Question 1

The goal of scientific research is BEST described as seeking to:

Accepted Answer

The primary goal of scientific research is to explain relationships between variables, which helps in understanding how different factors interact with each other in various contexts.

Question 2

If you were using the scientific method to conduct research in abnormal psychology, you would be seeking a(n) _____ understanding.

Accepted Answer

The scientific method in psychology, particularly in the study of abnormal psychology, aims for a nomothetic understanding. This approach seeks to identify general laws and principles that apply across individuals, as opposed to an idiographic understanding, which focuses on the unique aspects of individuals.

Question 3

If a participant does NOT know in which condition she is being tested, she is participating in a study with a(n) _____ design.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a participant does NOT know in...

Question 4

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.

Accepted Answer

The idiographic approach focuses on studying an individual in detail to understand their unique behaviors, characteristics, or conditions, often used in case studies to explore the underlying causes or nature of abnormal behavior in that person.

Question 5

Which is the BEST example of the idiographic approach?

Accepted Answer

The idiographic approach focuses on understanding the unique aspects of individuals or cases, often through detailed case studies, making option A the best example of this approach.

Question 6

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 described as:

Accepted Answer

The idiographic approach focuses on understanding the unique aspects of an individual, including their personal history and experiences, which aligns with the description of constructing a clear picture of an individual to understand their behavior.

Question 7

The controversy regarding research with animals centers on the:

Accepted Answer

The controversy mainly revolves around the ethical considerations of animal rights and their welfare versus the benefits their use in research brings in understanding and solving human health and psychological issues.

Question 8

The statement or prediction made about a potential causal relationship in a proposed study is called the:

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a statement or prediction that can be tested through study and experimentation. It's about a potential causal relationship that the research aims to explore or validate.

Question 9

Studies that determine the incidence and prevalence of a disorder in a given population are called _____ studies.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Studies that determine the incidence and prevalence...

Question 10

The type of study that allows a direct determination of a causal relationship between two variables is a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The type of study that allows a...

Question 11

In surveys assessing people's feelings about animal research, two-thirds of respondents report that animal research is:

Accepted Answer

The majority of respondents in surveys typically find animal research acceptable for scientific purposes, provided there are no alternative methods to obtain the data and efforts are made to minimize suffering, aligning with option D.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Clinical researchers often seek a nomothetic understanding of abnormality, aiming for generalizations and principles that apply across individuals. Practitioners, on the other hand, focus on an idiographic understanding, emphasizing the unique aspects and experiences of individual patients.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

This statement is a hypothesis because it is a proposed explanation or prediction about the relationship between two variables (in this case, family structure and levels of depression in children) that can be tested through further research or experimentation.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

This statement is a hypothesis because it is a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

Question 15

The nontreated or comparison group that is NOT exposed to the independent variable in an experiment is called the _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nontreated or comparison group that is...

Question 16

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 described as:

Accepted Answer

Clinical researchers aim for a nomothetic approach, which seeks to discover general or universal laws and principles. This contrasts with the idiographic approach, which focuses on understanding the unique aspects of an individual case.

Question 17

Clinical researchers would NOT:

Accepted Answer

Clinical researchers focus on studying diseases, their causes, and treatment effectiveness rather than assessing individual clients, which is typically the role of clinicians or healthcare providers.

Question 18

Which is NOT considered a research method?

Accepted Answer

A treatment plan for an individual is not considered a research method; it is a specific plan designed for the care or therapy of an individual, often in clinical settings. In contrast, case studies, correlations, and experiments are all established research methods used to investigate hypotheses, understand relationships, or explore cause and effect in various fields of study.

Question 19

When a researcher studies the same individuals on many occasions over a period of time, the investigation is referred to a(n) _____ study.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a researcher studies the same individuals...

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Nomothetic approaches in psychology are concerned with establishing general laws and principles that apply to all individuals, which is consistent with the description of seeking a general understanding of the nature, causes, and treatments of abnormal behavior.

Quiz 2: Research in Abnormal Psychology