Question 1

To get subjects who are representative of the population,experimenters use:
A) random selection
B) random assignment
C) naturalistic selection
D) double-blind procedure

Accepted Answer

Random selection involves selecting a sample of people from the population in such a way that everyone has an equal chance of being chosen. This helps to ensure that the sample is representative of the population and reduces the risk of bias.

Question 2

Which of the following does the double-blind procedure control for?
A) wording effects
B) self-fulfilling prophecy
C) counterbalancing
D) random selection

Accepted Answer

The double-blind procedure is used to control for the self-fulfilling prophecy effect, in which the researcher’s expectations can influence the results of a study. This is done by keeping both the participant and the researcher who interacts with the participant unaware of the condition being tested.

Question 3

Fawzi wants to see if nicotine causes cancer in rats.Half of his rats are given nicotine,and the other half are not.In this experiment,the rats that receive nicotine are the ____,and the rats that do not are the ____.
A) independent variable; dependent variable
B) dependent variable; independent variable
C) control group; experimental group
D) experimental group; control group

Accepted Answer

The experimental group receives the treatment or manipulation in the study, which in this case is nicotine, and the control group does not receive the treatment. Therefore, the rats that receive nicotine are the experimental group, and the rats that do not are the control group. The independent variable is the factor being manipulated or changed in the study, and the dependent variable is the outcome being measured or observed. Neither nicotine nor the rats can be considered independent or dependent variables in this scenario, so options A and B are incorrect. While option C correctly identifies the control group, it incorrectly labels the experimental group as the dependent variable.

Question 4

If each subject in a sample population has an equal chance of being selected,it is called:
A) a control group
B) random selection
C) an experimental group
D) measurement error

Accepted Answer

Random selection ensures that the sample is representative of the population and reduces the chances of bias. This increases the generalizability of the findings to the larger population. The other options (control group, experimental group, and measurement error) are not related to the concept of random selection.

Question 5

What is the procedure where neither the subject nor the experimenter knows which group is receiving which treatment?
A) double-blind procedure
B) single-blind procedure
C) random selection
D) random assignment

Accepted Answer

In a double-blind procedure, neither the subject nor the experimenter knows which group is receiving which treatment. This helps to eliminate any potential bias in the study and increase the validity of the results. Therefore, this is the best choice. Single-blind procedure (B) only involves the subjects not knowing which group they are in and random selection (C) and random assignment (D) are different procedures altogether, not related to blinding.

Question 6

The difference between the behaviors of the subjects in the experimental group and the subjects in the control group is likely due to any of these EXCEPT:
A) the independent variable
B) error
C) chance occurrence
D) the dependent variable

Accepted Answer

The behavior of the subjects in the experimental group and the control group is expected to be different due to the manipulation of the independent variable, which is the main purpose of the experiment. Error and chance occurrence may affect the results, but they are expected to be randomized and evenly distributed between the two groups. The dependent variable is the outcome variable that is being measured to evaluate the effect of the independent variable on the behavior of the subjects, so it cannot be a reason for the difference between the two groups.

Question 7

Tina is assigned to a group where she receives some special treatment.Beth is in the group that does not receive the treatment.Identify the correct groups these two subjects are in.
A) Tina is in the independent group; Beth is in the dependent group
B) Tina is in the dependent group; Beth is in the independent group
C) Tina is in the control group; Beth is in the experimental group
D) Tina is in the experimental group; Beth is in the control group

Accepted Answer

Tina is in the group that receives special treatment, which is typically the experimental group in a study. Beth is in the group that does not receive the treatment, which is typically the control group. Therefore, Tina is in the experimental group and Beth is in the control group.

Question 8

What is the most likely thing that a subject in a double-blind procedure would say?
A) "It is a great honor to have been selected for the experimental group."
B) "Being in the control group is boring."
C) "I have no idea if I am in the experimental or control group and the researcher doesn't know either!"
D) "I wonder what group I am in? I suppose I could ask the researcher and she would know."

Accepted Answer

A subject in a double-blind procedure would most likely say that they have no idea if they are in the experimental or control group and the researcher doesn't know either, as this is the purpose of a double-blind procedure. Option A is unlikely, as it suggests that the subject knows they are in the experimental group. Option B is also unlikely, as it suggests that the subject knows they are in the control group and finds it boring. Option D is incorrect because the researcher would not reveal the subject's group assignment during the study.

Question 9

An advantage of randomly assigning subjects to groups is:
A) to make the groups equal in number
B) that it reduces the chance that other variables will bias the results
C) to ensure that the sample is representative of the population
D) to make the groups as different as possible from each other

Accepted Answer

Randomly assigning subjects to groups minimizes the chance that other variables will bias the results, as the groups will be similar in terms of these variables.

Question 10

A psychologist uses the double-blind technique in her research design.She is trying to avoid:
A) experimenters' and subjects' expectations from affecting the study
B) self-reinforcement
C) a biased sample
D) self-selection bias

Accepted Answer

The double-blind technique is a research method used to prevent experimenters' and subjects' expectations from affecting the study. In this method, neither the experimenter nor the subjects are aware of which group is receiving the treatment or the control group to avoid bias. Thus, A is the correct answer.

Question 11

The primary advantage of using an experimental research method is:
A) it allows you to draw cause-and-effect conclusions
B) it allows you to make observations about how things occur in their natural environments
C) it is the only kind of research that allows for statistical analysis
D) it is the only kind of research that satisfies all of the ethical requirements of the American Psychological Association

Accepted Answer

The primary advantage of using an experimental research method is that it allows you to draw cause-and-effect conclusions. This is because in an experiment, the researcher is able to manipulate the independent variable and control for other variables, which allows for a more accurate determination of cause and effect relationships.

Question 12

According to your textbook,statistical procedures are used to:
A) determine if the control group was randomly assigned to the dependent variable
B) determine if the experimental group was randomly assigned to the dependent variable
C) determine if the observed differences in the dependent variables are due to the independent variable or to something else
D) determine if the observed differences in the independent variables are due to the dependent variable or to something else

Accepted Answer

Statistical procedures are used to determine if the observed differences in the dependent variables are due to the independent variable or to something else. This helps to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the independent and dependent variables in an experiment. Options A and B relate to random assignment, which is a method of reducing bias in assigning participants to the control and experimental groups. Option D is not a relevant use of statistical procedures in experimental research.

Question 13

Professor Chapin is conducting research on the relationship between headache medication and the amount of pain reduction that is experienced by his participants.He expects that the medication will be very effective,and lo and behold he finds that it is a highly effective drug! Which of the following might have been a problem for Professor Chapin's experiment?
A) random assignment
B) demand characteristics
C) the self-fulfilling prophecy
D) experimenter bias

Accepted Answer

The answer of Professor Chapin is conducting research on the...

Question 14

Experimenter _______ refers to the expectations of a researcher that his/her participants will behave or respond in a particular way.
A) dependence
B) prophecy
C) bias
D) placebo

Accepted Answer

Experimenter bias refers to the expectations of a researcher that his/her participants will behave or respond in a particular way, which can unconsciously influence the researcher's interpretation of the results. The other options, dependence, prophecy, and placebo, do not accurately describe this phenomenon.

Question 15

What does randomly assigning subjects to different groups ultimately do?
A) it makes the selection of subjects less time consuming
B) it prevents subjects from knowing what group they are in
C) it controls any factors that might influence the results of the study
D) it ensures that there is an equal number of males and females in each group

Accepted Answer

Random assignment helps to control for any potential confounding factors that may influence the results of the study. By randomly assigning subjects to different groups, researchers can assume that any differences observed between groups are due to the intervention being studied rather than other factors such as age, gender, or socioeconomic status.

Question 16

An accurate diagnosis of ADHD is:
A) based on blood tests
B) based on CAT scans
C) difficult
D) most likely when the child is from an upper-class family

Accepted Answer

Diagnosing ADHD can be difficult as there are no definitive medical tests for it. It involves evaluating the child's behavior and comparing it to the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Some physical exams and tests may be done to rule out other medical conditions, but ADHD is primarily diagnosed based on behavioral observations and reports from caregivers and teachers. Socioeconomic status (i.e. upper-class family) is not a factor in the accuracy of ADHD diagnosis.

Question 17

Experimental group is to treatment as control group is to:
A) subject
B) random selection
C) manipulate
D) placebo

Accepted Answer

A control group is used in an experiment to establish a baseline for comparison. Just as the experimental group receives a treatment, the control group receives a placebo, which is a fake or inactive treatment. Therefore, the control group is best associated with a placebo.

Question 18

In order to determine if differences between experimental and control groups are due to the treatment or to error or chance occurrence,a researcher employs:
A) introspection
B) statistical procedures
C) common sense judgment
D) an animal model

Accepted Answer

Statistical procedures are the best choice to determine whether differences between experimental and control groups are due to the treatment or chance occurrence. These procedures provide numerical values that indicate the probability of obtaining the observed results by chance. Introspection and common sense judgment may be biased and lead to erroneous conclusions, while an animal model may not be relevant to the specific human population being studied.

Question 19

Shyla conducted an experiment.She went to the student union and asked people if they would like to be subjects in her study.She decided to ask only those people who smiled at her.Is this an appropriate way to select subjects?
A) Yes-since these individuals smiled and are likely to be cooperative
B) Yes-the student union has a diverse group of people
C) No-it is not random selection
D) No-Shyla failed to assign her subjects to groups first

Accepted Answer

Selecting subjects based on whether or not they smile at the researcher is not a random selection, which means there could be a bias in the sample. This could lead to inaccurate or unreliable results. To ensure the reliability and validity of the study, a random selection technique should be used.

Question 20

A(n)________ variable is any factor other than the independent variable that can affect the movement of the dependent variable in an experiment.
A) confounding
B) extraneous
C) correlational
D) analytic

Accepted Answer

An extraneous variable is any factor other than the independent variable that can affect the movement of the dependent variable in an experiment.

Quiz 2: Psychology and Science

To get subjects who are representative of the population,experimenters use:

Which of the following does the double-blind procedure control for?

Fawzi wants to see if nicotine causes cancer in rats.Half of his rats are given nicotine,and the other half are not.In this experiment,the rats that receive nicotine are the ,and the rats that do not are the .

If each subject in a sample population has an equal chance of being selected,it is called:

What is the procedure where neither the subject nor the experimenter knows which group is receiving which treatment?

The difference between the behaviors of the subjects in the experimental group and the subjects in the control group is likely due to any of these EXCEPT:

Tina is assigned to a group where she receives some special treatment.Beth is in the group that does not receive the treatment.Identify the correct groups these two subjects are in.

What is the most likely thing that a subject in a double-blind procedure would say?

An advantage of randomly assigning subjects to groups is:

A psychologist uses the double-blind technique in her research design.She is trying to avoid:

The primary advantage of using an experimental research method is:

According to your textbook,statistical procedures are used to:

Experimenter _______ refers to the expectations of a researcher that his/her participants will behave or respond in a particular way.

What does randomly assigning subjects to different groups ultimately do?

An accurate diagnosis of ADHD is:

Experimental group is to treatment as control group is to:

In order to determine if differences between experimental and control groups are due to the treatment or to error or chance occurrence,a researcher employs:

Shyla conducted an experiment.She went to the student union and asked people if they would like to be subjects in her study.She decided to ask only those people who smiled at her.Is this an appropriate way to select subjects?

A(n) ________ variable is any factor other than the independent variable that can affect the movement of the dependent variable in an experiment.