Question 1

A psychologist observes the confrontation between two rival neighborhood gangs from the window of an abandoned building.This method of collecting observations is best described as

Accepted Answer

The method described is naturalistic observation, which involves observing behavior in its natural setting without any interference or manipulation by the observer. It allows for the collection of data that is highly representative of real-life behaviors, as opposed to relying on self-report or artificial laboratory settings.

Question 2

Regarding the information provided by the nonexperimental methods, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The survey method is not used to establish cause-and-effect relationships, but rather to collect data on attitudes, opinions, and behaviors of a large group of people. Correlational studies can suggest the possible relationship between two variables but cannot establish causation.

Question 3

Sometimes observers in naturalistic observation see what they expect to see even when it isn't occurring.This problem is called

Accepted Answer

Observer bias is when an observer's expectations or preconceived notions influence the interpretation of the observed behavior. This can result in seeing what they expect to see rather than what is actually occurring. The other options refer to different phenomena such as a tendency to behave more positively in social situations (pro-social interaction effect), changes in behavior due to being observed (observer effect), and a generalization of positive or negative qualities to an entire person (halo effect).

Question 4

A psychologist using the method of naturalistic observation would

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior as it happens in real-life settings, rather than in controlled situations designed by the researcher. This method allows the researcher to observe behavior in a more natural and authentic context. Option A involves designing controlled situations, which is not the approach of naturalistic observation. Option B involves relying on subjects' responses to questionnaires, which is not the same as directly observing behavior. Option D involves making records of clients treated in therapy, which is a different method altogether.

Question 5

Researchers using naturalistic observations to study an animal colony must avoid making friends with the animals to minimize the

Accepted Answer

By avoiding making friends with the animals, researchers can minimize the effects of the observer on the observed. This can help ensure that the observations are as objective and unbiased as possible. A, B, and C are not relevant to this issue.

Question 6

One way to reduce the effects of the presence of the observer on the behavior of the observed is to

Accepted Answer

Concealing the observer or using hidden camera recorders can reduce the effect of the presence of the observer on the behavior of the observed because the observed is not aware of being watched and thus is more likely to engage in their typical behaviors. This helps to ensure that the behavior being observed is an accurate representation of the individual's typical behavior.

Question 7

The fact that a subject's behavior may change when they know they are being watched is called

Accepted Answer

The observer effect refers to the tendency of subjects to behave differently when they know they are being observed. This is a common issue in research studies, where the presence of a researcher or observer can impact the subject's behavior and potentially skew study results.

Question 8

Which research method can address questions not answered by other approaches and allows information about large numbers of people to be gathered?

Accepted Answer

The survey method allows researchers to gather information about large numbers of people and can address questions that may not be answered by other approaches, such as attitudes, beliefs, and opinions. It is also cost-effective and efficient compared to other methods. However, it may have limitations in the accuracy and reliability of self-report data.

Question 9

Zoologist Christian Rutz and his colleagues outfitted shy New Caledonian crows with "crow cams" to better understand their use of tools to forage for food.Dr.Rutz and his colleagues were using the critter cams to minimize the observer effect in which type of research method?

Accepted Answer

The use of "crow cams" on New Caledonian crows is a form of naturalistic observation, which involves observing animals in their natural environment without manipulating their behavior. The use of cameras helps reduce the observer effect, which occurs when animals alter their behavior due to the presence of an observer.

Question 10

Which research method takes advantage of "natural clinical trials" and allows investigation of rare or unusual problems or events?

Accepted Answer

The case study method is the research method that takes advantage of "natural clinical trials" and allows investigation of rare or unusual problems or events. This method involves in-depth observation and analysis of a single individual, group, or event, which can provide insights into the complexity of human behavior and experiences. Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in its natural setting without intervention, and although it may also allow investigation of rare or unusual events, it does not involve the same in-depth analysis as the case study method. The correlational and experimental methods do not typically involve investigating rare or unusual events, but instead aim to establish relationships between variables or examine causal effects.

Question 11

A college student has volunteered to tutor students in a first-grade classroom.She hopes to gain a realistic picture of the everyday behavior of these students.However, every time she enters the classroom, the students all stop what they are doing and run up to her begging her to tutor them next.This college student will probably never get a realistic picture of a typical first grader's school day because of the

Accepted Answer

The observer effect is when the behavior of the subjects being observed is altered because they are being watched. In this case, the first-grade students are altering their behavior by stopping what they are doing and approaching the college student, which does not give an accurate representation of their typical behavior.

Question 12

Psychologists often obtain much information by observing the behavior of human and animals in their usual settings.They then use this information to form hypotheses and questions for future research.These psychologists are most likely using which research method?

Accepted Answer

The description of observing behavior in natural settings and using the information to form hypotheses and questions for future research fits the method of naturalistic observation. The other options do not specifically involve observing behavior in natural settings.

Question 13

An advantage of naturalistic observation is that

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation allows researchers to observe behavior in its natural setting, without any interference or manipulation. This ensures that the behavior being observed is not influenced by external factors, such as the researcher's presence or instructions given by the researcher, making it a valid representation of the subject's actual behavior.

Question 14

The findings from naturalistic observations allow us to

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observations provide us with a descriptive account of behavior in its natural setting. They do not allow us to establish cause-and-effect relationships, make predictions, or explain behavior.

Question 15

Recording the behavior of people or animals in their real-life settings without imposing laboratory conditions is known as the __________ method.

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation involves observing and recording behavior in real-life settings without manipulating any variables or conditions of the environment or behavior. This method allows for the natural behavior of the subject to be observed and recorded, providing a more accurate representation of their everyday behavior. The other choices (A) independent living, (B) pseudo-observational, and (C) correlation do not accurately describe the method of observing behavior in real-life settings without laboratory conditions.

Question 16

Concealing the observer behind a two-way mirror or using hidden cameras can be used to minimize the

Accepted Answer

Concealing the observer behind a two-way mirror or using hidden cameras can minimize the observer effect, which refers to the tendency of people to behave differently when they know they are being observed. This allows for more natural and accurate observations of behavior. The other options are not directly related to this method of observation.

Question 17

Which nonexperimental research method can demonstrate the existence of relationships, allows prediction, and can be used in a lab, clinic, or natural setting?

Accepted Answer

The correlational method is a nonexperimental research method that can demonstrate the existence of relationships between variables, allows for prediction, and can be used in various settings such as a lab, clinic, or natural setting. This method involves measuring two or more variables and examining the relationship between them without manipulating any variables. It is useful in situations where it is not ethically or practically feasible to conduct an experiment, and can provide valuable insights into the nature of relationships between variables. The clinical method involves analyzing case studies of individuals with unique characteristics, whereas the survey method involves asking people to report on their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in its natural setting and making detailed descriptions of the behavior.

Question 18

Zoologists have attached miniaturized cameras called "critter cams" directly to many species allowing observations in a wide range of natural environments with the use of these tiny cameras minimizing the

Accepted Answer

The observer effect refers to how the presence or actions of an observer can influence the behavior being observed. By using miniaturized cameras instead of human observers, the observer effect is minimized. A and D are not applicable to this situation, and B does not accurately describe the effect of using critter cams.

Question 19

From her studies of chimpanzees in the wild in Tanzania, Jane Goodall showed that humans are not the only tool-making animals.In discovering this information, Jane Goodall used which type of research method?

Accepted Answer

Jane Goodall's method of studying chimpanzees in the wild involves naturalistic observation, where she observed the animals in their natural habitat without manipulating or interfering with their behavior.

Question 20

Limitations of naturalistic observation include the

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation is subject to observer effects and observer bias, as the observer may unintentionally influence the behavior being observed or have preconceived notions about what they are looking for. While naturalistic observation may not provide a large amount of information for the effort involved, it is not limited by the convenience or expense of laboratory settings and it is possible to follow APA research ethics guidelines.

Quiz 1: Psychology, Critical Thinking, and Science