Deck 1: Psychology As Science: Part 1

Question 1

Each of the following is a processing error that leads to natural flaws in the way people think,EXCEPT:

A) the representativeness heuristic.
B) the confirmation bias.
C) the better-than-average effect.
D) replication.

Answer 1

replication.

Question 2

_____ is gaining knowledge with the use of systematic observation,experience,or measurement.

A) Empirical research
B) Pseudoscience
C) Nonempirical research
D) Introspection

Answer 2

Empirical research

Question 3

A major goal of this research methods book is for students to learn how to:

A) think differently.
B) feel differently.
C) behave differently.
D) assume differently.

Answer 3

think differently.

Question 4

Psychology majors gain _____,which is the highly sought-after ability to plan,manage,organize,and follow-through on a task by paying attention to the nuances and details.

A) critical thinking skills
B) analytical ability
C) communication skills
D) project management skills

Question 5

The primary avenue by which psychologists share their findings with the larger research community is through:

A) word of mouth.
B) journal articles.
C) websites.
D) infomercials.

Question 6

Which of the following is a career skill that studying research methods instills in students?

A) emotional intelligence
B) interpersonal acuity
C) artistic ability
D) critical thinking skills

Question 7

All of the following are characteristics of a good scientist,EXCEPT:

A) skepticism.
B) open-mindedness.
C) subjectivity.
D) creativity.

Question 8

_____ is a strategy for judging the likelihood of an event based on how easily one can think of similar instances.

A) Covariation
B) Confirmation bias
C) Availability heuristic
D) Representativeness heuristic

Question 9

Applied research:

A) is dedicated to solving a problem and helping people improve their quality of life.
B) uses minimal design to explore a phenomenon.
C) is dedicated to expanding the existing knowledge on a topic.
D) incorporates sophisticated research methodology and design to investigate a topic.

Question 10

Jerico attended the Kentucky Derby but decided not to bet on any of the horses.When American Pharoah won,he said to his friends,"I should have put money on that horse,because I knew he was going to win!" Jerico's behavior is an example of:

A) the availability heuristic.
B) the representativeness heuristic.
C) hindsight bias.
D) the overconfidence phenomenon.

Question 11

According to the representativeness heuristic,which of the following are you most likely to think of as an Olympic athlete?

A) a curvaceous woman in her mid-30s
B) a physically fit man in his early 20s
C) an elderly woman who wears her hair in a bun
D) a middle-aged man who is overweight

Question 12

Which of the following classes relies the heaviest on using the scientific method to answer questions?

A) biopsychology
B) abnormal psychology
C) developmental psychology
D) research methods

Question 13

Fiona wants to study motivation for achievement by asking her friends to reflect on their own drives for success.In this example,Fiona is using which research technique?

A) introspection
B) experiment
C) pseudoscience
D) the scientific method

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of the better-than-average effect?

A) Most people think they drive better than other people.
B) People often seek to confirm their current opinions.
C) Individuals maintain beliefs even in the face of contradictory evidence.
D) People often prioritize some information while undervaluing other information in a given situation.

Question 15

The _____ you believe pseudoscience claims,the _____ likely you are to make well-informed decisions.

A) more;more
B) more;less
C) less;more
D) less;less

Question 16

The availability heuristic is responsible for people's tendency to overestimate memorable occurrences like each of the following,EXCEPT:

A) plane crashes.
B) car accidents.
C) shark attacks.
D) earthquakes.

Question 17

Generally speaking,human thinking is _____ flawed.

A) not
B) a little
C) very
D) all

Question 18

In psychology,how do researchers avoid making mistakes?

A) They trust their gut instinct,but only when it is strong.
B) They use deliberate and conscientious approaches.
C) They base findings off the anecdotal evidence of respected others.
D) They use their personal experience as evidence.

Question 19

Penny is a smoker.Although she has heard of the data linking smoking to lung cancer and emphysema,she does not feel concerned.Penny's belief that she will not get sick is an example of:

A) the availability heuristic.
B) the representativeness heuristic.
C) the overconfidence phenomenon.
D) hindsight bias.

Question 20

Using appropriate research methods to examine how people think,feel,and behave is important because:

A) it decrease the likelihood that we draw empirically sound conclusions.
B) it decreases the likelihood that we make poor decisions.
C) biases in how we think make the study of psychology more like real life.
D) it makes us more likely to use the availability heuristic.