Deck 1: Behavioral Research and the Scientific Method

Question 1

When an explanation is accepted as true because it is advocated by an expert, this belief is based on the

A) method of tenacity.
B) method of authority.
C) a priori method.
D) scientific method.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The use of observation and experience in inquiry characterizes

A) armchair reasoning.
B) empirical reasoning.
C) a priori reasoning.
D) authoritative reasoning.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

To develop a richer, more complete understanding of human behavior, researchers embrace __________ because they recognize that there is often more than one "right way" to view the causes of behavior.

A) methodological pluralism
B) theoretical ecumenism
C) analogical thinking
D) empirical reasoning

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The use of empirical reasoning is essential to which of Peirce's methods of fixing belief?

A) the method of authority
B) the a priori method
C) the method of tenacity
D) the scientific method

Question 5

Kristen exclaims, "I want to see the evidence for myself before I'll accept your explanation!" Kristen's claim reflects the basic idea behind the

A) scientific method.
B) method of authority.
C) a priori method.
D) method of tenacity.

Question 6

Which of Peirce's methods refers to the use of common sense or the obvious to justify claims of belief?

A) the method of tenacity
B) the method of authority
C) the a priori method
D) the scientific method

Question 7

According to Peirce, the most primitive strategy for forming a belief is the

A) a priori method.
B) method of authority.
C) method of tenacity.
D) scientific method.

Question 8

Susan rejects the claim of a salesperson about the benefits of a particular product because it simply does not make logical sense to her. Which of Peirce's methods is Susan using to evaluate the salesperson's claim?

A) the method of authority
B) the a priori method
C) the method of tenacity
D) the scientific method

Question 9

Which of the following terms refers to the use of techniques based on observation or experience?

A) a priori
B) pseudoscience
C) empirical
D) analogical rhetoric

Question 10

Technical terms such as "hypotheses," "participant observation study," and "intercoder reliability" are examples of

A) methodology pluralism.
B) theoretical ecumenism.
C) the rhetoric of justification.
D) pseudoscience.

Question 11

The objective of descriptive research is to determine

A) what's happening.
B) what's related.
C) what caused it.
D) what does it affect.

Question 12

Kim is interested in what physical qualities people most desire in their prospective partners. She begins by interviewing married individuals, asking them what physical qualities most attracted them to their current partner. She then visits a bar and observes the physical qualities of those who leave with each other. Finally, she examines the personal ads in a local newspaper, noting the physical qualities that are most often mentioned in these ads. In her investigation of interpersonal attraction, Kim is employing

A) experimental methodology.
B) methodological pluralism.
C) theoretical ecumenism.
D) an interdisciplinary approach.

Question 13

Interested in how teenagers interact when unsupervised, Cheryl decides to spend several Saturdays observing adolescents at a local mall. Cheryl's work can be BEST described as

A) experimental research.
B) relational research.
C) quasi-research.
D) descriptive research.

Question 14

Which of the following represents how Peirce ordered his strategies for formulating beliefs, from most flawed to least flawed?

A) method of tenacity, method of authority, a priori method, scientific method
B) method of authority, method of tenacity, a priori method, scientific method
C) a priori method, method of tenacity, method of authority, scientific method
D) method of tenacity, a priori method, scientific method, method of authority

Question 15

Which method of fixing belief is based on the use of pure reason and logic?

A) the method of authority
B) the a priori method
C) the scientific method
D) the method of tenacity

Question 16

While having the oil changed in his car, Zach accepts his mechanic's recommendation to have his fuel-injection system cleaned. Which of Peirce's methods is Zach relying on to know what maintenance his car requires?

A) the scientific method
B) the method of tenacity
C) the a priori method
D) the method of authority

Question 17

Which of the following refers to visualizing one thing in terms of another?

A) theoretical ecumenism
B) ad hoc hypothesis
C) perceptibility
D) methodological pluralism

Question 18

By systematically testing the different electrical systems in his car, Joshua is using which of Peirce's methods to confirm his belief that he may need a new car battery?

A) the a priori method
B) the scientific method
C) the method of authority
D) the method of tenacity

Question 19

The inherent limitation of pure reason is a problem associated with which of Peirce's methods of fixing belief?

A) the scientific method
B) the method of tenacity
C) the method of authority
D) the a priori method

Question 20

John refuses to alter his opinion because it seems so obvious it must be correct. According to Peirce, John is basing his belief on the

A) a priori method.
B) method of authority.
C) method of tenacity.
D) scientific method.

Question 21

Mary suspects that a new violent afternoon TV show is the reason for her son's sudden increase in aggressive behavior towards his sister. Which research approach would best help Mary evaluate this suspicion?

A) correlational
B) descriptive
C) relational
D) experimental

Question 22

Discuss three reasons of the five reasons mentioned in the textbook why it is beneficial for one to learn and know about the scientific method.

Question 23

Dave is interested in whether one's support for prayer in schools is associated with one's religiosity. This type of question is most characteristic of

A) descriptive research.
B) laboratory research.
C) relational research.
D) experimental research.

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT one of the orienting attitudes of scientists described in the text?

A) open-mindedness
B) confidence in one's own judgment
C) ability to communicate
D) ability to be correct

Question 25

What are Peirce's four strategies for formulating explanations? Which of these strategies is the least desirable? Why? Which is the most desirable? Why?

Question 26

Amala spends several hours at a local playground observing how often the children engage in cooperative as well as competitive activities. Amala's investigation can best be described as

A) descriptive research.
B) quasi-experimental research.
C) experimental research.
D) relational research.

Question 27

Which of the following questions is beyond the scope of relational research?

A) Are X and Y significantly related?
B) What is the form of the relationship between X and Y?
C) Will changes in X cause changes in Y?
D) How strong is the relationship between X and Y?

Question 28

What are the three broad research approaches described in the text? Give an example of the type of question each approach addresses.

Question 29

What is methodological pluralism and why has it been accepted by behavioral scientists?

Question 30

Why is an accepted rhetoric one of the features of the scientific method? Describe some aspects of this rhetoric.

Question 31

Describe five of the nine characteristics listed in the textbook that good researchers possess.

Question 32

To evaluate questions of causality, scientists must conduct

A) relational research.
B) experimental research.
C) laboratory research.
D) descriptive research.

Question 33

When they finished describing the events, John and Mary felt sure they knew how the events were related. What strategy should they use next?

A) Write their conclusions, in APA format, stating their observations and outlining the relationships between the events and the causes of the events.
B) Conduct relational research to determine the relationships between the conditions or variables.
C) Use the a priori method.
D) Develop more open-mindedness.

Question 34

Brian suspects that his new late-night cappuccino habit is the cause of his recent insomnia problems. Which research approach would best help Brian evaluate his suspicion?

A) anecdotal
B) relational
C) descriptive
D) experimental

Question 35

Interested in the effect of outside employment on academic performance, a professor asks his students how many hours a week they work and compares this to current grade point averages. The professor's inquiry is an example of which broad research approach?

A) experimental
B) pseudoscientific
C) relational
D) descriptive