Question 1

Which of the following statements is true of the heuristic value of a theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  It acts as a countermeasure in a new research. 
B)  It affects only the independent variables in a research. 
C)  It is often independent of its validity. 
D)  It nullifies correlation between variables. 
A)  It acts as a countermeasure in a new research. 
B)  It affects only the independent variables in a research. 
C)  It is often independent of its validity. 
D)  It nullifies correlation between variables.

Question 2

A qualitative 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 3

Which of the following statements is true of hypotheses?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are less limited in scope than are theories. 
B)  They are better substantiated than theories. 
C)  They are like educated guesses to be tested. 
D)  They are well-supported explanations for observations. 
A)  They are less limited in scope than are theories. 
B)  They are better substantiated than theories. 
C)  They are like educated guesses to be tested. 
D)  They are well-supported explanations for observations.

Question 4

According to the text, a theory should be developed:

Accepted Answer

A)  before any empirical data are collected. 
B)  after there is an adequate base of empirical data on the phenomenon of interest. 
C)  only if the attempts to find functional relationships via research fail. 
D)  whenever there is a phenomenon that cannot be adequately explained. 
A)  before any empirical data are collected. 
B)  after there is an adequate base of empirical data on the phenomenon of interest. 
C)  only if the attempts to find functional relationships via research fail. 
D)  whenever there is a phenomenon that cannot be adequately explained.

Question 5

_____ borrow from well-understood models by suggesting that the system to be explained behaves in a fashion similar to that described by a well-understood model.

Accepted Answer

A)  Analogical theories 
B)  Fundamental theories 
C)  Descriptive theories 
D)  Functional theories 
A)  Analogical theories 
B)  Fundamental theories 
C)  Descriptive theories 
D)  Functional theories

Question 6

If a theory is disconfirmed by data, it is:

Accepted Answer

A)  usually discarded immediately. 
B)  sometimes modified so that the theory can account for the new data. 
C)  retained because data from empirical research are usually unreliable. 
D)  retained without modification until more data come in. 
A)  usually discarded immediately. 
B)  sometimes modified so that the theory can account for the new data. 
C)  retained because data from empirical research are usually unreliable. 
D)  retained without modification until more data come in.

Question 7

Mathematically expressed laws are rare in psychology because:

Accepted Answer

A)  they are modeled to change the specific nature of constants. 
B)  it is difficult to control extraneous variables. 
C)  they offer only a tentative explanation for an observation. 
D)  it is difficult to distort relationships between variables. 
A)  they are modeled to change the specific nature of constants. 
B)  it is difficult to control extraneous variables. 
C)  they offer only a tentative explanation for an observation. 
D)  it is difficult to distort relationships between variables.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true of a computer model?

Accepted Answer

A)  The attempt to build a computer model masks inconsistencies, unspoken assumptions, or other defects in a theory. 
B)  The behavior of a computer model under simulated conditions can be compared with the behavior of real people. 
C)  A computer model creates ambiguity, which makes it difficult to determine what the model assumes. 
D)  A properly implemented computer model will show what is to be ignored under normal conditions. 
A)  The attempt to build a computer model masks inconsistencies, unspoken assumptions, or other defects in a theory. 
B)  The behavior of a computer model under simulated conditions can be compared with the behavior of real people. 
C)  A computer model creates ambiguity, which makes it difficult to determine what the model assumes. 
D)  A properly implemented computer model will show what is to be ignored under normal conditions.

Question 9

Experimentation without theory prevents the generation of irrelevant data.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

According to the text, Freud's theory of personality lacks:

Accepted Answer

A)  explanatory relevance. 
B)  predictability. 
C)  heuristic value. 
D)  testability. 
A)  explanatory relevance. 
B)  predictability. 
C)  heuristic value. 
D)  testability.

Question 11

Weak inference will work only if alternative explanations generate well-defined predictions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

A theory that provides only a description of a phenomenon and makes no attempt to explain it is a(n) _____ theory.

Accepted Answer

A)  analogical 
B)  informational 
C)  fundamental 
D)  descriptive 
A)  analogical 
B)  informational 
C)  fundamental 
D)  descriptive

Question 13

A theory is more complex than a hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Descriptive theories are the highest level of theories.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Scientific hypotheses must be posed in a form that allows them to be:

Accepted Answer

A)  rejected. 
B)  proven true. 
C)  accepted because they seem to make sense. 
D)  convincing. 
A)  rejected. 
B)  proven true. 
C)  accepted because they seem to make sense. 
D)  convincing.

Question 16

A theory provides the final explanation for a phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

A model can be a(n):

Accepted Answer

A)  specific implementation of a more general theoretical view. 
B)  application of a general theory to a specific situation. 
C)  synonym for a theory. 
D)  All of the answers are correct. 
A)  specific implementation of a more general theoretical view. 
B)  application of a general theory to a specific situation. 
C)  synonym for a theory. 
D)  All of the answers are correct.

Question 18

A _____ explanation describes the physical components and the chain of cause and effect through which conditions act on the physical components to produce behavior.

Accepted Answer

A)  mechanistic 
B)  functional 
C)  reductive 
D)  descriptive 
A)  mechanistic 
B)  functional 
C)  reductive 
D)  descriptive

Question 19

In most cases, a model is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the same as a theory. 
B)  a specific implementation of a more general theoretical view. 
C)  a less specific implementation of a more general theoretical view. 
D)  a general application of a specific theoretical view. 
A)  the same as a theory. 
B)  a specific implementation of a more general theoretical view. 
C)  a less specific implementation of a more general theoretical view. 
D)  a general application of a specific theoretical view.

Which of the following statements is true of the heuristic value of a theory?

A qualitative theory:

Which of the following statements is true of hypotheses?

According to the text, a theory should be developed:

_____ borrow from well-understood models by suggesting that the system to be explained behaves in a fashion similar to that described by a well-understood model.

If a theory is disconfirmed by data, it is:

Mathematically expressed laws are rare in psychology because:

Which of the following statements is true of a computer model?

Experimentation without theory prevents the generation of irrelevant data.

According to the text, Freud's theory of personality lacks:

Weak inference will work only if alternative explanations generate well-defined predictions.

A theory that provides only a description of a phenomenon and makes no attempt to explain it is a(n) _____ theory.

A theory is more complex than a hypothesis.

Descriptive theories are the highest level of theories.

Scientific hypotheses must be posed in a form that allows them to be:

A theory provides the final explanation for a phenomenon.

A model can be a(n):

A _____ explanation describes the physical components and the chain of cause and effect through which conditions act on the physical components to produce behavior.

In most cases, a model is:

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

Which of the following statements is true of the heuristic value of a theory?

A qualitative theory:

Which of the following statements is true of hypotheses?

According to the text, a theory should be developed:

_____ borrow from well-understood models by suggesting that the system to be explained behaves in a fashion similar to that described by a well-understood model.

If a theory is disconfirmed by data, it is:

Mathematically expressed laws are rare in psychology because:

Which of the following statements is true of a computer model?

Experimentation without theory prevents the generation of irrelevant data.

According to the text, Freud's theory of personality lacks:

Weak inference will work only if alternative explanations generate well-defined predictions.

A theory that provides only a description of a phenomenon and makes no attempt to explain it is a(n) _____ theory.

A theory is more complex than a hypothesis.

Descriptive theories are the highest level of theories.

Scientific hypotheses must be posed in a form that allows them to be:

A theory provides the final explanation for a phenomenon.

A model can be a(n):

A _____ explanation describes the physical components and the chain of cause and effect through which conditions act on the physical components to produce behavior.

In most cases, a model is:

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