Question 1

Which of the following studies is an example of a longitudinal design?

Accepted Answer

A)  Dr. Finn's study in which he measured job commitment in a group of Japanese factory workers and in a group of Mexican factory workers 
B)  Dr. Stabler's study in which he measured people's frequency of playing video games in ninth grade and their aggressive behaviors in 12th grade 
C)  Dr. Benson's study in which she measured people's spatial manipulation ability in August and measured their ability again in May after they had taken two semesters of art classes 
D)  Dr. Tutola's study in which he measured the daily stress of a group of married men and the daily happiness of their spouses 
A)  Dr. Finn's study in which he measured job commitment in a group of Japanese factory workers and in a group of Mexican factory workers 
B)  Dr. Stabler's study in which he measured people's frequency of playing video games in ninth grade and their aggressive behaviors in 12th grade 
C)  Dr. Benson's study in which she measured people's spatial manipulation ability in August and measured their ability again in May after they had taken two semesters of art classes 
D)  Dr. Tutola's study in which he measured the daily stress of a group of married men and the daily happiness of their spouses C

Question 2

If an experiment cannot be done for practical or ethical reasons related to manipulating the variable of interest, which of the following events should happen?

Accepted Answer

A)  The study should not be conducted at all. 
B)  The researchers should wait until the experiment can be done. 
C)  A longitudinal correlational design could be done instead. 
D)  The IRB can grant a waiver of review to conduct the study anyway. 
A)  The study should not be conducted at all. 
B)  The researchers should wait until the experiment can be done. 
C)  A longitudinal correlational design could be done instead. 
D)  The IRB can grant a waiver of review to conduct the study anyway. C

Question 3

RESEARCH STUDY 9.5: Dr.Nguyen is a psychologist who studies legal decision making.Specifically, he is curious about the factors that are irrelevant to the crime committed that influence the sentences juries give to defendants (known as extra-legal factors).To study this further, he samples a group of jury-eligible adults from the Memphis area.He provides them with the fact pattern to a particular case and allows them to watch the closing statements from the trial.He then asks them to provide a sentence (in months) for the defendant.In addition, he measures two legal factors (the number of arguments made by the prosecuting attorney and the length of time the defense attorney speaks during his or her closing argument) and two extra-legal factors (how attractive the participants think the defendant is [higher scores indicate higher ratings of attractiveness] and how many legal televisions shows the participants watch).The data are below.   Explain whether Dr.Nguyen is correct in thinking that extra-legal factors are more important in legal decision making than legal factors.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Nguyen is not correct because there is evidence that both legal and extra-legal factors are important. In each response, students should explain the idea of statistical control, such that both the length of the defense attorney's closing argument and the attractiveness of the defendant are predictors of length of criminal sentences, controlling for the other variables included in the study.

Question 4

RESEARCH STUDY 9.1: Dr.Farah is an educational psychologist who is interested in studying the potential causal relationship between doing homework and academic achievement.In January, Dr.Farah has her students report their fall GPA (a measure of academic achievement) and estimate how many hours they spent doing homework during a typical week in the fall semester.In May, Dr.Farah measures the same variables again (the estimated number of hours spent doing homework during a typical week in the spring semester and their spring GPA).She finds the following correlations.   In considering the three criteria for causation, which of the following questions will Dr.Farah's study NOT be able to address?

Accepted Answer

A)  Is there covariance? 
B)  Is there temporal precedence? 
C)  Are there third variables that could explain the relationship? 
D)  Do the rules make intuitive sense? 
A)  Is there covariance? 
B)  Is there temporal precedence? 
C)  Are there third variables that could explain the relationship? 
D)  Do the rules make intuitive sense?

Question 5

RESEARCH STUDY 9.6: Dr.Cheong is a clinical psychologist who is curious about how people deal with natural disasters to report on how their well-being was affected by the hurricane, the social support felt after the storm, and the number of PTSD symptoms.Dr.Cheong finds support for his proposed relationship.However, in examining his data more closely, he finds that the relationship between emotional well-being and PTSD symptoms is stronger for men than for women.
Using Dr.Cheong's study, identify a mediating variable and a moderating variable and explain the difference between the two types of variables.

Accepted Answer

Participant sex is a moderating variable

Question 6

RESEARCH STUDY 9.1: Dr.Farah is an educational psychologist who is interested in studying the potential causal relationship between doing homework and academic achievement.In January, Dr.Farah has her students report their fall GPA (a measure of academic achievement) and estimate how many hours they spent doing homework during a typical week in the fall semester.In May, Dr.Farah measures the same variables again (the estimated number of hours spent doing homework during a typical week in the spring semester and their spring GPA).She finds the following correlations.   Correlation 4 is an example of which of the following types of correlations?

Accepted Answer

A)  Autocorrelation 
B)  Multivariate correlation 
C)  Cross-sectional correlation 
D)  Cross-lag correlation 
A)  Autocorrelation 
B)  Multivariate correlation 
C)  Cross-sectional correlation 
D)  Cross-lag correlation

Question 7

RESEARCH STUDY 9.4: Dr.O'Toole is a counseling psychologist who researches family dynamics.He is curious as to whether there is a causal link between the amount of time families spend together on vacation and children's happiness.More specifically, he thinks that spending more time together as a family on vacation causes children to be happier.He designs a study where he samples 63 single-child families in December 2012 and measures how many days the family spent on vacation in the past year as well as the child's happiness.He then contacts the same families in December 2016 and measures those two variables again.The results of his study are below.   Describe what makes Dr.O'Toole's study (1) a longitudinal study and (2) a multivariate correlational study.

Accepted Answer

Dr. O'Toole's study is a longitudinal st

Question 8

Explain what it means that third variables are "external" to the causal variable and mediators are "internal" to the causal variable.

Accepted Answer

Third variables are external to the caus

Question 9

Adding several variables to a regression analysis can help do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Increase the statistical significance of the results 
B)  Control for several variables at once 
C)  Increase the construct validity of a study 
D)  Meet the temporal precedence criterion for causal inference 
A)  Increase the statistical significance of the results 
B)  Control for several variables at once 
C)  Increase the construct validity of a study 
D)  Meet the temporal precedence criterion for causal inference

Question 10

When conducting longitudinal research, researchers typically find to be the most interesting.

Accepted Answer

A)  autocorrelations 
B)  cross-sectional correlations 
C)  cross-lag correlations 
D)  multivariate correlations 
A)  autocorrelations 
B)  cross-sectional correlations 
C)  cross-lag correlations 
D)  multivariate correlations

Question 11

RESEARCH STUDY 9.1: Dr.Farah is an educational psychologist who is interested in studying the potential causal relationship between doing homework and academic achievement.In January, Dr.Farah has her students report their fall GPA (a measure of academic achievement) and estimate how many hours they spent doing homework during a typical week in the fall semester.In May, Dr.Farah measures the same variables again (the estimated number of hours spent doing homework during a typical week in the spring semester and their spring GPA).She finds the following correlations.   Imagine that Dr.Farah noted a cyclical, reinforcing relationship between homework and academic achievement.For this to be case, which of the following correlations would need to be significant?

Accepted Answer

A)  Correlations 1 and 6 
B)  Correlations 2 and 5 
C)  Correlations 3 and 4 
D)  Correlations 2 and 3 
A)  Correlations 1 and 6 
B)  Correlations 2 and 5 
C)  Correlations 3 and 4 
D)  Correlations 2 and 3

Question 12

A researcher has examined a variety of correlational studies that point to a causal relationship between two variables.All of the studies have found a positive relationship between the two variables, but for ethical reasons, no experiments have been conducted.Using an approach of pattern and parsimony, the researcher may begin to make a causal claim by doing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Running another correlational study but with more people 
B)  Specifying a mechanism or explanation for the causal relationship 
C)  Examining the dates of the studies to look for temporal precedence 
D)  Replicating all of the original studies 
A)  Running another correlational study but with more people 
B)  Specifying a mechanism or explanation for the causal relationship 
C)  Examining the dates of the studies to look for temporal precedence 
D)  Replicating all of the original studies

Question 13

Why would a researcher interested in making a causal claim NOT do an experiment?

Accepted Answer

A)  Experiments are very expensive and the researcher might not have grant funding. 
B)  There may be ethical limitations of manipulating a variable. 
C)  Laboratory space is required for experiments and the researcher might not have a lab. 
D)  Experiments take longer to do than other types of studies. 
A)  Experiments are very expensive and the researcher might not have grant funding. 
B)  There may be ethical limitations of manipulating a variable. 
C)  Laboratory space is required for experiments and the researcher might not have a lab. 
D)  Experiments take longer to do than other types of studies.

Question 14

Which of the following is a necessary component of a longitudinal design?

Accepted Answer

A)  Measuring the same variables at two points in time 
B)  Measuring at least four variables at one time 
C)  Measuring different age groups at two different times 
D)  Manipulating a variable at two points in time 
A)  Measuring the same variables at two points in time 
B)  Measuring at least four variables at one time 
C)  Measuring different age groups at two different times 
D)  Manipulating a variable at two points in time

Question 15

Why should journalists report on the previous body of research when writing about a newly published scientific study?

Accepted Answer

A)  To highlight pattern and parsimony in scientific research 
B)  To demonstrate that they have a background in science 
C)  To make it easier for their readers to determine that the story is credible 
D)  To prove to their editors that readers will be interested in the story 
A)  To highlight pattern and parsimony in scientific research 
B)  To demonstrate that they have a background in science 
C)  To make it easier for their readers to determine that the story is credible 
D)  To prove to their editors that readers will be interested in the story

Question 16

Which popular media headline might suggest that a multiple regression has been used?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Pet ownership is an important predictor of well-being in elderly adults." 
B)  "Daughters are happier when their mothers are happy working outside the home." 
C)  "Eating lunch away from your desk is associated with greater work productivity." 
D)  "Vacations are important for happiness, even when length of vacation is controlled for." 
A)  "Pet ownership is an important predictor of well-being in elderly adults." 
B)  "Daughters are happier when their mothers are happy working outside the home." 
C)  "Eating lunch away from your desk is associated with greater work productivity." 
D)  "Vacations are important for happiness, even when length of vacation is controlled for."

Question 17

RESEARCH STUDY 9.1: Dr.Farah is an educational psychologist who is interested in studying the potential causal relationship between doing homework and academic achievement.In January, Dr.Farah has her students report their fall GPA (a measure of academic achievement) and estimate how many hours they spent doing homework during a typical week in the fall semester.In May, Dr.Farah measures the same variables again (the estimated number of hours spent doing homework during a typical week in the spring semester and their spring GPA).She finds the following correlations.   Based on her pattern of correlations, which of the following can Dr.Farah safely conclude?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because Correlation 3 is significant but Correlation 4 is not, Dr. Farah has evidence that increased homework comes before academic achievement. 
B)  Because not all the correlations are significant, Dr. Farah has no evidence that increased homework comes before academic achievement. 
C)  Because Correlations 2 and 3 are significant, Dr. Farah has evidence that increased homework comes before academic achievement. 
D)  Because Correlation 4 is stronger than Correlation 5, Dr. Farah has no evidence that increased homework comes before academic achievement. 
A)  Because Correlation 3 is significant but Correlation 4 is not, Dr. Farah has evidence that increased homework comes before academic achievement. 
B)  Because not all the correlations are significant, Dr. Farah has no evidence that increased homework comes before academic achievement. 
C)  Because Correlations 2 and 3 are significant, Dr. Farah has evidence that increased homework comes before academic achievement. 
D)  Because Correlation 4 is stronger than Correlation 5, Dr. Farah has no evidence that increased homework comes before academic achievement.

Question 18

How do multiple regression designs help rule out third variables?

Accepted Answer

Multiple regression designs help rule ou

Question 19

can be examined in both simple bivariate designs and longitudinal designs.

Accepted Answer

A)  Autocorrelation 
B)  Cross-sectional correlation 
C)  Cross-lag correlation 
D)  Sequential correlation 
A)  Autocorrelation 
B)  Cross-sectional correlation 
C)  Cross-lag correlation 
D)  Sequential correlation

Question 20

RESEARCH STUDY 9.1: Dr.Farah is an educational psychologist who is interested in studying the potential causal relationship between doing homework and academic achievement.In January, Dr.Farah has her students report their fall GPA (a measure of academic achievement) and estimate how many hours they spent doing homework during a typical week in the fall semester.In May, Dr.Farah measures the same variables again (the estimated number of hours spent doing homework during a typical week in the spring semester and their spring GPA).She finds the following correlations.   Correlation 1 is an example of which of the following types of correlations?

Accepted Answer

A)  Autocorrelation 
B)  Multivariate correlation 
C)  Cross-sectional correlation 
D)  Cross-lag correlation 
A)  Autocorrelation 
B)  Multivariate correlation 
C)  Cross-sectional correlation 
D)  Cross-lag correlation

Which of the following studies is an example of a longitudinal design?

If an experiment cannot be done for practical or ethical reasons related to manipulating the variable of interest, which of the following events should happen?

Explain what it means that third variables are "external" to the causal variable and mediators are "internal" to the causal variable.

Adding several variables to a regression analysis can help do which of the following?

When conducting longitudinal research, researchers typically find to be the most interesting.

Why would a researcher interested in making a causal claim NOT do an experiment?

Which of the following is a necessary component of a longitudinal design?

Why should journalists report on the previous body of research when writing about a newly published scientific study?

Which popular media headline might suggest that a multiple regression has been used?

How do multiple regression designs help rule out third variables?

can be examined in both simple bivariate designs and longitudinal designs.

Psychology Is a Way of Thinking

Sources of Information: Why Research Is Best and How to Find IT

Three Claims, Four Validities: Interrogation Tools for Consumers of Research

Ethical Guidelines for Psychology Research

Identifying Good Measurement

Surveys and Observations: Describing What People Do

Sampling: Estimating the Frequency of Behaviors and Beliefs

Bivariate Correlational Research

Introduction to Simple Experiments

More on Experiments: Confounding and Obscuring Variables

Experiments With More Than One Independent Variable

Quasi-Experiments and Small-N Designs

Replicability, Generalization, and the Real World

Filters

Exam 9: Multivariate Correlational Research

Which of the following studies is an example of a longitudinal design?

If an experiment cannot be done for practical or ethical reasons related to manipulating the variable of interest, which of the following events should happen?

Explain what it means that third variables are "external" to the causal variable and mediators are "internal" to the causal variable.

Adding several variables to a regression analysis can help do which of the following?

When conducting longitudinal research, researchers typically find to be the most interesting.

Why would a researcher interested in making a causal claim NOT do an experiment?

Which of the following is a necessary component of a longitudinal design?

Why should journalists report on the previous body of research when writing about a newly published scientific study?

Which popular media headline might suggest that a multiple regression has been used?

How do multiple regression designs help rule out third variables?

can be examined in both simple bivariate designs and longitudinal designs.

Psychology Is a Way of Thinking

Sources of Information: Why Research Is Best and How to Find IT

Three Claims, Four Validities: Interrogation Tools for Consumers of Research

Ethical Guidelines for Psychology Research

Identifying Good Measurement

Surveys and Observations: Describing What People Do

Sampling: Estimating the Frequency of Behaviors and Beliefs

Bivariate Correlational Research

Introduction to Simple Experiments

More on Experiments: Confounding and Obscuring Variables

Experiments With More Than One Independent Variable

Quasi-Experiments and Small-N Designs

Replicability, Generalization, and the Real World

Filters