Question 1

Empirical studies have shown that astrology
A)has no supporting scientific evidence.
B)has scientific validity if you correct for planetary drift.
C)is a useful guide for making personal decisions, such as career choices or mate selection.
D)is only valid in predicting general historical events.

Accepted Answer

Astrology lacks supporting scientific evidence, as numerous studies have failed to demonstrate its efficacy beyond the level of chance or the placebo effect.

Question 2

When people read their horoscopes, they often believe these flattering descriptions of themselves, a tendency referred to as
A)critical thinking.
B)astrologer's dilemma.
C)confirmation bias.
D)uncritical acceptance.

Accepted Answer

Uncritical acceptance is the tendency to believe positive or flattering descriptions about oneself without skepticism, often seen when people read horoscopes.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the six elements of the scientific method?
A)making observations
B)intuitive analysis
C)proposing a hypothesis
D)theory building

Accepted Answer

Intuitive analysis is not considered one of the six elements of the scientific method. The scientific method relies on empirical evidence and logical reasoning rather than intuition.

Question 4

Even when an astrological description contains a mixture of good and bad traits, it may seem accurate because the person remembers or notices the parts of the description that backs up his or her expectations and forgets or ignores the discrepancies. This illustrates
A)pseudoscience.
B)confirmation bias.
C)the astrologer's dilemma.
D)uncritical acceptance.

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as confirmation bias, where individuals tend to remember or notice information that confirms their preconceptions and ignore or forget information that contradicts them.

Question 5

Regarding graphology, which of the following statements is FALSE?
A)Graphologists score close to zero on tests of accuracy in rating personality.
B)The use of graphology in personality assessment is considered a pseudoscience.
C)A graphological society concluded that handwriting analysis should not be used to select people for jobs.
D)Graphology cannot be used to detect forgeries.

Accepted Answer

Graphology is primarily concerned with analyzing handwriting to infer personality traits, rather than detecting forgeries, which is the domain of forensic document examination.

Question 6

Unlike psychology, superstitions change little over time because their followers succumb to
A)introspection and experiential processing.
B)the observer effect and observer bias.
C)uncritical acceptance and the confirmation bias.
D)falsification and the anthropomorphic error.

Accepted Answer

Superstitions persist largely due to uncritical acceptance, where individuals accept beliefs without questioning them, and the confirmation bias, where people favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or superstitions.

Question 7

If you are interested in whether gift recipients prefer gifts that they requested or gifts that were chosen for them, you will learn little by making haphazard observations of gift-giving at family birthday parties. To be of value, your observations must be planned and
A)intuitive.
B)systematic.
C)introspective.
D)dynamic.

Accepted Answer

Systematic observations are essential for gathering valuable data because they ensure that the information collected is organized, consistent, and methodical, allowing for accurate analysis and conclusions.

Question 8

Some superstitious beliefs can seem to be scientific, but are actually false. These are referred to as
A)humanism.
B)pseudoscience.
C)introspection.
D)divergent thinking.

Accepted Answer

Pseudoscience refers to beliefs or practices that claim to be scientific or supported by science but lack a basis in scientific fact or methodology. These can include superstitions that are presented as having scientific backing but do not hold up to scientific scrutiny.

Question 9

To be scientific, our observations must be
A)systematic.
B)intuitive.
C)haphazard.
D)related to common sense.

Accepted Answer

Scientific observations need to be systematic to ensure they are structured, consistent, and can be replicated or reviewed by others in the scientific community. This allows for the accumulation of reliable data.

Question 10

An elderly lady is greatly impressed by an astrologer who describes her as physically vigorous, innovative, and artistically creative. Her reaction to this flattering description is an example of
A)uncritical acceptance.
B)confirmation bias.
C)pseudoscience.
D)the confusion of cause and effect.

Accepted Answer

The elderly lady's reaction is an example of uncritical acceptance, where she readily accepts flattering descriptions without skepticism or critical evaluation.

Question 11

In the prediction of personality, which of the following would be considered a pseudoscience?
A)graphology
B)psychoanalysis
C)humanism
D)psychometrics

Accepted Answer

Graphology, the study of handwriting as a means of analyzing character, is considered a pseudoscience because it lacks empirical evidence and scientific validity to support its claims.

Question 12

The scientific method is NOT based on which of the following?
A)careful collection of evidence
B)accurate descriptions and measurements
C)repeatable results
D)theoretical projection and intuitive analysis

Accepted Answer

The scientific method relies on empirical evidence, accurate measurements, and repeatable results to validate hypotheses. Theoretical projection and intuitive analysis, while potentially valuable in the formulation of hypotheses, are not foundational to the scientific method, which emphasizes empirical validation over theoretical or intuitive speculation.

Question 13

Which of the following is similar to "cherry picking" evidence and arguments to support your own beliefs, can occur unconsciously, and ultimately prevents you from confronting your mistaken beliefs?
A)uncritical acceptance
B)introspection
C)confirmation bias
D)experiential processing

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities. This can happen both consciously and unconsciously, and it prevents individuals from recognizing and correcting their mistaken beliefs.

Question 14

Which of the following is a form of critical thinking based on a careful collection of evidence, accurate descriptions and measurements, precise definitions, controlled observations, and repeatable results?
A)intuitive analysis
B)the introspective method
C)the scientific method
D)theoretical projection

Accepted Answer

The scientific method is a form of critical thinking that involves a systematic process of inquiry, including the collection of evidence, precise measurements and definitions, controlled observations, and experiments that yield repeatable results. This method is fundamental to scientific research and is designed to minimize bias and error in understanding the natural world.

Question 15

Sid believes his dreams forecast the future. He describes all the dreams that came true in the last month. His friend Joey asks him about all the times his dreams did not come true. Sid's tendency to remember the times his dreams came true and forget the times they did not is known as
A)confirmation bias.
B)uncritical acceptance.
C)the observer effect.
D)critical thinking.

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities. Sid's focus on the dreams that came true while ignoring those that did not is a classic example of confirmation bias.

Question 16

The entire belief system of astrology is held without objective evidence and in the face of falsifying evidence. Thus, this unfounded belief in astrology would be considered
A)intersubjective.
B)empirically-based.
C)an experiential cognition.
D)a superstition.

Accepted Answer

Astrology is considered a superstition because it is a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation, without objective evidence to support it.

Question 17

When a person remembers or notices only things that back up his or her expectations and forgets or ignores discrepancies, he or she is experiencing
A)pseudoscience.
B)confirmation bias.
C)the introspective dilemma.
D)uncritical acceptance.

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs or values. This leads to statistical errors and a lack of objectivity because individuals give more attention and weight to data that support their beliefs while ignoring or dismissing information that contradicts them.

Question 18

Regarding astrology, which of the following statements is FALSE?
A)No connection has been found between people's astrological signs and their intelligence, personality traits, leadership ability, or career choices.
B)The basic underpinnings of astrology have remained relatively unchanged since its invention several thousand years ago.
C)One study of more than 3,000 predictions by famous astrologers found that about half of their predictions were accurate.
D)No connection has been found between the "compatibility" of couples' astrological signs and their marriage and divorce rates.

Accepted Answer

Astrological predictions have not been proven to be accurate at a rate better than chance. Studies have shown that astrological predictions do not have a reliable accuracy rate, debunking the claim that about half of such predictions by famous astrologers are accurate.

Question 19

Unfounded beliefs held without evidence or in the face of falsifying evidence are called
A)superstitions.
B)experiential cognitions.
C)intersubjective data.
D)introspections.

Accepted Answer

Superstitions are beliefs or practices that are not based on scientific evidence, often persisting even when there is evidence to the contrary.

Question 20

The tendency to believe claims because they seem true or because it would be nice if they were true is called
A)uncritical acceptance.
B)confirmation bias.
C)"cherry picking."
D)falsification.

Accepted Answer

Uncritical acceptance refers to the tendency to believe claims simply because they seem true or because it would be desirable for them to be true, without subjecting them to critical examination or skepticism.

Quiz 1: Psychology, Critical Thinking, and Science

Empirical studies have shown that astrology

When people read their horoscopes, they often believe these flattering descriptions of themselves, a tendency referred to as

Which of the following is NOT one of the six elements of the scientific method?

Even when an astrological description contains a mixture of good and bad traits, it may seem accurate because the person remembers or notices the parts of the description that backs up his or her expectations and forgets or ignores the discrepancies. This illustrates

Regarding graphology, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Unlike psychology, superstitions change little over time because their followers succumb to

If you are interested in whether gift recipients prefer gifts that they requested or gifts that were chosen for them, you will learn little by making haphazard observations of gift-giving at family birthday parties. To be of value, your observations must be planned and

Some superstitious beliefs can seem to be scientific, but are actually false. These are referred to as

To be scientific, our observations must be

An elderly lady is greatly impressed by an astrologer who describes her as physically vigorous, innovative, and artistically creative. Her reaction to this flattering description is an example of

In the prediction of personality, which of the following would be considered a pseudoscience?

The scientific method is NOT based on which of the following?

Which of the following is similar to "cherry picking" evidence and arguments to support your own beliefs, can occur unconsciously, and ultimately prevents you from confronting your mistaken beliefs?

Which of the following is a form of critical thinking based on a careful collection of evidence, accurate descriptions and measurements, precise definitions, controlled observations, and repeatable results?

Sid believes his dreams forecast the future. He describes all the dreams that came true in the last month. His friend Joey asks him about all the times his dreams did not come true. Sid's tendency to remember the times his dreams came true and forget the times they did not is known as

The entire belief system of astrology is held without objective evidence and in the face of falsifying evidence. Thus, this unfounded belief in astrology would be considered

When a person remembers or notices only things that back up his or her expectations and forgets or ignores discrepancies, he or she is experiencing

Regarding astrology, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Unfounded beliefs held without evidence or in the face of falsifying evidence are called

The tendency to believe claims because they seem true or because it would be nice if they were true is called