Psychology Research and Facts

Questions and Answers

What is the null hypothesis?

A statement that explains the causality of variables

A statement that predicts a specific relationship between variables

A statement that there is no relationship between variables (correct)

A statement that describes the results of an experiment

What is the purpose of standardization in a research study?

To ensure consistency and objectivity of how tests are administered (correct)

To ensure that all variables are confounding variables

To ensure that all tests are conducted in different conditions

To ensure that all participants are aware of the research hypothesis

What is an operational definition?

A definition of how a variable is manipulated

A definition of how a variable is related to other variables

A definition of how a variable is measured or observed (correct)

A definition of how a variable is controlled

What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

The variable that is measured or observed as a result Signup and view all the answers

What is a confounding variable?

A variable that is unintentionally related to the independent variable Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a control condition in an experiment?

To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental condition Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why research is necessary in understanding human nature?

Because anecdotal experiences often differ from reality Signup and view all the answers

What is the independent variable in an experiment?

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the unconscious movement of a person's body parts, often observed in the use of a Ouija board?

Ideomotor Effect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of pseudoscience?

Based on scientific evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of finding one case where the null hypothesis is not true?

To reject the null hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what percentage of the brain do humans use?

10% Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the third step in the research process?

Predicting when and how the behavior can happen again Signup and view all the answers

What type of normality is based on cultural norms and values?

Cultural normality Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of research in psychology?

To understand human behavior and develop knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where people's minds wander 30% of the day?

Mind wandering Signup and view all the answers

What type of words need to be operationally defined in a research study?

Variables being measured Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the null hypothesis in a research study?

To propose that there is no significant difference or relationship Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a principle of falsifiability?

Hypotheses can be disproven if contradictory evidence is found Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of standardization in research?

To make the results more generalizable Signup and view all the answers

According to the psychology fact, what is the effect of posting a calorie chart in fast food restaurants?

People choose less healthy foods Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the U.S. population believes in psychic phenomena?

Over 50% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of Occam's Razor?

The shortest and least complex solution is often the correct one Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of cases of sexual assault on college campuses involve alcohol?

Over 90% Signup and view all the answers

What is the solution to experimenter bias in a study?

Double-Blind Study Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research involves observing behavior in a natural environment?

Naturalistic Observation Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the tendency of a single value to describe a set of data?

Central Tendency Signup and view all the answers

What is the solution to selection bias in a study?

Random Assignment Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a study that evaluates a single case for a long time?

Case Study Signup and view all the answers

What is the problem with volunteer bias in a study?

Subjects that care enough to participate are different from the norm Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a blind study in a research design?

To prevent experimenter bias Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the average value of a dataset?

Mean Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of basic research?

To seek knowledge for its own sake Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a confederate in an experiment?

A researcher who assumes the role of a participant Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a theory in the research process?

To explain how a number of separate facts are related Signup and view all the answers

What is the Hawthorne effect?

A phenomenon where participants improve an aspect of their behavior in response to being studied Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of applied research?

To find practical applications for knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an empirical method in the research process?

To test hypotheses and prove/disprove theories Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a placebo in an experiment?

To create a false treatment that has no effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct sequence of steps in the research process?

Form a hypothesis, design an experiment, perform the experiment, and make observations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research in Psychology

Research is necessary to differentiate between intuition and scientific facts about human nature.

Need for Research

Intuition and common sense may not be enough to provide accurate answers about human behavior.
Examples of misconceptions: opposites attract, we use 10% of our brains, and crimes increase during a full moon.

Pseudoscience

Presented as scientific but lacks scientific evidence.
Characteristics: produces no advances in knowledge, disregards established facts, and lacks sound logic.

Normality

Types of normality: statistical, cultural, subjective, idealistic, and clinical.
Definition: varies depending on the context, e.g., statistical normality is what most people do.

Research Process

Steps: describe, explain, predict, control, and improve.
Types of research: basic, applied, and animal model.
Importance of theory, experimentation, and empirical testing.

Research Process (continued)

Hypothesis: statement that predicts the relationship between variables.
Null hypothesis: statement that there is no relationship between variables.
Alternative hypothesis: specific predictions of what will happen.
Standardization: consistency and objectivity in administering tests.

Contamination

Types of contamination: selection bias, placebo effect, experimenter bias, and volunteer bias.
Solutions: random assignment, blind study, and double-blind study.

Research Types

Reliable research: can be replicated.
Valid research: measures what it should.
Central tendency: measures that describe a set of data, e.g., mean, median, and mode.

Psychology Facts

1 in 5 people in France have experienced depression.
Internet trolls are often narcissistic, psychopathic, and sadistic.
Humans' minds wander 30% of the day.
Cats have almost twice as many neurons in their cortex as dogs.
Alfred Binet, the inventor of the first intelligence test, was trained as a lawyer.
Getting paid for doing something you like can make you less creative.
Negative reinforcement works better than punishment as a disciplinary measure.

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Description

Explore the importance of research in psychology, the research process, and interesting facts about the human mind and behavior.