Question 1

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 comparison between a group with the intervention and a control group without the intervention, which is crucial in determining the effectiveness of the intervention.

Question 2

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

Social dilemma refers to a situation in which individuals pursue their self-interests, but the collective result is negative for all. In this case, if everyone chooses to overpopulate, contribute to global warming, and pollute the environment, the result would be harmful to everyone. Therefore, it is a social dilemma, and a collective action is required to avoid the negative consequences.

Question 3

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

Dr. Palcon is conducting research with a practical application, as the study is designed to identify effective strategies for encouraging recycling behavior. This aligns with the definition of applied research, which aims to solve real-world problems and improve practical applications.

Question 4

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

The rapid consumption of resources and difficulty in waste management are both linked to the phenomenon of overpopulation, which creates a strain on natural resources and generates excessive waste. A lack of awareness, apathy, illiteracy, and lack of education can certainly exacerbate the problem, but they are not the root cause of the issue.

Question 5

Which of the following does not belong?

Accepted Answer

The terms A, B, and D all have in common an emphasis on practicality and usefulness in the real world. "Basic" does not inherently imply practical application, and therefore does not fit with the others.

Question 6

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 in the scenario is known as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), which is a type of psychological first aid designed to help individuals cope with the stress and trauma of a significant event. CISD typically involves a group discussion led by a mental health professional where participants are encouraged to express their emotions and thoughts related to the incident. This intervention is commonly used among emergency responders, such as firefighters, who are often exposed to traumatic incidents as part of their job.

Question 7

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 answer this question is an experiment. The researcher can manipulate the independent variable (the logo) and measure the dependent variable (the likelihood of using public transportation) to determine which logo is the most effective. Correlational research wouldn't be appropriate because it just shows a relationship between variables and doesn't establish causality. A computer model wouldn't allow for direct manipulation and observation of the stimulus, and naturalistic observation wouldn't allow for control over variables.

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 couldn't find a place to dump its garbage, highlighting the issue of waste disposal and management.

Question 9

Kurt Lewin is considered to be the

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin is often considered the founder of empirical social psychology because of his pioneering research on group dynamics and his development of experimental methods to study social behavior. Although he made important contributions to the field of psychology, he is not typically considered the founder of modern personality psychology, the greatest applied methodologist of the twentieth century, or the father of professional psychology.

Question 10

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 is a policy aimed at curbing population growth, which is a major contributor to overpopulation. By limiting the number of children each couple can have, the government hopes to reduce the strain on resources and the environment caused by a rapidly growing population. The policy is enforced through authoritarian mandates, but the ultimate goal is to promote sustainability by managing population growth. However, it is worth noting that the policy has also led to unintended consequences and controversies, such as gender imbalances and human rights violations.

Question 11

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, the experimental method is the best way to test research questions in social psychology. This is because the experimental method allows for the manipulation of variables and the control of extraneous variables, which allows for the establishment of cause and effect relationships. Observation and correlational designs are useful in certain situations, but they do not allow for the same level of control and manipulation as the experimental method. Common sense and intuition should not be relied upon as the sole basis for conducting research in social psychology.

Question 12

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 method for understanding which interventions and solutions to real-world problems work best because they allow for the manipulation of variables and control of extraneous factors, which can establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Basic research is aimed at developing theories, while applied research focuses on solving real-world problems.

Question 14

Several automakers 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 represent a technological improvement in the automotive industry, which allows for reduced dependency on fossil fuels and thus reduces environmental impact.

Question 15

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's quote emphasizes the importance of having a solid theoretical foundation in order to effectively apply research to practical situations or solve complex problems. Simply collecting data without understanding the underlying theory may not yield useful results. Therefore, to solve difficult social problems, one must first understand the theoretical basis of the problem.

Question 16

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 17

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

Jerry's method of powering his television through pedaling is an example of adopting a sustainable lifestyle, as it reduces reliance on conventional energy sources and promotes energy conservation.

Question 18

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 involves manipulating an independent variable (in this case, the type of intervention) and measuring the effect on a dependent variable (the number of carpoolers). This research design allows for the identification of cause-and-effect relationships between variables and would, therefore, be the best choice for determining the most effective intervention for increasing the number of carpoolers.

Question 19

According to your text, the residents of Miami are already being affected by which environmental problem?

Accepted Answer

The text mentions that Miami residents are facing rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion, which are both effects of global warming.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Randomly assigned control groups allow for comparison of the intervention group to a group that is not receiving the intervention, and random assignment helps ensure that any differences between the two groups are due to chance rather than other factors. While visible independent variables and representative control groups may also be important in certain circumstances, neither is as crucial as having a randomly assigned control group for testing intervention effectiveness through an experiment. Double-blind studies are important for minimizing bias, but they are not necessarily required for testing intervention effectiveness.

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