Exam 5: Consciousness-Part B

Use the following to answer questions Scenario I Scenario I is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Merikle,P.M. ,& Skanes,H.E.(1992).Subliminal self-help audiotapes: A search for placebo effects.Journal of Applied Psychology,77(5),772-776.doi:10.1037/0021-9010.77.5.772 Merikle and Skanes (1992)investigated the effectiveness of subliminal self-help audiotapes to promote weight loss in overweight females seeking to lose weight.Participants were randomly assigned to groups.Participants in two groups were instructed to listen to audiotapes containing subliminal messages associated with weight loss daily.Group 1 (the subliminal group)actually received these tapes.Group 2 (the placebo group)received tapes containing subliminal messages associated with relieving dental anxiety.Finally,a third group of participants was not given audiotapes and was told that they were on a waiting list to participate in the study.All participants-including the participants on the waiting list-were weighed weekly for 5 weeks.The average total weight loss (and standard deviations)for the three groups after the fifth week is presented in Figure 5.1. Figure 5.1 -(Scenario I)Suppose that a company markets a subliminal audiotape designed for people wanting to lose weight.As evidence that the product is effective,it cites a study based on 500 randomly selected overweight participants demonstrating that people listening to the tapes for 10 weeks lost-on average-6 pounds.Which statement is NOT a reason to be skeptical of these claims?

Use the following to answer questions Scenario II Scenario II is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Bègue,L. ,Bushman,B.J. ,Zerhouni,O. ,Subra,B. ,& Ourabah,M.(2013)."Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder": People who think they are drunk also think they are attractive.British Journal of Psychology,104(2),225-234.doi:10.1111/j.2044-8295.2012.02114.x Alcohol myopia refers to the fact that people often react to complex situations in simple ways when intoxicated.For example,we might attend to only highly salient stimuli in a complex social situation.One such stimulus is physical attractiveness.While numerous studies have investigated if alcohol makes us perceive others as more attractive,Bègue and colleagues (2013)wondered if alcohol increases the salience of feelings already held about our own self-attractiveness.In their first study (Figure 5.2A),19 bar patrons completed a questionnaire and were asked to rank their own physical attractiveness on a scale of 0 (very unattractive)to 7 (very attractive).Then,the researchers measured the blood-alcohol level of each of these patrons using a breathalyzer test.In a second experiment,Bègue and colleagues investigated the relative contributions of alcohol and alcohol expectancies in modulating self-attractiveness.Using random assignment,male participants were administered either alcohol or a placebo that smelled and tasted like alcohol.In each group,a random half were told it was alcohol and the other half were told it was not.All participants were then instructed to create a sales pitch for the beverage that they just consumed.A female experimenter video-recorded the sales pitch.Finally,the participants watched their sales pitch and were asked to rank their self-attractiveness.A set of independent judges-unaware of the condition to which each participant was assigned-also watched every sales pitch and ranked the attractiveness of the participants.Figure 5.2B shows the mean (and standard deviations)self-attractiveness ratings of the participants and Figure 5.2C shows the mean attractiveness ratings as assessed by the judges. Figure 5.2A (left),5.2B (middle),and 5.2C (right) -(Scenario II)Twenty participants were told that they received alcohol and were actually given alcohol.If an equal number of participants were exposed to the other conditions,how many total participants completed the study?

Use the following to answer questions Scenario I Scenario I is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Merikle,P.M. ,& Skanes,H.E.(1992).Subliminal self-help audiotapes: A search for placebo effects.Journal of Applied Psychology,77(5),772-776.doi:10.1037/0021-9010.77.5.772 Merikle and Skanes (1992)investigated the effectiveness of subliminal self-help audiotapes to promote weight loss in overweight females seeking to lose weight.Participants were randomly assigned to groups.Participants in two groups were instructed to listen to audiotapes containing subliminal messages associated with weight loss daily.Group 1 (the subliminal group)actually received these tapes.Group 2 (the placebo group)received tapes containing subliminal messages associated with relieving dental anxiety.Finally,a third group of participants was not given audiotapes and was told that they were on a waiting list to participate in the study.All participants-including the participants on the waiting list-were weighed weekly for 5 weeks.The average total weight loss (and standard deviations)for the three groups after the fifth week is presented in Figure 5.1. Figure 5.1 -(Scenario I)Suppose that the waiting list group did NOT lose weight.Based on these hypothetical findings,what is the MOST reasonable conclusion about the weight loss in the subliminal group?

Use the following to answer questions Scenario II Scenario II is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Bègue,L. ,Bushman,B.J. ,Zerhouni,O. ,Subra,B. ,& Ourabah,M.(2013)."Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder": People who think they are drunk also think they are attractive.British Journal of Psychology,104(2),225-234.doi:10.1111/j.2044-8295.2012.02114.x Alcohol myopia refers to the fact that people often react to complex situations in simple ways when intoxicated.For example,we might attend to only highly salient stimuli in a complex social situation.One such stimulus is physical attractiveness.While numerous studies have investigated if alcohol makes us perceive others as more attractive,Bègue and colleagues (2013)wondered if alcohol increases the salience of feelings already held about our own self-attractiveness.In their first study (Figure 5.2A),19 bar patrons completed a questionnaire and were asked to rank their own physical attractiveness on a scale of 0 (very unattractive)to 7 (very attractive).Then,the researchers measured the blood-alcohol level of each of these patrons using a breathalyzer test.In a second experiment,Bègue and colleagues investigated the relative contributions of alcohol and alcohol expectancies in modulating self-attractiveness.Using random assignment,male participants were administered either alcohol or a placebo that smelled and tasted like alcohol.In each group,a random half were told it was alcohol and the other half were told it was not.All participants were then instructed to create a sales pitch for the beverage that they just consumed.A female experimenter video-recorded the sales pitch.Finally,the participants watched their sales pitch and were asked to rank their self-attractiveness.A set of independent judges-unaware of the condition to which each participant was assigned-also watched every sales pitch and ranked the attractiveness of the participants.Figure 5.2B shows the mean (and standard deviations)self-attractiveness ratings of the participants and Figure 5.2C shows the mean attractiveness ratings as assessed by the judges. Figure 5.2A (left),5.2B (middle),and 5.2C (right) -(Scenario II)Based on the description of the second study,which statement is FALSE?

Use the following to answer questions Scenario II Scenario II is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Bègue,L. ,Bushman,B.J. ,Zerhouni,O. ,Subra,B. ,& Ourabah,M.(2013)."Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder": People who think they are drunk also think they are attractive.British Journal of Psychology,104(2),225-234.doi:10.1111/j.2044-8295.2012.02114.x Alcohol myopia refers to the fact that people often react to complex situations in simple ways when intoxicated.For example,we might attend to only highly salient stimuli in a complex social situation.One such stimulus is physical attractiveness.While numerous studies have investigated if alcohol makes us perceive others as more attractive,Bègue and colleagues (2013)wondered if alcohol increases the salience of feelings already held about our own self-attractiveness.In their first study (Figure 5.2A),19 bar patrons completed a questionnaire and were asked to rank their own physical attractiveness on a scale of 0 (very unattractive)to 7 (very attractive).Then,the researchers measured the blood-alcohol level of each of these patrons using a breathalyzer test.In a second experiment,Bègue and colleagues investigated the relative contributions of alcohol and alcohol expectancies in modulating self-attractiveness.Using random assignment,male participants were administered either alcohol or a placebo that smelled and tasted like alcohol.In each group,a random half were told it was alcohol and the other half were told it was not.All participants were then instructed to create a sales pitch for the beverage that they just consumed.A female experimenter video-recorded the sales pitch.Finally,the participants watched their sales pitch and were asked to rank their self-attractiveness.A set of independent judges-unaware of the condition to which each participant was assigned-also watched every sales pitch and ranked the attractiveness of the participants.Figure 5.2B shows the mean (and standard deviations)self-attractiveness ratings of the participants and Figure 5.2C shows the mean attractiveness ratings as assessed by the judges. Figure 5.2A (left),5.2B (middle),and 5.2C (right) -(Scenario II)What was the purpose of obtaining independent assessments of participant attractiveness in the second study?

Use the following to answer questions Scenario II Scenario II is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Bègue,L. ,Bushman,B.J. ,Zerhouni,O. ,Subra,B. ,& Ourabah,M.(2013)."Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder": People who think they are drunk also think they are attractive.British Journal of Psychology,104(2),225-234.doi:10.1111/j.2044-8295.2012.02114.x Alcohol myopia refers to the fact that people often react to complex situations in simple ways when intoxicated.For example,we might attend to only highly salient stimuli in a complex social situation.One such stimulus is physical attractiveness.While numerous studies have investigated if alcohol makes us perceive others as more attractive,Bègue and colleagues (2013)wondered if alcohol increases the salience of feelings already held about our own self-attractiveness.In their first study (Figure 5.2A),19 bar patrons completed a questionnaire and were asked to rank their own physical attractiveness on a scale of 0 (very unattractive)to 7 (very attractive).Then,the researchers measured the blood-alcohol level of each of these patrons using a breathalyzer test.In a second experiment,Bègue and colleagues investigated the relative contributions of alcohol and alcohol expectancies in modulating self-attractiveness.Using random assignment,male participants were administered either alcohol or a placebo that smelled and tasted like alcohol.In each group,a random half were told it was alcohol and the other half were told it was not.All participants were then instructed to create a sales pitch for the beverage that they just consumed.A female experimenter video-recorded the sales pitch.Finally,the participants watched their sales pitch and were asked to rank their self-attractiveness.A set of independent judges-unaware of the condition to which each participant was assigned-also watched every sales pitch and ranked the attractiveness of the participants.Figure 5.2B shows the mean (and standard deviations)self-attractiveness ratings of the participants and Figure 5.2C shows the mean attractiveness ratings as assessed by the judges. Figure 5.2A (left),5.2B (middle),and 5.2C (right) -(Scenario II)Based on the description of the first study and the results depicted in Figure 5.2A,what can be reasonably concluded?

Use the following to answer questions Scenario I Scenario I is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Merikle,P.M. ,& Skanes,H.E.(1992).Subliminal self-help audiotapes: A search for placebo effects.Journal of Applied Psychology,77(5),772-776.doi:10.1037/0021-9010.77.5.772 Merikle and Skanes (1992)investigated the effectiveness of subliminal self-help audiotapes to promote weight loss in overweight females seeking to lose weight.Participants were randomly assigned to groups.Participants in two groups were instructed to listen to audiotapes containing subliminal messages associated with weight loss daily.Group 1 (the subliminal group)actually received these tapes.Group 2 (the placebo group)received tapes containing subliminal messages associated with relieving dental anxiety.Finally,a third group of participants was not given audiotapes and was told that they were on a waiting list to participate in the study.All participants-including the participants on the waiting list-were weighed weekly for 5 weeks.The average total weight loss (and standard deviations)for the three groups after the fifth week is presented in Figure 5.1. Figure 5.1 -(Scenario I)If subliminal messages truly are effective at promoting weight loss,then:

Use the following to answer questions Scenario I Scenario I is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Merikle,P.M. ,& Skanes,H.E.(1992).Subliminal self-help audiotapes: A search for placebo effects.Journal of Applied Psychology,77(5),772-776.doi:10.1037/0021-9010.77.5.772 Merikle and Skanes (1992)investigated the effectiveness of subliminal self-help audiotapes to promote weight loss in overweight females seeking to lose weight.Participants were randomly assigned to groups.Participants in two groups were instructed to listen to audiotapes containing subliminal messages associated with weight loss daily.Group 1 (the subliminal group)actually received these tapes.Group 2 (the placebo group)received tapes containing subliminal messages associated with relieving dental anxiety.Finally,a third group of participants was not given audiotapes and was told that they were on a waiting list to participate in the study.All participants-including the participants on the waiting list-were weighed weekly for 5 weeks.The average total weight loss (and standard deviations)for the three groups after the fifth week is presented in Figure 5.1. Figure 5.1 -(Scenario I)Based on the entire data set shown in Figure 5.1,what is the MOST reasonable conclusion concerning the weight loss in the subliminal group?

Use the following to answer questions Scenario I Scenario I is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Merikle,P.M. ,& Skanes,H.E.(1992).Subliminal self-help audiotapes: A search for placebo effects.Journal of Applied Psychology,77(5),772-776.doi:10.1037/0021-9010.77.5.772 Merikle and Skanes (1992)investigated the effectiveness of subliminal self-help audiotapes to promote weight loss in overweight females seeking to lose weight.Participants were randomly assigned to groups.Participants in two groups were instructed to listen to audiotapes containing subliminal messages associated with weight loss daily.Group 1 (the subliminal group)actually received these tapes.Group 2 (the placebo group)received tapes containing subliminal messages associated with relieving dental anxiety.Finally,a third group of participants was not given audiotapes and was told that they were on a waiting list to participate in the study.All participants-including the participants on the waiting list-were weighed weekly for 5 weeks.The average total weight loss (and standard deviations)for the three groups after the fifth week is presented in Figure 5.1. Figure 5.1 -(Scenario I)Suppose that Merikle and Skanes (1992)had studied ONLY the subliminal and placebo groups.Based on these data,what is the MOST reasonable conclusion?

Use the following to answer questions Scenario II Scenario II is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Bègue,L. ,Bushman,B.J. ,Zerhouni,O. ,Subra,B. ,& Ourabah,M.(2013)."Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder": People who think they are drunk also think they are attractive.British Journal of Psychology,104(2),225-234.doi:10.1111/j.2044-8295.2012.02114.x Alcohol myopia refers to the fact that people often react to complex situations in simple ways when intoxicated.For example,we might attend to only highly salient stimuli in a complex social situation.One such stimulus is physical attractiveness.While numerous studies have investigated if alcohol makes us perceive others as more attractive,Bègue and colleagues (2013)wondered if alcohol increases the salience of feelings already held about our own self-attractiveness.In their first study (Figure 5.2A),19 bar patrons completed a questionnaire and were asked to rank their own physical attractiveness on a scale of 0 (very unattractive)to 7 (very attractive).Then,the researchers measured the blood-alcohol level of each of these patrons using a breathalyzer test.In a second experiment,Bègue and colleagues investigated the relative contributions of alcohol and alcohol expectancies in modulating self-attractiveness.Using random assignment,male participants were administered either alcohol or a placebo that smelled and tasted like alcohol.In each group,a random half were told it was alcohol and the other half were told it was not.All participants were then instructed to create a sales pitch for the beverage that they just consumed.A female experimenter video-recorded the sales pitch.Finally,the participants watched their sales pitch and were asked to rank their self-attractiveness.A set of independent judges-unaware of the condition to which each participant was assigned-also watched every sales pitch and ranked the attractiveness of the participants.Figure 5.2B shows the mean (and standard deviations)self-attractiveness ratings of the participants and Figure 5.2C shows the mean attractiveness ratings as assessed by the judges. Figure 5.2A (left),5.2B (middle),and 5.2C (right) -(Scenario II)In the first study,what was the manipulated independent variable?

Use the following to answer questions Scenario I Scenario I is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Merikle,P.M. ,& Skanes,H.E.(1992).Subliminal self-help audiotapes: A search for placebo effects.Journal of Applied Psychology,77(5),772-776.doi:10.1037/0021-9010.77.5.772 Merikle and Skanes (1992)investigated the effectiveness of subliminal self-help audiotapes to promote weight loss in overweight females seeking to lose weight.Participants were randomly assigned to groups.Participants in two groups were instructed to listen to audiotapes containing subliminal messages associated with weight loss daily.Group 1 (the subliminal group)actually received these tapes.Group 2 (the placebo group)received tapes containing subliminal messages associated with relieving dental anxiety.Finally,a third group of participants was not given audiotapes and was told that they were on a waiting list to participate in the study.All participants-including the participants on the waiting list-were weighed weekly for 5 weeks.The average total weight loss (and standard deviations)for the three groups after the fifth week is presented in Figure 5.1. Figure 5.1 -(Scenario I)If weight loss were due to simply a placebo effect,then:

Use the following to answer questions Scenario I Scenario I is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Merikle,P.M. ,& Skanes,H.E.(1992).Subliminal self-help audiotapes: A search for placebo effects.Journal of Applied Psychology,77(5),772-776.doi:10.1037/0021-9010.77.5.772 Merikle and Skanes (1992)investigated the effectiveness of subliminal self-help audiotapes to promote weight loss in overweight females seeking to lose weight.Participants were randomly assigned to groups.Participants in two groups were instructed to listen to audiotapes containing subliminal messages associated with weight loss daily.Group 1 (the subliminal group)actually received these tapes.Group 2 (the placebo group)received tapes containing subliminal messages associated with relieving dental anxiety.Finally,a third group of participants was not given audiotapes and was told that they were on a waiting list to participate in the study.All participants-including the participants on the waiting list-were weighed weekly for 5 weeks.The average total weight loss (and standard deviations)for the three groups after the fifth week is presented in Figure 5.1. Figure 5.1 -(Scenario I)What were the independent and dependent variables in this study?

Use the following to answer questions Scenario II Scenario II is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study: Bègue,L. ,Bushman,B.J. ,Zerhouni,O. ,Subra,B. ,& Ourabah,M.(2013)."Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder": People who think they are drunk also think they are attractive.British Journal of Psychology,104(2),225-234.doi:10.1111/j.2044-8295.2012.02114.x Alcohol myopia refers to the fact that people often react to complex situations in simple ways when intoxicated.For example,we might attend to only highly salient stimuli in a complex social situation.One such stimulus is physical attractiveness.While numerous studies have investigated if alcohol makes us perceive others as more attractive,Bègue and colleagues (2013)wondered if alcohol increases the salience of feelings already held about our own self-attractiveness.In their first study (Figure 5.2A),19 bar patrons completed a questionnaire and were asked to rank their own physical attractiveness on a scale of 0 (very unattractive)to 7 (very attractive).Then,the researchers measured the blood-alcohol level of each of these patrons using a breathalyzer test.In a second experiment,Bègue and colleagues investigated the relative contributions of alcohol and alcohol expectancies in modulating self-attractiveness.Using random assignment,male participants were administered either alcohol or a placebo that smelled and tasted like alcohol.In each group,a random half were told it was alcohol and the other half were told it was not.All participants were then instructed to create a sales pitch for the beverage that they just consumed.A female experimenter video-recorded the sales pitch.Finally,the participants watched their sales pitch and were asked to rank their self-attractiveness.A set of independent judges-unaware of the condition to which each participant was assigned-also watched every sales pitch and ranked the attractiveness of the participants.Figure 5.2B shows the mean (and standard deviations)self-attractiveness ratings of the participants and Figure 5.2C shows the mean attractiveness ratings as assessed by the judges. Figure 5.2A (left),5.2B (middle),and 5.2C (right) -(Scenario II)Based on the results depicted in Figures 5.2B and 5.2C,what can be reasonably concluded?