Deck 2: True-False

Question 1

One feature of a normal distribution is that the mean is usually greater than the median.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Empiricists believe that accurate knowledge about the world requires observation of it.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

One feature of a normal distribution is that it is usually positively skewed.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Dogmatism is a desired characteristic of science.

Question 5

In a frequency distribution,the average score for each group is plotted on the vertical axis.

Question 6

Double-blind observations are a way of controlling for experimenter bias.

Question 7

Validity is the tendency of a measure to produce the same result whenever it is used to measure the same thing.

Question 8

A normal distribution is symmetrical around its peak.

Question 9

Naturalistic observation is a method for determining causal relationships between variables.

Question 10

People are creatures of habit and usually behave the same way,regardless of whether or not they are being observed in a psychological study.

Question 11

A theory is a testable prediction made by a hypothesis.

Question 12

Reliability is the tendency of an operational definition and a property to have a clear conceptual relation.

Question 13

An operational definition is a description of a property in measurable terms.

Question 14

It is possible for a measure to be reliable but not valid.

Question 15

When participants in an experiment behave in a way they think the experimenter wants them to behave,the problem of demand characteristics develop.

Question 16

Defining and detecting are the two tasks that allow us to measure physical and psychological properties.

Question 17

Measuring intelligence in terms of eye color lacks reliability.

Question 18

Scientists tend to judge more complex theories as preferable to simpler theories.

Question 19

In a double-blind observation,the researcher but not the participant knows the purpose of the study.

Question 20

Unobtrusive naturalistic observation helps minimize the problem of demand characteristics.

Question 21

In a skewed distribution,the peak of the frequency distribution will correspond to the modal score.

Question 22

Correlation is a method for determining causal relationships between variables.

Question 23

A correlation coefficient of 1 indicates that two variables covary perfectly.

Question 24

When a correlation is observed between two variables,it is possible that one variable is causing the other.

Question 25

One feature of a negatively skewed distribution is that the mean is less than the median.

Question 26

Identifying a group of children who watch violent television and a group of children who do not is an example of manipulating exposure to violent television.

Question 27

Matched samples effectively rule out specific third-variable correlations,but matched pairs do not.

Question 28

A negative correlation between two variables means that,as the score on one variable decreases,the score on the other variable will also decrease.

Question 29

The standard deviation is a measure of central tendency.

Question 30

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment is the independent variable.

Question 31

A positive correlation between smoking and mental illness is evidenced by the fact that people who smoke are more likely to have a mental illness.

Question 32

To conduct a true experiment,a variable must be manipulated by the experimenter.

Question 33

The matched samples technique eliminates the third-variable problem associated with correlational research.

Question 34

Cause and effect cannot be demonstrated by observing natural correlations.

Question 35

A correlation coefficient of 1 indicates that two variables are causally related.

Question 36

The third-variable problem means that the possibility of a third,causal variable is always present in correlational measurements.

Question 37

A positive correlation between two variables is stronger than a negative correlation between two variables.

Question 38

Net worth is a variable that tends to be positively skewed in the population.

Question 39

A correlation coefficient (r)can range from 0 to 100.

Question 40

The matched samples technique attempts to eliminate the third-variable problem by holding it constant for each participant.

Question 41

Random assignment to groups is common when using the case method.

Question 42

A random sample means that every participant has an equal chance of being assigned to the treatment group or the control group.

Question 43

External validity means an experiment defines operational variables in a normal,typical,or realistic way.

Question 44

A common strategy in experimentation is to allow participants to choose if they would like to be studied in the experimental group or the control group.

Question 45

The scientific method was first formally described by Francis Bacon.

Question 46

An internally valid experiment means that accurate conclusions can be drawn about the causal relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable.

Question 47

When an independent variable is manipulated,at least two groups are created.

Question 48

A sample taken from a population is signified by a lowercase n.

Question 49

When the odds are high that random assignment failed to create equivalent groups,the results are said to be statistically significant.

Question 50

In the case method,only one individual is studied.

Question 51

It is common to assign experimental participants to groups by random assignment.

Question 52

An experimental group should be identical to a control group in every way except one: the manipulation of the independent variable.

Question 53

Most participants in psychological research are volunteers,as opposed to participants who are selected randomly.

Question 54

Third variables are not adequately controlled when random assignment fails to create equivalent groups.

Question 55

The dependent variable is manipulated by the experimenter.

Question 56

Random assignment of participants to groups generally is an effective way of eliminating the third-variable problem.

Question 57

Most psychological research does not utilize random sampling.

Question 58

Experimental psychologists seeking to determine cause and effect relations between variables tend to view external validity as more important than internal validity.

Question 59

Self-selection by participants to experimental conditions is an effective way of eliminating the third-variable problem.

Question 60

A random sample means that every member of the population has an equal chance of being included for study.

Question 61

When it comes to reporting data truthfully,scientists use the honor system.

Question 62

Once participants give their informed consent,they are contractually bound to finish their participation;they cannot quit any time.

Question 63

Critical thinking involves the relentless search for evidence that confirms existing beliefs.

Question 64

Institutional review boards help ensure data are analyzed and disseminated ethically.

Question 65

Deception is not allowable in psychological research.

Question 66

The function of an institutional review board is to help ensure that research is in compliance with the law and ethical guidelines.

Question 67

Participants must give their informed consent before participating in psychological research.

Question 68

Current ethical guidelines prohibit conducting psychological research involving animals.

Question 69

If people in favor of the death penalty are given mixed evidence about its effectiveness at deterring crime,they generally become less supportive of it.

Question 70

The function of an institutional review board is to help researchers design experiments high in internal and external validity.

Question 71

Ethical guidelines allow coercion to make people participate in a psychological study in certain circumstances.

Question 72

Current ethical guidelines prohibit conducting psychological research on animals that involves pain.

Question 73

People typically search for evidence that confirms their existing beliefs.