Exam 4: Theory in Psychology

Explain how a theory that is inaccurate can still be scientifically useful.

Formal theories are always better than informal theories.

For every _____ there are many plausible _____.

Theories in evolutionary psychology tend to be functional in their approach.

By "theory," scientists generally mean which of the following?

The general approach that scientists use to create and test theories is called which of the following?

A hypothesis takes which of the following general forms?

The only function of theories is to accurately describe the world.

Phenomena are often referred to as "effects."

A theory is an explanation or interpretation of one or more phenomena.

Broad theories generally make more precise predictions than narrow theories.

A hypothesis is a prediction based on a theory.

Psychological theories take a wide variety of forms.

Researcher A says that people who got allowances as children are more financially responsible as adults because they had more opportunity to learn how to handle money. Researcher B says that people who got allowances as children are more financially responsible adults because they are responsible people in general … which is why their parents gave the allowances in the first place. Which of the following best describes this state of affairs?

In general, what do researchers conclude when their hypotheses are confirmed?

The difference between phenomena and theories is essentially the same as the difference between which of the following?

Which of the following is true of the terms perspective, framework, theory, model, and hypothesis?

Consider the phenomenon that married people tend to report greater happiness than unmarried people. Consider also the theory that this happens because having children causes people to be happier. Explain how you might use the hypothetico-deductive method to test this theory.

How does a framework differ from a theory?

Which of the following is an example of a highly formal theory?