Psychology Experiment Fundamentals

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What is required in a psychology experiment to evaluate the impact of different conditions on behavior?

All treatments should be identical

At least two treatment conditions (correct)

A control group only

A single treatment condition

Which of the following is NOT a factor that psychologists must not deceive about?

Their institutional affiliations

Their research findings

Their academic degrees

Their personal beliefs (correct)

Why is it important for psychologists to avoid making false statements?

To avoid legal repercussions

To increase their chances of funding

To maintain professional ethics and credibility (correct)

To ensure competitive job placements

What is the main difference between fraud and plagiarism in research?

Fraud involves misrepresentation while plagiarism is about copying Signup and view all the answers

When conducting experiments, what does manipulating the independent variable refer to?

Creating varying treatment conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the nature of psychological experiments is accurate?

At least two treatment conditions are essential Signup and view all the answers

What must psychologists ensure regarding their services in research?

That they do not misrepresent the scientific basis for their services Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of exposing subjects to different treatment conditions in an experiment?

To measure the effects of varying antecedent conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an operational definition in an experiment?

To define variables in terms of observable operations and procedures Signup and view all the answers

How should font color be operationally defined according to the example given?

As the visual quality of a material printed with specific color codes Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for an independent variable to have an experimental operational definition?

It includes the details of how the variable will be manipulated and measured Signup and view all the answers

Why are operational definitions important in psychological research?

They provide clarity and enable replication by other researchers Signup and view all the answers

In the sample experiment about coffee, what is the independent variable?

The action of drinking coffee before working Signup and view all the answers

What might researchers ask to clarify the operational definition of a variable like font color?

How dark or how light is the red color being used? Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is NOT part of a well-defined operational definition?

Vague descriptors of phenomena Signup and view all the answers

Why is it crucial to describe how variables are manipulated in research?

To enable accurate replication and understanding of the study Signup and view all the answers

What does fraud in science typically entail?

Falsifying or fabricating data Signup and view all the answers

What is a necessary condition for making causal inferences in experiments?

Careful control of the test Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an independent variable?

The type of psychological intervention used Signup and view all the answers

When does an experiment allow for cause-and-effect statements?

When controlled tests are skillfully conducted Signup and view all the answers

What must a researcher consider to maintain internal validity in an experiment?

Potential influences that threaten validity Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the simplest experiments?

They state a potential relationship between two variables Signup and view all the answers

What is a dependent variable in an experiment?

The variable that is measured Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding psychological states as independent variables?

They can be manipulated as part of the experimental design Signup and view all the answers

What defines a dependent variable in an experiment?

It is defined by measured operational definitions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would be considered an extraneous variable?

The time of day the coffee is consumed. Signup and view all the answers

In an experiment measuring productivity based on coffee consumption, which of the following is a critical aspect to define?

The ratios of coffee to cream consumed. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to describe operational definitions in research?

To allow other researchers to replicate the study. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of coffee consumption should researchers specify for clarity?

How much coffee each participant drinks. Signup and view all the answers

To effectively measure the dependent variable of productivity, what should researchers consider including?

Activities that participants must complete for assessment. Signup and view all the answers

When defining retention as part of a study, what must be clarified?

The specific content to be retained. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to identify a standardized test in research?

By naming the specific standardized test used. Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected impact of a likeable interviewer on data collection?

Collect better data and usable responses Signup and view all the answers

What effect can a hostile experimenter have on research subjects?

Reduces optimal performance Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of enhancing subjects' performance in experiments?

Attenuation of an experiment's external validity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes context variables in research?

Procedures created by the environment of the research setting Signup and view all the answers

When subjects select their own experiments, what kind of variability may this introduce?

Another source of variability in responses Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to maintain consistency in interactions with subjects?

To avoid introducing additional variance into the study Signup and view all the answers

What type of issues can arise from research conducted on a university population?

Problems related to subject recruitment and selection Signup and view all the answers

What effect does varying behavior towards subjects from time to time have?

Introduces additional variability into the experiment Signup and view all the answers