Question 1

A quantitative theory:
A) relates the numerical representations of variables and constants to one another.
B) uses analogies to physical systems for its base.
C) is stated in purely verbal terms.
D) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

A quantitative theory involves numerical representations and mathematical relationships between variables and constants.

Question 2

A qualitative theory:
A) relates the numerical representations of variables and constants to one another.
B) uses analogies to physical systems for its base.
C) is stated in purely verbal terms.
D) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

A qualitative theory is expressed in verbal terms rather than numerical or mathematical representations.

Question 3

A theory that provides only a description of a phenomenon and makes no attempt to explain it is a(n) _____ theory.
A) analogical
B) informational
C) fundamental
D) descriptive

Accepted Answer

A descriptive theory focuses on describing the characteristics or behaviors of a phenomenon without providing explanations or underlying reasons for them.

Question 4

Most descriptive theories:
A) use analogy to explain relationships.
B) are simply proposed generalizations from observations.
C) adequately explain phenomena within their scopes.
D) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

Descriptive theories are often proposed generalizations based on observations, aiming to describe phenomena rather than explain them comprehensively.

Question 5

Proposing a theory of motivation that likens motivational control systems to home heating systems is an example of a(n) _____ theory.
A) analogical
B) descriptive
C) fundamental
D) modeling

Accepted Answer

An analogical theory uses a comparison between two different things to explain a concept, similar to how a home heating system is used to explain motivational control systems.

Question 6

_____ borrow from well-understood models by suggesting that the system to be explained behaves in a fashion similar to that described by a well-understood model.
A) Analogical theories
B) Fundamental theories
C) Descriptive theories
D) Functional theories

Accepted Answer

Analogical theories use well-understood models as a basis for explaining new or complex systems by drawing parallels between them.

Question 7

A problem with analogical theories is that:
A) analogies are sometimes hard to come by.
B) they merely describe phenomena.
C) they cannot be adequately tested.
D) analogies can be taken only so far before they begin to break down.

Accepted Answer

Analogies are limited in their applicability and can break down when pushed beyond their intended scope, making them an imperfect tool for explaining complex phenomena.

Question 8

Fundamental theories:
A) require and rely heavily on analogy.
B) are the lowest form of theory because they do not explain phenomena.
C) seek to model an underlying reality that produces the observed relationships among the variables.
D) cannot be developed to explain psychological phenomena.

Accepted Answer

Fundamental theories aim to provide a deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms that produce observed phenomena, seeking to model the reality that explains the relationships among variables.

Question 9

Fundamental theories:
A) do not rely on analogy to explain phenomena.
B) propose a new structure that directly relates variables and constants within a system.
C) are the highest form of theory.
D) All of the answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

Fundamental theories are comprehensive and propose new structures that relate variables and constants, do not rely on analogy, and are considered the highest form of theory.

Question 10

Fundamental theories are rare in psychology because:
A) they are the lowest level of description.
B) it is extremely difficult to control the relevant variables.
C) they are too general to account for psychological phenomena.
D) it is easy to identify variables using mathematical laws.

Accepted Answer

In psychology, controlling all relevant variables is challenging due to the complexity and variability of human behavior and mental processes.

Question 11

The _____ of a theory concerns the range of situations to which it applies.
A) applicability
B) generality
C) domain
D) broadness

Accepted Answer

The domain of a theory refers to the range of situations or contexts in which the theory is applicable.

Question 12

Freud's theory of personality gave us deep insight into the operation of the unconscious mind. This is an example of a theory:
A) adding confusion to an already confused issue.
B) predicting events accurately.
C) having limited application.
D) helping us understand a complex phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

Freud's theory of personality helps us understand the complex phenomenon of the unconscious mind by providing insights into its operation.

Question 13

Which of the following was listed in your text as a role of theory in science?
A) Increasing publication rates
B) Providing a way to predict the behavior of systems
C) Validating new dependent variables
D) All of the answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

Theories in science are primarily used to predict the behavior of systems, helping to explain and anticipate phenomena.

Question 14

Dr. Jones proposed a theory of helping behavior that turned out to be wrong. However, it did serve as a catalyst for a fruitful research area. This illustrates the _____ value of a theory.
A) heuristic
B) catalytic
C) predictive
D) organizational

Accepted Answer

The heuristic value of a theory refers to its ability to generate new ideas and stimulate further research, even if the theory itself is incorrect.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is true of the heuristic value of a theory?
A) It acts as a countermeasure in a new research.
B) It affects only the independent variables in a research.
C) It is often independent of its validity.
D) It nullifies correlation between variables.

Accepted Answer

A theory's heuristic value refers to its ability to generate new ideas and research, and this can be independent of whether the theory is valid or not.

Question 16

Because of the failure of theories of learning, Skinner (1949) suggested that:
A) researchers be more careful when developing theories.
B) researchers rely more heavily on analogical theories than on fundamental theories.
C) research be guided more by the search for functional relationships than by theory.
D) theories are useless.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Because of the failure of theories of...

Question 17

For a theory to be of value, it must:
A) be able to account for data within its scope.
B) give good reason to believe that a phenomenon would occur under the specified conditions.
C) be testable.
D) All of the answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

A valuable theory should account for data, provide predictions, and be testable, making all the options correct.

Question 18

If a theory gives good reason to believe that a phenomenon would occur under the conditions specified by the theory, the theory is said to have:
A) strong inference capacity.
B) explanatory relevance.
C) testability.
D) predictability.

Accepted Answer

Explanatory relevance refers to the ability of a theory to provide a logical basis for why a phenomenon would occur under certain conditions.

Question 19

According to the text, Freud's theory of personality lacks:
A) explanatory relevance.
B) predictability.
C) heuristic value.
D) testability.

Accepted Answer

Freud's theory of personality is often criticized for lacking testability because many of its concepts are abstract and difficult to measure or empirically test.

Question 20

A theory is _____ if it is capable of failing an empirical test.
A) sound
B) relevant
C) testable
D) controvertible

Accepted Answer

A theory is considered testable if it can be subjected to empirical tests that could potentially prove it false.

Quiz 2: Developing and Evaluating Theories of Behavior

A quantitative theory:

A qualitative theory:

A theory that provides only a description of a phenomenon and makes no attempt to explain it is a(n) _____ theory.

Most descriptive theories:

Proposing a theory of motivation that likens motivational control systems to home heating systems is an example of a(n) _____ theory.

_____ borrow from well-understood models by suggesting that the system to be explained behaves in a fashion similar to that described by a well-understood model.

A problem with analogical theories is that:

Fundamental theories:

Fundamental theories:

Fundamental theories are rare in psychology because:

The _____ of a theory concerns the range of situations to which it applies.

Freud's theory of personality gave us deep insight into the operation of the unconscious mind. This is an example of a theory:

Which of the following was listed in your text as a role of theory in science?

Dr. Jones proposed a theory of helping behavior that turned out to be wrong. However, it did serve as a catalyst for a fruitful research area. This illustrates the _____ value of a theory.

Which of the following statements is true of the heuristic value of a theory?

Because of the failure of theories of learning, Skinner (1949) suggested that:

For a theory to be of value, it must:

If a theory gives good reason to believe that a phenomenon would occur under the conditions specified by the theory, the theory is said to have:

According to the text, Freud's theory of personality lacks:

A theory is _____ if it is capable of failing an empirical test.