Introduction to Psychology

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Questions and Answers

What is a confounding variable?

A variable that is only related to the dependent variable

A variable that is empirically related to both the independent and dependent variable (correct)

A variable that is only related to the independent variable

A variable that is not related to the independent and dependent variable

What is the primary purpose of randomization in an experiment?

To increase the effect of extraneous variables

To reduce the effect of extraneous variables (correct)

To eliminate the independent variable

To introduce biases in the experiment

What is the major drawback of laboratory experiments?

Demand characteristics (correct)

Easy to control confounding variables

Low cost

High ecological validity

What is the advantage of field experiments?

High in ecological validity and avoids demand characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of experimental design?

It involves testing a hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of informed consent in experiments?

To inform participants about the experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of field experiments?

Harder to control confounding variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of random selection of subjects in randomization?

To give equal chance of being selected to each member of the population Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of an operational definition in research?

To communicate the concept effectively Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts is an example of an abstract concept?

Anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between on campus and online modality of teaching?

Mode of student-teacher contact Signup and view all the answers

What is the dependent variable in the hypothesis 'Use of SM will effect the EI of adolescents'?

Emotional Intelligence Signup and view all the answers

What is the operational definition of Social Media in the hypothesis 'Use of SM will effect the EI of adolescents'?

The total of hours mentioned by the phone (App XYZ) Signup and view all the answers

Why are operational definitions necessary in research?

To communicate effectively and replicate Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a hypothesis in research?

To predict the outcome of a study Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept being measured in the study 'Effect of modality of teaching on learning of students'?

Learning Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Single-group or Within-subjects Experimental Designs?

Subjects play the role of the control and go through all conditions/levels of IVs Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between massed and distributed practice?

Massed practice is more effective for short retention intervals, while distributed practice is more effective for long retention intervals Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the phenomenon where animals or humans more easily remember or learn items when studied a few times spaced/distributed over a long time span?

The spacing effect Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the spacing effect?

The benefit of spaced presentations does not appear at short retention intervals Signup and view all the answers

What did Lee & Genvose find out about the distribution of practice conditions on learning and performance of motor skills?

Distributed practice enhances performance, especially on later trials Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Separate Group or Between Subjects Experimental Designs?

Different groups are formed based on their characteristics or random assignment Signup and view all the answers

Why is cramming the night before an exam not likely to be effective?

Because it involves massed presentation, which is less effective than spaced presentation Signup and view all the answers

Who first identified the phenomenon of the spacing effect?

Hermann Ebbinghaus Signup and view all the answers

What is the dependent variable in Asch's (1952) study on the Law of Primacy?

The impression of the person Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a subject variable that cannot be controlled or manipulated?

Authoritarianism Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Experimental Psychology (EP) in terms of independent variables?

Manipulating IVs to measure their effect on the DV Signup and view all the answers

According to Bebow and Stanely (1980), what was the finding regarding the mathematical skills of boys and girls?

Boys scored significantly higher on the mathematical portion of the SAT Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification of IVs proposed by Underwood (1906) based on?

The level of manipulation of the IV Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a task variable, according to Underwood's (1906) classification?

The difficulty level of the task Signup and view all the answers

According to Homans, what is the primary characteristic that defines science?

Its aims Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of scientific inquiry in psychology?

To understand the underlying reality of behavior and thoughts Signup and view all the answers

What is the basic assumption of psychology regarding human beings?

Humans are a system that can be understood through scientific experimentation and rational analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between basic research and applied research?

Basic research establishes a reservoir of data, while applied research solves specific problems Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of applied research?

Developing a treatment for bedwetting Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of concept development in basic research?

To develop theories and concepts Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Scientific Inquiry in Psychology

Scientific inquiry in psychology aims to reveal the underlying reality of behavior and thoughts through scientific analysis.
The basic assumption is that human beings are a system that can be understood through scientific experimentation and rational analysis.

Types of Research

Basic Research: Establishes a reservoir of data, theoretical explanations, and concepts, with no immediate practical goals.
Applied Research: Established concepts are further researched and applied to solve specific problems.

Research Variables

A confounding variable is a variable that is empirically related to both the independent and dependent variable, causing problems in the study.
Randomization is a technique used to control confounding variables, distributing their effects equally across groups.
Phases of randomization include random selection of subjects, random assignment of subjects, and random assignment of treatment.

Experimental Design

Experimental Design: The design of controlled conditions under which one might make empirical observations of actions, thoughts, or behavior, within the context of a testable hypothesis.
Strategies: Laboratory Experiments and Field Experiments.

Laboratory Experiments

Demand Characteristics: Cues that convey the purpose of the experiment to the participant, potentially affecting their behavior.
Ethics: Experiments may involve deceiving participants to some extent, and obtaining informed consent is crucial.

Field Experiments

Field Experiments: Conducted in a "real-world" situation, where participants are not aware they are participating in an experiment.
High in ecological validity, but harder to control confounding variables.

Operational Definition

Operational Definition: A statement of operations necessary to produce and measure a concept.
It defines the concept in terms of how it is measured.
Necessary for credible research, as it communicates effectively, replicates, and retains full meaning of the concept despite variability.

Hypothesis and Research Example

Hypothesis: Students will learn better in on-campus classes compared to online classes.
Example: The effect of modality of teaching on learning of students.

Learning and Modality

Learning: The understanding of the concept, measured through a test.
Modality: Defined as the contact with students, either on-campus or online.

Hypothesis: Use of social media will affect the emotional intelligence of adolescents.
Operational Definitions: Social media usage measured by hours mentioned on a phone app, and emotional intelligence measured through a test.

Experimenter-Selected Independent Variables

Experimenter-Selected IVs: Characteristics that cannot be controlled or manipulated, such as IQ, authoritarianism, gender, and personality types.
Example: Impact of authoritarianism on learning.

Classification of Independent Variables

Task Variables: IVs that are manipulated by the experimenter.
Environmental Variables: IVs that are part of the environment.
Subject Variables: IVs that are characteristics of the subjects.

Types of Experimental Designs

Single-Group or Within-Subjects Experimental Designs: Subjects play the role of the control as well, going through all conditions/levels of IVs.
Separate Group or Between-Subjects Experimental Designs: Different groups are made based on their characteristics or randomly assigned, with each subject going through one condition only.

Trial Position Effect under Massed and Distributed Practice

Spacing Effect: The phenomenon where animals (including humans) more easily remember or learn items when they are studied a few times spaced/distributed over a long time span.
Distributed Practice: Enhances performance, has a larger effect on performance than the first trial, and results in greater learning.

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Description

This quiz covers the basic principles and assumptions of psychology as a science, including the scientific inquiry of human behavior and thought. It explores the idea that human behavior can be understood through scientific experimentation and analysis.