Psychology Midterm Exam Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of a case study design?

A detailed examination of a single individual (correct)

A statistical analysis of a large population

A comparison of multiple case studies across a dataset

A survey of general attitudes in a community

Which type of study involves participants choosing to partake rather than being selected?

Survey study (correct)

Experimental study

Case study

Observational study

What type of data is most commonly associated with case studies?

Quantitative and numerical

Experimental and controlled

Descriptive and qualitative (correct)

Statistical and generalized

Why might a researcher choose to study rare cases in research?

They can break established rules or trends, offering new insights Signup and view all the answers

In the context of rare psychopathologies, what does the case of Chris Sizemore illustrate?

The complexity of a single disorder presenting multiple symptoms Signup and view all the answers

Which descriptive strategy is characterized by direct observation in a natural setting?

Participant observation Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT typical of case study designs?

They utilize large sample sizes for broader inference Signup and view all the answers

What key advantage does a case study offer in the field of clinical psychology?

It can potentially lead to the identification of new treatment methods Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary finding regarding the effect of the number of bystanders on the reporting of smoke?

Reporting decreased as the number of participants increased. Signup and view all the answers

What psychological phenomenon explains why individuals may hesitate to act in an emergency when others are present?

Diffusion of responsibility Signup and view all the answers

Which type of study is particularly useful for examining rare or unusual events?

Case study Signup and view all the answers

What is a common goal of survey research design?

To obtain an accurate picture of a specific group at a given time Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential limitation of case studies mentioned in the content?

They may involve selection bias. Signup and view all the answers

What type of survey question allows participants to respond in their own words?

Open-ended questions Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of observational studies?

They can include naturalistic or participant observations. Signup and view all the answers

Which issue in survey design relates to the selection of participants?

Selecting participants Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common application of psychology surveys?

Experimental variable manipulations Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential problem with a double-barreled question?

It can confuse respondents. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of behavior can surveys measure according to the provided content?

Exercise and eating habits Signup and view all the answers

Which type of question requires selection of a numerical value on a predetermined scale?

Rating-scale questions Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid unnecessary questions in a survey?

They may discourage participants from responding. Signup and view all the answers

What information should you consider avoiding to ensure a survey question is clear?

Vague statements Signup and view all the answers

What demographic information is NOT typically collected in a survey?

Favorite color Signup and view all the answers

How should questions regarding sensitive topics like smoking be approached in a survey?

Use direct language to avoid ambiguity. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of rating scale uses opposite endpoint labels?

Semantic Differential Scale Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of placing sensitive questions in the middle of a survey?

To reduce the likelihood of biased answers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue that may arise when participants respond to a series of similar questions?

Development of a response set. Signup and view all the answers

Where should demographic questions typically be placed in a survey?

At the beginning or in the middle Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a Likert-Type Rating Scale?

To allow respondents to express varying degrees of opinions. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the tendency of respondents to use the same answers across a series of questions?

Response set Signup and view all the answers

What criteria should be considered when selecting survey participants?

Relevance of questions to participants Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in a rating scale question?

Numeric values on a predetermined scale Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Midterm Exam Information

Exam date: October 10th
Format: 30 multiple-choice questions, 2 short answer questions.
Bring: Pencil, eraser, McGill ID.
No notes, dictionaries, phones, or talking during the exam.
Arrive before 3:05 pm, no one is allowed to leave or enter after this time.
No washroom breaks.

Academic Integrity

McGill values academic integrity.
Students must adhere to the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures regarding cheating, plagiarism, and other academic offenses.
By taking the exam, students agree to the exam terms.

Descriptive Research Strategies

Three types: observational, case study, and survey.

Observational Studies

Types: naturalistic, participant, and contrived observations.

Case Study Design

An idiographic approach that involves intensive examination of a single individual.
Usually applied in clinical psychology.
Often involves observation, interviews, and self-reports.
Data usually descriptive (qualitative), presented in a report format.
Two applications: rare and unusual cases, and counterexamples (cases breaking usual patterns).

Rare and Unusual Cases

These shed light on different processes.
Example: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), characterized by multiple distinct personalities.
Typically associated with physical or sexual abuse in childhood.

Case Studies as Inspiration

Example: Latané & Darley (1968) study on bystander effect.
Participants filled out a questionnaire in a room with smoke coming from under the door.
Investigated how the number of bystanders influenced reporting the smoke.
Result: The more bystanders present, the lower the reporting rate.
Conclusion: Bystander presence can lead to diffusion of responsibility or social influence, impacting emergency response.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Case Studies

Strengths:
Detailed description.
Vivid, powerful, and convincing data.
Can study rare and unusual events.
Can identify exceptions to the rule.
Compatible with clinical work.
Weaknesses:
Limited generalization.
Potential for selection bias.
Potential for subjective interpretation.
Potential observer bias.

Survey Research Design

Researchers use surveys to describe a group of individuals by obtaining a snapshot of their characteristics.
Time-efficient way to gather a lot of data quickly.
Commonly used by companies to understand customer demographics.

Common Psychology Surveys

Anxiety surveys, depression questionnaires, happiness surveys, personality surveys, quality of life surveys, life attitudes surveys, mental health surveys, and couples relationship surveys.

What Surveys Measure

Behavior: exercise, eating, and sleep habits.
Attitudes, beliefs, and opinions.
Characteristics: age, gender, education level, etc.
Expectations: future plans or purchases.
Self-classification: political affiliation, social class.

Types of Survey Questions

Open-ended: participants respond in their own words.
Restricted: limited response options provided.
Rating-scale: numerical values selected on a predetermined scale.

Five Issues in Survey Design

Question content: clarity, necessity, avoiding double-barreled questions.
Types of questions: open-ended, restricted, rating-scale.
Constructing a survey: organization of questions for flow and impact.
Selecting participants: ensuring relevance to the survey topic.
Administration of the survey: method used to deliver the survey.

Question Content Considerations

Avoid unnecessary questions, focus on essential information.
Ensure questions are clear and unambiguous.
Gather just the necessary information.

Question Content: Determining Level of Detail

Consider appropriate level of detail:
- Age: specific number or range.
- Income: specific figure or a range.
- Smoking: ounces or glasses per week.

Question Content: Avoiding Double-Barreled Questions

Each question should address a single topic.

Question Content: Ensuring Respondent Knowledge

Make sure respondents have the information to answer accurately.

Types of Questions: Rating Scales

Respondents choose a numerical value on a predetermined scale.

Types of Questions: Semantic Differential Scale

Multiple response options with opposite endpoint labels.
Answers can be numeric or marked on a line.

Likert-Type Rating Scale

Opposite extremes identified with verbal labels called anchors.

Constructing a Survey: Ordering Questions

Group related questions together.
Place sensitive questions towards the middle.
Demographic questions at the beginning or end, kept brief.

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Description

Prepare for your psychology midterm exam with this comprehensive overview. The quiz covers essential topics such as descriptive research strategies, observational studies, and case study design. Ensure you understand the format and academic integrity requirements before test day.