Question 1

The percentage of variation within a given population that is due to genetic factors is called:

Accepted Answer

Heritability refers to the percentage of variation within a population that is due to genetic factors. Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure, validity refers to whether a measure actually assesses what it is intended to assess, and variability refers to the extent to which scores in a distribution differ from each other.

Question 2

The two-pots analogy in this figure is used to illustrate which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The two-pots analogy in this figure is...

Question 3

In a phenomenon known as _____, awareness of positive expectations can actually improve performance on tasks.

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described is known as the stereotype lift, where awareness of positive expectations based on a person's group membership can improve their performance on tasks. Option A, "neurotypical threat," and option C, "neurotypical lift," are not terms commonly used in psychology. Option B, "stereotype threat," refers to the phenomenon where awareness of negative stereotypes about a person's group membership can hinder their performance on tasks.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding the determination of intelligence?

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. While twin studies do suggest that genetics play a role in determining intelligence, they also highlight the significance of environmental influences as well. It is widely accepted that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of intelligence, and the relative importance of these two factors can vary between individuals.

Question 5

According to research by Claude Steele and other psychologists, how does stereotype threat tend to impair performance?

Accepted Answer

According to research by Claude Steele and other psychologists, stereotype threat tends to impair performance by creating the fear that one might confirm the stereotype, which can negatively affect the ability to carry out an action. This fear can lead to anxiety, distraction, and self-consciousness, which can all interfere with effective performance.

Question 6

Psychologist Margaret Shih and her colleagues conducted a study where mathematically gifted Asian American female college students were randomly assigned to three groups. Group 1 filled out a questionnaire about their Asian background, designed to remind them of their Asian identity. Group 2 filled out a questionnaire designed to remind them of their female identity. Group 3 was the control group and filled out a neutral questionnaire. The students who were reminded of their racial identity as Asians scored significantly higher on the exam than the students who were reminded of their gender identity as women. The effect of gender identity in this study is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The effect observed in the study is an example of stereotype threat. Stereotype threat refers to the phenomenon where individuals perform worse on a task when they are reminded of negative stereotypes about their group. In this case, reminding the female students of their gender identity may have activated negative gender stereotypes, leading to lower performance on the exam. In contrast, reminding the Asian American students of their Asian identity may have activated positive stereotypes about Asians being good at math, leading to higher performance on the exam.

Question 7

A heritability estimate of about 50 percent for intelligence in the general population suggests that:

Accepted Answer

A heritability estimate of 50 percent for intelligence suggests that half of the differences in IQ scores within a specific group of people can be attributed to differences in their genetic makeup. The other half is likely attributed to environmental factors such as upbringing and education. This does not mean that genetics is the sole determinant of IQ, but rather that it plays a significant role in shaping individual differences. Heritability estimates cannot be used to predict improvements in IQ scores over a person's lifetime as they only describe the degree to which genetics and environment contribute to individual differences seen in a population.

Question 8

In one study, psychologist Margaret Shih and her colleagues assessed the performance of Asian American women on a test of verbal ability, an area in which women are stereotypically expected to excel but Asians are not. In this study, the women scored higher on the verbal test when reminded of the gender identity, but scored lower on the test when reminded of their racial identity. The effect of racial identity in this study is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The effect described in the study is an example of stereotype threat, as the reminders of the women's racial identity activated negative stereotypes that lowered their performance on the verbal test.

Question 9

In one study, psychologist Margaret Shih and her colleagues assessed the performance of Asian American women on a test of verbal ability, an area in which women are stereotypically expected to excel but Asians are not. In this study, the women scored higher on the verbal test when reminded of the gender identity, but scored lower on the test when reminded of their racial identity. The effect of gender identity in this study is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Stereotype lift occurs when awareness of a positive stereotype about one's group leads to improved performance, as seen when the women performed better when reminded of their gender identity.

Question 10

Jaclyn and Jade are identical twins who were raised in different homes, but nevertheless have very similar IQ scores. This example provides support primarily for the influence of _____ on intelligence or IQ.

Accepted Answer

The fact that identical twins raised in different environments have similar IQ scores suggests that genes play a significant role in intelligence or IQ. This is because identical twins share 100% of their genes, and if their IQ scores are similar, it suggests that genes have a strong influence on IQ.

Question 11

Psychologist Claude Steele coined the term _____ to refer to the belief that you might be evaluated in terms of a negative stereotype about a group to which you belong, especially when that belief creates anxiety or self-doubt.

Accepted Answer

The term coined by Claude Steele is "stereotype threat," as stated in the question. Option A, "neurotypical threat," is not a widely recognized term in psychology. Option C, "neurodiversity threat," is a term used to describe the threat faced by individuals who are neurodivergent (i.e., ADHD, autism, etc.) due to societies that favor neurotypical individuals. Option D, "prototype threat," is not a recognized term in psychology in this context.

Question 12

When reminded of the stereotype of the "elderly as forgetful," older adults scored lower on a memory test than a matched group not given that reminder. This example illustrates which of the following?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of stereotype threat, where the reminder of the negative stereotype of "elderly as forgetful" negatively impacted the performance of the older adults on the memory test.

Question 13

According to some psychologists, there is a heritability estimate of about 50 percent for intelligence in the general population. This statement means that:

Accepted Answer

Heritability estimates in psychology refer to the proportion of variance in a trait (such as intelligence) within a given population that can be attributed to genetic differences among individuals. Thus, a 50 percent heritability estimate for intelligence means that about half of the observed variation in intelligence (IQ scores) among individuals in the population can be explained by genetic differences.

Question 14

Lindsay hopes to gain admission to graduate school to become a chemical engineer, and needs to take the Graduate Record Exams (GRE) in physics and chemistry as part of her application. Although she has gotten excellent grades in both chemistry and physics in college, when she enters the room for her physics test she can't help but notice that almost all of the students taking the test are male, and she is only one of a handful of female students. According to research by Claude Steele, what might be the effect of Lindsay's awareness that she is vastly outnumbered by male students?

Accepted Answer

Steele's research on stereotype threat suggests that when members of a group (in this case, women) are aware of negative stereotypes associated with their group, they may experience anxiety or distractions that can negatively impact their performance. Since Lindsay is aware that she is outnumbered by male students, she may feel the pressure to perform well and overcome the stereotype that women may not be as good at physics as men. This additional pressure and distraction could lower her score on the exam.

Question 15

Psychologist Margaret Shih and her colleagues conducted a study where mathematically gifted Asian American female college students were randomly assigned to three groups. Group 1 filled out a questionnaire about their Asian background, designed to remind them of their Asian identity. Group 2 filled out a questionnaire designed to remind them of their female identity. Group 3 was the control group and filled out a neutral questionnaire. The students who were reminded of their racial identity as Asians scored significantly higher on the exam than the students who were reminded of their gender identity as women. The effect of racial identity in this study is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The effect of racial identity in this study is an example of stereotype lift, where the positive stereotypes associated with a group (in this case, Asians being good at math) can actually enhance the performance of individuals from that group when they are reminded of their group identity.

Question 16

Psychologist Margaret Shih and her colleagues conducted a study where mathematically gifted Asian American female college students were randomly assigned to three groups. Group 1 filled out a questionnaire about their Asian background, designed to remind them of their Asian identity. Group 2 filled out a questionnaire designed to remind them of their female identity. Group 3 was the control group and filled out a neutral questionnaire. What were the results of this study?

Accepted Answer

The study found that the students reminded of their Asian identity performed better on the math test, reflecting the influence of positive stereotypes (Asians being good at math) on performance, whereas those reminded of their female identity, which is subject to negative stereotypes regarding math ability, performed worse.

Question 17

Why can't heritability estimates be used to explain group differences in intelligence?

Accepted Answer

Heritability estimates can only be applied to differences within a particular group, because environmental conditions vary for different groups, making it inappropriate to use them to explain group differences in intelligence.

Question 18

When tests were described as measuring intelligence, Hispanic students performed more poorly than white students; children from a low socioeconomic background performed more poorly than students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds; and social science majors scored lower than natural science majors. These examples all illustrate which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The examples given illustrate stereotype threat, which is the phenomenon where a group's performance is negatively impacted by the awareness or internalization of negative stereotypes about their group.

Question 19

When a test was described as measuring "problem-solving skills," African American students did just as well as white students. But when told that the same test measured "intellectual ability," African American students scored lower than white students. This example illustrates which of the following?

Accepted Answer

This scenario demonstrates stereotype threat, which occurs when a person is at risk of confirming or being judged by a negative stereotype about their social group. The African American students performed worse on the test when they were told it measured "intellectual ability," which reinforces negative stereotypes about their race. However, when the test was described as measuring "problem-solving skills," the negative stereotype was not activated, and the African American students performed just as well as the white students.

Question 20

According to research by Claude Steele and other psychologists, how does stereotype threat tend to impair performance?

Accepted Answer

Stereotype threat can cause psychological distress, anxiety, and self-doubt, which can interfere with an individual's thinking and problem-solving abilities, ultimately impairing their performance.

Quiz 7: Section 2: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

The percentage of variation within a given population that is due to genetic factors is called:

The two-pots analogy in this figure is used to illustrate which of the following?

In a phenomenon known as _____, awareness of positive expectations can actually improve performance on tasks.

Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding the determination of intelligence?

According to research by Claude Steele and other psychologists, how does stereotype threat tend to impair performance?

A heritability estimate of about 50 percent for intelligence in the general population suggests that:

Jaclyn and Jade are identical twins who were raised in different homes, but nevertheless have very similar IQ scores. This example provides support primarily for the influence of _____ on intelligence or IQ.

Psychologist Claude Steele coined the term _____ to refer to the belief that you might be evaluated in terms of a negative stereotype about a group to which you belong, especially when that belief creates anxiety or self-doubt.

When reminded of the stereotype of the "elderly as forgetful," older adults scored lower on a memory test than a matched group not given that reminder. This example illustrates which of the following?

According to some psychologists, there is a heritability estimate of about 50 percent for intelligence in the general population. This statement means that:

Why can't heritability estimates be used to explain group differences in intelligence?

According to research by Claude Steele and other psychologists, how does stereotype threat tend to impair performance?