Exam 2: Studying Behaviour Scientifically

In an experiment assessing the effect of pain on anxiety, anxiety is the

Identify an alternative to using random assignment in experiments.

In a negative correlation, higher scores on one variable are associated with ____________ scores on a second variable.

The research method that allows for examining cause and effect relations is

Dr. Jones was testing the effectiveness of a new vitamin supplement. Half of the participants received the vitamin and half received a sugar pill. He found that the sugar pill worked as well and sometimes better than the vitamin. This could reflect

What are independent and dependent variables? How are they related?

Hypotheses typically specify lawful relations between certain behaviours and their causes, and tend to be broader than theories.

Experimental research contains three essential steps: manipulate one variable, measure whether this manipulation affects another variable, and

Which of the following statements regarding theories and hypotheses is TRUE? Hypotheses

Priscilla wants to design a study that will let her determine what lifestyle factors are more likely to contribute to greater levels of happiness. The only problem is that she can't look inside people's heads to see their degree of happiness. What should be her first step?

The plus or minus sign (+/-) on the correlation coefficient reflects

How do researchers minimize experimenter expectancy effects?

A psychologist decides that she will assess stress by measuring subjects' blood pressure. This is an example of a(n)

Imagine that a study has just been published which shows a relationship between a certain nutritional supplement and a lower incidence of cold and flu. This study was based on survey data and asked people to report whether or not they used this supplement in the last four months, as well as estimate the amount of times they were ill in that same period, and the average duration associated with those illnesses. Their results show that people who take the supplement report being ill less often and/or for less time. The company selling the supplement wants to claim that this is scientific proof their product works. Which of the following is not a possible alternative explanation to the idea that the supplement reduces frequency and/or duration of illness?

We can best predict the value of one variable from the value of another variable if the two variables have a correlation coefficient of:

If a researcher is conducting an experiment, the researcher will _________.

The process of repeating an experiment to determine whether the same results can be obtained is called

The "Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists" lists basic principles that should be followed when psychologists are involved in

When Dr. Pressley examines the study habits of his students he finds that as the number of hours they spend studying increases, so do their grades. He finds an even stronger correlation between partying and grades in that as their grades improve the number of hours they spend partying decreases. When he runs the statistics on these data he finds which of the following correlation coefficients for hours studying with grades and hours partying with grades respectively

In an experiment, the independent variable is the one that is manipulated by the researcher.