All previous psychology exams
A researcher conducted a driving distraction study. Subjects were young or old, and subjects used a driving simulator while talking on a cellphone or not. The dependent measure was driving score. Results are shown in the table. Describe the main effect of Cellphone (yes, no).
Cellphone decreased driving score.
A cardiologist compared two blood pressure drugs. He gave Drug A to 50 patients at his Tampa clinic, and he gave Drug B to 50 patients at his Orlando clinic. The pretest-posttest improvement was greater for Drug A than for Drug B, so the cardiologist reported that Drug A was more effective than Drug B. However, the finding might also reflect which one of the following threats to internal validity?
selection threat
Zoe plays on the university basketball team. On average, she makes 80% of her free throws. But in last night's game, she made only 40% of her free throws. In tonight's game, Zoe wore her lucky socks and made 80% of her free throws. Zoe credited her lucky socks, but the improvement might instead reflect which one of the following phenomena?
regression to the mean
Some women receive Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Years ago, researchers found that women who received HRT had less coronary disease than did women who did not receive HRT. This finding led some researchers to conclude that HRT reduced the risk of coronary disease. Yet subsequent research showed that wealthier women were more likely than poor women to receive HRT and also more likely to exercise (which reduces the risk of coronary disease). In this example, what is the "third variable" that explains the spurious correlation?
wealth
A clinical psychologist conducted an autism study with three factors: Age (5, 10, 15), Sex (boy, girl), and Treatment Type (X, Y). Determine the number of conditions.
12
A study of anxiety had three factors: Age (20, 40), Sex (men, women), and Treatment (X, Y, Z). Identify the design.
2 x 2 x 3
A research study used a 3 x 3 x 3 design. Determine the number of conditions
27
A research study used a 2 x 2 x 2 design. How many main effects are possible?
3
A research study examined distracted driving. Both young and old subjects were tested on a driving simulator. Each subject completed three trials: once with a handheld cellphone, once with a hands-free cellphone, and once with no phone. The researcher measured the number of collisions. Identify the between-subjects factor(s).
Age (young, old)
A researcher conducted a driving distraction study. Subjects were young or old, and subjects used a driving simulator while talking on a cellphone or not. The dependent measure was driving score. Results are shown in the table. Which two variables showed an interaction?
Age (young, old) and Cellphone (yes, no)
A researcher compared two kinds of cholesterol drugs, called A and B. She recruited 100 patients with high cholesterol, and she randomly assigned each patient to one of two groups. One group took Drug A during March and Drug B during April. The other group took Drug B during March and Drug A during April. The researcher measured each patient's cholesterol three times: March 1, April 1, and May 1. Identify the design.
Counterbalanced Within-Subjects
A researcher conducted a study about blood pressure. He collected data from hundreds of older adults and then ran a multiple regression. The results are shown in the table. DV = Blood Pressure What can the researcher conclude about this sample of participants?
Exercise is associated with lower blood pressure, even after controlling for Salt Consumption
A researcher compared two vocabulary software games. Each of 100 children was randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group used Game A, and the other group used Game B. At the end of the study, each child took a vocabulary test. Mean test scores are shown in the table.
Game A was more effective than Game B for Girls, yet Game B was more effective than Game A for Boys.
A researcher compared two vocabulary software games. Each of 100 children was randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group used Game A, and the other group used Game B. At the end of the study, each child took a vocabulary test. Mean test scores are shown in the table. Describe the main effect of Sex (girl, boy).
Girls outscored boys
Which one of the following statements describes a benefit of multiple regression?
It can eliminate a "third variable" that might explain why two variables are correlated.
A cognitive psychologist conducted a memory study with three factors: Age (5, 7, 9), Sex (boy, girl), and Learning Strategy (X, Y). Each subject studied one list of vocabulary words using Learning Strategy X, and each subject studied one list of vocabulary words using Learning Strategy Y. Identify the within-subjects factor(s).
Learning Strategy
A researcher conducted a driving distraction study. Subjects were young or old, and subjects used a driving simulator while talking on a cellphone or not. The dependent measure was driving score. Results are shown in the table. Describe the main effect of Age (young, old).
None
A researcher conducted a study of self-esteem with a sample of 125 adults. Every participant completed the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (higher score = higher self-esteem). Then each participant provided his or her age and annual salary. Here are the results of a multiple regression analysis. DV = Self-esteem What can the researcher conclude about this sample of participants?
On average, the older subjects have lower self-esteem than the younger subjects have.
Dr. Homer Simpson conducted a taste test of three brands of energy bars: Clif Bar, Kind Bar, and Powerbar. Subjects first sampled the Clif Bar, then the Kind Bar, and finally the Powerbar. Then each subject chose his or her favorite. Identify the flaw in the design.
Possible Order Effects
A researcher examined the effect of Gingko on memory. Each healthy volunteer was randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received a daily dose of Gingko, and the other group received a placebo. One month later, the researcher measured each subject's performance on a memory test. Identify the design.
Posttest-Only Between-Subjects
A researcher compared two kinds of instructional reading software for young children. She recruited 100 children and randomly assigned each child to one of two groups. One group used Product A for a month, and the other group used Product B for a month. The researcher measured each child's reading ability twice: once at the beginning, and once at the end. Identify the design.
Pretest-Posttest Between-Subjects
A researcher develops a vaccine that protects people against a virus. In order to test whether the vaccine is effective, the researcher recruits 100 inmates at the local prison. (Half receive the vaccine, and half receive a placebo.) Every participating prisoner is told that participation is voluntary, and the vaccine is known to be safe. According to the Belmont report, which principle did the researcher violate?
Principle of Justice
According to the Belmont report, researchers who recruit subjects for a study must inform the subjects that participation is voluntary. This is consistent with which one of the Belmont principles?
Principle of Respect for Persons
A researcher is creating a measure consisting solely of 20 Likert-scaled items, and each item has response choices ranging from Strongly Disagree (1) to Strongly Agree (5). The researcher fears that some respondents will not read each item and instead mindlessly select the same response to every item. How should the researcher address this concern?
Reverse code some of the items
A college administrator wanted to know whether SAT scores predicted success at her college. She collected data from the admissions office and ran a multiple regression analysis. The criterion variable was college GPA, and the predictor variables were SAT and parent income. Both beta values were positive and statistically significant. Which one of the following statements best describes the results?
SAT score predicted college GPA, even after controlling for parent income
A researcher conducts a study on depression. He recruits 100 people who have been diagnosed with depression. Each patient is randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group exercised for one hour every day. The other group meditated for one hour every day. One month later, the Exercisers show less depression than the Meditators. The researcher concludes that Exercise is more effective than Meditation. But the researcher didn't know that the Exercisers spent more time outside than did the Meditators, on average. Why is this a concern?
The independent variable is confounded with sunlight exposure.
A selective university admits only students with high SAT scores. The university's Dean of Admissions analyzes data from the students, and he finds that the correlation between SAT and college GPA is r = 0.2. He then writes an essay for the local newspaper in which he claims that the SAT does not predict college GPA. What is the flaw in his reasoning?
The sample of students included only students with high SAT scores.
Dr. Jane Doe wondered about the relationship between two variables: exam score (A) and time need to complete an exam (B). So, when Dr. Doe gave an exam to her large class of students, she measured both A and B. She found that the correlation between A and B was r = 0. What can she conclude about A and B?
There is no linear relationship between A and B
In Florida, students at public schools take a standardized test known as the FSA. On average, students at School A score much higher on the FSA than do students at School B. A reporter for a local newspaper wrote a story about the difference in FSA scores between School A and School B, and he blamed the difference on the teachers at School B. What is the flaw in the reporter's reasoning?
There might be a confound.
A research study used a 3 x 3 design, and both main effects were zero. Choose the true statement
There might be a two-way interaction
According to one study, colorblindness is 16 times more common in men than in women. What kind of claim is this?
association claim
A researcher examined the effects of various activities on heart rate. She recruited 120 college students, and each student was randomly assigned to participate in one of four Activities: Yoga, Stretching, Walking, and Sitting. After 30 minutes, the researcher measured each subject's heart rate. In this design, what kind of variable is Activity?
between-subject independent variable
In a hypothetical survey, one item asks subjects to write the city in which they were born. Identify the scale of measurement for this survey item.
categorical (aka nominal)
Several experiments have found that the drug alprazolam reduces anxiety. This finding is an example of which kind of claim?
causal claim
A testing threat to internal validity is prevented by which one of the following?
comparison group
Some scientists design experiments that are intended to confirm their hypothesis rather than reject their hypothesis. This behavior illustrates which one of the following kinds of bias?
confirmation bias
Professor Jones found that older adults who spend time solving word puzzles scored higher on a word puzzle test than did adults who do not spend time solving word puzzles. Professor Jones then concluded that solving word puzzles improves verbal intelligence. Later, the study was criticized by Professor Smith, who argued that word puzzles are not a good measure of verbal intelligence. What aspect of the research study is being criticized by Professor Smith?
construct validity
A psychology professor conducted a study to better understand the effects of workplace stress on employees' mental health. His sample consisted of psychology majors with part-time jobs. Which one of the following terms best describes his sample?
convenience sample
Which one of the following variables could be a manipulated variable?
drug dose
A researcher asked volunteers to complete a life satisfaction measure. For these volunteers, the correlation between life satisfaction and age was r = .32. What does this value represent?
effect size
A physiologist assessed a new stretching technique designed to improve running speed. She recruited 10 world-class sprinters, and each sprinter was randomly assigned to either the treatment group or the control group. After the three-month program, neither group showed an improvement. What might explain this finding?
eiling effect
Most psychology studies rely solely on college students, and this had led some to doubt whether the results of these studies hold for other kinds of people. By this criticism, most psychology research lacks which kind of validity?
external validity
A researcher assessed the effect of caffeine on blood pressure. She recruited 50 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55, and she assigned each volunteer to one of two groups. One group received a tablet with 50 mg caffeine, and the other group received a placebo tablet. Immediately afterwards, the researcher measured each subject's blood pressure. In this design, what is Subject Age?
extraneous variable
A scientific theory must have which one of the following features?
falsifiability
According to one study, colorblindness affects 1 in 12 men. What kind of claim is this?
frequency claim
Consider this hypothetical study. Ten college student volunteers were given a general knowledge test consisting of 200 questions. By random assignment, five students took the test in a red room, and five students took the test in a gray room. The Red group slightly outscored the Gray group, on average. The researcher concluded that students perform better on tests when the room is red. On the basis of this description, what is a weakness of the research study?
high chance of Type 1 error
A local grocery store sells Yummy ice cream. Sales of Yummy were high throughout the summer, so the store owner raised the price of Yummy ice cream in September. During the next three months, Yummy sales decreased, and the store owner blamed the decrease on the higher price. However, he forgot that ice cream sales usually decline when the weather cools. This example illustrates which one of the following threats to internal validity?
history threat
A group of high school students attended an afternoon seminar covering SAT test-taking tips. During the seminar, students first completed a practice test, then heard the instructor's advice, and then took another practice test. On average, students improved slightly between the first and second practice test. The instructor boasted that his seminar was helpful, but the improvement actually occurred because the first practice test was harder than the second practice test. This example illustrates which one of following threats to internal validity?
instrumentation threat
Consider this hypothetical study. A researcher recruits 100 young children and randomly assigns each child to one of three groups: Music Lessons, Yoga Lessons, or No Lessons. One year later, each child is given an intelligence test known as the WISC. What is the construct for the dependent variable?
intelligence
A clinical psychologist creates a 12-item measure of anxiety. When she gives the measure to a group of volunteers, the anxiety measure produces a Cronbach's alpha of 0.3. This value measures what aspect of the anxiety measure?
internal consistency (aka internal reliability)
A development psychologist conducted a research study with 8-year-old children. Two research assistants observed the children playing together, and each research assistant gave each child a score (from 1 to 5) that measured how often each child interacted with another child (1 = never, 5 = very frequently). The psychologist then computer a correlation between the two sets of scores. What does this correlation measure?
interrater reliability
In a local ice skating competition, each ice skater received a score from two judges. Later, a statistician examines the scores and finds that the two judges' scores were strongly correlated (Pearson r = 0.9). This is evidence for which one of the following?
interrater reliability
Healthy humans have a body temperature of about 37 degrees Celsius. Identify the scale of measurement.
interval
Last year, Hugs-and-Kisses Preschool replaced their traditional school lunches with high-protein lunches, and every child grew at least two inches in height. The preschool director attributed this gain to the new lunches. Why should one doubt her claim?
maturation threat
The first grade students at Smith Elementary School participated in a special reading program twice per week throughout the school year, and nearly every student showed a pretest-posttest improvement. The researcher concluded that the reading program was effective. What was the primary flaw in the design?
no comparison group
A Florida news reporter conducted a survey about an upcoming election. The reporter mailed the survey to 2000 people who were randomly selected from a list of Florida homeowners, and 1800 completed and returned the survey. Most of the respondents indicated that they favored Candidate A over Candidate B, and the reporter then predicted that Candidate A would win the election. Identify the weakness of this survey.
non-representative sample
In 1936, a popular magazine conducted a poll about the upcoming presidential election. The magazine staff mailed the poll to 10 million people, and 2.4 million responded. The results showed that 57% of the respondents favored Alf Landon, yet Landon lost to Franklin Roosevelt by a large margin. Why was the poll so wrong? Some experts believe that Roosevelt was favored by a majority of the people who received the poll but did not respond. What term describes this explanation?
non-response bias
Which one of the following phenomena might be due to a ceiling effect?
null effect
During the late 1800s, a mathematics teacher reported that his horse could do basic arithmetic. Later, a psychologist ran a series of tests and learned that the horse was able to correctly answer the mathematics questions by observing subtle facial and posture changes in the person who asked the question. This story illustrates which one of the following phenomena?
observer effects
A physiologist conducted a fitness study that compared the effects of Walking and Jogging on cholesterol levels. Every subject walked daily during July, and they jogged daily during August. The physiologist measured every subject's cholesterol on both July 31 and August 31. The data showed that cholesterol levels were better on August 31 than on July 31. The researcher concluded that cholesterol levels benefitted more from jogging than from running. Why might this conclusion be wrong?
order effect
According to Occam's razor, on what basis should one choose between two competing scientific theories?
parsimony
A selection threat to internal validity is prevented by which one of the following?
random assignment
A pollster wanted to know the views of Florida registered voters, and she created a sample by randomly selecting 100 people from the list of Florida registered voters. What term describes her sampling technique?
random sample
Many research studies include a measure of subjects' response time (RT). Identify the scale of measurement for this measure.
ratio
A professor recruits subjects for her study by sending a website link to her students. She also asks her students to send the website link to their friends, who are asked to send the link to their friends, and so on. This is an example of what kind of sampling method?
snowball sample
Dr. Smith requires her students to complete a survey about their views on politically-sensitive issues such as gun control and illegal immigration. Which one of the following complications is most likely?
socially desirable responding
A clinical psychologist evaluated a new kind of talk therapy with 20 people who were recently diagnosed with depression. Each participant received the new kind of therapy during weekly sessions for four months, and most of the patients showed a pretest-posttest improvement. The psychologist concluded that the new therapy must be effective, but the improvement could also be explained by which one of the following phenomena?
spontaneous remission
A pollster wants to know how registered Florida voters will vote in the upcoming election. She randomly samples 25 people from the list of Florida registered voters, and she asks each of them to complete a sample ballot. Identify the greatest weakness in her survey
statistical validity
Joe flips the same coin 10 times, and the coin turns up Heads on 7 of the 10 flips. Joe then concludes that the coin is biased in favor of Heads. On what basis should one challenge his finding?
statistical validity
A researcher creates a survey designed to measure a person's political views. The researcher gives the survey to 100 college students twice: once on May 1 and again on June 1. The researcher then computed the Pearson correlation (r) between the May 1 score and the June 1 score. This correlation measures what feature of the survey?
test-retest reliability
A group of college students attended an afternoon seminar on GRE test-taking tips. During the seminar, students first completed a practice test, then listened to the instructor's advice, and then took another practice test. On average, students improved between the first and second practice test. The instructor attributed the gain to his seminar, but the gain also might reflect which one of the following threats to internal validity?
testing threat
A researcher creates a 20-item measure of depression. Then the researcher recruits 100 volunteers, and each volunteer completes both the researcher's measure of depression and another well-known measure of depression. The researcher finds that the volunteers' scores on the two measures are weakly correlated (Pearson r = 0.1). What does this correlation say about the researcher's measure of depression?
weak convergent validity
A small college admits students on the basis of a written essay. A dean reads each essay and gives it a score between 1 and 10, and the college admits students with a score of 5 or higher. Years later, a statistician looks at the data and finds that the students' essay scores are poorly correlated with their college GPA (Pearson r = 0.1). On the basis of this finding, the essay score is not a valid measure of student potential. Why?
weak criterion validity
A researcher creates a 20-item measure of depression. Then the researcher recruits 100 volunteers, and each volunteer completes both the researcher's measure of depression and a measure of introversion. The researcher finds that the volunteers' scores on the two measures are strongly correlated (Pearson r = 0.8). What does this correlation say about the researcher's measure of depression?
weak discriminant validity (i.e., weak divergent validity)
