Deck 9: Social Psychology As a Science

Question 1

According to the text, the first step in the scientific method is:

A) assigning subjects randomly to groups.
B) specifying the independent and dependent variables.
C) answering the ethical questions implied by the research question.
D) observation.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Aronson believes that the study of social psychology is:

A) an art and a science.
B) an art but not a full-blown science.
C) science but not an art.
D) an incomplete science.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

In the Aronson and Mills experiment, the ________ was (were) the independent variable(s) and the ________ was (were) the dependent variable(s):

A) severity of initiation; young women who participated
B) severity of initiation; women's liking for the discussion group
C) severity of initiation; boring discussion group
D) liking for discussion group; severity of initiation

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Suppose you conducted an experiment to study the effect of violence in television shows on aggressiveness in children. The dependent variable would be:

A) the factors that distinguished between one group of children and another.
B) how aggressive the children were.
C) whether or not the children should be exposed to the violence.
D) how violent the programs were.

Question 5

Which of the following word pairs corresponds most closely to "cause-effect"?

A) experiment-correlation
B) independent variable-dependent variable
C) experimental realism-mundane realism
D) control-impact

Question 6

In an experiment, two groups of college students were shown the same pictures of 25 women from a different campus. However, for one group, the photos were altered to make the faces in the photographs appear more symmetrical. Participates rated the attractiveness of the women on a one-to-ten scale with ten being very attractive and one be very unattractive. In this experiment, what was the dependent variable?

A) whether or not the photographs where symmetrical
B) the one to ten attractiveness rating scales
C) the sex of the person in the pictures
D) whether or not the subjects were college students

Question 7

In an experiment, two groups of college students were shown the same pictures of 25 women from a different campus. However, for one group, the photos were altered to make the faces in the photographs appear more symmetrical. Participates rated the attractiveness of the women on a one-to-ten scale with ten being very attractive and one be very unattractive. In this experiment, what was the independent variable?

A) whether or not the photographs where symmetrical
B) the one to ten attractiveness rating scales
C) the sex of the person in the pictures
D) whether or not the subjects were college students

Question 8

In an experiment, extraneous (nonmanipulated) variables are controlled by:

A) having more than one experimenter interact with all subjects in the study.
B) using subjects who are similar to each other in nearly all respects.
C) making all aspects of the procedure identical for all conditions, except for the independent variable manipulation.
D) the assignment of subjects to experimental conditions based on the characteristics of the subjects.

Question 9

The factor systematically varied by the experimenter is usually termed:

A) the dependent variable.
B) the extraneous variable.
C) the independent variable.
D) the control variable.

Question 10

In conducting an experiment, the researcher's goal is to:

A) determine whether experimental findings also operate under real-world conditions.
B) determine whether the theory of random assignment actually works when put into practice.
C) determine whether manipulations of the independent variable cause systematic differences in subjects' behavior.
D) predict whether subjects will believe the "cover story" used in the experiment.

Question 11

The dependent variable in Miller et al.'s second study concerning math testing was:

A) the change in self-esteem scores from pretest to posttest.
B) whether they made internal or external attributions about their change in performance.
C) the degree of change in their initial attitude concerning math from pretest to posttest.
D) how much their latitude of acceptance increased as a result of the experimental manipulations.

Question 12

In discussing their results on the relative effectiveness of persuasion and attribution techniques in producing behavioral change, Miller et al. advance which of the following explanations for their findings?

A) Persuasive techniques are superior to attribution techniques because they involve more forceful appeals.
B) Persuasive techniques do not threaten the self concept, and that is why they are more effective.
C) Attribution techniques are relatively less successful because they are less likely to arouse resistance, counterarguing, or reactance.
D) Attribution techniques are relatively more successful because they suggest something positive about the subjects and bolster their self-concepts.

Question 13

According to Aronson, which type of research study would be much simpler to conduct on the topic of college fraternities and conformity?

A) a laboratory experiment with randomly selected students
B) a field study that used members of actual fraternities
C) a role-play simulation in a laboratory setting with fraternity members
D) an anonymous survey sent to a random sample of college students

Question 14

Miller et al. gave subjects a pretest before conducting Study 1 in their research on the relative effects of attribution versus persuasion in producing behavioral change. The importance of conducting this pretest was:

A) to get the children prepared for the increased number of tests, drills, and assignments that the experiment would involve.
B) to introduce the students to the experimenters.
C) to discover existing differences among the classrooms in how much they littered.
D) to discover how knowledgeable the children in each classroom were regarding issues of ecology and pollution.

Question 15

Miller et al. warn against seeing their findings either as the basis for specific educational reforms or as an effective step toward ending social inequalities. They cite several reasons why they hold this less-than-optimistic view. Which of the following is not one of those reasons?

A) Long-standing individual differences are unlikely to be rectified by short-term interventions.
B) The attribution treatments in at least one of the studies was difficult to administer and did not produce substantial effects.
C) Using false attributions, even for good ends, involves risk to a teacher's credibility.
D) All children should be given a chance to succeed, but designing programs to aid a particular group gives them an unfair competitive advantage.

Question 16

In an experiment, two groups of college students were shown the same pictures of 25 women from a different campus. However, for one group, the photos were altered to make the faces in the photographs appear more symmetrical. Participates rated the attractiveness of the women on a one to ten scale with ten being very attractive and one be very unattractive. In this experiment, which variable is most likely a control variable?

A) whether or not the photographs where symmetrical
B) the one to ten attractiveness rating scales
C) the sex of the person in the pictures
D) whether or not the subjects were college students

Question 17

Experimentation is used in social psychology primarily because:

A) it allows for more precise quantification of the dependent variable than other research techniques.
B) it allows for greater control of the relevant variables than other research techniques.
C) it is less time-consuming than other research techniques.
D) it presents fewer ethical problems than other research techniques.

Question 18

The hypothesis of Miller et al.'s first experiment, which attempted to modify children's littering behavior, was that:

A) both attribution and persuasion manipulations would lead to initial behavioral change and to stable, persistent behavior modification.
B) attribution manipulation would lead to behavioral change; persuasion manipulation would not.
C) both attribution and persuasion manipulations would lead to initial behavioral change, but only attribution would have a more long-lasting effect on behavior modification.
D) only those children who were lectured on the ecological problems of littering and pollution would exhibit any significant change in their littering behavior.

Question 19

Suppose you constructed an experiment to better understand the effect of the content of a speech on how persuaded people were by it. In this experiment, the independent variable would be:

A) the content of the speech.
B) how persuaded the subjects were.
C) the characteristics of the subject.
D) how the speech was delivered.

Question 20

The dependent variable in an experiment is used to measure:

A) the effects of extraneous variables in the experimental setting.
B) the effects of the independent variable.
C) the degree of experimental realism achieved in the experiment.
D) the degree of mundane realism achieved in the experiment.

Question 21

Cover stories are used to:

A) mislead subjects about the true purpose of the experiment.
B) direct the subject's attention toward the specific behavior being studied.
C) decrease experimental realism.
D) decrease mundane realism.

Question 22

________ realism refers to the impact an experiment has upon a subject; ________ realism refers to the degree to which laboratory procedures are similar to commonly occurring events in the outside world.

A) Experimental; dependent
B) Mundane; procedural
C) Independent; dependent
D) Experimental; mundane

Question 23

A study on dating relationships found that the number of text messages sent between dating partners increased with the number of miles they lived apart. This finding is a:

A) positive correlation.
B) negative correlation.
C) nonsignificant result.
D) causal relationship.

Question 24

The reason experimenters randomly assign participants to different conditions in an experiment is to:

A) ensure the sample is as diverse in their characteristics as possible.
B) capitalize on the probability that they will find significant differences between the conditions.
C) be sure the sample is as representative of the population as possible.
D) try to distribute unique characteristics of the participants equally between the conditions.

Question 25

In social psychological experiments, the experimenter tries to:

A) create an exact duplicate of conditions found in the real world.
B) control conditions in natural, real-world situations.
C) create a functional equivalent to conditions found in the real world.
D) let the subject know what behavior is expected of him or her.

Question 26

If subjects know the true purpose of an experiment while participating in it, the most serious risk is if they:

A) refuse to continue their participation in the experiment.
B) tell the experimenter ways that the experiment could be improved.
C) act in ways that they believe will make them look good or "normal."
D) ruin the "cover story" by telling other subjects about the hypothesis of the experiment.

Question 27

Jane is a subject in Milgram's study of obedience. As she delivers increasingly severe shocks to the "learner," she feels a great deal of anxiety, engages in nervous laughter, and breaks out into a sweat. Caught in the grip of conflicting emotions, she would like to stop but feels she must continue to obey the orders of the experimenter. She has never encountered a situation like this before. Based on this description, what can we conclude about the Milgram experiment?

A) It was high in experimental realism.
B) It was high in experimental and mundane realism.
C) It was low in experimental and mundane realism.
D) It was high in mundane realism.

Question 28

A study on increased attraction following arousing events compared the degree of liking between people in a sky diving club after a jump versus members of a chess club in New York's Central Park after a match. This study would have _______ and ________.

A) high mundane realism: low experimental realism
B) low mundane realism: high experimental realism
C) high mundane realism: high experimental realism
D) low mundane realism; low experimental realism

Question 29

The reason experimenters randomly assign participants to different conditions in an experiment is to:

A) ensure the sample is as diverse in their characteristics as possible.
B) capitalize on the probability that they will find significant differences between the conditions.
C) be sure the sample is as representative of the population as possible.
D) minimize the effect of confounding due to uncontrolled subject variables.

Question 30

The main reason social psychologists want their experiments to have impact on subjects is that, without impact:

A) an exact duplicate or real-world situation cannot be achieved.
B) subjects will be bored and, thus, will refuse to participate in the experiment.
C) subjects' reactions will not be spontaneous and, thus, the results of the experiment will have little meaning.
D) subjects will probably guess the hypothesis of the experiment.

Question 31

Suppose you volunteered to be a subject in a psychology experiment in which you were locked into a sound-proof booth and were told that your brain waves were being measured. Furthermore, you truly believed that your brain wave pattern was being used to predict your basic personality traits. According to Aronson, this experiment would have ________ mundane realism and ________ experimental realism.

A) low; low
B) high; high
C) low; high
D) high; low

Question 32

In a correlational study on the relationship between caffeine consumption and heart disease in police officers, the fact that the officers could not be randomly assigned to high and low caffeine groups suggests the results may be due to:

A) the causal relationship between caffeine and heart disease.
B) a third factor-like donuts.
C) a multiplicative relationship between prime factors.
D) a meta-analytic effect of caffeine on stress.

Question 33

The crucial difference between experimental and nonexperimental methods of investigation is that experimental methods involve:

A) the quantification of empirical findings.
B) establishing a relationship between two or more variables.
C) the use of deception.
D) the use of random assignment.

Question 34

Generally, the relationship between control and impact is such that:

A) as impact increases, control increases.
B) as impact increases, control decreases.
C) as impact increases, control shifts from the independent to the dependent variable.
D) as impact increases, control shifts from the dependent to the independent variable.

Question 35

If researchers find a positive correlation between cowardice and nosebleeds, it most likely means that:

A) cowardice is a cause of nosebleeds.
B) nosebleeds are a cause of cowardice.
C) that a third variable-a genetic, hormonal factor-causes both cowardice and nosebleeds.
D) any, all, or none of these answer choices.

Question 36

According to Aronson, the most important condition which must be met before any experiment can lead to definite cause-and-effect conclusions is:

A) random assignment of subjects to groups.
B) the presence of a correlation between variables.
C) the presence of broad demand characteristics.
D) the manipulation of all dependent variables.

Question 37

In the context of an experiment, "random assignment" means that:

A) subjects are assigned at random to different "cover stories."
B) subjects are selected at random from a large population of potential subjects.
C) subjects are assigned to only one experimental condition.
D) each subject has an equal chance to be in any condition in the study.

Question 38

In Asch's study of conformity, which involved a comparison of the lengths of different lines, subjects were told that the experiment was about perceptual judgment. Telling subjects this:

A) involved the unnecessary use of deception, which Asch later regretted.
B) aroused a great deal of suspicion because the line-judging task was too easy.
C) was part of the experimenter's cover story.
D) created a high level of mundane realism in the experiment.

Question 39

Simply knowing that achievement is positively correlated with happiness tells us:

A) that there is a causal relationship between achievement and happiness.
B) that a third variable is the cause of both achievement and happiness.
C) that as achievement increases, happiness also increases.
D) that achievement causes happiness, or that happiness causes achievement.

Question 40

An experiment that gets the subject involved and interested but that does not represent events that occur in the real world is:

A) high in experimental control, low in correlational control.
B) high in mundane realism, low in experimental realism.
C) high in experimental realism and low in mundane realism.
D) high in correlational control and low in experimental control.

Question 41

The Informed Consent is a document that participants read and sign before starting an experiment. In addition to a basic description of the experiment, the information in this form should also explain any physical or psychological risk so that participants can assess whether or not to participate in the experiment. According to Aronson's five guidelines for ethical experimentation, participants should then be:

A) encouraged to continue even if they have concerns.
B) told all their questions will be answered after the study is over.
C) presented with their condition of the experiment.
D) reassured they may quit the experiment at any time with no penalty.

Question 42

Participants in experiments may gain some unique insight about themselves that they never knew before as a result of their being in a social psychology study. Aronson argues that it would be ____________ for social psychologists to justify their research because of such insight.

A) arrogant and unethical
B) ethically acceptable
C) ethically acceptable but a bit arrogant
D) typical

Question 43

According to Aronson, what are the three basic ethical problems that social psychologists face in conducting experiments? Would a carefully devised code of ethics, if stringently followed, be able to completely eliminate such problems? If researchers refrained from doing research involving deception, would these ethical issues be settled once and for all? Why or why not?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Question 44

According to the text, ethical dilemmas faced by experimental social psychologists stem from two conflicting values to which most researchers subscribe. These values are reflected in the belief ________, versus the belief ________.

A) that they must advance their scientific careers; that research should address important social problems
B) that informed consent is desirable; that deception cannot be avoided in research
C) that most people benefit from participating in research; that some people may be harmed by experimental deception
D) that free scientific inquiry is important; that the dignity of humans and their right to privacy should be respected

Question 45

Which of the following is not an ethical guideline proposed by Aronson in conducting an experiment?

A) Procedures that cause intense pain or discomfort should be avoided.
B) Experimenters should be ever alert to alternative procedures to deception. If some other viable procedure can be found, it should be used.
C) Deception, in general, can be justified in all experiments, provided that the subjects are adequately debriefed at the end.
D) Experimenters should provide their subjects with the real option of quitting the experiment if their discomfort becomes too intense.

Question 46

Why is the random assignment of subjects to groups such an important component of experimental research? What is gained by randomly assigning subjects? What would be lost if subjects were not assigned randomly?

Question 47

If deception is used, its negative effects may be reduced by:

A) never telling the subject anything.
B) debriefing the subject.
C) using role playing techniques.
D) paying the subjects more money.

Question 48

Psychiatric interviews of subjects in Milgram's obedience study (in which subjects believed they were delivering intense electric shocks to another person) conducted one year following the study, revealed:

A) that many subjects still had negative feelings toward the experimenter who deceived them.
B) that many subjects believed their participation in the study had been both instructive and enriching.
C) only a few subjects experienced long-term negative effects as a result of the study.
D) that some subjects still believed they had actually shocked the confederate

Question 49

Many subjects in a study by Robyn Dawes, Jeanne McTavish, and Harriet Shaklee experienced considerable discomfort after their participation in a study of how people respond to "social dilemmas." This study was included in The Social Animal to illustrate:

A) the pitfalls inherent in doing research involving deception.
B) the hazards of failure to carefully debrief subjects after their participation in an experiment.
C) the need to screen subjects before conducting an experiment, to make sure they are in good psychological health.
D) that no code of ethics can anticipate all problems, even when an experiment is carefully planned and conducted.

Question 50

The post-experimental session (debriefing):

A) allows the experimenter to explain the details to the participants to protect the dignity of the participants.
B) should fool the subject in order to be effective and gain more information.
C) increases the mundane realism of the experiment.
D) is a chance to conduct even more research.

Question 51

Fran Flanders, an advice columnist for a regional newspaper, was curious about why people are attracted to each other. She had a feeling that similarity leads to attraction, but she decided to conduct a scientific investigation to test her hunch. She found several couples who had been dating for a year or more and gave them a questionnaire that measured their attitudes and opinions on a variety of topics. Next, Fran gave the same questionnaire to several pairs of individuals who knew each other only as casual acquaintances. When she examined the questionnaire responses, lo and behold, she found that the attitudes of the couples who had been in long-term relationships were far more similar than the attitudes of casual acquaintances. "Great," Fran concluded, "I knew it all along! Now I can tell my readers that the key to good relationships is having similar attitudes!"
Do you agree with Fran's conclusion? Why or why not? If you were an experimental social psychologist, what approach would you take to testing Fran's hunch about why people like each other?

Question 52

Debriefing a subject at the end of an experiment:

A) is unethical if the subject already seems upset by the experimental procedure.
B) is a valuable way of undoing some of the discomfort and deception that may have occurred during the experiment.
C) has been shown to be relatively ineffective in undoing possible harmful effects to the subject.
D) helps to keep the subject unaware of the true nature of the experiment.

Question 53

Why do social psychologists conduct experiments? Choose an experiment (such as the "initiation" study by Aronson & Mills) and use it to illustrate the advantages of the experimental method. What problems would a researcher encounter if he or she tried to study the same phenomenon as it occurs in the real world?

Question 54

Explain the meaning of the terms "control" and "impact" as they pertain to social-psychological experiments. Why is each of these factors important in conducting effective research? What difficulty does the need for both pose for the careful researcher?