Experimental Method in Social Psychology
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the experimental method in social psychology?

  • Reliance solely on self-reported data from participants.
  • Measuring the effects of a manipulated variable on a dependent variable. (correct)
  • Using a single group of participants to test all conditions.
  • Focus on understanding individual experiences rather than general patterns.

    • What is the primary difference between internal and external validity in research?

  • Internal validity is more important for correlational research, while external validity is more important for experimental research.
  • Internal validity focuses on the accuracy of the experimental design, while external validity focuses on the generalizability of the findings to real-world situations. (correct)
  • Internal validity is concerned with the strength of the relationship between variables, while external validity is concerned with the direction of the relationship.
  • Internal validity refers to the experimenter's ability to manipulate the independent variable, while external validity refers to the experimenter's ability to control extraneous variables.

    • Which of the following scenarios exemplifies a confounding variable in research?

  • A study examining the effects of a new medication on anxiety, where participants in the control group receive a placebo.
  • A study comparing the effectiveness of two different teaching methods, where teachers are randomly assigned to the different methods.
  • A study exploring the impact of caffeine on memory, where participants are assigned to groups based on their IQ scores. (correct)
  • A study investigating the relationship between stress levels and sleep quality, where participants are asked to self-report their stress levels.

    • What is the purpose of using a factorial design in research?

    <p>To investigate the effects of multiple independent variables simultaneously. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a valid critique of using naturalistic observation in research?

    <p>Naturalistic observation is not suitable for studying complex human behaviors. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main advantage of using a within-subjects design in research?

    <p>It requires fewer participants compared to a between-subjects design. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a quasi-experimental design?

    <p>It involves manipulating an independent variable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between reliability and validity in psychometrics?

    <p>Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure, while validity refers to the accuracy of a measure. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a measure of inter-rater reliability?

    <p>Cohen's kappa (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the eye of the beholder effect influence person perception?

    <p>It causes people to be more influenced by their own biases and prejudices than by actual information about others. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a nonverbal cue that can convey dominance?

    <p>Standing close to someone. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it difficult to accurately draw inferences about people, unlike objects?

    <p>Because people are often motivated to deceive us, unlike objects. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of person perception?

    <p>The phenomenon where our expectations about a person can influence their behavior. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of validity discussed in the passage?

    <p>Content Validity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of research is most appropriate when it is unethical to manipulate an independent variable?

    <p>Correlational research (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the passage, what is a major limitation of correlational research?

    <p>It cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

    <p>To ensure that all research is conducted ethically. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good survey?

    <p>It uses open-ended questions to allow for more detailed responses. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a common attribution made by people when they experience a negative event?

    <p>They attribute it to internal, stable factors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the self-perception theory, how do we infer our own attitudes?

    <p>By observing our own behavior (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a dimension of explanatory style?

    <p>Individuality (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'Romeo and Juliet effect'?

    <p>When people attribute their arousal to attraction, even when it's caused by something else (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a way to handle pessimistic thoughts?

    <p>Denial (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'helplessness spiral' in the context of athletic slumps?

    <p>Athletes attributing their slump to internal, stable, and uncontrollable factors (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, how do parents' causal attributions influence their children?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'actor-observer bias'?

    <p>The tendency to make internal attributions for the behavior of others and external attributions for our own behavior (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a consequence of a pessimistic attributional style?

    <p>Enhanced creativity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of misattribution of arousal?

    <p>Feeling excited after a roller coaster ride and attributing it to the person you're with (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'fundamental attribution error'?

    <p>The tendency to overestimate the role of internal factors when explaining others' behavior. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a principle proposed by Jones & Davis' correspondent inferences theory for making internal attributions?

    <p>Actions are high in social desirability. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Kelley's Cube, what does high distinctiveness indicate?

    <p>The behavior is likely caused by external factors. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Weiner's model of attribution, what does 'stable' refer to?

    <p>The cause of behavior is unlikely to change over time. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'illusory correlation effect'?

    <p>The tendency to perceive a correlation between two things that are actually unrelated. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is TRUE about self-fulfilling prophecies?

    <p>They occur when our expectations about someone else's behavior lead them to act in ways that confirm those expectations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does 'primacy effect' influence first impressions?

    <p>Early information has a greater impact on our impression than later information. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a 'controlled' process?

    <p>Solving a complex math problem. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between internal and external attributions?

    <p>Internal attributions focus on the person, while external attributions focus on the situation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of information does NOT help us make an internal attribution according to Jones & Davis' correspondent inferences theory?

    <p>Information about the person's past behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'hedonic relevance' according to Jones & Davis?

    <p>The tendency to make stronger internal attributions when behavior directly affects us. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does high 'consistency' in Kelley's Cube suggest?

    <p>The person's behavior is consistent across different situations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of an 'excuse' as described in the content?

    <p>My boss made me do it, so it's not my fault. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between 'correspondent inferences' and 'covariation' models of attribution?

    <p>Correspondent inferences focus on internal attributions, while covariation models focus on both internal and external attributions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'negativity bias'?

    <p>The tendency to attribute negative consequences more readily to the person. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an example of a central trait?

    <p>Extroversion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main takeaway from the Asch warm/cold study?

    <p>Central traits influence how we perceive other traits. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Social Psychology

    The study of how individuals think about, influence, and relate to one another.

    ABC Model

    A framework outlining antecedent, behavior, and consequence.

    Nomothetic Approach

    Psychological approach focusing on broad generalizations across groups.

    Idiographic Approach

    Psychological approach focusing on specific case studies or events.

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    Experimental Method

    A research method characterized by manipulation of an independent variable.

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    Schachter and Singer Study

    A study demonstrating the relationship between arousal and emotional labeling.

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    Random Assignment

    A technique to assign subjects to conditions randomly to eliminate bias.

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    Systematic Empiricism

    The practice of obtaining knowledge through organized observation or hypotheses.

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    Confounding Variable

    An extraneous variable that correlates with both the independent and dependent variable, affecting the validity of an experiment.

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    Internal Validity

    The degree to which a study accurately shows that changes in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable.

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    External Validity

    The extent to which findings from a study can be generalized to real-world settings.

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    Pearson Correlation

    A statistic that measures the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables.

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    Third Variable Problem

    A situation in which a third variable influences both the independent and dependent variables, causing a false correlation.

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    Quasi-Experimental Design

    A study that does not randomly assign participants but observes existing groups.

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    Descriptive Research

    Research that observes and describes behavior without manipulating variables.

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    Reliability

    The consistency of a measure across time and items; can be assessed with various methods.

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    Validity

    The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

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    Person Perception

    The process of forming impressions and making judgments about others.

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    Eye of the Beholder Effect

    The phenomenon where perceptions of others are influenced by personal biases rather than objective characteristics.

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    Nonverbal Communication

    Communication without words, using body language, gestures, and other physical signals.

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    Kinesic Cues

    The nonverbal signals conveyed by body movements, posture, and gestures.

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    Proxemics

    The study of personal space and the distance individuals maintain from each other in social situations.

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    Construct Validity

    The degree to which a test measures the theoretical construct it is intended to measure.

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    First Impressions

    The initial perceptions formed about a person based on early information.

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    Central Traits

    Traits that influence the perception of other traits based on context, like 'warm' or 'cold.'

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    Primacy Effect

    The phenomenon where first information received has a greater impact on impressions than later information.

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    Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

    The tendency to bring about behavior that aligns with our expectations of others.

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    Confirmation Biases

    The inclination to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs.

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    Attribution

    The process of determining the causes behind events, especially others' behavior.

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    Internal Attributions

    Assigning the cause of behavior to internal factors like personality or intentions.

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    External Attributions

    Attributing behavior to external factors like the environment or circumstance.

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    Fundamental Attribution Error

    The tendency to overemphasize internal traits in judging others' actions while minimizing external circumstances.

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    Negativity Bias

    The tendency to emphasize negative outcomes and attribute them to personal traits more than positive ones.

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    Distinctiveness (Kelly's Cube)

    Whether a person's behavior is specific to a single situation or occurs across multiple situations.

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    Consistency (Kelly's Cube)

    Whether a person consistently behaves the same way in similar situations.

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    Consensus (Kelly's Cube)

    Whether others agree on a person's behavior or it is unique to them.

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    Covariation Model

    Weiner’s framework for understanding how we attribute behavior based on consistency, consensus, and distinctiveness.

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    Illusory Correlation Effect

    The perception of a relationship where none exists, often reinforcing stereotypes.

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    Self-Serving Attributional Bias

    The tendency to credit oneself for success but blame external factors for failure.

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    Actor-Observer Bias

    The tendency to attribute our own actions to external causes but others' actions to internal traits.

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    Explanatory Style

    A habitual way of explaining events, which indicates if one is optimistic or pessimistic.

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    Dimensions of Explanatory Style

    Includes permanence, pervasiveness, and personalization in assessing events.

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    Morning After Effect

    Perception of attractiveness decreases the next day due to misattribution to alcohol.

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    Romeo and Juliet Effect

    When restrictions on a relationship increase desire, misattributing arousal to romance.

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    Pessimism and Health

    Pessimists often face poorer health and decreased life enjoyment than optimists.

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    Helplessness Spiral

    A cycle where attributing failure to stable, internal factors undermines confidence.

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    Causal Attributions

    Explanations for one's own or others' behaviors, influencing perceptions and reactions.

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    Study Notes

    Social Psychology - Division 8 (Personality and Social Psychology) of APA

    • Social psychology examines how people think about, influence, and relate to each other. Our thoughts, feelings, and actions are profoundly shaped by others.
    • Key perspectives include sociocultural, evolutionary, social learning, and social cognitive approaches.

    Research Methods

    • Sources of Research Ideas: Curiosity, colleagues, conversations, journal articles.
    • ABC Model: Antecedence, Behavior, Consequence (e.g., bullying → cyberbullying → depression/anxiety). Research evolves over time.
    • Goals of Science:
      • Describe behavior: Nomothetic (general laws) and idiographic (individual cases).
      • Understand behavior: Explaining why behaviors occur.
      • Predict behavior: Forecasting actions (e.g., SAT scores predicting college performance).
      • Apply behavior: Basic vs. applied research.
    • Scientific Method:
      • Systematic Empiricism: Observing directly observable behaviors or hypothetical constructs.
      • Public Verifiability: Research findings must be supported through peer review and replication.
      • Solvable Problems: Psychology studies address questions that can be examined scientifically.
    • Experimental Method (3 characteristics):
      • Manipulation of independent variables: Allows for causal inferences. Independent variables are manipulated; dependent variables are measured. Multiple types of manipulation are possible (instructional, environmental, invasive).
      • Power to assign subjects to conditions: Random assignment (or matched random assignment). This minimizes confounding variables.
      • Control over extraneous variables: Preventing confounding variables from influencing results.
    • Field Experiments & Factorial Designs: Combining variables and levels (e.g., male/female with high/low social anxiety).
    • Internal vs. External Validity:
      • Internal validity: Confidence that changes in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable.
      • External validity: Generalizability of findings to real-world situations. Mundane and experimental realism affect external validity.
    • Correlational Method: Examining relationships between variables where manipulation isn't possible or ethical.
      • Pearson Correlation: Measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables (r = -1 to +1). Correlation ≠ causation.
      • Third Variable Problem: A third, unmeasured variable might explain the correlation between two variables.
    • Quasi-experimental Designs: Utilizing existing groups for comparisons. Examples include time-series designs.
    • Descriptive Research: Exploring phenomena without manipulating variables.
      • Naturalistic Observation: Observing behavior in natural settings.
      • Surveys: Gathering data using questionnaires.
      • Case Studies: In-depth analyses of individuals, groups, or events.
    • Ethics in Research: Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) oversee research to protect participants. Deception and informed consent are critical ethical considerations.

    Psychometrics

    • Reliability: Consistency of a measure. Types include test-retest, inter-item, split-halves, and interrater reliability.
    • Validity: Accuracy of a measure. Includes face validity, construct validity (convergent and discriminant), and criterion validity (concurrent and predictive).

    Impression Formation

    • Person Perception vs. Object Perception: We form more complex and biased assessments of people.
    • Eye of the Beholder Effect: Our perceptions influence others' behavior.
    • First Impressions:
      • Primacy Effect: Initial information has a major influence.
      • Implicit Personality Theories: Assumptions about traits and personality associations.
    • Effects of Impression Formation: Self-fulfilling prophecies and confirmation biases.
    • Rosenthal and Jacobson Study: A study illustrating self-fulfilling prophecies and the influence of teacher expectations on student performance.
    • Automatic vs. Controlled Processing: Unconscious (automatic) vs. deliberate (controlled) mental processes.

    Attribution

    • Attribution Theory: Determining the causes of behavior.
    • Internal vs. External Attributions: Factors within or outside the person.
    • Heider, Jones & Davis: Correspondent inferences theory, fundamental attribution error, negativity bias.
    • Kelly's Cube: Distinctiveness, consistency, consensus.
    • Weiner's Model: Emotional and future expectations. Dimensions include stability, pervasiveness, and personalization.
    • Self-attributions: including position effect and self-perception theory.
    • Self-serving Attributional Bias
    • Fundamental Attribution Error
    • Actor-Observer Bias
    • Attribution and Emotion: Emotions are intertwined with our attributions.
    • Misattribution: Assigning the wrong cause to an event. (e.g., Morning After Effect).
    • Attributional Style: Habitual ways of explaining events.

    Parents’ Attributional Styles (Reading 2.1) and Sports Slumps (Reading 2.2)

    • Parents' attributions for their children's behavior affect support and guidance.
    • Athletes' attributions for performance failures influence confidence and motivation (including helplessness spirals).

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    Description

    This quiz focuses on the characteristics of the experimental method used in social psychology. Test your understanding of how experiments are designed and conducted within this field. Ideal for students studying social psychology or related courses.

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