Psych Ch 2
The degree of relationship between two variables is expressed as a numerical value called a ______. dependent variable correlational coefficient independent variable third variable problem
correlational coefficient
Statistics are used to ____ the data collected from a research study. collect sample observe report
report
True or False: The media often has trouble accurately informing us about the findings of psychological research study and its implications for our lives.
true
Which of the following are steps in the scientific method? Multiple select question. Drawing conclusions Preparing meta-analyses Observing some phenomenon Formulating hypotheses and predictions Thinking critically
Drawing conclusions Observing some phenomenon Formulating hypotheses and predictions
Identify the types of research as either Descriptive Research or Experimental Research. Descriptive Research
Surveys and Interviews Naturalistic Observation Case studies
What is random assignment? The manipulated experimental factor in an experiment The assignment of participants to research groups by chance The soundness of the conclusions that can be drawn from an experiment The subset of the population chosen by the investigator for study
The assignment of participants to research groups by chance
In one famous study, participants were asked to issue electric shocks to another person. They didn't know that the person being shocked was an actor, and the "shocks" were fake. The actor was playing the role of a ______ in this study. placebo confederate biased experimenter soldier
confederate
a __________ ___________is a factor that can change in an experiment in response to changes in the independent variable.
dependent variable
What reveals the "big picture" of the data and variation among them? survey research longitudinal research case studies descriptive statistics
descriptive statistics
Measures of dispersion describe how much the scores in a sample _______from one another.
differ
An experiment involves manipulating one or more variables in order to determine their effect on other variables. summarizes a large body of evidence from the research literature on a particular topic. determines the basic dimensions of a phenomenon, such as what it is and how often it occurs. examines the relationship between variables with the purpose of determining whether and how variables change together.
involves manipulating one or more variables in order to determine their effect on other variables.
Which of the following are measures of central tendency? Median Range Mean Mode Standard deviation
mean, median, mode
The ______ is the score that falls exactly in the middle of the distribution of scores after they have been arranged (or ranked) from highest to lowest. mode median range mean
median
A correlational coefficient is most often represented in data by the letter_______________
r
The distance between the highest and the lowest scores in any data set is considered the ______. dispersion median standard deviation range
range
Molly noticed that within her dataset, or sample, the scores vary considerably from the mean. Which of the following statistics would be the best to capture the variability in scores? variance standard deviation mean median
standard deviation
Three main types of psychological research are:
descriptive research, correlational research, and experimental research.
An experimental design actually reflects the real-world issue it was meant to address. This design is considered to have ____validity.
external
Someone who acts as a participant in a study but is actually working with the experimenter to help manipulate the situation is called the control group. a third variable. a confederate. the independent variable.
a confederate
Researchers must use experiments to determine whether_____________ relationships exist between variables.
casual
A cross-sectional design is a study in which the researcher ______. collects data at one point in time manipulates an independent variable can draw conclusion about cause and effect studies one person in great depth
collects data at one point in time
In an experiment, the group that is NOT exposed to the change that the independent variable represents is the _____ group. placebo third variable experimental control
control
A researcher is studying how trauma might affect a person's day-to-day functioning. What types of research might the designer choose to conduct this study? Dispersion Descriptive Control group Correlational
correlational descriptive
Naturalistic observation, survey research, and case studies are _______ research. experimental descriptive case study developmental
descriptive
A researcher is interested in studying visibility of tattoos on perceptions of competence for work. What type of design would be appropriate for this topic? (Select all that apply.) Control group Standard Deviation Case Study Observational
Case Study Observational
______ statistics are the mathematical methods used to indicate whether data sufficiently support or confirm a research hypothesis. data inferential descriptive
inferential
Which of the following are the three basic types of research used in psychology? Variable Descriptive Correlational Experimental
Descriptive Correlational Experimental
A researcher is curious about people's satisfaction with their lives. What type of research might they chose to answer this question? Experimental research Descriptive research Case studies Correlational research
Descriptive research
What type of validity refers to whether the changes in the dependent variable are due to the manipulation of the independent variable? External validity Face validity Internal validity Research validity
internal validity
After analyzing their data, what would researchers do next? Conduct empirical research Draw conclusions about their research Formulate their hypothesis Observe some phenomenon
Draw conclusions about their research
What term describes the influence of an experimenter on research participants? Random assignment Experimenter bias Participant bias External validity
Experimenter bias
When interpreting correlations, the strongest relationships are indicated by the correlational coefficients that are CLOSEST to zero. True False
False
Which of the following are characteristics of a placebo? Given to participants of a study instead of a presumed active agent Harmless, inert substance Has a direct physiological effect Is an active pharmacological agent
Given to participants of a study instead of a presumed active agent Harmless, inert substance
The ______effect happens when changes in an experimental group are caused by participants' expectations rather than by an active drug agent.
placebo
___________assignment means that researchers assign participants to group by chance.
random
The number or size of the correlation tells us about the _____ of the relationship. variability direction strength
strength
In an odd number of scores, the median is the lowest score. the score with the same number of scores above it as below it. the average of the highest score and the lowest score. the highest score.
the score with the same number of scores above it as below it.
True or false: In a situation where extreme scores exist within a data set, the mean is not as helpful as other measures of central tendency are.
true
Correlational research involves studies that are concerned with identifying the relationships between two or more _______________ in order to describe how they change together.
variables
What is a drawback of using the mean as a measure of central tendency? The mean must be calculated differently when you have an even number of scores. The mean is easily affected if the data contains a few extreme scores. The mean is the least used measure of central tendency.
zThe mean is easily affected if the data contains a few extreme scores.
After formulating hypotheses and predictions, what step must a psychologist take next? Observe ongoing phenomena relevant to the hypotheses and predictions. Draw conclusions from those hypotheses and predictions. Evaluate the theory that the hypotheses and predictions tested. Test the hypotheses and predictions through empirical research.
Test the hypotheses and predictions through empirical research.
What is a benefit of the mean? The mean is a good indicator of the central tendency for a group of scores. The mean is useful in cases in which information is desired about preference or popularity. The mean is unaffected by extreme scores.
The mean is a good indicator of the central tendency for a group of scores.
Positive Correlation
This correlation exists when both variables move in the same direction: as one variable increases, so does the other variable
Negative Correlation
This correlation exists when one variable increases while the other variable decreases
Zero Correlation
This correlation means that there is no relationship between the variables and their association cannot be predicted
A hypothesis is a broad idea that can be used to explain observations. a statistical procedure that summarizes a large body of evidence from the research literature. an objective description of how a variable is going to be measured in a study. an 'educated guess' or a prediction that can be tested.
an 'educated guess' or a prediction that can be tested.
The____ is the average of a set of scores.
mean
The score that occurs most often in a dataset is called the ____
mode
Which of these values represents the strongest correlation? +.60 +.40 0.00 -.80
-.80
In quasi-experimental research, why is participant assignment to a treatment or a control group not randomly determined? (Choose every correct answer.) This type of research is used to assess differences between existing groups Assigning participants to random groups is too much work for the researcher Assigning participants to random groups may be unethical or impossible This type of research is used to examine participants who are already in groups
This type of research is used to assess differences between existing groups Assigning participants to random groups may be unethical or impossible This type of research is used to examine participants who are already in groups
Descriptive research serves the purpose of observing and recording ______ that can be used as data. behavior information data
behavior
What type of research design measures variables at a single point in time? Longitudinal Quasi-experimental Cross-sectional Case study
cross-sectional
Statistics are mathematical methods for reporting ______. survey methods random samples placebos data
data
True or false: Researchers have limited guidelines for research involving animals.
false
The purpose of inferential statistics is to _______. determine whether a hypothesis has been supported determine which of a set of options is most popular calculate measures of central tendency generally summarize a set of data
generally summarize a set of data
A placebo
is an innocuous, inert substance that has no effect on the behavior of the participants. However, the participants are unaware of this; they believe they actually received the manipulation.
Which of the following is not a measure of central tendency? Mode Maximum Mean Median
maximum
The most commonly used measure of central tendency is the _____.
mean
John is planning on conducting an experiment to see how men and women differ in geography performance. After describing the study to the participants, he gives them a written geography test. To make sure he does not mix up his data, he has each person write their name at the top of their test. Before John leaves the room, he informs the participants that they should drop their exams in an open box outside his office door so that he can pick up the exams when he returns later that week. John's study should not be approved because he has violated the ethical standard of protection from harm. not be approved because he has violated the ethical standard of confidentiality/privacy. not be approved because he has incorporated unnecessary deception in his study. be approved. John has followed all ethical guidelines appropriately.
not be approved because he has violated the ethical standard of confidentiality/privacy.
Experimenter bias
occurs when the experimenter's expectations influence the results of the study.
Research participant bias
occurs when the participant's behavior during the experiment is influenced by how they believe they are supposed to be behaving.
The entire group about which a researcher wants to draw conclusions is called the _______. distribution sample stratified sample population
population
The_____ refers to the entire group that a research is interested in studying.
population
True or false: Most psychological studies generate a considerable amount of numerical data.
true
Swedish researchers found that women who had experienced divorce or a family member's illness in their 50s to 60s were more likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer's disease in their 70s or 80s. What conclusion can we draw from this study? Alzheimer's disease is caused by divorce. Alzheimer's disease causes midlife stress. 70-year old women might develop Alzheimer's disease. 75-year old widowed women will develop Alzheimer's disease.
70-year old women might develop Alzheimer's disease.
A researcher finds that the number of hours spent watching TV is positively correlated with anxiety over being the victim of a violent crime. Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from these results? As anxiety over being the victim of violent crime increases, TV watching will decrease As anxiety over being the victim of violent crime increases, TV watching will increase As TV watching increases, so will anxiety over being the victim of a violent crime
As TV watching increases, so will anxiety over being the victim of a violent crime
For a person to give informed consent to participate in a research study, which of the following should they be given? Information about what they will be doing in the study Information about how other participants did in the study Information about any known risks or benefits that they might experience as part of their involvement That they have the right to withdraw from the study at any time
Information about how other participants did in the study Information about any known risks or benefits that they might experience as part of their involvement That they have the right to withdraw from the study at any time
Media reported that a research study found that most of us can not react when threatened by an attacker. What specific information might be important to know about the details of this study? How many participants are divorced or separated Information about the characteristics and size of the sample The name of the person who threatened the participants Whether or not participants were paid to be in this study
Information about the characteristics and size of the sample
Which of these is a downside to laboratory research? It can lead to biased samples. It makes random assignment difficult. It increases the odds of experimenter bias. The researcher has to give up control of potential confounding variables.
It can lead to biased samples.
Which statements are true regarding popular media reports of psychological research? Media always accurately and fully informs the public of the research findings Media often only present sensationalistic and dramatic research findings Media personnel are always trained in interpreting psychological research
Media often only present sensationalistic and dramatic research findings
Which one of the following statements is true? A single research study will provide answers that applies to all of us A single research study is likely to provide conclusive answers Most psychological questions can be answered with a single research study Most psychological questions need many research studies to provide answers
Most psychological questions need many research studies to provide answers
The media reports that a research study found that students learn better if they eat chocolate while reading. If your teacher insists that you eat chocolate, based on this report, what errors is he making? (Choose every correct answer.) The teacher is great. What a terrific way to help students learn! The teacher is overgeneralizing the results of this report to all students The teacher is assuming that the class is similar to the participants in the study
The teacher is overgeneralizing the results of this report to all students The teacher is assuming that the class is similar to the participants in the study
When would it be particularly useful to use the mode, as opposed to either the mean or median? When the goal is to determine which of a set of options is most popular When the data are numerical in nature When the goal is to calculate the mathematical average When the data contain some extreme scores
When the goal is to determine which of a set of options is most popular
The headline is: "Study says sniffing rosemary improves memory by 75%." The story reports that researchers presented evidence that sniffing the essential oil from the herb rosemary improved long-term memory and performance in mental arithmetic. To determine the credibility of this research what other information do you need to consider? Did the researcher pass a college algebra class? Who conducted the research study? Was the study reviewed by an expert panel? How many participants were in the research study?
Who conducted the research study? Was the study reviewed by an expert panel? How many participants were in the research study?
Demand characteristics
are any aspect of a study that communicates to participants how the experimenter wants them to behave.
the _______group in an experiment doesn't end up receiving any manipulation.
control
In a study of the helpfulness of yoga in reducing postpartum depression, some participants did not engage in yoga at all. These individuals were likely part of the _______ group. waitlist group experimental group control group comparison group
control group
In a phone interview study about an election for US senator, the questions used presented one candidate in a favorable way and the other candidate in a negative way. What type of experimental bias does this illustrate? Sampling bias Demand characteristics Internal validity Random assignment
demand characteristics
As researchers manipulate the independent variable, they measure the ______ variable to test for any effect. controlled experimental confederate dependent
dependent
The mean is calculated by adding all the scores in a set of scores and then ______by the number of scores.
dividing
The __________group consists of participants who will receive the research manipulation.
experimental
In an experiment examining the effect of leptin on the hunger of rats, rats in the ________group are given leptin shots and rats in the ________group are not given anything.
experimental, control
If a researcher finds that texting while driving increases the chances of having an accident, then her research is said to have ______ validity. external coherent internal discriminant
external
True or false: Descriptive statistics reveal the specific characteristics of data and the similarities between them.
false
True or false: The dependent variable is the manipulated experimental factor in an experiment.
false
True or false: The range is calculated by adding the highest and lowest scores in a data set and then dividing by the number of scores in the dataset.
false
The measures of dispersion describe ______. the mathematical methods used to indicate whether data sufficiently supports a research hypothesis the overall characteristics of a set of data the difference between the median and the mode how much the scores in a sample differ from one another
how much the scores in a sample differ from one another
If the experimental methods used are found to be biased and illogical, then the research does not have ____validity.
internal
An experiment involves manipulating one or more variables in order to determine their effect on other variables. summarizes a large body of evidence from the research literature on a particular topic. examines the relationship between variables with the purpose of determining whether and how variables change together. determines the basic dimensions of a phenomenon, such as what it is and how often it occurs.
involves manipulating one or more variables in order to determine their effect on other variables.
placebo effect
occurs when the participant's expectations produce an experimental outcome, even though they did not receive any manipulation.
Drake had hypothesized that more freshmen engage in "head scratching" than seniors. In order to test this hypothesis, he has to provide a specific description of the behavior which he would count as "one head scratching." Would scratching the ear or the forehead be included? What if the student "scratched his head" against a book or door? Would these also be counted in the study? This specific description of the behavior to be studied is called a(n) hypothesis. theory. procedure. operational definition.
operational definition.
A ___________correlation is a relationship in which the two factors vary in the same direction, and a __________correlation is a relationship in which increases in one variable are associated with decreases in the other.
positive, negative
What term refers to the soundness of conclusions that can be drawn from an experiment? Validity Random assignment Reliability Correlation
validity
Which of the following choices represents a sample group from a population of women in the workplace only? All engineers from a particular country All 13-year-old girls All gifted and talented girls All female executives
all female executives
Correlational Research
1. Correlational research is conducted when studies are concerned with identifying the relationships between two or more variables, so it can be understood how the variables change together. 2. Correlational studies involve systematically observing variables and determining whether and how they change together. 3. The strength of the relationship between two variables is expressed as a correlation coefficient, or letter r. 4. The numeric value of the correlation coefficient falls between −1.00 and +1.00, where the number determines the strength of the relationship between the variables and the − or + sign determines the direction of the relationship between the variables. 5. A positive correlation occurs when the variables move in the same direction so that if one variable increases, the other variable increases also, and if one variable decreases, the other variable decreases as well. 6. A negative correlation occurs when the variables move in opposite directions so that if one variable increases, the other variable decreases, and vice versa. a. Correlation Is Not Causation i. Words like link, associated with, relationship between are synonymous with correlations. ii. Correlation (and its synonyms) do not equal causation. A correlation between two variables only states that there is a relationship between the two variables and not that one of the variables causes the other variable. iii. The third-variable problem occurs when an extraneous variable that has not been measured accounts for the relationship between two other variables. iv. Even when correlated variables are indeed causally linked, the correlation does not indicate which direction the link goes: Which variable is the cause, and which is the effect. v. A cross-sectional design is a type of correlational study that measures variables at a single point in time. b. The Value of Correlational Research i. Though correlations do not allow us to show causal relationships, they do allow researchers to make predictions among variables. ii. If researchers cannot manipulate the variables they are investigating, they must rely on correlational studies. iii. Correlations are helpful for researchers studying real-world events, such as natural disasters. iv. Correlations can also measure multiple variables in their studies. In some cases, a researcher can assess whether a relationship between two variables is explained by a third, fourth, or even fifth variable. It is also valuable in cases where it might be unethical to do research in any other way. When studying everyday experiences, the experience sampling method (ESM) may be used, which tracks daily experiences of individuals in their natural setting. v. Alternatively, the event-contingent responding asks participants to complete a report each time they engage in a particular behavior. c. Longitudinal Designs i. Longitudinal designs are a special type of systematic observation that measures variables of interest over time. ii. One example of a longitudinal design is the study between happiness and longevity using the Nun Study data set conducted by David Snowdon and his colleagues. iii. Even though longitudinal studies attempt to demonstrate causality, the most well-conducted, excellent longitudinal studies cannot prove causation.
What type of research design measures variables at a single point in time? Case study Quasi-experimental Cross-sectional Longitudinal
Cross-sectional
In a study of drug efficacy for depression management, Group 1 received a placebo, Group 2 received 2mg of the drug, and Group 3 received 5 mg of the drug. Which group(s) were the experimental group(s)? Groups 1, 2, and 3 Group 2 only Group 1 only Groups 2 and 3
Groups 2 and 3
A University of Michigan research study found that the more a person uses Facebook, the worse they feel. The study found that Facebook use led to declines in happiness and overall life satisfaction. Researchers tested the variables of happiness and satisfaction on 82 college students. Should you stop using Facebook? No - This is only one study. I doubt all people feel worse the more they use Facebook. No - The study was only conducted on 82 college students. That is a pretty small sample. Yes - I finally understand why I feel worse after checking Facebook. Yes - The research was conducted by a University and it is published.
No - This is only one study. I doubt all people feel worse the more they use Facebook. No - The study was only conducted on 82 college students. That is a pretty small sample.
The media reported that college students are not as happy as those who are not in college. You are happy. You are in college. Is there something wrong with you? (Choose every correct answer.) Yes - the study proves that there is something wrong with you No - the results of a group study are not always relevant to an individual No - the media may not have reported all the pertinent details of the research findings Yes - you are happy and the research says you are not supposed to be
No - the results of a group study are not always relevant to an individual No - the media may not have reported all the pertinent details of the research findings
Identify the types of research as either Descriptive Research or Experimental Research. Experimental Research
Quasi-experimental design Independent and dependent variables
A survey research that examines the relationship between variables with the purpose of determining whether and how two variables change together. is a statement about the specific expectation for the outcome of a study. is an in-depth look at a single individual. presents a standard set of questions, or items, to obtain people's self-reported attitudes or beliefs about a particular topic.
presents a standard set of questions, or items, to obtain people's self-reported attitudes or beliefs about a particular topic.
A researcher is interested in learning how children are affected by the death of a parent. It would be unethical, of course, to kill parents just to see the results. In such a case, the next-best option is ______. a case study experimental research correlational research naturalistic observation
correlational research
A researcher is interested in learning how children are affected by the death of a parent. It would be unethical, of course, to kill parents just to see the results. In such a case, the next-best option is ______. a case study experimental research naturalistic observation correlational research
correlational research
What type of experimental design does not randomly assign participants to treatment or control groups? Observational research Quasi-experimental Longitudinal research Correlational research
quasi-experimental
There are two kinds of validity in experimental designs, _____validity and _____validity.
internal, external
When participants' behavior is affected by what they think the researcher wants to find, or by their expectations about what's happening to them, this is known as ______ bias. quasi-experimental double-blind experimenter research participant
research participant
What is survey research? A standard set of questions used to obtain people's self-reported attitudes or beliefs about a particular topic. A test that requires people to answer a series of written or oral questions. An in-depth look at a single individual. A study that is concerned with identifying the relationships between two or more variables.
A standard set of questions used to obtain people's self-reported attitudes or beliefs about a particular topic.
Dr. Roberts found a strong negative correlation between amount of sleep that subjects receive and short-term memory. Which of the following statements can Dr. Roberts make about his research? As hours of sleep increases, so does the amount of material one can retain in short-term memory. As hours of sleep decreases, the amount of material one can retain in short term-memory also decreases. As hours of sleep decreases, the amount of material one can retain in short term-memory increases. There appears to be no relationship between the amount of sleep an individual obtains and the amount of material retained in short-term memory.
As hours of sleep decreases, the amount of material one can retain in short term-memory increases.
After reading that aerobic exercise increases memory performance in older adults, Hilda wonders if lifting weights would have the same effect. Hilda has generated a(n) dependent variable. independent variable. hypothesis. validation.
hypothesis
The scientific method: Formulating Hypotheses and Predictions-
i. The second step in conducting scientific research is stating a hypothesis, an idea that is arrived at logically from a theory. ii. A hypothesis is a prediction, a statement that can be tested.
Descriptive Research
1. Observation a. Being a good observer requires an important set of skills. Observers are trained and practice their skills regularly. b. For observers to be effective, they must be systematic. The researchers must know what they are looking for, who they are observing, where and when the observations will take place, and how observations will be made. 2. Surveys and Interviews a. One method to get information about people is to interview them directly. b. When information needs to be taken from a large group of people, a survey can be used. A survey consists of questions about a person's self-reported attitudes or beliefs about a topic. c. Survey questions can be either unstructured and open-ended or structured and more specific. d. Surveys and interviews can be problematic because sometimes participants will answer questions in the way they believe is socially acceptable instead of how they really feel. 3. Case Studies a. A case study or case history is conducted when a researcher takes an in-depth look at a single individual. Case studies might also provide an in-depth and detailed exploration of particular small groups such as families. b. The case study is usually conducted by a clinical psychologist when the unique aspects of an individual's life cannot be duplicated in other individuals. c. Case studies tell us a great deal about an individual person but not very much about people in general. 4. The Value of Descriptive Research a. Descriptive research allows researchers to get a sense of what "something is," but cannot answer questions about how and why it became that way. b. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is one example of what researchers use to help operationally define variables, in this case the variable of happiness. If researchers wanted a more in-depth understanding of the predictors of happiness, they would turn to a correlational design.
Experimental Research
1. Researchers cannot demonstrate causation without experimental research. 2. In an experiment, the researcher manipulates one of the variables to see if it influences the behavior in question. If the behavior changes when one of the variables is manipulated, then the manipulated variable caused the behavior to change. 3. Researchers use random assignment by dividing the participants randomly into two different groups a. Independent and Dependent Variables i. The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated in an experiment. ii. Sometimes the independent variable is the social context in which a person finds himself. The social psychologists might manipulate the context with the help of a confederate. iii. A confederate is a person who is given a role to play in a study so that the social context can be manipulated. iv. The dependent variable is the result of the manipulation of the independent variable. Researchers measure changes in the dependent variable. v. The independent and dependent variables are the most important concepts in psychological research. The independent variable is the cause, while the dependent variable is the effect. vi. An experiment by Cwir and others (2011) explores whether being socially connected to someone causes a person to experience someone else's experience as their own. b. Experimental and Control Groups i. The experimental group is the group whose variable is manipulated. ii. The control group is exactly like the experimental group except there is no manipulation of the variable. The control group is used as a comparison group. c. Quasi-Experimental Designs i. These types of designs are similar to experiments, but do not include random assignment. ii. Quasi-experimental designs may be useful for studying the differences between groups of people who have different experiences. iii. Though common, these designs do not lend themselves to strong causal conclusions that can otherwise be drawn from experiments. d. Some Cautions About Experimental Research i. Validity refers to whether the experiment studied what it was supposed to study. ii. External validity refers to whether the experimental design is representative of real-world issues. iii. Internal validity refers to whether changes in the dependent variable are actually due to the manipulation of the independent variable.
Which of the following statements are true about descriptive research? (Select all that apply.) Descriptive research can tell us how happy people are Descriptive research cannot tell us why people are happy Descriptive research cannot tell us what makes people happy Descriptive research can tell us what to do to be happy
Descriptive research can tell us how happy people are Descriptive research cannot tell us why people are happy Descriptive research cannot tell us what makes people happy
New research suggests the size of your car affects how you drive. If you have a big car, studies show you may be more likely to break the law. It has to do with posture and how powerful you feel. Researcher Andy Yap from MIT says if you're in a car that allows you to sprawl out, it can that make you feel more powerful and that in turn, can lead to unethical behavior. What conclusion can we draw from this study? Driving big cars make us feel powerful and we will speed Driving big cars may make us feel powerful and we might speed Driving big cars will keep us from getting a speeding ticket Driving small cars will keep us from getting a speeding ticket
Driving big cars may make us feel powerful and we might speed
double-blind experiment
In this type of experiment, neither the experimenter nor the participant is aware of which participants are in the experimental group and which are in the control group.
Research has demonstrated a positive correlation between the number of hours of violent television watched and the amount of aggression in children. Based on these findings and what we know about correlational research, we can conclude that watching violent television leads to aggression. aggressive children mimic the violence they see on television shows. parents who allow their children to view violent television are indirectly encouraging aggressive behavior. None of the answers are correct.
None of the answers are correct.
Nancy is doing a research project. She's worried about being systematic and whether she should bring someone along to make sure she is being accurate. She's concerned about technology and wonders whether she should record her research in writing, by sound recording, or video. What type of research is she conducting? Standardized test Case study Survey Observation
Observation
Which of the following is NOT an APA ethical standard for psychology? Participants must be informed of the nature of the experiment and its procedures. Participants must be able to withdraw from the experiment at any time without penalty. Participants must be allowed to select the conditions of the experiment in which they participate. Participants must be protected from physical or mental harm.
Participants must be allowed to select the conditions of the experiment in which they participate.
Which of the following statements are true about conducting research with animals? (Choose every correct answer.) Researchers working with animals follow standards of care for the animals' well-being Researchers follow strict ethical guidelines whether their participants are humans or animals Researchers sometimes do things to research animals that would be unethical if done to humans Researchers working with animals often intentionally hurt the animals
Researchers working with animals follow standards of care for the animals' well-being Researchers follow strict ethical guidelines whether their participants are humans or animals Researchers sometimes do things to research animals that would be unethical if done to humans
After researchers have gathered data, what do they do next? (Choose every correct answer.) Researchers would interview candidates to see if they want to participate in their study Researchers would analyze their data to see if supports their hypothesis Researchers would analyze the findings to see if the results tell us about the theory used to guide their study Researchers would observe something and make some predictions about why it might happen
Researchers would analyze their data to see if supports their hypothesis Researchers would analyze the findings to see if the results tell us about the theory used to guide their study
Which of the following statements are considered drawbacks to doing laboratory observation? The laboratory setting is unnatural and can cause the participant to act unnaturally. People who are willing to participate in laboratory research may not fairly represent the population. Laboratory research allows a great deal of control in the research setting. It is almost impossible to do research in the lab without the participants knowing that they are being studied.
The laboratory setting is unnatural and can cause the participant to act unnaturally. People who are willing to participate in laboratory research may not fairly represent the population. It is almost impossible to do research in the lab without the participants knowing that they are being studied.
A study presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Boston and published in the Journal of Fertility and Sterility, suggests that processed meat intake is linked to poorer semen quality, and fish is linked to better semen quality. What elements of this story support the possibility that this research is credible? The research suggests that there is a link between food intake and sperm count The research states that eating processed meat will make you infertile The research was presented to a credible professional group The research was published by a credible journal
The research was presented to a credible professional group The research was published by a credible journal
A test of intelligence is given to a subject. The subject scores a 110 on the first administration. Six months later, the same subject is given the same test again and receives a score of 75. After another six months has passed, the subject is given the test one last time and receives a score of 138. What conclusions can be drawn from these scores? Multiple choice question. The scores have been replicated. The scores are not reliable. The scores are valid. The scores are reliable.
The scores are not reliable.
Which of the following are reasons that researchers might use correlational research? (Select all that apply.) To determine if there is a causal link between two variables To conduct research in situations in which it would not be ethical to carry out an experiment in another way To use one variable to predict the value of another variable To investigate real-world events
To conduct research in situations in which it would not be ethical to carry out an experiment in another way To use one variable to predict the value of another variable To investigate real-world events
Which of the following are reasons that researchers might use correlational research? To investigate real-world events To conduct research in situations in which it would not be ethical to carry out an experiment in another way To use one variable to predict the value of another variable To determine if there is a causal link between two variables
To investigate real-world events To conduct research in situations in which it would not be ethical to carry out an experiment in another way To use one variable to predict the value of another variable
When writing about your feelings, which of the following would be most helpful? You should try to write every day, even for just a few minutes. You should feel distressed while writing You should only write about negative things in your life You should be sure to use correct grammar and spelling
You should try to write every day, even for just a few minutes.
In order to test a hypothesis and conduct valid empirical research, a psychologist first needs an extrinsic reward for subjects of the research. a meta-analysis tool for evaluating ambiguous results. a concrete way to measure the variable of interest. an idea for a theory to qualify his or her hypothesis.
a concrete way to measure the variable of interest.
A single number that tells you the overall characteristics of a set of data is called a measure of dispersion. an inferential statistic. a measure of central tendency. the range.
a measure of central tendency.
Descriptive research serves the purpose of manipulating one or more variables to determine cause and effect relationships. examining the relationship between variables with the purpose of determining whether and how two variables change together. determining the basic dimensions of a phenomenon and defining what it is or how often it occurs; but it cannot provide causal information.
determining the basic dimensions of a phenomenon and defining what it is or how often it occurs; but it cannot provide causal information.
The scientific method: Drawing Conclusions-
i. Based on what was found after the data analysis, researchers can draw conclusions from their research. ii. After publication, replication is key. Having other researchers repeat the study and get the same/similar results is important in psychology. 1) Direct replication involves doing the study exactly as it was conducted previously 2) Conceptual replication involves doing the same study but with different methods or different samples. iii. A research finding is considered reliable when the study has been replicated again and again and yields similar findings.
The scientific method: Evaluating the Theory-
i. Evaluation never really ends. Conclusions become part of the research community—which continues to question them. ii. Meta-analysis is a statistical procedure that summarizes all of the research evidence on a particular topic. With meta-analysis, researchers combine results across studies to establish the strength of an effect. iii. A recent meta-analysis of 27 studies found that doing nice things for others does lead to a small but consistent increase in happiness. iv. The research community maintains an active conversation about what scientists know, and this dialogue constantly questions and revises conclusions.
The scientific method: Observing some phenomenon-
i. The first step in conducting scientific research is observing some phenomenon—acting like a detective to know why or how something is the way it is. ii. When trying to formulate a research question for your observation, it is important to operationally define how your variable (anything that can change) will be measured. iii. The scientific method begins with a theory, which is a broad idea of set of closely related ideas that tries to explain certain observations. They tell us about the relationship between variables on a conceptual level. Theories try to explain why certain things occur and make predictions about future observations.
The scientific method: Testing Through Empirical Research-
i. The third step in conducting scientific research is to test the hypothesis by collecting and analyzing data (empirical research). ii. The researcher must decide what participants to use in their research (e.g., human or animal? female, male, or both?). By establishing an operational definition, the researchers provide an objective description of how a variable is going to be measured or observed. iii. Importantly, variables do not have only one possible operational definition; rather, it is the way a researcher interprets the variable. iv. One key aspect of testing a hypothesis is data collection, which applies mathematical procedures to understand what the data mean. Data are the information collected in a study.
The variable that a researcher manipulates in an experiment is called the _______ variable. dependent independent control spurious
independent
Generalizing research results of a group study to a(n)_____ may encourage a person to falsely apply the results to their own situation.
individual
______ statistics are the mathematical methods used to indicate whether data sufficiently support or confirm a research hypothesis. Data Descriptive Inferential
inferential
Barney is considering participating in a research study. Before he begins, Barney is given information about the study including what risks he might be asked to take. What ethical guideline is this researcher following? Confidentiality Deception Debriefing Informed consent
informed consent
Lily has been training for a marathon for several weeks. When she began her training, she could run a mile in 12 minutes. After 2 weeks of training, she could run a mile in 10 minutes. After 6 weeks of training, she could run a mile in 8 minutes. In this example, a(n) ____________ exists between the number of weeks of training and the time to run a mile. positive correlation negative correlation neutral correlation absence of correlation
negative correlation
Deception in psychological research should never be allowed. should always be allowed. should be allowed only if participants are never informed of the nature of the study at its conclusion. should be allowed only if the procedure yields a significant social benefit and causes, at the most, only minimal harm.
should be allowed only if the procedure yields a significant social benefit and causes, at the most, only minimal harm.
The average amount by which scores vary around the mean in a sample is the ______. standard deviation variance range dispersion of scores
standard deviation
The number or size of the correlation tells us about the _____ of the relationship. strength variability direction
strength
In order for observations to be effective, they must be ______. done without planning, so as to avoid preconceptions recorded on video conducted by one person only systematic
systematic
What if we decide to give only some female rats caffeine and then we watch to see if those given caffeine couple more often than those not given caffeine. This would correspond to which step in the scientific method? Communicate Observe Test Predict
test
Descriptive statistics are the mathematical procedures used to calculate the score that falls exactly in the middle of a distribution of scores after they have been ranked from highest to lowest. that researchers have developed to describe and summarize sets of data in a meaningful way. used to indicate whether experimenter bias occurred during the research process.
that researchers have developed to describe and summarize sets of data in a meaningful way.
The key feature of a correlational study is its emphasis on the relationships between its participants that the factors of interest are measured in a real-world setting as opposed to in laboratory that the factors of interest are measured or observed to see how they are related its goal to find the causation of common phenomena by isolating two variables
that the factors of interest are measured or observed to see how they are related
An independent variable is the variable that may change in an experiment in response to changes in other variables. a harmless substance that has no physiological effect a person who is given a role to play in an experiment so that the social context can be manipulated. the manipulated experimental factor in an experiment.
the manipulated experimental factor in an experiment.
Professor Boredom has noticed that his students keep falling asleep during his lectures. He thinks that keeping the lights in the lecture hall on at their brightest level will help to keep students awake. He decides to give the same lecture to three groups of people. He holds one class session with bright lights, one class session with normal lighting, and one class session with dim lights. Professor Boredom has a teaching assistant count the number of sleepers at the end of each class. The dependent variable(s) in the above experiment is (are) the number of sleeping students. the level of light in the lecture hall. students' performances on a quiz covering the lecture material. the number of pages of notes the students take during the lecture.
the number of sleeping students.
Dr. Humor wonders if knock-knock jokes are funnier than jokes involving "crossing the road." He has several people tell participants a series of both types of jokes and has the participants rate how funny they believe each joke to be. In this example, the dependent variable is the type of joke. the order of the presentation of the jokes. the participants' humor ratings. the person telling the jokes.
the participants' humor ratings.
Researchers have found that using flash cards is a better study method than highlighting key terms in a textbook. In this example, the independent variable is test scores. the study method. both test scores and the study method. neither test scores nor the study method.
the study method.
A sample is the subset of the population chosen by the investigator for a study. a manipulated experimental factor that the experimenter changes. the entire group about which the investigator wants to draw conclusions. the variable that may change in an experiment in response to changes in the independent variable.
the subset of the population chosen by the investigator for a study.
It has been proposed that students have difficulty returning to their academic schedule after a holiday or break. Specifically, it has been predicted that there will be more student absences on the Monday following spring break than on the Friday prior to spring break. The first statement describes the _______________, while the second is the _______________. design of the study; research method theory; hypothesis hypothesis; theory prediction; procedure
theory; hypothesis
The purpose of using ethical guidelines when conducting research is which of the following? (Select all that apply.) to ensure participants are worse off after participating in the research to evaluate the ethical nature of research to ensure that participants are not harmed to protect participants' best interests
to evaluate the ethical nature of research to ensure that participants are not harmed to protect participants' best interests
true or false? Writing about one's own trauma can have health and immune system benefits, according to research.
true
Correlation means that two variables change together. two variables have a positive correlational coefficient. a third variable is always responsible for the changes of the first two variables. one of the variables being measured must have caused the other one to change.
two variables change together.
When conducting correlational research, it is important to remember that we can only be sure what is causing a relationship between two variables in a positive correlation. we can only be sure what is causing the relationship between the two variables studied. when two variables are correlated, we cannot be sure what is causing the correlation. we can only be sure what is causing a relationship between two variables in a negative correlation.
when two variables are correlated, we cannot be sure what is causing the correlation.
In a study comparing whether intelligence scores were higher for individuals who listened to music versus those who did not listen to music prior to taking this test, ________ would be the independent variable. intelligence test scores. the location where the test was given. the age of the participant. whether participants listened to music.
whether participants listened to music.
In a study comparing whether intelligence scores were higher for individuals who listened to music versus those who did not listen to music prior to taking this test, ________ would be the independent variable. the age of the participant. whether participants listened to music. intelligence test scores. the location where the test was given.
whether participants listened to music.