Question 1

Researchers may experience several difficulties when engaging in participant observation. Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with participant observation?
A) systematic underestimation of events
B) systematic overestimation of events
C) impartiality
D) erroneous conclusions

Accepted Answer

Impartiality is not a problem associated with participant observation, but rather a desirable quality for the researcher to strive towards. Systematic underestimation or overestimation of events and erroneous conclusions can all arise from the subjective nature of participant observation and the potential for the researcher to become too involved in the group being observed.

Question 2

Research practices that utilize behavioral choice may inflate a(n):
A) ecological validity.
B) artificial environment.
C) behavioral traces.
D) introspection.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral choice experiments often involve creating an artificial environment that may not accurately replicate real-life situations. Therefore, utilizing behavioral choice may inflate the artificial environment in research practices.

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios would be best suited for descriptive research?
A) providing positive feedback to one group of students and negative feedback to another group of students to observe their subsequent behaviors
B) conducting home visit observations and in-depth parent interviews to determine why certain behavior problems exist for students
C) dividing students in classrooms based on their IQ and then implementing a certain teaching style
D) interviewing teachers regarding problem behaviors in their classrooms

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following scenarios would be...

Question 4

You are socializing with your friends Rolanda and Zackary. Another couple who you don't know, Alyse and Tyn, joins the gathering. You see Rolanda and Zackary discipline their son with a tap on the hand for sticking his fingers in the potato salad and you see Alyse and Tyn discipline their daughter by tapping her bottom for throwing the potato salad. You react with harsher judgment to the punishment by Alyse and Tyn than to the punishment by Rolanda and Zackary. One potential reason for this discrepancy could be:
A) social desirability.
B) observer bias.
C) artificiality.
D) external validity.

Accepted Answer

The discrepancy in judgment could be due to observer bias, as it is possible that the observer has different expectations or beliefs about what constitutes appropriate discipline. This bias may lead them to judge one form of discipline as more harsh or inappropriate than another, even if the behaviors being disciplined are similar.

Question 5

Dr. Keefer is skeptical of using laboratory observation designs as he knows they are susceptible to both _____ and social desirability.
A) demand characteristics
B) natural behaviors
C) artificiality
D) personality characteristics

Accepted Answer

Laboratory observation designs are susceptible to demand characteristics, which are cues or signals that can influence participants to respond in a particular way. Participants may also exhibit social desirability bias, which is a tendency to present oneself in a positive light or to conform to social norms. These factors can compromise the validity and reliability of the study results. Artificiality and personality characteristics may also be issues, but they are not the main concerns with laboratory observation designs.

Question 6

Alden goes to his sociology professor for advice regarding a research question. Alden wants to have complete control of his participants and their environment and he asks his professor which observational method would be most appropriate. What is his professor's answer?
A) systematic observation
B) laboratory observation
C) naturalistic observation
D) participant observation

Accepted Answer

Laboratory observation offers the highest level of control over variables such as the environment and the behavior of the participants. In this method, the observation is conducted in a controlled setting, such as a laboratory, where the researcher can manipulate variables and observe the participants' behavior.

Question 7

Donna enlisted to be a part of a psychological study at her university for extra credit. She read the informed consent form and knew she was going to be observed in the classroom during her next course exam. Donna became uncomfortable and starting putting more thought into your typical exam behavior knowing that someone was observing her. This is an example of:
A) perception.
B) bias.
C) ecological validity.
D) reactivity.

Accepted Answer

Donna's change in behavior due to the awareness of being observed is an example of reactivity. Reactivity refers to changes in behavior or responses that occur as a result of being observed or studied.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of observational research?
A) increase in Cohen's d
B) identify key factors related to phenomenon
C) identify connections between variables of interest
D) assist in formulation of theories

Accepted Answer

Increase in Cohen's d is not an advantage of observational research. Cohen's d is a measure of effect size that implies the practical significance of a particular effect observed in a study. However, using observational research does not directly increase Cohen's d. The other options (B, C, and D) are advantages of observational research.

Question 9

Tiana wants to see if individuals react differently to negative feedback from men than from women. This would be an example of a(n):
A) analogue study.
B) laboratory observation.
C) systematic observation.
D) participant observation.

Accepted Answer

This study would be an example of systematic observation, which involves observing and measuring behavior in a structured and systematic manner. Tiana would be collecting data on individuals' reactions to negative feedback in the presence of either a male or female, and then comparing the results to determine if there is a difference in reactions based on gender.

Question 10

Deliberately making children misbehave to observe parental reactions would be a(n) _____ research behavior.
A) ethical
B) unethical
C) moral
D) fitting

Accepted Answer

Deliberately making children misbehave in order to observe parental reactions is a form of unethical research behavior as it involves potential harm to the children and goes against the principle of informed consent. It also violates ethical guidelines regarding the use of human subjects in research.

Question 11

Demarco is initiating a naturalistic observation of children and their parents. Which of the following is NOT absolutely necessary to continue with naturalistic observation study?
A) informed consent
B) coding system
C) research protocol
D) approval from the institutional review board

Accepted Answer

Informed consent is not absolutely necessary for naturalistic observation studies, as long as the participants are not being observed in a private setting.

Question 12

Research practices that utilize behavioral choice may introduce:
A) multiple options.
B) behavioral traces.
C) introspection.
D) restriction of options.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research practices that utilize behavioral choice may...

Question 13

Social desirability is:
A) the tendency for individuals to overreport socially acceptable qualities and underreport undesirable qualities to look better.
B) the tendency for individuals to underreport socially acceptable qualities and overreport undesirable qualities to look better.
C) the tendency to overreport undesirable qualities in an effort to look worse.
D) the tendency to restrict behavior.

Accepted Answer

Social desirability is the tendency for individuals to overreport socially acceptable qualities and underreport undesirable qualities to look better. It is a form of response bias in which individuals are motivated to present themselves in a positive light.

Question 14

One of the biggest advantages of self-report measures is:
A) real-time interval sampling.
B) accurate predictions of future behaviors.
C) introspection.
D) limited impact of social desirability.

Accepted Answer

Self-report measures allow individuals to provide insight into their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through introspection. This can provide valuable information for research and understanding of individual experiences.

Question 15

Which of the following would improves ecological validity?
A) artificiality of setting
B) computer-based programming
C) demand characteristics
D) real-time responses by participants

Accepted Answer

Real-time responses by participants would improve ecological validity by reflecting more accurately how individuals would act and react in their everyday lives. This would increase the generalizability of the results to real-world scenarios. Artificiality of setting and computer-based programming would decrease ecological validity by creating an artificial environment that may not reflect real-world situations. Demand characteristics may also affect the validity of the study by introducing bias and altering participants' behavior. Therefore, D is the best choice.

Question 16

Loretta and her friend Simon sat on a bench in the food court at the mall all day on Saturday to observe communication and eating patterns of different ages, sexes, and ethnicities. Loretta and her friend Simon needed this information to complete a paper for their sociology class and had decided on what behaviors they were going to focus on prior to their observation on Saturday. This is an example of:
A) laboratory observation.
B) systematic observation.
C) analogue study.
D) participant observation.

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes systematic observation, which involves carefully planned and structured observations of specific behaviors or phenomena. Laboratory observation typically involves studying behaviors in a controlled environment, analogue study involves simulating real-life situations, and participant observation involves actively participating in the group being observed. However, none of these options accurately describe the scenario provided.

Question 17

Euna is a 22-year-old college student. Given the principle of social desirability she is likely to _____ the number of alcoholic beverages she consumed at a party this past weekend.
A) underreport
B) overreport
C) to not report
D) to challenge

Accepted Answer

The answer of Euna is a 22-year-old college student. Given...

Question 18

In most nonconcealment observations it is best to use _____ disclosure.
A) full
B) partial
C) nonexistent
D) comprehensive

Accepted Answer

The answer of In most nonconcealment observations it is best...

Question 19

Luella has a 2-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. When in the presence of her parents she is likely to _____ the number of problematic behaviors of her children according to the principle of social desirability.
A) underreport
B) overreport
C) not report
D) challenge

Accepted Answer

Luella is likely to underreport the number of problematic behaviors of her children due to social desirability bias, which is the tendency to present oneself in a positive light in front of others. She may feel pressure to portray her children as well-behaved in order to present herself in a positive manner to her parents.

Question 20

Gemma is studying young White women between the ages of 18 and 25 years. Choose a limitation of her study based on this provided information.
A) internal validity
B) concurrent validity
C) content validity
D) external validity

Accepted Answer

The limitation of Gemma's study based on the provided information would be external validity, as the findings may not be generalizable to women outside of this age and racial group.

Quiz 6: Observational Research: the Many Forms of Discipline in Parents Bag of Tricks

Researchers may experience several difficulties when engaging in participant observation. Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with participant observation?

Research practices that utilize behavioral choice may inflate a(n) :

Which of the following scenarios would be best suited for descriptive research?

Dr. Keefer is skeptical of using laboratory observation designs as he knows they are susceptible to both _____ and social desirability.

Alden goes to his sociology professor for advice regarding a research question. Alden wants to have complete control of his participants and their environment and he asks his professor which observational method would be most appropriate. What is his professor's answer?

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of observational research?

Tiana wants to see if individuals react differently to negative feedback from men than from women. This would be an example of a(n) :

Deliberately making children misbehave to observe parental reactions would be a(n) _____ research behavior.

Demarco is initiating a naturalistic observation of children and their parents. Which of the following is NOT absolutely necessary to continue with naturalistic observation study?

Research practices that utilize behavioral choice may introduce:

Social desirability is:

One of the biggest advantages of self-report measures is:

Which of the following would improves ecological validity?

Euna is a 22-year-old college student. Given the principle of social desirability she is likely to _____ the number of alcoholic beverages she consumed at a party this past weekend.

In most nonconcealment observations it is best to use _____ disclosure.

Luella has a 2-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. When in the presence of her parents she is likely to _____ the number of problematic behaviors of her children according to the principle of social desirability.

Gemma is studying young White women between the ages of 18 and 25 years. Choose a limitation of her study based on this provided information.