Question 1

What is 'ontology'?

Accepted Answer

Ontology is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of being, existence, or reality in general and of the basic categories of being and their relations. It essentially addresses what kinds of things exist.

Question 2

Which of the following is not a part of science?

Accepted Answer

Making assumptions is not inherently a part of science; rather, science involves observing regularities, making and testing predictions based on empirical evidence. Assumptions may be used in forming hypotheses, but the scientific method emphasizes observation, experimentation, and evidence over mere assumptions.

Question 3

What did the Viennese circle of philosophers add to positivism to form logical positivism?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

What did Popper suggest as a hallmark of a good scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

Popper suggested that falsifiability, the ability of a theory to be disproven by empirical evidence, is a hallmark of a good scientific theory. This criterion helps differentiate scientific theories from non-scientific ones.

Question 5

How did Kuhn suggest science develops?

Accepted Answer

Kuhn suggested that science develops through paradigm shifts, a concept he elaborated in his book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions." He argued that scientific progress is not linear but occurs through revolutionary changes in the fundamental concepts and theories that underpin scientific disciplines.

Question 6

Which of the following is not an aim of science?

Accepted Answer

Science aims to describe, predict, and control phenomena based on empirical evidence and observation. Prescription, however, is more related to the application of scientific knowledge in specific contexts, such as medicine or policy-making, rather than a direct aim of science itself.

Question 7

What is another term for the scientific method in psychology?

Accepted Answer

The hypothetico-deductive method is another term for the scientific method, which involves forming hypotheses and then testing them through deduction and experimentation.

Question 8

Three of the following are necessary to be able to claim that one variable has caused a change in another variable. Which one answer does not allow us to make that claim?

Accepted Answer

A correlation between two variables does not imply causation. While correlation indicates a relationship or association between variables, it does not establish that one variable causes a change in another. Experimental design, control for other variables, and accurate measurement are necessary components to establish causality.

Question 9

What term is used to describe a study where there are pre-existing groups of participants?

Accepted Answer

A quasi-experimental design involves studies where participants are not randomly assigned to conditions, often because they are in pre-existing groups.

Question 10

Which of the following statements does not apply to quasi-experiments?

Accepted Answer

Quasi-experiments lack the full control over the assignment of participants to conditions that true experiments have, meaning researchers do not manipulate the independent variable directly. Instead, they study variables as they naturally occur or make comparisons based on pre-existing groups.

Question 11

Which of the following is a hypothetical construct?

Accepted Answer

Hypothetical constructs are concepts that are not directly observable or measurable but are assumed to exist to explain behavior, thoughts, or phenomena. Examples include intelligence, motivation, and personality. These constructs are inferred from observable behaviors or outcomes.

Question 12

What assumption underlies the principle of operationism?

Accepted Answer

Operationism is based on the assumption that unobservable factors (like psychological constructs) can have observable consequences, which allows them to be studied indirectly through their effects.

Question 13

Which of the following is not a potential issue in doing psychology scientifically?

Accepted Answer

Psychology, like other sciences, employs scientific methods to study and understand behavior and mental processes. The statement that psychology cannot be done scientifically is incorrect, as the field widely uses empirical research, experiments, and statistical analysis to test hypotheses and theories. The other options (A, B, C) are recognized challenges within psychological research.

Question 14

What is 'internal validity'?

Accepted Answer

Internal validity refers to the degree to which a study accurately investigates what it claims to investigate, ensuring that the changes in the dependent variable are indeed due to the manipulation of the independent variable, and not due to other factors.

Question 15

Which of the following is not a threat to external validity?

Accepted Answer

The size of the effect found is not a threat to external validity. External validity concerns the generalizability of the findings to other settings, populations, and times, which is not directly affected by the size of the effect.

Question 16

What term is used to refer to participant artefacts where participants try to do what they think is expected of them?

Accepted Answer

The good subject effect refers to a situation in experimental research where participants alter their behavior based on their perceptions of what they believe the experimenters expect from them, aiming to be "good" subjects.

Question 17

Which of the following is not a class of experimenter artefacts?

Accepted Answer

Accidental effects are not classified as a type of experimenter artefact. Experimenter artefacts typically include observer effects, interpreter effects, and expectancy effects, which are biases or influences the experimenter inadvertently introduces into the study.

Question 18

When does reification occur?

Accepted Answer

Reification occurs when we mistakenly treat an abstract concept or hypothetical construct as if it has a real, tangible existence. This error involves assuming that something which exists only in theoretical or conceptual form has a physical or concrete existence.

Question 19

Which of the following is not a feature of new paradigm research methods?

Accepted Answer

New paradigm research methods focus on studying people in their natural environments, using open-ended methods, and viewing participants as collaborators. These approaches often embrace subjectivity and the researcher's involvement, contrasting with traditional methods that emphasize objectivity.

Question 20

Which of the following is not a commonly held view about research methods in psychology?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is not a...

Quiz 2: Psychology As a Science