Deck 2: The Ways and Means of Psychology

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a major type of scientific research?

A) naturalistic observation
B) experimentation
C) correlational studies
D) case studies
E) observational research

Answer 1

case studies

Question 2

The set of rules that govern the collection and analysis of data in observational studies or experiments is referred to as __________.

A) hypotheses
B) theories
C) the scientific method
D) an operational definition
E) science

Answer 2

the scientific method

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of naturalistic observation?

A) a researcher formally measuring two variables to see if they are related
B) a researcher varying the levels of a drug to see if it affects a rat's behaviour
C) a researcher reading the results of a scientific publication
D) a researcher watching two birds building a nest in a tree
E) a researcher investigating if rats learn a maze quicker after being reinforced

Answer 3

a researcher watching two birds building a nest in a tree

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of clinical observation?

A) a researcher formally measuring two variables to see if they are related
B) a researcher varying the levels of a drug to see if it affects a rat's behaviour
C) a researcher reading the results of a scientific publication
D) a researcher watching two birds building a nest in a tree
E) a researcher observing someone in order to diagnose a psychological disorder

Question 5

If a researcher is measuring the length of time different couples were engaged before getting married and their reported level of happiness with their marriage, in order to determine whether these two variables are related, he or she is carrying out a(n) __________ study.

A) experimental
B) correlational
C) naturalistic observation
D) case
E) observational

Question 6

The first step of the scientific method specifies that a researcher

A) design the study.
B) collect the data for the study.
C) read the relevant literature on related experiments.
D) formulate a hypothetical causal relation among the variables.
E) determine the subjects he/she would like to use in the experiment.

Question 7

Only __________ involve the manipulation of independent variables.

A) experiments
B) correlational studies
C) case studies
D) studies using naturalistic observation
E) hypotheses

Question 8

If Doctor Peters manipulates heat in order to observe its effects on aggression he is carrying out a(n) __________.

A) experiment
B) correlational study
C) case study
D) study using naturalistic observation
E) hypothesis

Question 9

Professor Hargrove was interested in the causes of road rage. As part of his research he decided to manipulate the temperature in cars and to measure whether drivers became angry. Which step of the scientific method was he carrying out?

A) formulating a hypothesis
B) designing an experiment
C) evaluating the results of a study
D) identifying the variables
E) communicating the results

Question 10

The determination of whether the results of a study are statistically significant occurs during which step of the scientific method?

A) the communication of the results
B) the evaluation of the hypothesis through examination of the data collected
C) the design of the study
D) the conducting of the study
E) the stating of the hypothesized relationships between variables

Question 11

I suggest that the major cause of road rage is work-related stress. This statement is a

A) theory.
B) educated guess or hunch.
C) hypothesis.
D) research objective.
E) estimation.

Question 12

A tentative statement about a cause-and-effect relation is called a(n)

A) theory.
B) educated guess or hunch.
C) hypothesis.
D) research objective.
E) estimation.

Question 13

A set of statements used to explain a set of phenomena is called a(n)

A) theory.
B) hypothesis.
C) experimental agenda.
D) research program.
E) experimental result.

Question 14

The mark of a good theory is that it

A) generates data that support it.
B) produces testable hypotheses.
C) cannot be disproved.
D) encourages scientists to think about it.
E) it can solve real problems in the world.

Question 15

If you are interested in learning more about a certain kind of behaviour, you might reasonably begin by

A) forming a theory about its causes.
B) forming a hypothesis about its causes.
C) carefully observing it under natural conditions.
D) conducting a correlational study.
E) conducting an experimental study.

Question 16

Jane Goodall's research began when she entered the habitat of wild chimpanzees and simply watched them. This type of research is termed

A) experimentation.
B) correlation.
C) hypothesis testing.
D) clinical observation
E) naturalistic observation.

Question 17

Clinical psychologists will sometimes write a detailed description of the behaviour of an individual they are diagnosing or treating. This is termed a(n)

A) case study.
B) experiment.
C) naturalistic observation.
D) correlational study.
E) behavioural survey.

Question 18

The variable that is measured in an experiment is called the __________ variable.

A) relational
B) independent
C) causal
D) dependent
E) confounding

Question 19

In an experiment, researchers manipulate the __________ of the __________ variable.

A) value; dependent
B) truth or falsity; dependent
C) value; independent
D) truth or falsity; independent
E) strength; dependent

Question 20

In the hypothetical study in the text investigating detection of SIRD stereogram images, the independent variables was

A) manipulation of experimental and control groups.
B) ability to detect an image.
C) expectation of an image.
D) presence of an image in the stereogram.
E) the cause of accurate detection.

Question 21

Dr. McGlynn is conducting a study on the influence of exercise on reaction time. He allows subjects to exercise strenuously for either 0, 10, or 20 minutes. Next, subjects are seated at a table containing a red push button and a yellow light. Each subject is asked to push the button as soon as he or she sees the light flash. Dr. McGlynn measures the time it takes each subject to push the button after the light is lit. How many experimental groups does this study involve?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) No groups are involved.

Question 22

Dr. McGlynn is conducting a study on reaction time. He allows subjects to exercise strenuously for either 0, 10, or 20 minutes. Next, subjects are seated at a table containing a red push button and a yellow light. Each subject is asked to push the button as soon as he or she sees the light flash. Dr. McGlynn measures the time it takes each subject to push the button after the light is lit. What is the independent variable in this study?

A) exercise
B) the amount of time spent exercising
C) the button
D) the light
E) reaction time

Question 23

Dr. McGlynn is conducting a study on reaction time. He allows subjects to exercise strenuously for either 0, 10, or 20 minutes. Next, subjects are seated at a table containing a red push button and a yellow light. Each subject is asked to push the button as soon as he or she sees the light flash. Dr. McGlynn measures the time it takes each subject to push the button after the light is lit. What is the dependent variable in this study?

A) the amount of time spent exercising
B) colour of the button
C) pushing the button
D) reaction time
E) colour of the light

Question 24

Dr. McGlynn is conducting a study on reaction time. He allows subjects to exercise strenuously for either 0, 10, or 20 minutes. Next, subjects are seated at a table containing a red push button and a yellow light. Each subject is asked to push the button as soon as he or she sees the light flash. Dr. McGlynn measures the time it takes each subject to push the button after the light is lit. The experimental group in this study

A) did not exercise.
B) exercised for 10 minutes.
C) exercised for either 10 or 20 minutes.
D) exercised for 0, 10, or 20 minutes.
E) exercised for 20 minutes.

Question 25

Dr. McGlynn is conducting a study on reaction time. He allows subjects to exercise strenuously for either 0, 10, or 20 minutes. Next, subjects are seated at a table containing a red push button and a yellow light. Each subject is asked to push the button as soon as he or she sees the light flash. Dr. McGlynn measures the time it takes each subject to push the button after the light is lit. The control group in this study

A) did not exercise.
B) exercised for 10 minutes.
C) exercised for either 10 or 20 minutes.
D) exercised for 0, 10, or 20 minutes.
E) exercised for 20 minutes.

Question 26

Dr. Barber is conducting a study on the effects of touch on positive responses. She arranges for servers to touch their customers on the arm 0, 2, or 4 times. She then measured the amount of tips given by customer. The control group in this study was

A) those who were not touched.
B) those who were touched twice.
C) those who were touched four times.
D) those who were touched 0, 2, or 4 times.
E) those who were touched either 2 or 4 times.

Question 27

Dr. Kettle wants to know if the type of lighting (fluorescent or incandescent) under which participants read affects the number of pages of text that they can read in one hour. The dependent variable in this experiment is

A) the type of lighting.
B) the amount of light.
C) fluorescent lighting.
D) incandescent lighting.
E) the number of pages of text read in one hour.

Question 28

Dr. Kettle wants to know if the type of lighting (fluorescent or incandescent) under which participants read affects the number of pages of text that they can read in one hour. The independent variable in this experiment is

A) the type of lighting.
B) the amount of light.
C) fluorescent lighting.
D) incandescent lighting.
E) the number of pages of text read in one hour.

Question 29

The term used to describe the fallacy that is committed when we mistakenly believe that we have explained an event by naming it is the __________ fallacy.

A) naming
B) nominal
C) explanatory
D) descriptive
E) experimental

Question 30

Suppose that your roommate snaps at you. After doing so, she says, "I'm sorry, I'm just a bit grumpy today."Which of the following statements about your roommate is true?

A) She has not committed the nominal fallacy.
B) Her grumpiness explains her behaviour.
C) Her snapping at you is due to her grumpiness.
D) Her grumpiness does not explain her behaviour.
E) Her grumpiness causes her behaviour.

Question 31

Dr. Harzem is studying the effects of drugs on memory. He varies the amount of the drug subjects are given. Then he gives his subjects a list of 100 nonsense words and measures their memory ability by asking them to write down all the nonsense words that they can recall in two minutes. Which of the following statements is true about this study?

A) The independent variable is the number of words that subjects can recall.
B) Dr. Harzem's study has one control group and two experimental groups.
C) The control group in this study is given 100 words to memorize.
D) Dr. Harzem has operationally defined variables.
E) The experiment is confounded by the use of nonsense words.

Question 32

An operational definition

A) is a technique used to measure a dependent variable.
B) guarantees that all subjects in a study will be treated equally.
C) describes a variable in terms of the operations that will be used to measure or manipulate it.
D) is difficult to achieve in psychology because most psychological research involves variables that are hypothetical constructs. concerning the nature of thinking and emotion.
E) describes the effect of the independent variable.

Question 33

An operational definition that accurately represents the variable whose value is manipulated or measured is said to be

A) reliable.
B) valid.
C) objective.
D) efficacious.
E) scientific.

Question 34

Suppose that you conduct an experiment to study the effects of love on improving children's self-concepts. To manipulate love, you allow a research assistant to hug each child after he or she has successfully completed a set of math problems. After the study is over, you ask the children if they felt loved during the study. They all say no. Apparently, your operational definition of your independent variable is

A) unreliable.
B) not operational.
C) too subjective.
D) invalid.
E) not objective.

Question 35

A variable that is inadvertently allowed to affect the value of the dependent variable is called a(n) __________ variable.

A) unreliable
B) invalid
C) confounding
D) nuisance
E) nonexperimental

Question 36

The presence of a confounding variable in an experiment renders the collected data as

A) invalid.
B) unreliable.
C) nonbinding.
D) ineffective.
E) significant.

Question 37

A confounding variable

A) is deliberately manipulated by the experimenter.
B) is not deliberately manipulated by the experimenter.
C) is beyond the experimenter's ability to control.
D) only rarely affects subjects' performance in an experiment.
E) has the same effect as a control group.

Question 38

Dr. Hartwick wants to determine if a group of participants reading under incandescent light will read more pages of text in one hour than a group of participants reading under fluorescent light. She assigns students sitting at the front of the class to be in the "incandescent light"condition and students at the back of the class to be in the "fluorescent light"condition. In this experiment seating location is

A) the independent variable.
B) the dependent variable.
C) a confounding variable.
D) a valid variable.
E) an operational definition.

Question 39

The text suggests that in the hypothetical SIRD stereogram study, the image could be placed in only one quadrant of the stereogram and subjects could be asked to indicate that quadrant when they reported detection. The purpose of this procedure would be to

A) allow counterbalancing.
B) prevent confounding of variables.
C) improve subjects' response times.
D) increase the validity of the independent variable.
E) increase the validity of the dependent variable.

Question 40

Dr. Clinton's experiment finds that his 20-year-old subjects, tested under cool temperatures, show little anger, whereas his 15-year-old subjects, tested under hot conditions, show significantly greater anger. In this experiment the two variables of age and temperature are

A) matched.
B) nonlinear.
C) randomized.
D) reliable.
E) confounded.

Question 41

In any experiment, the researcher must make sure that only the __________ variable is manipulated

A) confounding
B) independent
C) dependent
D) operationally defined
E) control

Question 42

Counterbalancing is used in experimental research to

A) make the number of subjects in the experimental and control groups equal.
B) prevent order effects from influencing the dependent variable.
C) control for differences among subject variables.
D) make statistical analysis of the data simpler.
E) ensure that subjects learn during the experiment.

Question 43

To prevent the order in which stimuli are presented to subjects during an experiment from biasing the results, an experimenter should make sure that he or she uses a __________ procedure.

A) counterbalancing
B) matching
C) randomization
D) scatterplot
E) correlational

Question 44

A major problem with the "flawed predator"experiment described in the text involved

A) failure to assign subjects to groups in a random order.
B) failure to provide an operational definition for the dependent variable.
C) the original hypothesis as framed by the experimenter.
D) the order in which stimuli were presented to subjects.
E) the location of the experiment.

Question 45

Dr. Hopkins is about to conduct a study in which he will present several different lists of words to subjects to memorize Some lists are long and some are short. Dr. Hopkins plans to present all the short lists before presenting the long lists. Worried that the order in which the lists are presented to subjects may affect the outcome of the study, you advise Dr. Hopkins to

A) assign subjects randomly to groups.
B) counterbalance the presentation of the lists.
C) use a pretest to make sure all subjects have about the same memory abilities.
D) make sure that all the words in the lists are unfamiliar to subjects to reduce the possibility of bias.
E) make sure all of the lists are the same length.

Question 46

If an experimental procedure produces consistent results under consistent conditions, then the procedure is said to be

A) reliable.
B) valid.
C) operationally defined.
D) counterbalanced.
E) stable.

Question 47

A reliable operational definition is

A) never valid.
B) not always valid.
C) always valid.
D) valid as long as the procedure used in the study is valid.
E) valid only when the hypothesis is valid.

Question 48

Dr. Gynther is interested in the positive or negative quality of parent-child interactions. He observes the number of times that the child smiles and frowns in response to parental instructions . One problem encountered by Dr. Gynther in this type of research is

A) the difficulty in counterbalancing the order of stimulus presentation.
B) ensuring that subjects are randomly assigned to groups.
C) performing a statistical analysis of the results.
D) the subjectivity that may be present in measuring the dependent variable.
E) determining how to form a control group.

Question 49

Three experimenters are independently observing the interactions of two college students who are participating in a study of moral issues. Later, the observations of the experimenters are compared for their consistency. This procedure (comparing the observations) is attempting to assess the

A) effectiveness of counterbalancing.
B) interrater reliability.
C) effectiveness of randomly assigning subjects to groups.
D) degree to which the experimenters are introducing confounding variables into their study.
E) interrater validity.

Question 50

The degree to which two or more independent observers agree in their ratings of a subject's behaviour is called interrater

A) validity.
B) agreement.
C) reliability.
D) consistency.
E) control.

Question 51

Any time an experimenter thinks that his or her study will involve some degree of subjectivity in measuring the dependent variable, he or she takes steps to

A) counterbalance measurement effects.
B) randomly assign subjects to groups.
C) control for possible confounding of subject variables.
D) produce high interrater reliability.
E) utilize a valid control group.

Question 52

Professor Lee wants to examine the effects of two different teaching methods. She uses the first method of teaching in her first year introductory course and the second method in her 2nd year advanced course. She find that student performances are better in the advanced class than in the introductory class. She concludes that the second teaching method is superior. What is the problem with her conclusion?

A) The variables have invalid operational definitions.
B) There is no control group for comparison.
C) Stimuli presented to students were not counterbalanced.
D) Interrater reliability in measuring student performance was low.
E) Personal characteristics of subjects are confounded with teaching methods.

Question 53

Dr. Lewis has recruited 100 subjects to be in his study on personality traits. He knows that many of them differ with respect to education, socioeconomic status and religion. To equally distribute these differences across the four groups he will use in this study, Dr. Lewis should

A) assign subjects to groups using a counterbalancing procedure.
B) randomly assign subjects to the groups.
C) provide operational definitions for education, socioeconomic status, and religion.
D) design the study so the effects of these variables on personality can also be measured.
E) provide a valid operational definition of the dependent variable.

Question 54

In essence, random assignment means that

A) each subject in the study has an equal chance of being assigned to either the control group or the experimental group.
B) subjects with particular characteristics are eliminated from the study.
C) subjects with particular characteristics are assigned to particular groups.
D) neither the subject nor the experimenter is aware of to which groups the subjects have been assigned, and thus do not know which group will be exposed to the independent variable.
E) subjects are randomly selected to participate in the experiment.

Question 55

In the text example of an experiment examining the effect of anger on concentration, some of the subjects who were angered simply left the experiment. This example illustrated which of the following problems with experimentation?

A) The Hawthorne effect due to subjects knowledge that they're being observed
B) Confounded variables due to unequal groups of subjects.
C) Order effects due to failure to use counterbalancing.
D) Subject expectancy effects due to their attempts to guess the experimental hypothesis.
E) The placebo effect in which subjects respond as if they had received a treatment when they haven't.

Question 56

Factory workers who knew they were being monitored as part of an experiment to improve productivity showed increased performance whatever the manipulation of their work environment. This is known as

A) a single-blind study.
B) a double-blind study.
C) the factory-worker effect.
D) the Hawthorne effect.
E) the placebo effect.

Question 57

Deception in research can be used to

A) avoid confounding of variables.
B) overcome the Hawthorne effect.
C) increase reliability.
D) avoid the double-blind.
E) as an alternative to counterbalancing.

Question 58

Because knowing the true nature of a study may bias a subject's behaviour and invalidate the findings from the study, researchers sometimes

A) postpone informed consent until the subject's participation in the study is over.
B) skip debriefing altogether.
C) use deception.
D) do not promise subjects to keep their participation in the study confidential.
E) counterbalance the administration of the independent variable.

Question 59

A study in which the experimenter but not the subject knows the value of the independent variable is called a __________ study.

A) counterbalanced
B) single-blind
C) deceptive
D) double-blind
E) confounded

Question 60

A study in which neither the experimenter nor the subject knows the value of the independent variable is called a __________ study.

A) counterbalanced
B) single-blind
C) deceptive
D) double-blind
E) confounded

Question 61

In a single-blind study,

A) the experimenter does not know the value of the independent variable.
B) the subject does not know the value of the independent variable.
C) both the subject and the experimenter do not know the value of the independent variable.
D) both the subject and the experimenter do not know the value of the dependent variable.
E) a single rather than a double control group is used.

Question 62

Dr. Green is studying the effects of alcohol on manual dexterity. Group A is given 250 milliliters of an alcoholic beverage to drink, Group B is given 500 milliliters of the same beverage to drink, Group C is given 750 milliliters of the same beverage to drink, and Group D is given 500 milliliters of a nonalcoholic drink that looks, tastes, and smells like the alcoholic beverage. Which group was given the placebo?

A) Group A
B) Group B
C) Group C
D) Group D
E) None of the groups were given a placebo.

Question 63

Dr. Green is studying the effects of alcohol on manual dexterity. Group A is given 250 milliliters of an alcoholic beverage to drink, Group B is given 500 milliliters of the same beverage to drink, Group C is given 750 of this beverage to drink, and Group D is given a placebo to drink. Which group is the control group?

A) Group A
B) Group B
C) Group C
D) Group D
E) There is no control group in this experiment.

Question 64

In a double-blind study,

A) only the experimenter knows which subjects are assigned to which group; neither her research assistants nor the subjects know about the group assignments.
B) neither the experimenter nor the subjects know about group assignments.
C) neither the experimenter's research assistants nor the subjects know what the dependent variables are.
D) the main goal is to prevent subjects' expectations from influencing their behaviour.
E) the experimenter is not aware of assignment to the control group OR the experimental groups.

Question 65

Correlational studies are useful in determining

A) cause and effect relationships.
B) whether two variables are related.
C) if the double-blind procedure is effective.
D) the reliability and validity of research results.
E) if confounding variables are present.

Question 66

If we wanted to learn about the relationship between people's personalities and how much money they make, we would most likely conduct a(n)

A) experiment.
B) correlational study.
C) single-subject study.
D) case study.
E) observational study.

Question 67

You have received a grant to carry out research into the relationship between personality and marital success. Which kind of research are you most likely to conduct?

A) an experiment
B) a correlational study
C) a single-subject study
D) a case study
E) an observational study

Question 68

Which of the following is NOT a participant variable?

A) personality
B) health
C) social class
D) behaviour
E) religion

Question 69

Of the variables listed below, which of them is the MOST easily manipulated in an experiment?

A) intelligence
B) genetic history
C) income
D) temperature
E) social class

Question 70

To investigate the effects of __________ on behaviour we would most likely use a correlational study.

A) personality
B) alcohol
C) room colour
D) learning
E) reward

Question 71

Comparing the percentage income growth of Canadian university graduates over a thirty-year period, Allen found the greatest percentage increase among __________ graduates.

A) agriculture
B) biological science
C) commerce
D) engineering
E) social science

Question 72

The systematic selection of subjects in research studies to ensure that the mean values of important subject variables are similar across groups is called

A) counterbalancing.
B) randomization.
C) matching.
D) blocking.
E) sampling.

Question 73

Dr. Jones is conducting a study to learn more about the relationship between IQ and success in college. In carrying out this study, Dr. Jones pairs up his subjects according to their performance on a personality test, the income of their parents, and their year in college. The name for the procedure that Dr. Jones is using to control differences among his subjects on these variables is called

A) randomization.
B) matching.
C) single-blind.
D) double-blind.
E) counterbalancing.

Question 74

If a researcher uses a careful matching procedure in correlational research, why can we still not draw conclusions about cause-and-effect relations between variables?

A) The measures may be unreliable.
B) A third variable influencing the relationship may have been missed.
C) The sample may not be a representative one.
D) Subject expectations may interfere with their behaviour
E) The Hawthorne effect is in effect.

Question 75

__________ is one of the greatest strengths of the scientific method because it enables researchers to rule out the possibility that the results of a study are a fluke or due to design errors.

A) Sampling
B) Randomization
C) Replication
D) Counterbalancing
E) Single-blind study

Question 76

When a researcher first carries out a replication of another researcher's study, the major purpose is

A) to improve on the methodology of the first researcher.
B) to check whether the same results occur.
C) avoid sampling errors
D) to enable generalization to a wider population
E) to prevent subjects guessing the hypothesis of the experiment.

Question 77

A representative group of subjects from a larger group of people is called an

A) sample.
B) population.
C) parameter.
D) target group.
E) experimental condition.

Question 78

You wanted to know what the students in your university felt about raising student fees. So you took a representative group from each faculty and gave them a questionnaire. These groups would be called a(n)

A) population.
B) parameter.
C) target group.
D) experimental condition.
E) sample.

Question 79

Suppose you wish to determine the average height of the students at your school. Which one of the following describes the sample whose results would be LEAST likely to generalize to the school population?

A) Measure the height of a large number of students who have been randomly selected from introductory psychology classes at your school.
B) Measure the height of the basketball team(s) at your school.
C) Measure the height of a large number of students whose names have been randomly selected from the school's telephone directory.
D) Measure the height of a large number of students randomly selected from a larger group whose college grade point average is 2.0 or above.
E) Measure the height of subjects who sign up to participate in the experiment in return for money.

Question 80

In psychological research, the term generalization refers to

A) adding the results from one study to those from other studies.
B) obtaining a broad understanding of how different variables are related to each other.
C) how significant the results of the statistical analysis are.
D) concluding that the results obtained from a sample can also be applied to the larger population .
E) the ability to generalize the results from an experimental group to a control group.