Question 1

An astute observer of human nature should state research questions in a manner that leads either to their being supported or refuted by the available evidence.This is the scientific thinking principle of

Accepted Answer

falsifiability.

Question 2

A key characteristic of a good scientific theory is that it is a simple explanatory device.This key characteristic is explained as the scientific thinking principle of

Accepted Answer

Occam's Razor.

Question 3

A group of scientists is attempting to verify recent data published on the chemical composition of tears and the presence of Alzheimer's disease.This illustrates the critical thinking principle of

Accepted Answer

replicability

Question 4

If a researcher's initial findings that a particular relationship or effect exists are not reliably demonstrated by other independent researchers,how are these initial findings thought of in the discipline of psychology?

Accepted Answer

As an error or fluke in research

Question 5

What early psychologist was most concerned with developing answers to questions about our conscious mental experience?

Accepted Answer

Wilhelm Wundt

Question 6

Professor Barnes gives her general psychology class an assignment to look for ads promoting instant weight loss or energy-boosting diets.What information should she have the students look for that might mislead the public into buying the product?

Accepted Answer

Ads promising cures instead of treatments

Question 7

Residents of a small town on the gulf coast of Florida reported numerous UFO sightings.Military personnel eventually disclosed that they had been running tests on a new missile over the open waters,which would account for the strange lights the local people were witnessing.Which critical thinking principle does this example best demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Occam's Razor/parsimony

Question 8

The key message from the authors' discussion of crop circles is that

Accepted Answer

critical thinkers must select the simpler of two claims that fit with the available evidence.

Question 9

Logical simplicity (parsimony)is the notion behind

Accepted Answer

Occam's Razor.

Question 10

Even though we may not be able to prove a theory,we can increase our confidence in the theory's validity through

Accepted Answer

replicability

Question 11

Psychology was once similar to which of the following disciplines?

Accepted Answer

Philosophy

Question 12

According to Occam's Razor,evaluation of psychological phenomena demands the most ________ explanation to account for the available data.

Accepted Answer

simple

Question 13

If a person were to say that a scientific finding was replicated,he or she would be saying that the finding was

Accepted Answer

consistent and dependable.

Question 14

Initial reports in the media that listening to classical music made students more intelligent were followed by several failed attempts to reproduce the effects in the laboratories of other researchers.This is an example of the failure to

Accepted Answer

replicate.

Question 15

What individual is often credited with establishing the first psychological laboratory,thus establishing psychology as an experimental science?

Accepted Answer

Wilhelm Wundt
% correct 75 a = 10 b = 5 c = 10 d = 75 r = .27

Question 16

A group of teachers develops a math curriculum to help students increase their scores on required tests in math.The teachers find promising results with the students in their school,so they develop a plan to test the curriculum in all of the schools in their county.This plan shows that the teachers recognize the importance of

Accepted Answer

replicating the original findings to increase confidence in them.

Question 17

If I propose a hypothesis that counters what is currently known about the relationship between subliminal presentation of information and memory,who is responsible for developing the evidence regarding my hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Advocates of my position,including myself

Question 18

A new television show is based on reported paranormal activity or "hauntings" in the United States.The researchers on the show travel around the country collecting evidence based on claims from residents who believe a particular area is haunted.In order to demonstrate that hauntings exist,these researchers must

Accepted Answer

provide extraordinary evidence of hauntings.

Question 19

Occam's Razor is another name for what scientific thinking principle?

Accepted Answer

Principle of parsimony

Question 20

According to your authors,one of the bottom lines of scientific thinking is

Accepted Answer

If a claim runs counter to what we already know,it should be supported by extraordinary evidence.

Quiz 1: Psychology and Scientific Thinking