Deck 4: The Research Endeavor

Question 1

As part of a research study, Margaret wants to determine if religious environments will influence the consumption of alcohol among freshmen.She has several hundred freshmen complete her survey.Once the data have been collected, she analyzes the scores.Which of the following is the independent variable in this study?

A)Consumption of alcohol
B)Religious environments
C)College freshmen
D)Surveys

Answer 1

Religious environments

Question 2

In which closed community was Janice Egeland's study of psychological disorders conducted?

A)Old Order Amish community of Pennsylvania
B)Old Colony Mennonites of South America
C)Native American community in New Mexico
D)Gypsy communities of Syria

Answer 2

Old Order Amish community of Pennsylvania

Question 3

Professor Sanders wants to study how constant distractions during an exam affect student performance.She randomly assigns her students to different classrooms where the experimental group will receive a predetermined number of distractions while taking an exam.In this study, the independent variable is the ________ and the dependent variable is the ________.

A)classrooms where the exams were taken; number of distractions
B)number of distractions; performance scores on the exam
C)classrooms where the exams were taken; students taking the exam
D)performance scores on the exam; number of distractions

Answer 3

number of distractions; performance scores on the exam

Question 4

A hypothesis which states that there is no relationship between the phenomena being studied relative to the population is called a ________ hypothesis.

A)null
B)zero
C)nondirectional
D)latent

Question 5

The process of following a basic series of steps that are designed to obtain and evaluate information relevant to a research problem in a systematic way is known as the ________ method.

A)subjective
B)scientific
C)organizational
D)schematic

Question 6

A factor or characteristic that can vary within an individual or between individuals is known as a(n)

A)variable.
B)hypothesis.
C)null hypothesis.
D)operational definition.

Question 7

A(n)________ variable is a factor researchers try to predict or the outcome they are interested in studying.

A)dependent
B)mediating
C)extraneous
D)independent

Question 8

A ________ is a testable statement of what we predict will happen in our study.

A)criterion
B)variable
C)diagnosis
D)hypothesis

Question 9

Which of the following is the correct sequential order of the steps followed in the scientific method?

A)Define a problem; generate a hypothesis; collect and analyze the data; develop a method to test the hypothesis; draw conclusions.
B)Generate a hypothesis; collect and analyze the data; define the problem; draw conclusions.
C)Define a problem; generate a hypothesis; develop a method to test the hypothesis; collect and analyze the data; draw conclusions.
D)Generate a hypothesis; develop a method to test the hypothesis; draw conclusions; collect and analyze the data.

Question 10

In the study of psychopathology, researchers must often rely on ________, which are people's own accounts of their internal states and experiences.

A)case studies
B)self-reports
C)naturalistic observations
D)personal essays

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true of the study of psychopathology?

A)Self-reports are often accurate and reliable sources of information.
B)Observer assessments ensure the absence of any type of bias.
C)The multiple causes of abnormality can be easily captured in a single study.
D)It is often difficult to obtain the participation of populations of interest.

Question 12

As part of a research study, Margaret wants to determine if religious environments will influence the consumption of alcohol among freshmen.She has several hundred freshmen complete her survey.Once the data have been collected, she analyzes the scores.Which of the following is the dependent variable in this study?

A)Consumption of alcohol
B)Religious environments
C)College freshmen
D)Surveys

Question 13

Researchers who favor a continuum model of psychopathology:

A)argue that the results of studies of people with moderate depression cannot be generalized to individuals with diagnosed depressive disorders.
B)argue that people who fall short of a diagnosable disorder are inherently different from those who have a disorder.
C)believe that the results of studies of people with moderate depression will be different from those of studies on people with diagnosed depressive disorders.
D)believe that people who have symptoms of a disorder but do not meet the criteria for diagnosis provide valuable insights into people who suffer from diagnosable disorders.

Question 14

The variable that we believe will affect the dependent variable is known as the ________ variable.

A)confounding
B)discrete
C)independent
D)extraneous

Question 15

A multimethod approach in research means that:

A)a researcher generates multiple hypotheses.
B)the research method utilizes several theoretical frameworks.
C)a variety of methods are used to study the same issue.
D)several researchers are responsible for developing the research.

Question 16

The operationalization of variables in a study refers to the way the variables:

A)have no definitive meaning.
B)are immeasurable.
C)are measured or manipulated.
D)cannot be controlled.

Question 17

A hypothesis states, "Adolescents in divorced families experience more depressive episodes than those in intact families." In this hypothesis, the independent and dependent variables are ________, respectively.

A)adolescents and depressive episodes
B)depressive episodes and family situation
C)family situation and depressive episodes
D)adolescents and family situation

Question 18

Which of the following is the independent variable in a study that investigates the impact of religious environments on discipline problems in children?

A)The children in the study
B)Religious environments
C)Parenting styles
D)Discipline problems

Question 19

The primary hypothesis:

A)is often supported, while the null hypothesis is often rejected.
B)must be constantly reevaluated and modified during the course of the study.
C)may eventually be dropped or modified if the null hypothesis continuously gets more support than the alternative hypothesis.
D)may be dropped if the null hypothesis uses a single methodology.

Question 20

Dr.Williams wants to know if room temperature influences students' performance on exams.She randomly determines which classes will receive the experimental conditions and then increases the temperature in those classrooms.Which of the following is the independent variable in this experiment?

A)Performance on exams
B)College students
C)Room temperature
D)Expectations of increased performance

Question 21

Dr.Samuel wants to study the relationship between test anxiety and age.His participants are third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders who will be studied over a three-year period.He does not wish to establish a cause-effect relationship between variables.This is an example of a(n):

A)cross-sectional study.
B)experimental study.
C)longitudinal study.
D)case study.

Question 22

Which of the following statements is true of the ethical issues involved in research?

A)Researchers should offer substantial monetary incentives to participants so that they cannot refuse to participate.
B)Researchers should explain the deception to their participants after the research is completed in cases where deception is necessary to the experiment.
C)Researchers should report data gathered from individual participants rather than data aggregated across participants.
D)Researchers may impose some sort of a negative consequence on participants if they choose to withdraw their participation once the study has begun.

Question 23

The type of correlational study that observes people on two or more occasions over time is a

A)cross-sectional study.
B)temporal study.
C)case study.
D)longitudinal study.

Question 24

Which of the following statements is true about case studies?

A)Case studies are not used in the study of rare problems, as people often have biased recollections of their experiences.
B)Case studies are the most apt method for capturing the uniqueness of an individual's perspective and experiences.
C)Case studies have high generalizability, that is, their findings can be applied to other individuals and groups.
D)Case studies have a high degree of objectivity on the part of the people telling their stories and on the part of the therapists and researchers listening to the stories.

Question 25

When the conclusions drawn from a study are widely applicable to other individuals or groups, this is known as

A)rationalization.
B)operationalization.
C)conceptualization.
D)generalizability.

Question 26

The correlation coefficient is:

A)a qualitative method of measuring the outcomes of a study.
B)a statistic used to represent the relation between variables.
C)a reference to the themes generated across descriptive research.
D)indicative of the number of participants randomly assigned to each group in a study.

Question 27

Which of the following is a committee that reviews the procedures of studies done with humans to ensure that the benefits of the study substantially outweigh any risks to the participants and that the risks to the participants have been minimized?

A)A participant review board
B)A human participants committee
C)An ethical research association
D)A procedural review committee

Question 28

Correlational studies:

A)are forms of cause-and-effect research.
B)do not involve the manipulation of variables.
C)involve single-subject designs.
D)do not involve continuous variables.

Question 29

A researcher conducting a correlational study found that the more cooperative children were with their parents, the more they cooperated with their teachers.This is an example of a(n)________ correlation.

A)unknown
B)negative
C)zero
D)positive

Question 30

Which of the following is a limitation of case studies?

A)Case studies are used to study only rare problems for which there aren't enough people with specific problems to investigate.
B)Case studies capture the uniqueness of an individual's experience.
C)Case studies may lack objectivity.
D)Case studies may be boring in their focus on a single subject.

Question 31

Dr.Peters investigated the relationship between academic performance of middle school students and the length of recess in the school.The study revealed that the longer the periods of recess for students, the better were their performances.This study is indicative of a:

A)zero correlation.
B)positive correlation.
C)negative correlation.
D)cross-correlation.

Question 32

A ________ between stress and depression would mean that people who report more stressors have higher levels of depression, and a ________ would mean that people who report more stressors actually have lower levels of depression.

A)positive correlation; positive correlation
B)negative correlation; negative correlation
C)negative correlation; positive correlation
D)positive correlation; negative correlation

Question 33

Case studies help researchers:

A)focus on unconscious motivations and conflicts.
B)measure overt behaviors.
C)make general inferences about the sources of psychopathology.
D)eliminate biological factors from the potential causes of psychopathology.

Question 34

A detailed history of an individual who has suffered a psychological disorder is called a(n)

A)research report.
B)case study.
C)executive summary.
D)biography.

Question 35

Brad wants to study the relationship between anxiety and registration events in first-semester freshman.If Brad wanted to use a correlational method, he would most likely use a(n)

A)group comparison study.
B)experimental design.
C)sequential type study.
D)cross-sectional study.

Question 36

Which of the following statements is true of the ethical issues involved in research?

A)Once a study has begun, participants are not allowed to withdraw their participation.
B)Individuals not capable of understanding the risks of a study (e.g., children)must have a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult make the decision about their participation in the study.
C)Written consent of participation is mandatory under all circumstances, even if participants are put at risk if it is discovered that they talked with researchers.
D)Researchers are allowed to deceive participants about research aspects that might affect their willingness to participate, but only when such techniques are absolutely essential and justified.

Question 37

A case study is conducted of the suicide of a celebrity.A limitation of this study is that

A)it cannot be generalized to understand why other people commit suicide.
B)it only explains the effect of fame on suicidality.
C)it only helps us to understand the likelihood of suicide among the celebrity's family.
D)it does not account for the effect of genes on suicidal depression.

Question 38

Cross-sectional studies observe:

A)different groups at only one point in time.
B)similar groups over different periods of time.
C)the same group over different periods of time.
D)different groups over different periods of time.

Question 39

Explaining the purpose of a research study and answering participants' questions at the end of the study is known as:

A)admission.
B)declaration.
C)debriefing.
D)acknowledgement.

Question 40

A researcher is interested in the relationship between depression and the loss of a loved one.The individuals of interest are bereaved adults and nonbereaved adults.The variables in this study receive no manipulation, and depression is measured in both sets of adults.This is an example of:

A)naturalistic observation.
B)a group comparison study.
C)an experimental study.
D)a case study.

Question 41

Judith has been complaining of pain in her lower back.Her friends suggested that Judith change the heel height of her shoes.Judith began wearing a lower heel, but still continued to experience pain in her lower back.In this case, the relationship between Judith's back pain and the heel height is representative of a ________ correlation.

A)zero
B)positive
C)negative
D)one-to-one

Question 42

A sample that is not representative is said to be

A)generalizable.
B)truly random.
C)random.
D)biased.

Question 43

In epidemiological research, ________ refer(s)to the number of new cases of the disorder that develop during a specific period of time.

A)risk factors
B)prevalence
C)course
D)incidence

Question 44

James found a strong relationship between stress and depression in his correlational study.However, he suspects that another variable was responsible for the results.This is an example of the ________ problem.

A)continuous variable
B)intervening variable
C)third variable
D)pseudo-variable

Question 45

Statistical significance represents:

A)the quantification of the dependent variable in an experiment.
B)the probability that the results of a research study occurred by chance.
C)the correlation coefficient that supports the hypothesis of a study.
D)the relationship between the independent and dependent variable in an experiment.

Question 46

An instructor asks you to report the proportion of the population that has a specific disorder during a specific point in time.The instructor has asked you for the ________ of the disorder.

A)incidence
B)course
C)prevalence
D)duration

Question 47

A representative sample in research means that:

A)the participants were hand-picked by the research according to race.
B)the participants in the sample are highly typical of the population of interest.
C)the participants were invited to participate in the study by a representative of the research group.
D)some participants have a greater chance of being selected than others.

Question 48

Dr.Dell designed a group comparison study and he tested this using an independent samples t-test.His findings produced a t-statistic with p = .20.Which of the following is an accurate interpretation of his findings?

A)His sample was probably skewed and bias was evident.
B)The results indicate a non-statistically significant difference in the group means.
C)The results indicate that his groups were statistically significantly different.
D)There is not enough information to draw accurate conclusions about his study results.

Question 49

Marta created a correlational study to consider the possible relationship between anxiety and life-stressors.She hypothesized that more life-stressors lead to greater anxiety.What do we call life-stressors and anxiety in this correlational study?

A)Intervening variables
B)Third variables
C)Pseudo-variables
D)Continuous variables

Question 50

Which of the following represents the appropriate sequence of steps followed by researchers to determine the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for a disorder?

A)Identify the population of interest; estimate how many people in different categories of risk factors have the disorder; identify a random sample; interview participants.
B)Identify the population of interest; identify a random sample; interview participants; estimate how many people in different categories of risk factors have the disorder.
C)Estimate how many people in different categories of risk factors have a disorder; identify the population of interest; identify a random sample; interview participants.
D)Estimate how many people in different categories of risk factors have a disorder; identify a random sample; interview participants.

Question 51

If two variables have a correlation (r)of + .95, it means that:

A)there is a weak positive correlation between the variables.
B)the study resulted in a near perfect negative correlation.
C)the variables show no correlation.
D)there is a strong positive correlation between the variables.

Question 52

Robert is gathering data for his graduate research project.He targets psychology students as his participants.He randomly selects several psychology classes of which to administer his questionnaire.Which of the following is true about Robert's participants?

A)The students in the psychology classes represent the population and all the psychology students on campus also represent the population.
B)The students in the psychology classes represent the population and psychology students in general represent the sample.
C)The students in the psychology classes represent the sample and psychology students on campus also represent the sample.
D)The students in the psychology classes represent the sample and psychology students in general represent the population.

Question 53

One of the advantages of conducting a longitudinal study instead of a cross-sectional study is that:

A)it shows that the independent variable precedes and predicts changes in the dependent variable over time.
B)it produces results that are almost always generalizable to the larger population.
C)it is often inexpensive and the least time consuming of all research designs.
D)it rarely suffers from the third variable problem and can accurately separate causes from consequences.

Question 54

Conditions or variables that are associated with higher susceptibility to a disorder are called:

A)potentialities.
B)risk factors.
C)prone positions.
D)eligibilities.

Question 55

In human laboratory studies, the research is designed to:

A)create conditions that capture some of the key characteristics of real-world events.
B)alter conditions that will cause a psychological disorder to manifest.
C)control conditions so that the impact of stress is lessened.
D)reduce the exposure to control for third variable problems.

Question 56

External validity refers to the extent to which the:

A)results of a study can be generalized to real-life phenomena.
B)results of a study can be replicated.
C)independent variable is responsible for a change in the dependent variable.
D)study measures what it intends to measure

Question 57

The study of the frequency and distribution of a disorder, or a group of disorders in a population is known as

A)quantitative correlation.
B)biostatistics.
C)epidemiology.
D)disease diffusion mapping.

Question 58

Which of the following represents a perfect correlation?

A)−.01 or +.01
B)−1.0 or +1.0
C)−10.0 or +10.0
D)−100 or +100

Question 59

Luther realized that the more he engaged in outdoor activities, the less time he spent playing video games.This is an example of a ________ correlation.

A)zero
B)positive
C)negative
D)one-to-one

Question 60

Epidemiological studies:

A)can establish that a risk factor causes a disorder.
B)overcome almost all of the limitations of correlational studies.
C)are generally unaffected by the problem of the third variable.
D)provide valuable information on the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for disorders.

Question 61

Which of the following is an ethical problem associated with a placebo control group?

A)The withholding of treatment or providing treatment known to be ineffective.
B)The testing of potentially dangerous medications on unaware people.
C)The intentional manipulation of subjects' opinions to sway research results.
D)Telling subjects that the experimental treatment will help them when there is no way of knowing in advance that it will.

Question 62

To avoid demand characteristics, participants may be given tests, often called ________, that have nothing to do with the purpose of the study in order to obscure the real purpose of the study.

A)fabrications
B)double-blind stories
C)filler measures
D)analogues

Question 63

The participants in a wait list control group receive the treatment:

A)before the experimental group.
B)at the same time as the experimental group.
C)at a later time than the experimental group.
D)before and after the experimental group.

Question 64

Studies designed to test whether a specific therapy-whether it be a psychological therapy or a biological therapy-reduces psychopathology in individuals who receive it are called ________ studies.

A)naturalistic
B)human laboratory
C)therapy outcome
D)single-subject case

Question 65

A group of participants in a study receiving an "inactive" treatment, such as daily check-ins that do not include actual therapy is an example of

A)poor research design.
B)mismanaged control group.
C)a wait list control group.
D)a placebo control group.

Question 66

If participants in the experimental group and control group differ significantly, this may directly threaten the ________ validity of the study.

A)construct
B)internal
C)face
D)extraneous

Question 67

Lee participated in a study that involved the treatment of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.The researchers assessed Lee with others who were participating in the study.However, he received the treatment several weeks later, once the study was complete.Lee most likely was part of a(n)________ group.

A)double-blind
B)simple control
C)placebo control
D)wait list control

Question 68

What is the primary advantage of human laboratory studies?

A)Reliability
B)Validity
C)Participants
D)Control

Question 69

Dr.Wayne and his associates developed a new therapy for anxiety.In their research, they had participants who met the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).Group 1 received no treatment while Group 2 received the newly developed treatment for GAD.In this example, Dr.Wayne and his associates most likely used a ________ group.

A)simple control
B)wait list control
C)double-blind
D)placebo control

Question 70

In therapy outcome studies, participants who are part of the placebo control group:

A)have little or no interaction with the experimenters.
B)are fully aware that they are not receiving the real treatment.
C)receive the same treatment as the experimental group.
D)are unaware that the treatment is an inactive substance.

Question 71

In an experimental study, the group that shares all the same experiences as the group of interest but does not receive the key manipulation is the

A)experimental group.
B)randomly selected group.
C)control group.
D)treatment group.

Question 72

In human laboratory studies, ________ is considered a primary limitation.

A)reliability
B)operationalization
C)replication
D)generalizability

Question 73

Darin participated as a subject in a double-blind experimental study.In this study:

A)the experimenter and Darin knew who received the treatment.
B)only Darin knew who received the treatment.
C)neither Darin nor the experimenter knew who received the treatment.
D)only the experimenter knew who received the treatment.

Question 74

Internal validity in experimental research means that:

A)the dependent variable was responsible for the manipulation.
B)the dependent variable received the manipulation.
C)the dependent variable was responsible for the changes that occurred to the independent variable.
D)the changes in the dependent variable can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable.

Question 75

Which of the following is most often used for measuring the effectiveness of new drugs using therapy outcome studies?

A)Experimental group
B)Placebo control group
C)Simple control group
D)Wait list control group

Question 76

Steven was participating in an experimental study where the experimenter interacted with the participants.After several conversations, the experimenter started unintentionally providing subtle hints about the way Steven should behave during the experiment.By doing so, the experimenter ran the risk of creating

A)demand characteristics.
B)filler measures.
C)high internal validity.
D)high reliability.

Question 77

Because researchers cannot know whether the results will generalize to what happens outside of the laboratory, human laboratory studies often have ________ validity.

A)high external
B)low external
C)high internal
D)low internal

Question 78

Internal validity of an experimental study is threatened by:

A)the qualifications of the researcher.
B)the random assignment of participants.
C)the experimental conditions of the study.
D)the presence of demand characteristics.

Question 79

Dr.Tuten randomly assigned students of abnormal psychology to participate in a study of memory encoding specificity.This means that:

A)each student was hand-picked.
B)the sample was not truly representative of the identified population.
C)each student had an equal chance of being selected.
D)all the students participated in the study to eliminate biased selection.

Question 80

A ________ design study is when neither the researchers nor the participants know who is in the experimental group and who is in the control group.

A)quasi-experimental
B)double-blind
C)placebo control
D)single-blind