Deck 2: Section 1: Methods in Psychology

Question 1

Explain the difference between a population and a sample. Then, discuss the relationship between random sampling and generalizing findings from the sample to the population.

Answer 1

The answer should provide the following information: (1) A population refers to all members of a group who potentially could be measured. All students currently enrolled at your school would be a population. All residents of your city in 1900 would also be a population. All girls who in January 2008 are between the ages of 13 and 17 who have blonde hair and who are taller than 5'0'' would also be a population; (2) A sample is a smaller group drawn from a larger population. If the sample is randomly drawn from the population, and large enough, it will resemble the population on all variables. Therefore, psychologists can generalize their results to the population when they study a random sample.

Question 2

A psychologist theorizes that depression is caused by low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Generate a hypothesis based on this theory.

Answer 2

The answer should indicate that one hypothesis is that drugs that increase serotonin in the brain should alleviate symptoms of depression. Another hypothesis is that drugs that deplete serotonin levels should exacerbate symptoms of depression.

Question 3

Although psychologists and chemists both use the scientific method, discuss three reasons why the subject matter of psychology is much more difficult to study than the subject matter of chemistry.

Answer 3

The answer should provide the following information: (1) Complexity: The human brain may be the most complex system in the universe. When two chemicals react, we have precise equations that will accurately predict the outcome. Judging from the proliferation of online dating sites, we aren't that good at predicting what will happen when two people meet! (2) Variability: No two people are the same. Just because a psychologist learns something about Person A does not necessarily mean that it will be applicable to Person B. By comparison, all the atoms of gold on the planet are identical; (3) Reactivity: People behave differently when they know that they are being observed: A chemical reaction will proceed in the same way regardless of who is watching it!

Question 4

List at least three rules of ethics that psychologists must follow to maintain the safety, well-being, and dignity of their participants.

Question 5

A true experiment is defined as having certain characteristics. Deconstruct an experiment into its two essential characteristics, and note how each helps to achieve the overall goal of internal validity.

Question 6

Contrast how a dogmatist and an empiricist might react to the statement that drug addiction is a "disease of the brain."

Question 7

Develop an operational definition that could be used to measure the terms happiness and shyness.

Question 8

Self-help guru, Louise Hay, claims that her self-help DVDs can cure cancer. Describe how you would design an experiment to test this claim. To get you started, suppose that the participants in the experiment are individuals recently diagnosed with cancer who have provided informed consent to participate in a study investigating the power of positive thinking. From here, describe how you would use random assignment and manipulation to test Hay's claim. Be sure to identify the independent and dependent variables.

Question 9

Two primary considerations in psychological measurement are validity and reliability. Without both, the results of a psychological study are meaningless. Explain the concepts of validity and reliability.

Question 10

Generate your own example of a measure that is (a) reliable but not valid, and (b) neither reliable nor valid.

Question 11

According to Sir Francis Bacon, what two human tendencies interfere with our ability to think critically? Provide examples of each.

Question 12

What are demand characteristics? Give at least three examples of how to control demand characteristics.

Question 13

Define internal and external validity, and give an example illustrating each.

Question 14

Describe the major reason that causation cannot be derived from a correlation and at least two ways to try to control the problem.

Question 15

Generate your own unique example of an experiment. First, generate a hypothesis. Next, state the independent and dependent variables. Also, specify how participants will be assigned to the treatment and control groups.

Question 16

What is the third-variable problem, and how does it relate to correlational research in psychology? Give examples.

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