Multiple choice questions
Translational research
A researcher conducts a study that tests three different methods of encouraging families who visit the humane society to adopt a pet. This is an example of: Silly research Applied research Basic research Translational research
Basic Research
A researcher conducts a study that tests whether expressing a preference verbally or in writing leads to greater cognitive dissonance. This is an example of: Silly research Applied research Basic research Translational research
A correlation
A researcher is interested in the relationship between nose picking and intelligence. To test this, he asks 500 college students how often they pick their nose a week. Then, he measures the IQ of each student with the WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale). Given the preceding experimental description, what is the most appropriate statistics test to use? A) a t-test B) an ANOVA C) a OLS regression D) a correlation
A t-test
A researcher is interested in the whether the number of times each week people exercise differs between Canadians and British people. To test this, she asks 1000 people (500 Canadians and 500 British) how often they exercise a week. Given the preceding experimental description, what is the most appropriate statistics test to use? A) a OLS regression B) a correlation C) a t-test D) an ANOVA
The standardized test is graded incorrectly.
A school district decides to compare a new math textbook and the math textbook currently in use for fourth grade. They assign the fourth graders to two classes. The teacher of one class uses the old book and the teacher of the other class uses the new book. They compare the average scores of the two classes on a mathematics standardized test at the end of the year to determine the better book. Which of the following is NOT a likely confound of this study? The teachers have different teaching skills. Mathematics instruction does not only come from the textbook. The standardized test is graded incorrectly. The teachers have different amounts of experience using the books.
The Theory-Data Cycle
After studying a proposal by Tversky and Koehler (1994) that the probabilities assigned to events vary based on descriptions of the events, Franchesca designs a study to examine how pairs of lab partners perceive their relative contribution to joint projects. She predicts that students who detail their own contributions then estimate their percentage of the total project will have higher estimates than students who detail the contributions made by their lab partner before estimating their own percentage contribution. She collects data and finds this is supported. Which cycle is this? The Theory-Data Cycle The Basic-Applied Research Cycle The Peer-Review Cycle The Journal-to-Journalism Cycle
Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, Reference list
As part of an assignment for his Introduction to Psychology class, Gilbert has to read a journal article, summarize it, and compare it to what is reported in his textbook. Gilbert selects the article: "Effects of Severe Daily Events on Mood," Stone & Neale (1984). What is the correct order of sections in this article? A) Abstract, Method, Results, Introduction, Discussion, Reference list B) Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, Reference list C) Abstract, Introduction, Results, Method, Discussion, Reference list D) Introduction, Discussion, Method, Results, Abstract, Reference list
Snowball
Beth is working in lab on a project looking at attention span in children. Among the participants, the group of 11-year-old boys is underrepresented. Beth asks her 11-year-old brother to distribute flyers about participation in the study to his male classmates and soccer team. What type of sampling is this? A) random B) multistage C) self-selected D) snowball
large
Daneman and Carpenter (1980) found that the correlation of performance on a reading span test (a measure of working memory) and reading comprehension as measured by the verbal SAT was r = .59. Based on Cohen's (1992) guidelines, how would you describe this effect size? small large medium More information is needed to make this determination.
design and execute a study which measures short-term memory function following different sleepless time periods
Dimitri is interested in studying the effects of sleep deprivation on short-term memory. Which of the following is an empirical approach? -gather and summarize the journal articles that address this question -design and execute a study which measures short-term memory function following different sleepless time periods -consult the professor on his campus who has published many journal articles on this subject -make strong logical arguments about these effects, based on the journal literature
The physical exertion experienced while frantically 'mashing' the video game controller buttons increased aggression
Dr. Ardent is interested in whether playing violent video games increases aggression. She assigns participants to two groups: one group plays a violent video game and one group plays a non-violent video game. She then measures their aggression level with The Aggression Scale. She finds that those who played aggressive video games had higher scores on The Aggression Scale. Which of the following represents a reason that Dr. Ardent's may have found an effect when there really isn't one (i.e. Type 1 error)? -Playing violent video games does not increase aggression -The physical exertion experienced while frantically 'mashing' the video game controller buttons increased aggression -Playing violent video games increases aggression -None of the Above
Known-groups paradigm
Dr. Kamran studies domestic violence in men and has designed a self-report scale to ask about attitudes toward women. She administers it to male prisoners immediately following their arrests. She compares the results from prisoners eventually convicted of domestic violence to those for the prisoners eventually convicted of other crimes. She finds significant differences between the group scores. What technique is she using to validate her scale? A) physiological measurements B) test-retest technique C) longitudinal research D) known-groups paradigm
External
For the headline, 'Troubling rise in underweight babies in United States,' which of the '4Vs' is most important? Internal External Construct Statistical All of the Above
A one-way ANOVA
Gandalf thinks that fighting ability differs between men, hobbits and elves. To test this, he counts the number of orcs kills by each species (i.e. men, hobbits, elves). What is the most appropriate Given the preceding experimental description, what is the most appropriate statistics test to use? A) a two-way ANOVA B) a t-test C) a one-way ANOVA D) a correlation
by ruling out third variables(confounds)
How can multiple regression (A.K.A. multivariate correlation) address issues of internal validity? A) by establishing temporal precedence B) by introducing a control condition C) by eliminating selection threats D) by ruling out third variables(confounds)
What is the argument? What is the evidence to support the argument?
In reading an empirical journal article, what are the two questions you should be asking as you read? A) How reputable is (are) the author(s)? Did the findings include support for the hypotheses? B) What is the argument? What is the evidence to support the argument? C) How does this research relate to other research? What are ways to extend this research further? D) Why was this research done? Were there any significant findings?
An alternative explanation for an outcome that comes about because more than one thing changed at the same time.
In research, a confound is: A) a result that leaves the researcher puzzled. B) an alternative explanation for an outcome that comes about because more than one thing changed at the same time. C) the difficulty we experience in thinking of counter-examples to our beliefs. D) an instance when the actual outcome is contrary to the probabilistic prediction.
Both A and B
In the above description, what is one error in the statistical analyses ran and/ or reporting of statistical results? -There are no post-hoc analyses for any statistically significant main effects and/or interactions -p-values < 0.05, should be reported with a '<' sign -The degrees of freedom are missing -The observed value for each statistical test is missing -Both A and B
Two-way (factorial) ANOVA
In the above description, what statistical test was conducted? t-test Correlation One-way ANOVA Two-way (factorial) ANOVA None of the above
a cross-section of American drivers representing men and women; people from the city, suburbs, and farms; of all ages
It has been reported that half of Americans show road rage. Which group of 1,000 participants should be studied to give the greatest external validity? -students from Intro to Psych courses who are earning extra credit -a cross-section of American drivers representing men and women; people from the city, suburbs, and farms; of all ages -young men from ages 20 to 30; since they are the group most frequently charged with road rage, they should be the focus -a random sample of people from a Los Angeles telephone book
official criminal behavior reports involving using a car as a weapon
It has been reported that half of Americans show road rage. Which of the following operational definitions of road rage has the strongest construct validity? A) reports by family members on their observations of each other's driving B) self-reported frequency of the feeling of being angry while driving C) score on an aggressive driving inventory D) official criminal behavior reports involving using a car as a weapon
Convergent validity
Lorenzo is studying aggression in children. First, a questionnaire about their own aggression is administered to the children. Then the children are observed while at play and instances of aggression are recorded. The results of these two parts of the study are compared. Lorenzo plots the questionnaire scores on the x-axis and the observed instances of aggression on the y-axis of a scatter plot and determines r. What type of validity is he examining? A) convergent validity B) predictive validity C) divergent validity D) content validity
Ratio scale
Lorenzo is studying aggression in children. First, a questionnaire about their own aggression is administered to the children. Then the children are observed while at play and instances of aggression are recorded. The results of these two parts of the study are compared. The total number of instances of aggression for each child is used as the measure in the observational part of the study. What type of quantitative variable is this? A) categorical B) interval scale C) ratio scale D) ordinal scale
Recall of names
Martins et al. (2010) studied factors relating to the retrieval of names of famous people based on pictures. Famous faces tests are used in studies of memory. They were interested in understanding the factors that influence successful recall. Five groups of stimuli were formed based on reason for celebrity and time of peak fame. Multiple regressions for age, gender, and education were performed for each of the groups. Which of the following is not a predictor variable? A) recall of names B) gender C) education D) age
Conceptual
Mendoza et al. (2009) introduced a coin rotation task as a convenient test of motor dexterity. It involves timed completion of twenty 180° rotations of a nickel using the thumb, index, and middle fingers. What type of variable is motor dexterity? A) operational B) extraneous C) conceptual D) categorical
Could outliers be affecting the relationship?
Nesta is making a scatterplot of the digit spans (how many numbers you can remember and repeat back) for his psychology class, with the spans for digits the students hear on one axis and the span for digits the students read on the other. The association is strong, but he notices that one student has a visual digit span that is twice as long as anyone else. What Statistical Validity Question is he examining? A) Could outliers be affecting the relationship? B) Are there subgroups? C) Is the correlation statistically significant? D) Is the relationship curvilinear?
the sample size
Professor Fofana offers extra credit points in his introductory psychology classes. He wonders which students take advantage of this. He makes a scatterplot for his classes, with the number of extra credit points earned on the x-axis and the numerical grade in course without extra credit on the y-axis. He finds that r = 0.179. This is a weak association. What other information would Professor Fofana need to determine if it is statistically significant? A) the phi coefficient B) the effect size C) the letter grades of the students D) the sample size
Question 4
Professor Law constructed a survey for the incoming freshmen to assess involvement with computer games, consisting of the following questions: 1.) What computer games have you played? 2) On a scale of one to five, rate how much you like and play your favorite game. 3) Which is truer of you? a) I have little interest in computer games or b) I would miss computer games if I couldn't play anymore. 4) On a scale of one (strongly agree) to five (strongly disagree) scale, rate the following statement: Computer games a great pastime. Which question uses a Likert-type scale? A) Question 1 B) Question 4 C) Question 2 D) Question 3
Question 4
Professor Law constructed a survey for the incoming freshmen to assess involvement with computer games, consisting of the following questions: 1.) What computer games have you played? 2) On a scale of one to five, rate how much you like and play your favorite game. 3) Which is truer of you? a) I have little interest in computer games or b) I would miss computer games if I couldn't play anymore. 4) On a scale of one (strongly agree) to five (strongly disagree) scale, rate the following statement: Computer games a great pastime. Which question uses a Likert-type scale? A) Question 1 B) Question 4 C) Question 2 D) Question 3
a measured variable
Reading the news on the Internet, Johan comes across the headline, "When Stress is Increased, Men Rush Ahead, Women More Cautious." (This headline is based on a study conducted by Lighthall et al., 2011.) In this study, men and women were asked to perform a decision task as many times as possible in a set period, in a stressed or unstressed condition. In the unstressed condition, men and women performed similarly. However, with stress the number of decision tasks performed by men increased while the number performed by women decreased. The number of decision tasks performed was an example of what? a constant a level of a variable a manipulated variable a measured variable
A measured variable
Reading the news on the Internet, Johan comes across the headline, "When Stress is Increased, Men Rush Ahead, Women More Cautious." (This headline is based on a study conducted by Lighthall et al., 2011.) In this study, men and women were asked to perform a decision task as many times as possible in a set period, in a stressed or unstressed condition. In the unstressed condition, men and women performed similarly. However, with stress the number of decision tasks performed by men increased while the number performed by women decreased. The number of decision tasks performed was an example of what? A) a manipulated variable B) a measured variable C) a level of a variable D) a constant
feelings of anxiousness and pressure
Reading the news on the Internet, Johan comes across the headline, "When Stress is Increased, Men Rush Ahead, Women More Cautious." (This headline is based on a study conducted by Lighthall et al., 2011.) In this study, men and women were asked to perform a decision task as many times as possible in a set period, in a stressed or unstressed condition. In the unstressed condition, men and women performed similarly. However, with stress the number of decision tasks performed by men increased while the number performed by women decreased. Which of the following is not an operational definition of stress? -feelings of anxiousness and pressure -a measurement of the amount of a "fight or flight" hormone in saliva -responses to a standardized stress questionnaire -length of time a participant submerges one hand in ice water
A theory
Seligman (1975, 1991) identified the behavior of caged dogs who could not escape electrical shocks as learned helplessness. Quan thinks this may apply to computer use. He believes that failure in using a new program will make a person less willing to try another program. He tests this by giving people 30 minutes to use either a user-friendly program or a complicated program. He then gives them a different program and records how long they try to use it. People who had the difficult program give up more quickly. What is learned helplessness? a theory a hypothesis a collection of data a doctrine
Internal reliability
The Department of Motor Vehicles has had a complaint that some of the people who administer the road test pass a much higher percentage of the people they test than other test administrators. What type of reliability is being questioned here? A) test-retest reliability B) external reliability C) interrater reliability D)internal reliability
It is a double-barreled question
The following item appears on a survey: "My cell phone is new and has all the latest features". What is the biggest problem with this wording? A) It is a leading question. B) It is a double-barreled question. C) It involves double-negatives. D) It has a problem with order.
Frequency
Typically, in which type of claim is it most important to have a random sample? A) association B) similarity C) frequency D) causal
They lack control groups
What is missing in these statements describing research: Does volunteering keep you young? 76 percent of people who volunteer feel younger than their age. Does reading the safety guide in the airplane keep you safe? 70 percent of people who survived air crashes read the in-pocket safety manual before their flight. They do not contain measured variables They are case reports, not formal research They lack control groups All of the above
They are peer-reviewed
Which characteristic sets scientific journals apart from magazines? They have multiple contributors. They are peer-reviewed. They have editors. They come out periodically, usually once a month.
It is impossible to determine from the way the data are presented
Which group shows a greater difference between the two conditions? Group 1 Group 2 Neither It is impossible to determine from the way the data are presented
Eating red meat is linked to cancer in the colon
Which of the following claims is not causal? A) Barefoot running reduces injury. B) New lung cancer drug increases survival C) Eating red meat is linked to cancer in the colon. D) Ice applied to twisted ankles prevents swelling.
Magazines
Which of the following is NOT a place that psychological scientists publish their research? A) chapters in edited books B) magazines C) full-length books D) Journals
All of the above
Which of the following is an example of a field/ finding that has experienced a paradigm shift? Role of smoking in health Role of cocaine in the treatment of illness Role of lobotomies in the treatment of psychological disorders The 'awesomeness' of internet explorer All of the above
testing your hunches through systematic, empirical observations
Which of the following is not a form of "thinking the easy way?" A) testing your hunches through systematic, empirical observations) B) focusing on the instances that come to mind quickly C) noticing the instances that occur when we expect them to D) coming to a conclusion just because it "makes sense"
All of the above are correct
Which of the following is true regarding this graph? It is missing axes labels The figure legend does not explicitly define each group It is difficult/impossible to pick out any individual group This is a default line graph in Excel All of the above are correct
convenience sample
Which of these is a biased sample? convenience sample simple random sample cluster sample stratified random sample
remove the neutral option from the survey so that a person must choose one side or the other
Which of these is not a way to control for socially desirable responding? A) include unrelated items such as "I always help someone in need" that reveal a person to be high on socially desirable responding, and consider excluding their data B) include filler items on the survey that mask the true purpose of a sensitive survey C) use a special, computer-based technique such as the Implicit Association Test to find implicit opinions D) remove the neutral option from the survey so that a person must choose one side or the other
Internal
Which of these is not one of the three main validities you should interrogate when an association claim is made? A) construct B) statistical C) internal D) external
Internal Validity
You design a new scale to measure intelligence. Which of the following approaches could NOT be used to validate your new scale as a measurement of intelligence? Criterion Validity Discriminant Validity Internal Validity Internal Reliability Test-retest Reliability
