cohort at one time.

Question 16

Longitudinal studies provide valuable data about which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal studies involve observing a group of individuals over an extended period of time, which allows researchers to track the development of mental illness across the life span. This type of research design is particularly useful for understanding how mental illness progresses and changes over time, as well as identifying risk and protective factors for mental health outcomes. Choices A, C, and D are not directly related to the primary focus of longitudinal studies.

Question 17

To encourage gender, age, racial, and ethnic diversity, the National Institutes of Health require all grant applications to include ________ for traditionally underrepresented groups.

Accepted Answer

The NIH requires all grant applications to include recruitment strategies for traditionally underrepresented groups to encourage diversity. This helps to ensure that the proposed research is inclusive and that the results can be applied more broadly to diverse populations. Participant guidelines, recruiters, and projected drop-out rates may also be important considerations, but they are not specifically required by the NIH for promoting diversity.

Question 18

During the first half of the twentieth century, unethical research practices occurred in some clinical studies. This caused ________, which led diverse groups to become reluctant to participate in research.

Accepted Answer

The unethical research practices led to a lack of trust among diverse groups, which made them less willing to participate in research. There may have been subsequent regulations and oversight put in place, but the initial effect was a loss of trust.

Question 19

Dr. Santiago is interested in evaluating the prevalence of binge drinking in freshmen and seniors at a local college. After collecting data from a self-report survey, he concludes that freshmen have a higher rate of binge drinking than seniors. Given these findings, what is Dr. Santiago able to conclude from the research?

Accepted Answer

The only conclusion that can be drawn from Dr. Santiago's research is that at the time of the survey, freshmen had a higher rate of binge drinking than seniors. No information is provided to suggest that this trend will continue or that seniors drank at higher rates as freshmen.

Question 20

Research conducted at the cellular level is one of the newest and most exciting areas of study for abnormal psychology.

Accepted Answer

Research at the cellular level, also known as biological or neurobiological research, has been growing in prominence in recent decades as advances in technology and methodology have allowed for greater precision and insight into the workings of the brain and body. This research has the potential to deepen our understanding of the physiological basis of mental illnesses and inform the development of new treatments and interventions.

Quiz 2: Research Methods in Abnormal Psychology