Psychology Chapter 1 Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is a strategy researchers use to minimize social desirability bias in their questions?

Providing multiple-choice answers with equal lengths

Word questions so each alternative appears equally desirable (correct)

Asking open-ended questions

Using complex language

What does the term 'acquiescence' refer to in survey design?

The inclination to agree with statements regardless of their content (correct)

The practice of using true/false questions exclusively

The tendency to prefer open-ended questions

The use of random sampling in research

Which type of questions are particularly vulnerable to bias from acquiescence?

Binary closed-ended questions like Agree/Disagree (correct)

Rating scale questions

Yes/No questions

Open-ended questions

What is one major advantage of using slow-motion recording in research?

It makes behavior patterns easier to observe Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'participant-observer' imply in data collection?

The researcher actively participates while observing Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important characteristic of science?

Empirical evidence Signup and view all the answers

Why is science considered self-correcting?

New evidence can contradict previous knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of parsimony in science advocate?

Always seeking the simplest explanation for a phenomenon. Signup and view all the answers

How does science view its knowledge base?

It sees knowledge as tentative and subject to change. Signup and view all the answers

What does objective observation in science require?

Reproducibility by others at the same time and place. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for science to be progressive?

Science continually adds new information to existing knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between empirical evidence and scientific theories?

Theories are substantiated by unexpected predictions confirmed by empirical evidence. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of science involves a reliance on experience rather than authority?

Empirical approach Signup and view all the answers

What is one drawback of using authority as a method of knowing?

Different authorities can disagree on the same issues. Signup and view all the answers

Which method of knowing is described as being based on instinctive processes?

Common sense Signup and view all the answers

Why might common sense be seen as unreliable?

It varies widely across different cultures. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of logic as a method of knowing?

It can identify false conclusions. Signup and view all the answers

According to the common-sense method, what is the primary criterion for judging the truth of a belief?

It simply needs to work. Signup and view all the answers

How does science differ from intuition and common sense?

Science approaches knowledge systematically and empirically. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of relying on common sense as a method of knowing?

Validation of widely accepted beliefs despite their truth. Signup and view all the answers

Why might scientific results be described as counterintuitive?

They often contradict common-sense notions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of cluster sampling?

It allows for easier data collection from large populations. Signup and view all the answers

In stratified random sampling, what is the main purpose of identifying subgroups?

To gain equal or proportional representation of each subgroup. Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of the random sampling process?

Select clusters before identifying the population frame. Signup and view all the answers

How does multistage sampling differ from cluster sampling?

Multistage sampling involves further division of clusters. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key disadvantage of cluster sampling?

It can lead to cluster bias. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a necessary step for stratified random sampling after identifying the strata?

Assign each member of the strata a number. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in cluster sampling?

Identify the sampling frame. Signup and view all the answers

During which step of random sampling is the random-number table used?

During selection of the subjects. Signup and view all the answers

What is a subject variable in an experiment?

A difference that cannot be controlled but can be selected Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of auxiliary hypotheses in an experiment?

They must be true to validate the main hypothesis. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is crucial for establishing statistical conclusion validity?

Employing appropriate sampling and measurement techniques Signup and view all the answers

What does ecological validity refer to in an experimental setting?

The degree to which an experimental situation mimics real-world situations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a threat to internal validity?

Ambiguous temporal precedence Signup and view all the answers

What is a manipulation check in an experiment?

A procedure to verify that variables changed as intended Signup and view all the answers

Which situation best illustrates a challenge in external validity?

Conducting an experiment purely in a lab without real-world applications Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if an experimental result has low probability of happening by chance?

There’s still uncertainty about cause-effect relationships Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the study design can impact generalizability?

The representativeness of the chosen participants Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a misconception about hypothesis testing?

Statistical significance guarantees that the findings apply to a larger population. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ways of Knowing about Behavior

Non-empirical methods include authority, logic, and intuition, while empirical methods rely on scientific approaches for understanding behavior.
Authority relies on the acceptance of beliefs from respected figures but can lead to contradictions among authorities.
Logic indicates that a statement can be valid without being true; e.g., it may be logically valid to say, "It is raining," without it actually being the case.
Intuition is based on spontaneous judgments and can be influenced by common sense, which varies culturally and over time.

Characteristics of Science

Empirical: Science emphasizes knowledge based on experience rather than authority or common sense.
Objective: Observations should be replicable by any observer under the same conditions, distinguishing objective from subjective observations.
Self-correcting: Science adapts to new evidence, revising prior beliefs when contradiction occurs.
Progressive: Scientific knowledge builds over time, enhancing understanding further.
Tentative: Science acknowledges the potential for current knowledge to be made obsolete as new information arises.
Parsimonious: Preferences are given to simpler explanations over more complex ones when all else is equal.

Research Methodology

Various methodologies enhance the study of behavior patterns, including stop-action and slow-motion recordings.
Participant-observer methodology allows a researcher to engage directly in studies, impacting data collection.
Random sampling ensures that participants are selected without bias, enhancing representativity in research findings.
Stratified random sampling involves dividing populations into subgroups to maintain equal representation in samples.
Cluster sampling uses naturally occurring clusters from a larger population, ensuring practical gathering of data.

Experimental Validity

Internal validity assesses whether any changes in the dependent variable truly result from manipulation of the independent variable.
Confounding variables can obscure results if they are not controlled for; manipulation checks are useful in verifying variable changes occurred as intended.
External validity relates to how well experimental findings generalize to real-world situations, raising concerns over results obtained in controlled laboratory conditions.

Statistical Considerations

Statistical conclusion validity ensures proper sampling, measuring techniques, and the correct application of inferential statistics to substantiate findings.
A low-probability outcome linked to chance does not guarantee a true cause-effect relationship; rigorous examination is essential to substantiate experimental results.

Potential Threats to Validity

Ambiguous temporal precedence complicates determining causality between variables in experimental designs.
Construct validity ensures that the measures used accurately reflect the psychological constructs intended for study, necessitating careful operational definitions.

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Description

Test your understanding of the different ways of knowing about behavior in psychology, focusing on both empirical and non-empirical methods. This quiz covers key concepts discussed in Chapter 1, including science, authority, logic, and intuition.