Deck 2: Research in Abnormal Psychology

Question 1

In _____ studies, patients are given an experimental drug to see if it reduces their symptoms.

A) symptom-exacerbation
B) new drug
C) placebo
D) medication-withdrawal

Answer 1

new drug

Question 2

In Project MK-ULTRA, a research study that would be considered unethical by today's standards, human participants were given repeated doses of:

A) cocaine.
B) heroin.
C) caffeine.
D) LSD.

Answer 2

LSD.

Question 3

A disorder's _____ is the total number of existing and new cases, while a disorder's _____ is the number of new cases that emerge during a period of time.

A) incidence; prevalence
B) prevalence; incidence
C) epidemiology; longitude
D) longitude; epidemiology

Answer 3

prevalence; incidence

Question 4

The "Genain" sisters all developed _____ in their twenties and became one of the most celebrated case studies in abnormal psychology.

A) depression
B) bipolar disorder
C) posttraumatic stress disorder
D) schizophrenia

Question 5

Experimenters can determine _____ significance, but only individuals and their clinicians can evaluate _____ significance.

A) clinical; statistical
B) real; unreal
C) experimental; clinical
D) statistical; clinical

Question 6

An imitation treatment that looks or tastes like the real therapy but has none of its key ingredients is:

A) confounding variable.
B) considered to be experimental fraud.
C) known as a placebo.
D) controlled by the FDA.

Question 7

Researchers would most likely use a(n) _____ research design to compare children who have a history of child abuse with those who do not.

A) experimental
B) epidemiological
C) quasi-experimental
D) longitudinal

Question 8

Which facet of experimental research is missing in a quasi-experimental design?

A) double-blind design
B) reliability
C) predictive validity
D) random assignment

Question 9

In a _____ design, research subjects are unaware as to whether they are assigned to the experimental group or the control group.

A) double-blind
B) biased
C) blind
D) triple-blind

Question 10

A medication-_____ study may be used to determine how and when patients can be taken off particular medications.

A) cessation
B) discontinuation
C) withdrawal
D) stoppage

Question 11

The _____ variable is manipulated in an experiment to determine if it has an effect on another variable.

A) dependent
B) confound
C) random
D) independent

Question 12

Correlational studies of many pairs of twins have suggested a link between _____ factors and certain psychological disorders.

A) social
B) economic
C) educational
D) genetic

Question 13

Most informed consent forms for clinical research are written at a(n) _____ level.

A) advanced college
B) high-school
C) elementary school
D) graduate school

Question 14

In a(n) _____ study, researchers observe the same subjects on many occasions over a long period of time.

A) case
B) epidemiological
C) experimental
D) longitudinal

Question 15

If a study found that there was a perfect correlation between two variables, which correlation coefficient would describe that relationship?

A) -100.00
B) 1.00
C) 0.00
D) +0.50

Question 16

What percentage of respondents polled said that they can "accept" animal research as long as it is conducted for medical purposes?

A) 25 percent
B) 33 percent
C) 50 percent
D) 64 percent

Question 17

When an unusual problem does not occur often enough to permit a large number of observations, it might be studied using a(n):

A) ABAB study.
B) experimental study.
C) case study.
D) correlational study.

Question 18

For the first half of the twentieth century, the cause of schizophrenia was thought to be:

A) brain chemicals.
B) poverty.
C) inappropriate parenting.
D) genetic inheritance.

Question 19

A correlation coefficient is symbolized by the letter:

A) p.
B) r.
C) q.
D) s.

Question 20

Animal rights surveys suggest that people tend to approve of experiments that use:

A) cats.
B) rats and mice.
C) dogs.
D) monkeys.

Question 21

When the findings of research can be generalized to people beyond the immediate study, the investigation is said to have:

A) internal validity.
B) interrater reliability.
C) test-retest reliability.
D) external validity.

Question 22

In a _____ study, both the participants and the experimenter are prevented from knowing who is in which experimental (or control) group.

A) dually unaware
B) negative bidirectional
C) double-blind
D) reciprocally shielded

Question 23

To compare a subject with himself or herself under different conditions rather than compare that subject to control subjects, one might choose a(n) _____ design.

A) analogue
B) case study
C) correlational
D) ABAB

Question 24

Clinical researchers look for _____ truths about the causes and treatments of abnormality.

A) nomothetic
B) deistic
C) universal
D) idiographic

Question 25

Researchers investigating a rare disorder that affects only a few subjects would most likely use a(n) _____ design.

A) natural experimental
B) experimental
C) quasi-experimental
D) single-subject experimental

Question 26

To ensure that subjects know what they are getting into when they sign up for a study, researchers must obtain:

A) institutional agreement.
B) informed consent.
C) human rights assent.
D) quasi-permission.

Question 27

If there is less than a 5 percent probability that a study's findings are due to chance, the findings are said to be:

A) statistically accurate.
B) statistically significant.
C) statistically insignificant.
D) statistically questionable.

Question 28

The Three Faces of Eve chronicles a _____ study of a woman who displayed three different personalities.

A) scientific
B) nomothetic
C) meta-analytical
D) case

Question 29

Sigmund Freud utilized the _____ to study the very unique situation involving Little Hans, a young boy who developed a fear of horses.

A) experimental method
B) correlational method
C) quasi-experimental method
D) case study

Question 30

A procedure in which a pointed instrument was inserted into the frontal lobe of the brain to destroy brain tissue was known as:

A) a lobotomy.
B) trephining.
C) tarantism.
D) lycanthropy.

Question 31

To learn more about human beings, a(n) _____ experiment is MOST likely to use animals as subjects.

A) digital
B) analogue
C) scientific
D) zoological

Question 32

If a research study concludes that the less coffee you drink, the less anxiety you experience, the researchers MOST likely used:

A) the experimental method.
B) case studies.
C) a focus group.
D) the correlational method.

Question 33

Clinical practitioners seek a(n) _____ understanding of abnormal behavior.

A) nomothetic
B) idiographic
C) medical
D) deterministic

Question 34

Which statistic represents the greatest magnitude of correlation?

A) +80
B) -.95
C) +2.0
D) +90

Question 35

If a research study concludes that the more activities a person participates in, the less likely that person is to be depressed, the conclusion would be expressed as:

A) a positive correlation.
B) a fantasy.
C) a negative correlation.
D) a causal relationship.

Question 36

The _____ effect is the term that describes a researcher unintentionally transmitting his or her expectations about the outcome of the research to a research subject.

A) Rosenthal
B) Stockholm
C) double-blind
D) research

Question 37

A research procedure in which a variable is manipulated and the manipulation's effect on another variable is observed is known as a(n):

A) experiment.
B) epidemiological study.
C) factorial study.
D) incidence study.

Question 38

Which statement describes the biggest limitation of correlational research?

A) It does not allow conclusions about cause-and-effect relationships.
B) Its results can only be applied to one subject at a time.
C) No relationship between variables is ever consistent, so findings cannot be applied to the real world.
D) The manipulation of a correlational variable requires an ABAB design, which is not always practical.

Question 39

If a research subject is given drugs designed to intensify her symptoms, she is participating in a _____ study.

A) symptom exacerbation
B) placebo
C) new drug
D) quasi-correlational

Question 40

Studies that reveal the incidence and prevalence of a disorder in a particular population are known as:

A) longitudinal studies.
B) high-risk studies.
C) epidemiological studies.
D) case studies.

Question 41

The controversy regarding research with animals centers on:

A) the rights of animals versus their usefulness in understanding human problems.
B) the financial cost of using animals versus the cost of research with humans.
C) the fact that animal research really doesn't contribute to human well-being.
D) the lack of standards for using animals in research.

Question 42

Freud's study of Little Hans is an example of:

A) a case study.
B) an experiment.
C) a phantasy.
D) a correlational study.

Question 43

Which statement does NOT describe a challenge faced by clinical researchers?

A) Measuring abnormal concepts such as mood change is difficult.
B) There are very few graduate students trained in clinical research.
C) Rights of research participants must be carefully guarded.
D) There are many variables to consider, such as gender, race, and culture.

Question 44

The idea that children from single-parent families show more depression than those from two-parent families is a(n):

A) variable.
B) experiment.
C) correlation.
D) hypothesis.

Question 45

Clinical researchers are usually concerned with a(n) _____ understanding of abnormality, while practitioners focus on a(n) _____ understanding.

A) nomothetic, idiographic
B) nomothetic, nomothetic
C) idiographic, idiographic
D) idiographic, nomothetic

Question 46

A psychologist does a study of an individual involving a history, tests, and interviews of associates. A clear picture is constructed of this individual so her behavior is better understood. This study is a(n):

A) hypothesis.
B) case study.
C) experimental study.
D) correlation.

Question 47

The case study MOST likely to be helpful in the study of abnormality would be one that included a well-tested, research-supported form of therapy used to treat a(n):

A) common disorder.
B) depression.
C) substance abuse.
D) uncommon disorder.

Question 48

Which is an example of a case study?

A) a study involving use of a control group
B) a long-term study of a clinical client
C) a study of all the cases of a disorder in a community
D) the creation of a disorder in a group of lab rats

Question 49

If you were using the scientific method to conduct research in abnormal psychology, you would be seeking:

A) an idiographic understanding.
B) to advance conventional wisdom.
C) a nomothetic understanding.
D) to change current graduate training.

Question 50

The clinical practitioner would be more likely than the clinical researcher to rely on which method of investigation?

A) case study with a single participant
B) experimental method with many participants
C) correlational method with one participant
D) cross-cultural method with many participants

Question 51

A study of a single person that is used to explain the underlying causes or nature of abnormal behavior in that person is consistent with the _____ approach.

A) theoretical
B) nomothetic
C) idiographic
D) correlational

Question 52

As opposed to clinical practitioners, who search for individualistic understanding of human behavior, clinical researchers search for general truths about abnormality. The approach of clinical researchers is:

A) idiosyncratic.
B) nomosynthetic.
C) idiographic.
D) nomothetic.

Question 53

A person says, "I think the Red Sox win more games on Tuesdays than on any other day." Although this statement is not very scientific, it is a(n):

A) research finding.
B) hypothesis.
C) example of a case study.
D) research conclusion.

Question 54

A case study of a patient includes a history, tests, and interviews with associates. A clear picture is constructed of this individual so her behavior is understood. This approach is:

A) nomothetic.
B) idiographic.
C) experimental.
D) correlational.

Question 55

Case studies are useful for:

A) forming general laws of behavior.
B) studying unusual problems.
C) conducting scientific experiments.
D) eliminating observer bias.

Question 56

Which is the BEST example of the idiographic approach?

A) a detailed study of one case
B) a study of the most effective treatment for phobias
C) a study of the relative frequency of horse and rat phobias among adults
D) a review of all of a clinician's phobic patient cases

Question 57

Which is NOT a way that case studies are useful?

A) studying unusual problems
B) learning a great deal about a particular patient
C) suggesting new areas for further study
D) determining general laws of behavior

Question 58

A general understanding of the underlying nature, causes, and treatments of abnormal behavior is called:

A) theoretical.
B) nomothetic.
C) idiographic.
D) correlational.

Question 59

Experiments are consistent with the _____ approach.

A) theoretical
B) nomothetic
C) idiographic
D) correlational

Question 60

Which is NOT considered a research method?

A) the case study
B) a correlation
C) an experiment
D) a treatment plan for an individual

Question 61

If stress levels and physical health are negatively correlated, the researcher can conclude that:

A) stress causes people to have poor health.
B) as stress increases, health decreases.
C) poor health causes people to experience stress.
D) mental illness causes both stress and poor health.

Question 62

Which correlation coefficient represents the weakest relationship?

A) -.95
B) -.06
C) +.30
D) +.54

Question 63

The major ethical concern with research on Facebook users is:

A) there are not enough Facebook users to make the research worthwhile.
B) Facebook users don't always know they are being studied.
C) research projects have not been approved by universities where they are conducted.
D) it is unethical to observe public behavior.

Question 64

A researcher finds that individuals who report large numbers of "hassles" in their lives usually also report higher levels of stress. Those who report fewer "hassles" generally report lower levels of stress. The correlation between number of "hassles" and stress level is:

A) positive.
B) negative.
C) curvilinear.
D) nonexistent.

Question 65

If you were to graph the relationship between the numbers of negative life events experienced in the last month and people's perceptions of stress, you would probably find a(n):

A) vertical line.
B) horizontal line.
C) upward-sloping line (to the right).
D) downward-sloping line (to the right).

Question 66

If the correlation between severity of depression and age is -.05, it means that:

A) older people have more severe depression.
B) older people have less severe depression.
C) younger people have almost no depression.
D) there is no consistent relationship between age and severity of depression.

Question 67

In a graph of a correlational study, the line of best fit:

A) inevitably runs from the lower left to the upper right.
B) is as close as possible to all points in the graph.
C) allows one to determine causality.
D) has no meaning unless it is positive.

Question 68

A psychologist studies memory techniques in adult volunteers and learns how to facilitate memory and then applies the results to a new class of students in a psychology course. This demonstrates faith in:

A) the internal validity of the study.
B) the external validity of the study.
C) the content validity of the technique.
D) the conceptual validity of memory.

Question 69

"The heavier you are, the more food you are likely to eat." If true, this statement expresses:

A) no correlation at all.
B) a causal relationship.
C) a positive correlation.
D) a negative correlation.

Question 70

One of the problems with animal research is the question of whether the results can apply to human beings. This is a question of:

A) face validity.
B) internal validity.
C) external validity.
D) content validity.

Question 71

Correlation coefficients indicate:

A) the magnitude and direction of the relationship between variables.
B) the cause-and-effect relationship between variables.
C) the internal and external validity between variables.
D) the significance and variability between variables.

Question 72

A researcher is considering whether to gather online data from Facebook users without informing the users that their data are being used. In terms of research ethics, which question is the MOST relevant?

A) Are Facebook postings considered "public behavior"?
B) Are Facebook users a random sample of whatever population is being studied?
C) Will Facebook users be able to sue if they think their rights are being violated?
D) Will the potential benefits of the research outweigh the potential risks to Facebook users?

Question 73

If a particular study of alcoholism failed to control for cultural patterns in drinking among participants, the study would have low:

A) external validity.
B) internal validity.
C) face validity.
D) natural validity.

Question 74

Which statement describes a limitation of the case study?

A) It does not result in high external validity.
B) It does not lead to an individualized approach.
C) It does not enable the therapist to understand the whole patient.
D) It does not allow the therapist to propose a course of treatment for a patient.

Question 75

If a study's findings generalize beyond the immediate study to other persons and situations, then the study has:

A) external observer bias.
B) internal observer bias.
C) external validity.
D) internal validity.

Question 76

The ability to generalize results from a study of certain individuals to other individuals not studied is called:

A) construct validity.
B) context validity.
C) internal validity.
D) external validity.

Question 77

Which correlation coefficient is of the highest magnitude?

A) +.05
B) -.81
C) +.60
D) -.01

Question 78

The term "external validity" refers to the extent to which the results of a study:

A) rule out alternative explanations.
B) reflect the manipulation of a single variable.
C) apply to subjects and situations other than the ones studied.
D) support the theory being tested.

Question 79

In correlational research, external validity is established when:

A) all participants behave similarly.
B) the correlation is positive.
C) the sample is representative of the larger population.
D) the correlation is smaller than 1.

Question 80

Internal validity reflects how well a study:

A) rules out the effects of all variables except those being studied.
B) can be generalized to others that are not studied directly.
C) appears to be measuring what it is designed to measure.
D) predicts some future behavior.