Question 1

Zimbardo's Standford prison experiment was a true experiment because subjects were randomly assigned to the role of prison or guard. The experimental design of this study enabled Zimbardo to determine with a high degree of certainty:

Accepted Answer

Zimbardo's experiment was designed to explore the psychological effects of perceived power, focusing on the struggle between prisoners and prison officers. It demonstrated how people conform to the roles they are given, suggesting that the prison environment, rather than individual personality traits, can lead to sadistic behavior among prison guards.

Question 2

Moore's (1968) experiment on the effects of education on social influence, given as an example of research in the group processes and structures face of sociological social psychology, shows that:

Accepted Answer

Moore's experiment demonstrated that when subjects were led to believe they were more well-educated than their task partner, their susceptibility to influence was reduced, highlighting the impact of perceived educational status on social influence.

Question 3

What makes Moore's (1968) study of the effects of education on social influence, used to illustrate research within the group processes and structures orientation, a true experiment?

Accepted Answer

A true experiment requires random assignment of subjects to different experimental conditions (groups) in order to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the independent variable (education level in this study) and the dependent variable (level of influence in decision-making). The other answer choices do not accurately describe features of a true experiment.

Question 4

In order to conclude that an independent and dependent variable are causally related, a researcher must know that the independent variable preceded the dependent variable in time. In which of the following situations is time order likely to be a problem in the analysis of survey data?

Accepted Answer

In survey data, establishing time order can be problematic when both variables can influence each other, such as income and happiness, where it is unclear which one precedes the other.

Question 5

A survey researcher can eliminate potential problems with time order by using:

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal data involves collecting data at multiple points in time, which allows the researcher to establish a clear time order and track changes over time. This helps eliminate potential problems with time order that may be present in cross-sectional data or in-depth interviews, and can also reduce the need for sophisticated statistical procedures or triangulation.

Question 6

In order to conclude that an independent and dependent variable are causally related, a researcher must know that the independent variable preceded the dependent variable in time. When is time order likely to be a problem in the analysis of experimental data?

Accepted Answer

In experimental research, the researcher manipulates the independent variable and then measures the dependent variable, ensuring that the independent variable precedes the dependent variable in time. This control over the timing of variables eliminates the issue of time order, making it not a problem in experimental designs.

Question 7

A spurious variable:

Accepted Answer

A spurious variable is a variable that is not directly related to the research question but affects the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. It causes both the independent and dependent variables to appear causally related when they're not. This can lead to incorrect conclusions and undermine the validity of the results of an experiment.

Question 8

The observed positive relationship between the presence of a crosswalk and pedestrian fatalities in a large city is probably:

Accepted Answer

The observed positive relationship between the presence of a crosswalk and pedestrian fatalities is unlikely to be a causal relationship because it does not make sense for crosswalks to increase pedestrian fatalities. Therefore, it is likely to be spurious, meaning that an unmeasured variable is causing both the presence of crosswalks and pedestrian fatalities to increase.

Question 9

Why aren't spurious relationships a problem when data are collected using a laboratory experiment?

Accepted Answer

Spurious relationships occur when there is a third factor that affects both the independent and dependent variables. In laboratory experiments, random assignment is used to distribute all potential spurious variables equally across the different experimental conditions or groups, which ensures that any significant relationship observed between the independent and dependent variables is not due to any confounding variables. Therefore, spurious relationships are not a problem in laboratory experiments because random assignment eliminates any potential confounding variables.

Question 10

Methodological empathy involves:

Accepted Answer

Methodological empathy involves adopting the perspective and experiences of the individuals being studied in order to better understand their behavior and attitudes. It requires researchers to set aside their own biases and assumptions and immerse themselves in the world of the study participants. This approach can lead to more accurate and nuanced insights about the phenomena under investigation.

Quiz 2: Research Methods in Sociological Social Psychology