Psychology Experiment Design

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of psychology as a science?

The physical structure of the brain

The origins of extraterrestrial theories

Studying behavior and mental processes (correct)

Natural remedies and their effectiveness

Which of the following is NOT one of the three features of science?

Public knowledge

Empirical questions

Pseudoscience (correct)

Systematic empiricism

What best describes empirical questions in psychology?

Questions about hypothetical scenarios

Questions that are untestable

Questions based solely on previous beliefs

Questions answered through observation (correct)

What is meant by systematic empiricism in psychology?

A methodical way of observing and analyzing data Signup and view all the answers

Which goal of psychologists involves explaining the causes of behaviors?

To describe phenomena Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of an interval scale?

It shows the degree of difference between categories. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of an ordinal scale?

To provide a ranking or order to the subjects or items. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step of the scientific method in psychology?

Identifying questions of interest Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'public knowledge' refer to in scientific contexts?

Research findings published in professional journals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a nominal scale?

Gender identification Signup and view all the answers

What does a zero score represent in an interval scale?

A point on the scale without absence of the variable. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates pseudoscience from legitimate scientific practices?

Pseudoscience is based on personal beliefs Signup and view all the answers

Which scale allows for the measurement of absolute amounts of a variable?

Ratio scale Signup and view all the answers

Which description best fits a nominal scale?

It simply acts for labeling without any ranking. Signup and view all the answers

In an interval scale, which statement is true regarding temperature readings?

Temperature can be ranked but lacks an absolute zero. Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of a nominal scale?

It cannot rank subjects or items. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of controlling demand characteristics in an experiment?

To eliminate biases in participants' responses Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following designs do participants experience only one condition of the independent variable?

Between-Subjects Design Signup and view all the answers

How can an experimenter's personality affect the outcomes of a study?

By influencing participants' responses based on the experimenter's demeanor Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'context variable' refer to in experimental psychology?

Environmental factors affecting the experimental setting Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of context variable?

Independent variable Signup and view all the answers

What is typically aimed at when participants are selected for an experiment?

Minimizing participant biases Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration when designing an experiment regarding participants?

Participants should be naïve to the experiment's exact hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for participants to understand the nature and purpose of an experiment?

To facilitate honest and relevant responses Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of random assignment in a matched pair design?

To control for initial differences between subjects Signup and view all the answers

How can researchers ensure comparability in treatment conditions?

By selecting equivalent drug doses or exercise periods Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the participants section in an experimental psychology study?

To detail how many subjects were included and how they were selected Signup and view all the answers

What method is suggested for choosing subjects in a random assignment?

Using a random number table Signup and view all the answers

Which section is referred to when discussing questionnaires and other testing materials?

Materials section Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to have proportional treatment conditions?

To accurately measure the treatment's effectiveness Signup and view all the answers

What assumption is made when using a multiple-groups procedure?

Treatment groups are formed through random assignment Signup and view all the answers

What might be included in an appendix section of an experimental psychology report?

Special materials that are too lengthy for the main document Signup and view all the answers

What should researchers do first to begin random assignment?

Choose a starting point in a random number table Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'subject mortality' refer to in an experimental setting?

Subjects dropping out of the experimental condition Signup and view all the answers

What type of differences can the matching process help control?

Differences in initial scores or learning styles Signup and view all the answers

In the context of experiments, what is meant by 'selection interaction threats'?

Influences that affect the results based on group characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What should the apparatus section of an experimental psychology study include?

Details about equipment used in the testing Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consideration when selecting treatment conditions in an experiment?

Comparability in terms of initial conditions Signup and view all the answers

How should the structure of an experimental report be organized?

With clearly labeled subsections like participants, materials, and procedure Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect for another researcher when reading an experimental report?

The level of detail that allows replication of the study Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Experiment Design and Context Variables

Participants should be naïve to the exact hypothesis but aware of the experiment's purpose.
Experimenter characteristics (warm vs. cold) influence participant responses.
Context variables arise from the research environment and procedures like subject recruitment and assignment.
Between-Subjects Design: Participants divided into groups, each experiencing one condition of the independent variable to determine differences.

Homeopathy and Pyramidology

Homeopathy: Medical treatment using diluted natural substances.
Pyramidology: Theories about pyramids attributing them to extraterrestrial construction or healing properties.

Features of Science in Psychology

Systematic empiricism focuses on structured observation and analysis.
Empirical questions derive from observing how the world works, relating to behavior and mental processes.
Public knowledge emerges from science through professional publications.

Scientific Method in Psychology

Scientists identify questions based on behavior and previous research.
Measurement: Assigning numbers to objects or variables, transforming qualitative attributes to quantitative data.

Measurement Scales

Nominal Scale: Represents categorical differences (e.g., gender, race) without indicating quantity.
Ordinal Scale: Organizes categories sequentially, providing order or rank (e.g., satisfaction ratings).
Interval Scale: Ordered categories that show differences but lack an absolute zero (e.g., temperature in Celsius).
Ratio Scale: Ordered categories with an absolute zero, allowing for the measurement of the variable’s amount (e.g., height).

Experimental Procedure and Documentation

Detailed documentation of the experimental process allows replication by other researchers.
Participants section outlines the number of subjects, selection method, and demographic information.
Apparatus section clarifies equipment used in testing (e.g., model numbers, sizes of instruments).

Selection and Assignment

Selection threats include participant dropout from experimental conditions.
Random Assignment: Randomly assigning subjects to experimental or control groups within matched pairs.
Ensuring treatment conditions are proportional (e.g., varying drug doses) leads to valid comparisons in research outcomes.

Practical Limits and Group Formation

The multiple-groups procedure relies on random assignment to maintain comparability among groups, ensuring accurate results reflect treatment rather than selection bias.

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Description

This quiz explores the key characteristics of psychological experiments, focusing on the importance of participant naivety and the role of the experimenter. Understanding these variables is crucial for conducting effective and unbiased experiments in psychology. Test your knowledge on how to design experiments while maintaining participant integrity.