Question 1

You have just read an article in a popular magazine that stated,"People who jog live longer than people who don't jog." As a scientist,you would probably

Accepted Answer

A)  begin jogging. 
B)  accept the statement as true. 
C)  want to see the study that lead to this conclusion. 
D)  assume that the statement is false.

Question 2

John has decided to purchase several copies of a new children's book because he has a feeling that the availability of this book will be scarce in the future.Which of the following best explains John's behaviour?

Accepted Answer

A)  Authority 
B)  Skepticism 
C)  Intuition 
D)  Empirical evidence

Question 3

In determining the cause of behaviour,the principle of _____ considers that when the cause is present,the effect occurs;but,when the cause is not present,the effect does not occur.

Accepted Answer

A)  temporal precedence 
B)  covariation of cause and effect 
C)  elimination of alternative explanations 
D)  observational analysis

Question 4

A scientist states that "there is evidence for the existence of ghosts because she herself has felt their presence." This claim should

Accepted Answer

A)  be accepted because she is also a scientist. 
B)  be accepted because she has personally felt their presence. 
C)  cause you to believe in ghosts. 
D)  result in you being skeptical about her claim.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a goal of science?

Accepted Answer

A)  Predicting behaviour 
B)  Describing behaviour 
C)  Determining the cause of behaviour 
D)  Eliminating behaviour

Question 6

Which one of the following statements is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Basic research is far more important than applied research. 
B)  Applied research is far more important than basic research. 
C)  Basic and applied research are both equally important. 
D)  Basic and applied research are both of less importance than theoretical research.

Question 7

The advantage of employing the scientific approach over other ways of knowing about the world is that it

Accepted Answer

A)  allows scientists to show that the explanations we make for the actions we observe are always correct. 
B)  allows one to rule out intuition and authority as sources of ideas about behaviour. 
C)  provides an objective set of rules for gathering,evaluating,and reporting information. 
D)  allows scientists the opportunity to show the public their findings are always correct.

Question 8

The statement,"Obese persons eat faster than non-obese persons" is an example of ________ behaviour;and the statement,"The different eating habits of obese and non-obese persons are caused by physiological factors" is an example of ________ behaviour.

Accepted Answer

A)  explaining;predicting 
B)  explaining;describing 
C)  describing;explaining 
D)  predicting;explaining

Question 9

Which is NOT a characteristic of scientific inquiry as described by Goodstein's evolved theory of science?

Accepted Answer

A)  Scientists must report their observations accurately to others. 
B)  Scientists search for observations that will verify their ideas about the world. 
C)  Science will grow when there is open exchange and competition among ideas. 
D)  Peer review of research is unnecessary with well designed studies.

Question 10

The empirical approach to science requires that

Accepted Answer

A)  ideas based on intuition not be examined. 
B)  only knowledge presented by an authority figure be deemed correct. 
C)  knowledge be based on observations. 
D)  skepticism should be avoided when data are being presented.

Question 11

The distinction between basic research and applied research is that basic research _____,while applied research _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  relies more heavily on the fundamental sciences such as chemistry or biology;relies more heavily on the social sciences such as psychology or sociology 
B)  relies more heavily on the social sciences such as psychology or sociology;relies more heavily on the fundamental sciences such as chemistry or biology 
C)  concentrates on fundamental questions often of a theoretical nature;concentrates on identifying and resolving practical problems 
D)  concentrates on identifying and resolving practical problems;concentrates on fundamental questions often of a theoretical nature

Exam 1: Scientific Understanding of Behaviour