Question 1

In the scientific use of the term,a "theory" is

Accepted Answer

A theory is a comprehensive explanation of a set of phenomena that is supported by a large body of evidence. It is an organized system of assumptions, principles, and concepts that attempt to explain a set of observations, and how they are related. A theory is based on empirical evidence and is subject to rigorous testing and validation through the scientific method.

Question 2

Dr.Littman-Smith is conducting research in Kenya in order to determine the ways that mothers and their toddlers interact throughout the day.It is most likely that she is engaged in

Accepted Answer

Dr. Littman-Smith is observing and studying mothers and their toddlers in their natural environment in Kenya. This indicates that she is engaged in naturalistic observation, where the researcher observes individuals or groups in their natural setting without any interference or manipulation.

Question 3

Which of the following would be considered a good example of a representative sample of college students in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A representative sample should be diverse and include both urban and rural populations. Conducting the survey in multiple states also helps to ensure a diverse sample. A and D do not necessarily ensure a diverse or representative sample, and B only targets households in Texas, limiting the population being sampled.

Question 4

Randy meets a Californian who grows all her own vegetables and refuses to touch any nonorganic food,and he concludes that Californians are overzealous about nutrition.This type of error illustrates the critical thinking guideline of

Accepted Answer

Randy is making a hasty generalization by assuming that all Californians are overzealous about nutrition based on his encounter with one Californian who grows her own vegetables and eats only organic food. This error illustrates the importance of not oversimplifying and making conclusions based on limited information or experiences.

Question 5

Harvey is being assessed in order to measure his beliefs and feelings regarding the next election.It is most likely that the assessment instrument will be a(n)

Accepted Answer

The question is asking about an assessment instrument for measuring beliefs and feelings, which suggests a personality or attitude measure. Projective tests are less structured and rely on interpretation of ambiguous stimuli, whereas objective tests are more standardized and have clear response options. Inferential statistics and norms are not appropriate for measuring beliefs and feelings. Therefore, the best choice is C) objective test.

Question 6

When researchers visited 32 pubs in one city to study drinking habits,they recorded their observations on napkins and pieces of newspaper.The reason they kept records in this way was

Accepted Answer

By recording their observations on napkins and pieces of newspaper, the researchers could avoid drawing attention to themselves and reduce the likelihood of their intentions being noticed by those they were observing. This allowed them to gather more natural, unbiased data on the drinking habits in the pubs.

Question 7

An academic researcher would use the case study method in all of the following situations EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The case study method is not the best choice when the purpose of the research is to test a hypothesis. In this situation, experimental or quasi-experimental methods would be more appropriate. Case studies are more useful in exploratory research, where the researcher is trying to develop new insights into a topic or phenomenon.

Question 8

Research methods that describe behavior,but are not necessarily causal explanations are called

Accepted Answer

Descriptive methods are research techniques that describe behavior without necessarily explaining the cause of that behavior. Examples of such methods include observations, surveys, case studies, and correlational studies. Unlike experimental methods, descriptive methods do not manipulate variables or control for extraneous variables, and therefore cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 9

Professor Turner wants to know if physiological changes (e.g. ,heart rate,skin conductance,etc. )occur when people watch violent movies.The most appropriate method to study this would be

Accepted Answer

The best choice would be laboratory observation, as this would allow the researcher to control the variables and manipulate the independent variable (in this case, the violent movie stimulus). This would ensure that any changes in physiological responses can be attributed to the independent variable, rather than other extraneous factors.

Question 10

A professor tells his students "Researchers aren't exactly sure why one member of an identical twin pair develops schizophrenia whereas his twin does not." This example illustrates which of the following critical thinking guidelines?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Researchers aren't exactly sure" indicates that there is uncertainty in the field and that the professor is encouraging students to tolerate that uncertainty.

Question 11

In the 1970s,a 13-year-old girl was rescued from a small room that she had been locked up in since infancy.Because she had grown up in a world without human speech,researchers studied "Genie's" ability to acquire words,grammar,and pronunciation.This type of research is called

Accepted Answer

The study of "Genie" falls under the category of a case study because it involves an in-depth analysis of a single individual.

Question 12

Procedures used to measure and evaluate personality traits,emotional states,aptitudes,and values are called

Accepted Answer

Procedures used to measure and evaluate personality traits, emotional states, aptitudes, and values are commonly known as psychological tests. These tests are designed to assess various aspects of an individual's mental functioning and are administered under standardized conditions, with norms and guidelines for interpretation. They can be used in a variety of settings, including clinical, educational, and occupational contexts, and provide valuable information for diagnosis, treatment, and intervention. Laboratory observations, control conditions, and field research are all other research methods used in psychology but do not specifically refer to procedures used to measure and evaluate personality traits, emotional states, aptitudes, and values.

Question 13

Researchers prefer to select participants who accurately represent the larger population that the researcher is interested in.This type of group is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A representative sample accurately represents the larger population being studied, which is essential for generalizing research findings. The other options are not related to the concept of selecting participants who accurately represent the population.

Question 14

Psychologists sometimes prefer to make observations in a laboratory setting rather than a naturalistic setting because

Accepted Answer

Psychologists prefer to make observations in a laboratory setting rather than a naturalistic setting because a laboratory environment allows the researchers to have more control over the situation. In a laboratory, researchers can manipulate variables and control extraneous factors that can affect the behavior being observed. This allows for greater precision in testing hypotheses and drawing conclusions.

Question 15

Dawn is systematically recording behaviors at a nursery school,making sure that she doesn't interfere with the behaviors.Dawn is engaged in

Accepted Answer

Dawn is observing behaviors without any interference, which is the characteristic of observational research. Survey research involves collecting data through questionnaires or interviews. Experimental research involves manipulating a variable and observing its effects on another variable. Double-blind research involves both the researcher and the participants being unaware of which group they are in (control or experimental). Therefore, observational research is the best fit for the situation described in the question.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT one of the eight essential critical-thinking guidelines?

Accepted Answer

The eight essential critical-thinking guidelines include examining the evidence, considering multiple perspectives, avoiding emotional reasoning, being aware of biases and assumptions, tolerating uncertainty, being aware of language and meaning, questioning the methods used to obtain information, and assessing the implications and consequences. Avoiding overly complicated explanations is not specifically mentioned as an essential guideline.

Question 17

Which of the following would be an example of "argument by anecdote"?

Accepted Answer

Option B is an example of argument by anecdote because it relies on a personal experience or story rather than concrete evidence or facts. The speaker uses the experience of their uncles to make a claim about the success rate of marriages in general, which is not a sound or reliable argument.

Question 18

Which of the following is an advantage of case studies?

Accepted Answer

Case studies allow for a more detailed and in-depth analysis of an individual or a specific situation, which can provide a rich understanding of the subject being studied.

Question 19

"My memory of getting knocked down by a wave at Newport Beach could be based on what my parents told me later,not my own recollection." This example illustrates which of the following critical thinking guidelines?

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates the critical thinking guideline of considering other interpretations, as it acknowledges the possibility that the memory may not be based on personal recollection but rather on what the individual has been told by others.

Question 20

An advantage of observational studies is that

Accepted Answer

Observational studies can provide accurate descriptions of behavior. However, they cannot determine cause and effect relationships, and the presence of observers can sometimes alter the behavior being observed.

Quiz 1: What Is Psychology