Question 1

Students who are interested in being consumers of research might choose all of the following professions EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A product tester is primarily involved in evaluating products rather than consuming or applying research findings in a professional context.

Question 2

Occam's razor states that the simplest solution is the best,all things being equal.This speaks to a theory's:

Accepted Answer

Occam's razor emphasizes the importance of a theory being as simple and concise as possible, which is referred to as its parsimony.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of being a producer of research?

Accepted Answer

Administering an anxiety questionnaire involves collecting data, which is a part of conducting research, making it an example of being a producer of research.

Question 4

RESEARCH STUDY 1.1
Deci and Ryan (1985, 2001) have proposed that there are three fundamental needs that are required for human growth and fulfillment: relatedness, autonomy, and competence. Susan predicts that students who have these needs met in their psychology class feel happier and more satisfied with the class. She collects data and finds that students who feel more related and competent do feel happier but that feeling more autonomous does not seem to matter. Susan thinks that maybe autonomy is only necessary when people are in situations in which they are not being evaluated.
-Refer to Research Study 1.1 above to answer the following question. This scenario is an example of which scientific cycle?

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of the theory-data cycle, where a theory (the three fundamental needs proposed by Deci and Ryan) was tested through collecting data (on how meeting these needs affects student satisfaction in a psychology class).

Question 5

_____________ is the approach of collecting data and using it to develop,support,and/or challenge a theory.

Accepted Answer

Empiricism is the approach of collecting data through observation and experimentation to develop, support or challenge a theory. The other options do not directly refer to data collection or theory development.

Question 6

Elliott is double majoring in English and psychology.He plans on being a high school English teacher and is only majoring in psychology because he finds the classes interesting.All of the following are important reasons for him to be a good consumer of research EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

While it is important for Elliott to be a good consumer of research for many reasons, being a producer of research is not necessarily a requirement for his career as a high school English teacher.

Question 7

Which of the following is true of the relationship between hypotheses and theories?

Accepted Answer

Hypotheses are proposed to test the accuracy of a theory. A hypothesis is a prediction or explanation based on observations, while a theory is a well-established explanation for a set of observations that has been extensively tested and supported by evidence. Hypotheses are used to confirm or disprove a theory's predictions, and they often lead to modifications or revisions of the theory.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of applied research?

Accepted Answer

Applied research aims to solve practical problems and improve real-world situations, which is precisely what the educational psychologist is attempting to do by finding ways to increase math skills in 8-year-olds. The other options are more focused on basic research, aimed at expanding knowledge in a particular field without necessarily having immediate practical applications.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a scientific cycle discussed in the text?

Accepted Answer

The graduate-undergraduate cycle is not a recognized scientific cycle; it refers to educational levels rather than a process in scientific research.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT an example of being a producer of research?

Accepted Answer

Attending a psychological conference is not an example of being a producer of research. Rather, it is an opportunity for researchers to share and discuss their findings with other experts in their field. The other options involve actively conducting or gathering data for the purpose of research.

Question 11

Both James and Thomas have theories that explain why listening to classical music while reading is associated with increased recall of the material.James's theory is much simpler than Thomas's.Thomas created his theory a few months before James did.Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Parsimony is the scientific principle that favors the simplest explanation that accounts for all the facts. Since James's theory is simpler, it would be considered better than Thomas's theory, which is more complex. The fact that Thomas created his theory first is irrelevant.

Question 12

Benjamin is a social psychologist who studies marriage.He believes that marital satisfaction has two components: the ability to trust one's partner and a belief that one can be a good spouse.This is known as:

Accepted Answer

This is a theory as it proposes a relationship between two variables (ability to trust and belief in one's ability to be a good spouse) that can be tested through research. It is not a law, as it does not describe a universal truth or principle. It is also not a hypothesis, as a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction based on a theory or observation. Data and research are related to the collection of empirical evidence to support or refute theories or hypotheses.

Question 13

RESEARCH STUDY 1.1
Deci and Ryan (1985, 2001) have proposed that there are three fundamental needs that are required for human growth and fulfillment: relatedness, autonomy, and competence. Susan predicts that students who have these needs met in their psychology class feel happier and more satisfied with the class. She collects data and finds that students who feel more related and competent do feel happier but that feeling more autonomous does not seem to matter. Susan thinks that maybe autonomy is only necessary when people are in situations in which they are not being evaluated.
-Refer to Research Study 1.1 above to answer the following question. After Susan collects and analyzes her data,which of the following is the next logical step?

Accepted Answer

Susan's data showed that one of the proposed fundamental needs from the theory did not seem to have an effect. Therefore, altering or amending the theory to fit her data would be the next logical step. This would allow for a more accurate and complete theory that includes all relevant factors.

Question 14

RESEARCH STUDY 1.1
Deci and Ryan (1985, 2001) have proposed that there are three fundamental needs that are required for human growth and fulfillment: relatedness, autonomy, and competence. Susan predicts that students who have these needs met in their psychology class feel happier and more satisfied with the class. She collects data and finds that students who feel more related and competent do feel happier but that feeling more autonomous does not seem to matter. Susan thinks that maybe autonomy is only necessary when people are in situations in which they are not being evaluated.
-Refer to Research Study 1.1 above to answer the following question. Susan's prediction that students who experience all of the three needs will experience greater satisfaction with their psychology class is an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Susan's prediction is a hypothesis, which is a tentative idea or explanation that can be tested through research. It is based on a theoretical framework proposed by Deci and Ryan, which suggests that the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs is essential for human motivation and well-being. Susan's study is designed to test this hypothesis by assessing the relationship between the satisfaction of these needs and the level of happiness and satisfaction reported by psychology students.

Question 15

For which of the following people is it important to learn how to be a consumer of research?

Accepted Answer

All of the listed professions can benefit from being good consumers of research. As a teacher, it is important to understand the effectiveness of different teaching methods. Advertising executives need to understand market research to make informed decisions about advertising campaigns. Human resource managers need to understand research to make informed decisions about hiring and employee development. Sales representatives can benefit from research on consumer behavior and buying habits. Therefore, all of the listed professions should learn how to be good consumers of research.

Question 16

Benjamin is a social psychologist who studies marriage.He believes that marital satisfaction has two components: the ability to trust one's partner and a belief that one can be a good spouse.He conducts a study to test his ideas.Assuming that his data match his theory,which of the following statements should he make?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate statement for Benjamin to make, assuming his data match his theory, is that "the data provide support for my theory". It is important to note that data can provide support or evidence for a theory, but they cannot "prove" a theory. Additionally, while the study conducted by Benjamin provided evidence for his theory in the context of the sample he studied, it is uncertain whether his theory can be applied to all marriages or is "generalizable". Therefore, option B is not the best choice. The data do not suggest that the theory is problematic or contradictory, so option D is not the best choice either.

Question 17

According to the text,which of the scientific cycles is the most important cycle in science?

Accepted Answer

The theory-data cycle is fundamental in science as it involves developing theories, collecting data, and refining theories based on empirical evidence, which is central to scientific progress.

Question 18

RESEARCH STUDY 1.1
Deci and Ryan (1985, 2001) have proposed that there are three fundamental needs that are required for human growth and fulfillment: relatedness, autonomy, and competence. Susan predicts that students who have these needs met in their psychology class feel happier and more satisfied with the class. She collects data and finds that students who feel more related and competent do feel happier but that feeling more autonomous does not seem to matter. Susan thinks that maybe autonomy is only necessary when people are in situations in which they are not being evaluated.
-Refer to Research Study 1.1 above to answer the following question. Susan's hypothesis was not completely supported by her data.What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

The fact that Susan's hypothesis was not completely supported by her data suggests that the theory of relatedness, autonomy, and competence may need to be amended. It is possible that autonomy is not always a necessary factor for human growth and fulfillment, or that it only applies in certain situations. Further research may be needed to clarify the role of autonomy in this context.

Question 19

RESEARCH STUDY 1.1
Deci and Ryan (1985, 2001) have proposed that there are three fundamental needs that are required for human growth and fulfillment: relatedness, autonomy, and competence. Susan predicts that students who have these needs met in their psychology class feel happier and more satisfied with the class. She collects data and finds that students who feel more related and competent do feel happier but that feeling more autonomous does not seem to matter. Susan thinks that maybe autonomy is only necessary when people are in situations in which they are not being evaluated.
-Refer to Research Study 1.1 above to answer the following question. Deci and Ryan's general statement of how the three needs are related to growth and fulfillment is an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Deci and Ryan's statement about the three fundamental needs required for human growth and fulfillment is an example of a theory, which is a broad explanation of how and why phenomena occur in the world. A law is a statement of a general principle that describes a phenomenon in nature, while a hypothesis is a tentative explanation for an observation that needs to be tested through research. Data and research refer to the collection and analysis of information through various methods.

Question 20

Michael is a psychology student.Why is it important for him to know how to be a producer of research?

Accepted Answer

All of the above are important reasons for Michael, or any psychology student, to know how to be a producer of research. Writing APA-style papers, conducting studies for class, working in a research lab, and applying to graduate school in a research area are all roles that require a solid understanding of research production.

Quiz 1: Psychology Is a Way of Thinking