Question 1

Outline the characteristics of a good theory.

Accepted Answer

A good theory should have several key characteristics. Firstly, it should be based on empirical evidence and data, rather than just speculation or opinion. This means that the theory has been tested and validated through observation and experimentation, and can be supported by concrete evidence.

Secondly, a good theory should be able to explain and predict phenomena. It should be able to provide a clear and coherent explanation for a particular set of observations, and also be able to make predictions about future events or outcomes based on the theory's principles.

Thirdly, a good theory should be generalizable. This means that it should be applicable to a wide range of situations and contexts, rather than being limited to a specific set of circumstances. A theory that is too narrow in scope may not have as much utility or relevance in the broader scientific community.

Additionally, a good theory should be parsimonious, meaning that it should be as simple and straightforward as possible while still accounting for the observed phenomena. A theory that is overly complex or convoluted may be less effective in guiding further research or application.

Finally, a good theory should be falsifiable. This means that it should be possible to test the theory's predictions and potentially disprove it through further experimentation or observation. A theory that cannot be subjected to empirical testing or potential refutation may not be as scientifically robust.

In summary, a good theory should be based on evidence, able to explain and predict phenomena, generalizable, parsimonious, and falsifiable in order to be considered a strong and valuable contribution to scientific knowledge.

Question 2

A testable theory is one that can potentially fail an empirical test.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Fundamental theories are rare in psychology because:

Accepted Answer

A)  they are the lowest level of description. 
B)  it is extremely difficult to control the relevant variables. 
C)  they are too general to account for psychological phenomena. 
D)  it is easy to identify variables using mathematical laws. 
A)  they are the lowest level of description. 
B)  it is extremely difficult to control the relevant variables. 
C)  they are too general to account for psychological phenomena. 
D)  it is easy to identify variables using mathematical laws. B

Question 4

A quantitative theory:

Accepted Answer

A)  relates the numerical representations of variables and constants to one another. 
B)  uses analogies to physical systems for its base. 
C)  is stated in purely verbal terms. 
D)  None of the answers is correct. 
A)  relates the numerical representations of variables and constants to one another. 
B)  uses analogies to physical systems for its base. 
C)  is stated in purely verbal terms. 
D)  None of the answers is correct.

Question 5

According to the text, the collapse of the Hull-Spence theory of learning occurred because the theory:

Accepted Answer

A)  lacked heuristic value. 
B)  was no longer parsimonious. 
C)  lacked explanatory relevance. 
D)  was too limited in scope. 
A)  lacked heuristic value. 
B)  was no longer parsimonious. 
C)  lacked explanatory relevance. 
D)  was too limited in scope.

Question 6

Dr. Jones proposed a theory of helping behavior that turned out to be wrong. However, it did serve as a catalyst for a fruitful research area. This illustrates the _____ value of a theory.

Accepted Answer

A)  heuristic 
B)  catalytic 
C)  predictive 
D)  organizational 
A)  heuristic 
B)  catalytic 
C)  predictive 
D)  organizational

Question 7

Which of the following statements is true of a law?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is an empirically verified, quantitative relationship between two or more variables. 
B)  It is a tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem. 
C)  It refers to a specific implementation of a more general theoretical view. 
D)  It is more limited in scope than is a hypothesis. 
A)  It is an empirically verified, quantitative relationship between two or more variables. 
B)  It is a tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem. 
C)  It refers to a specific implementation of a more general theoretical view. 
D)  It is more limited in scope than is a hypothesis.

Question 8

A theory is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A)  plausible or scientifically acceptable, well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world. 
B)  well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world. 
C)  organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena and predict the characteristics of as yet unobserved phenomena. 
D)  All of the answers are correct. 
A)  plausible or scientifically acceptable, well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world. 
B)  well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world. 
C)  organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena and predict the characteristics of as yet unobserved phenomena. 
D)  All of the answers are correct.

Question 9

When research generates data that support the predictions of a theory, we can safely say that the theory was proven correct.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

If a positive result of an experiment does not support a prediction made by a theory, you are using:

Accepted Answer

A)  strong inference. 
B)  analogical inference. 
C)  a confirmational strategy. 
D)  a disconfirmational strategy. 
A)  strong inference. 
B)  analogical inference. 
C)  a confirmational strategy. 
D)  a disconfirmational strategy.

Question 11

For a theory to be of value, it must:

Accepted Answer

A)  be able to account for data within its scope. 
B)  give good reason to believe that a phenomenon would occur under the specified conditions. 
C)  be testable. 
D)  All of the answers are correct. 
A)  be able to account for data within its scope. 
B)  give good reason to believe that a phenomenon would occur under the specified conditions. 
C)  be testable. 
D)  All of the answers are correct.

Question 12

According to the text, adequate testing of a theory involves using:

Accepted Answer

A)  only a disconfirmational strategy. 
B)  only a confirmational strategy. 
C)  both disconfirmational and confirmational strategies. 
D)  strong inference alone. 
A)  only a disconfirmational strategy. 
B)  only a confirmational strategy. 
C)  both disconfirmational and confirmational strategies. 
D)  strong inference alone.

Question 13

The _____ of a theory concerns the range of situations to which it applies.

Accepted Answer

A)  applicability 
B)  generality 
C)  domain 
D)  broadness 
A)  applicability 
B)  generality 
C)  domain 
D)  broadness

Question 14

Given the choice between a mechanistic explanation and a functional one, you should:

Accepted Answer

A)  prefer the mechanistic one. 
B)  prefer the functional one. 
C)  not care which one you choose. 
D)  flip a coin. 
A)  prefer the mechanistic one. 
B)  prefer the functional one. 
C)  not care which one you choose. 
D)  flip a coin.

Question 15

A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation is called a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  fact 
B)  theory 
C)  hypothesis 
D)  assertion 
A)  fact 
B)  theory 
C)  hypothesis 
D)  assertion

Question 16

If a theory is proven incorrect, it is totally useless.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

The process of developing alternative explanations for a phenomenon, developing predictions based on the alternatives, and testing those predictions is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  strong inference. 
B)  a confirmational strategy. 
C)  a disconfirmational strategy. 
D)  weak inference. 
A)  strong inference. 
B)  a confirmational strategy. 
C)  a disconfirmational strategy. 
D)  weak inference.

Question 18

Quantitative theories express relationships in mathematical terms.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

A theory that has been substantially verified is sometimes called a:

Accepted Answer

A)  law. 
B)  model. 
C)  descriptive theory. 
D)  None of the answers is correct. 
A)  law. 
B)  model. 
C)  descriptive theory. 
D)  None of the answers is correct.

Question 20

A(n) _____ explains a phenomenon with as few statements as possible.

Accepted Answer

A)  explanatory relevant theory 
B)  theory with high heuristic value 
C)  parsimonious theory 
D)  strong theory 
A)  explanatory relevant theory 
B)  theory with high heuristic value 
C)  parsimonious theory 
D)  strong theory

Outline the characteristics of a good theory.

A testable theory is one that can potentially fail an empirical test.

Fundamental theories are rare in psychology because:

A quantitative theory:

According to the text, the collapse of the Hull-Spence theory of learning occurred because the theory:

Dr. Jones proposed a theory of helping behavior that turned out to be wrong. However, it did serve as a catalyst for a fruitful research area. This illustrates the _____ value of a theory.

Which of the following statements is true of a law?

A theory is a(n):

When research generates data that support the predictions of a theory, we can safely say that the theory was proven correct.

If a positive result of an experiment does not support a prediction made by a theory, you are using:

For a theory to be of value, it must:

According to the text, adequate testing of a theory involves using:

The _____ of a theory concerns the range of situations to which it applies.

Given the choice between a mechanistic explanation and a functional one, you should:

A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation is called a(n) _____.

If a theory is proven incorrect, it is totally useless.

The process of developing alternative explanations for a phenomenon, developing predictions based on the alternatives, and testing those predictions is known as:

Quantitative theories express relationships in mathematical terms.

A theory that has been substantially verified is sometimes called a:

A(n) _____ explains a phenomenon with as few statements as possible.

Explaining Behavior

Getting Ideas for Research

Choosing a Research Design

Making Systematic Observations

Choosing and Using Research Subjects

Understanding Ethical Issues in the Research Process

Doing Nonexperimental Research

Doing Survey Research

Using Between-Subjects and Within-Subjects Experimental Designs

Using Specialized Research Designs

Using Single-Subject Designs

Describing Data

Using Inferential Statistics

Using Multivariate Design and Analysis

Reporting Your Research Results

Filters

Exam 2: Developing and Evaluating Theories of Behavior

Outline the characteristics of a good theory.

A testable theory is one that can potentially fail an empirical test.

Fundamental theories are rare in psychology because:

A quantitative theory:

According to the text, the collapse of the Hull-Spence theory of learning occurred because the theory:

Dr. Jones proposed a theory of helping behavior that turned out to be wrong. However, it did serve as a catalyst for a fruitful research area. This illustrates the _____ value of a theory.

Which of the following statements is true of a law?

A theory is a(n):

When research generates data that support the predictions of a theory, we can safely say that the theory was proven correct.

If a positive result of an experiment does not support a prediction made by a theory, you are using:

For a theory to be of value, it must:

According to the text, adequate testing of a theory involves using:

The _____ of a theory concerns the range of situations to which it applies.

Given the choice between a mechanistic explanation and a functional one, you should:

A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation is called a(n) _____.

If a theory is proven incorrect, it is totally useless.

The process of developing alternative explanations for a phenomenon, developing predictions based on the alternatives, and testing those predictions is known as:

Quantitative theories express relationships in mathematical terms.

A theory that has been substantially verified is sometimes called a:

A(n) _____ explains a phenomenon with as few statements as possible.

Explaining Behavior

Getting Ideas for Research

Choosing a Research Design

Making Systematic Observations

Choosing and Using Research Subjects

Understanding Ethical Issues in the Research Process

Doing Nonexperimental Research

Doing Survey Research

Using Between-Subjects and Within-Subjects Experimental Designs

Using Specialized Research Designs

Using Single-Subject Designs

Describing Data

Using Inferential Statistics

Using Multivariate Design and Analysis

Reporting Your Research Results

Filters