Question 1

Which of the following is a characteristic of scientific inquiry as described by Goodstein's evolved theory of science?

Accepted Answer

Goodstein's evolved theory of science describes scientific inquiry as a process of ideas competing with one another to approach the truth. This is reflected in choice A. Choice B is an ethical principle of science but not a characteristic of scientific inquiry. Choice C is a possible outcome of scientific inquiry but not a characteristic of it. Choice D refers to the principle of causality but not a characteristic of scientific inquiry.

Question 2

Which of the following statements is true of the scientific approach to acquiring knowledge?

Accepted Answer

Both intuition and authority can be sources of ideas about behavior, but scientists use empirical methods to test these ideas.

Question 3

Scientists often rely on intuition and assertions of authorities to:

Accepted Answer

Scientists often rely on their intuition and experiences to generate ideas for research. Additionally, they may rely on the assertions of authorities in their field to guide them in their research questions and hypotheses.

Question 4

The fundamental characteristic of the scientific approach is:

Accepted Answer

Empiricism is the fundamental characteristic of the scientific approach as it involves observing and gathering data through experiments or other objective methods. This data is then used to test hypotheses and theories, which can be revised or confirmed based on the empirical evidence. Intuition and authority are not considered reliable sources of knowledge in science. While falsifiability is important for scientific theories, it is not the fundamental characteristic of the scientific approach.

Question 5

Isaac has decided to purchase several copies of a new children's book because he has a feeling that the availability of this book will be scarce in the future. Which of the following best explains Isaac's behavior?

Accepted Answer

Isaac's behavior is driven by his intuition, as he has a feeling that the availability of the book will be scarce in the future.

Question 6

Identify the first thing to be asked to a person who claims to be a scientist before accepting what he or she has to say.

Accepted Answer

The first thing to be verified is the credentials of the individual, which includes their education, degree, and specialization in the field of study. This will help to establish the credibility of the person and whether they have the relevant experience and knowledge in the subject matter. Only after verifying their credentials can one proceed to evaluate their research methods, funding source, and institutional reputation.

Question 7

Which characteristic of scientific inquiry emphasizes that if an idea is falsified when it is tested, science is thereby advanced because this result will spur the development of new and better ideas?

Accepted Answer

The characteristic of scientific inquiry that emphasizes that if an idea is falsified when it is tested, science is thereby advanced because this result will spur the development of new and better ideas is the adversarial nature of science. This means that scientific ideas are constantly being challenged by other scientists and if an idea is found to be false, it is rejected and replaced with a new and better idea. This promotes innovation and progress in scientific research.

Question 8

Identify the primary role of reviewers involved in peer review.

Accepted Answer

The primary role of reviewers involved in peer review is to recommend whether a study should be published or not based on its scientific merit and adherence to the standards of the journal or conference. While providing an objective set of rules for reporting and evaluating information may be important aspects of the review process, their primary purpose is to determine the publishability of a study. Making scientific evidence obtainable is not a direct responsibility of reviewers, but rather the goal of the scientific community more broadly.

Question 9

Good scientific ideas are testable. They can be supported or they can be disproved by data, which is called _____.

Accepted Answer

Good scientific ideas are not only testable, but they are also falsifiable, meaning that they can potentially be proven false by data. This principle of falsifiability is essential in the scientific method, as it allows for the continuous testing and refinement of scientific ideas. Skepticism refers to a critical and questioning approach to claims, empiricism refers to the use of observation and experimentation to gather data, and covariation refers to the relationship between two variables changing together. While these concepts are also important in science, they do not capture the essential aspect of testability and falsifiability of scientific ideas.

Question 10

Which of the following is most likely to be a problem associated with intuition?

Accepted Answer

Intuition may lead to drawing erroneous conclusions based on cognitive or motivational biases, as intuition relies on quick, automatic thinking and may not always consider all relevant information or alternative explanations. A and B are potential issues with intuition but are less specific and general than D, while C may not necessarily be a problem associated with intuition.

Question 11

Accepting the information in a professor's lecture without considering the credibility of the information exemplifies a belief in _____.

Accepted Answer

Choosing to accept information solely based on the speaker's authority or credentials is an example of relying on authority. This choice does not involve any skepticism or consideration of scientific evidence or intuition.

Question 12

_____ is the process by which scientists with expertise in a particular field assess a study before it is published in a top-quality scientific journal.

Accepted Answer

Peer review is the process by which experts in a particular field evaluate a study before it is published in a top-quality scientific journal. This evaluation process helps to ensure the validity, reliability, and overall quality of the research findings.

Question 13

Which of the following is an advantage of the scientific approach over other ways of knowing about the world?

Accepted Answer

The scientific approach provides an objective set of rules for gathering, evaluating, and reporting information. This is an advantage over other ways of knowing that may rely on subjective sources, such as intuition and authority, or may not require evidence before making conclusions. Additionally, the scientific approach acknowledges and actively tries to control for biases that may affect our perceptions.

Question 14

An empirical approach to science requires that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of An empirical approach to science requires that:
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Question 15

_____ is the idea that knowledge is based on observations.

Accepted Answer

Empiricism is the idea that knowledge is based on observations and experiences rather than on theories or assumptions. It emphasizes the importance of using scientific methods to gather data and test hypotheses.

Question 16

_____ is a cognitive bias that occurs when a person focuses on two events that stand out and occur together.

Accepted Answer

Illusory correlation is the cognitive bias where a person perceives a relationship between two events that are not actually related. This bias occurs when two events stand out and occur together, even though they may have no causal relationship.

Question 17

Many people readily accept anything they learn from religious figures or government officials because of their belief in _____.

Accepted Answer

Belief in authority is the most likely reason why people readily accept anything they learn from religious figures or government officials. They trust these individuals or institutions to have the knowledge and expertise to provide accurate information.

Question 18

When a person accepts unquestioningly what his or her own personal judgment tells about the world, he or she is relying on _____.

Accepted Answer

Relying on personal judgment without questioning it is relying on intuition.

Question 19

Scientific _____ means that ideas must be evaluated on the basis of careful logic and results from scientific investigations.

Accepted Answer

Skepticism is the attitude of questioning and doubting claims until there is sufficient evidence to support them. In science, ideas must be evaluated based on objective evidence and logical reasoning, rather than blindly accepting them. Therefore, skepticism is a crucial part of scientific inquiry. Fanaticism, didacticism, and radicalism do not emphasize logical and evidence-based evaluation of ideas.

Question 20

Which of the following has influenced U.S. Supreme Court decisions related to juvenile crime?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral research on human development has been influential in shaping U.S. Supreme Court decisions related to juvenile crime, particularly in regards to understanding adolescent brain development and its impact on behavior. Statistical research on judicial decisions, research by mental health professionals, and research by educators may also inform these decisions, but behavioral research on human development is considered the most influential.

Quiz 1: Scientific Understanding of Behavior