Psychology Research Methods Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the term used to describe the middle score in a distribution?

  • Mean
  • Mode
  • Median (correct)
  • Range
  • Which statistic is most useful for measuring the variation in hours spent studying?

  • Standard Deviation (correct)
  • Median
  • Mean
  • Range
  • Why is standard deviation considered a better measure of variation than the range?

  • It is easier to calculate.
  • It only considers the highest and lowest values.
  • It provides a clear visual representation.
  • It accounts for all data points. (correct)
  • What method is often used in psychological research to control the effect of confounding variables?

    <p>Random assignment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which research method is most effective for establishing cause-and-effect relationships?

    <p>Experiments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the ethical guidelines that safeguard human research participants?

    <p>Debriefing after the study</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of research helps psychologists ensure that their findings are not biased?

    <p>Peer reviews</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true regarding the generalization of psychological research?

    <p>It may vary across cultures and genders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main purposes of psychological science?

    <p>To explore how to improve happiness and success</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does hindsight bias affect our understanding of psychological science?

    <p>It encourages us to trust our predictions over research findings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following demonstrates the need for psychological science over intuition?

    <p>Overconfidence in personal predictions about behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the standard deviation of test scores indicate about Class A and Class B?

    <p>The distribution of test scores varies significantly between classes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does critical thinking play in psychological science?

    <p>It promotes a skeptical approach to all forms of knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the tendency to perceive order in random events illustrate?

    <p>How intuition can mislead our understanding of patterns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is psychological science considered more reliable than common sense?

    <p>It employs rigorous methods to confirm or challenge beliefs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might be a misconception about psychological science?

    <p>It simply confirms what we already know</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What fundamental similarity justifies the study of animals in psychological research?

    <p>Humans and animals share a common biology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one consequence of studying animals according to the text?

    <p>It has led to advancements in treatments for human diseases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, which animal is noted for its simple nervous system revealing mechanisms of learning?

    <p>Sea slugs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What criticism is made regarding the justification of animal research?

    <p>It cannot be morally defended despite their similarities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What movement protests the use of animals in various forms of research?

    <p>Animal protection movement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What point does Dave Barry make regarding humans and lottery tickets?

    <p>Humans make less rational decisions than animals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What fraction of animals used in research is noted compared to those killed annually for food?

    <p>Less than 1 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do psychologists find studying animals appealing?

    <p>They seek to understand learning and behavior across species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ethical principle guides the use of results from medical testing?

    <p>Informed consent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statistical measure would best show how close a student's SAT score is to the average for their school?

    <p>Mean</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When discussing experimental designs, what does random assignment help to control?

    <p>Confounding variables</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of observation involves studying subjects in their natural environment without interference?

    <p>Naturalistic observation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of using a placebo in experiments?

    <p>To control for participant expectations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes a variable that might confound the results of an experiment?

    <p>Confounding variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a study with a skewed distribution, which measure is typically most representative of the data?

    <p>Median</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following terms describes the systematic error introduced by an experimenter?

    <p>Experimenter bias</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of adults in Canada and the United States find medical testing on animals morally acceptable?

    <p>60%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which historical figure's experiments are mentioned in relation to animal testing and rabies?

    <p>Louis Pasteur</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the major concerns that animal protection organizations have regarding animal research?

    <p>The cruelty involved in animal testing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What argument do defenders of animal research use regarding consumption of animals?

    <p>It is natural to sacrifice animals for human purposes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ethical question arises about the treatment of animals in experiments?

    <p>Is it justifiable to prioritize animal well-being over essential human research?</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of British adults consider medical testing on animals to be morally acceptable?

    <p>37%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of research, what purpose is often cited for the use of animals according to some researchers?

    <p>Developing vaccines and treatments for humans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect of animal research is considered culturally variable?

    <p>The ethics surrounding animal sacrifice for human welfare</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which psychological principle explains the tendency of 'Monday morning quarterbacks' to believe they knew the outcome of football games?

    <p>Hindsight bias</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of random assignment in a properly designed experiment?

    <p>The researcher can assume participants in each group are similar.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Researchers studying gender often find that:

    <p>There are more similarities than differences between genders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes why gas mileage decreases as vehicle weight increases?

    <p>The engine requires more power to move heavier vehicles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Repeated practice of free throws in basketball is most likely to result in which of the following benefits?

    <p>Fewer missed free throws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might a social worker visit a family home to give feedback on family interactions?

    <p>To encourage positive communication and interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does statistical analysis require when conducting an experiment?

    <p>Random assignment for valid results.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be a consequence of failing to randomly assign participants in an experiment?

    <p>It leads to a loss of internal validity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Research Methods: Thinking Critically With Psychological Science

    • Psychological science uses a self-correcting process to evaluate ideas and use observations and analysis
    • Hindsight bias is when people believe they knew something all along after it's already happened
    • Overconfidence is when people tend to overestimate their knowledge or abilities
    • Random events often appear to have order, but this is a perceptual bias
    • The scientific attitude involves curiosity, skepticism, and humility
    • Critical thinking examines assumptions, assesses sources, discerns hidden values, confirms evidence, and assesses conclusions (helps us avoid biases)

    The Need for Psychological Science

    • Intuition can be misleading or inaccurate
    • Psychological research helps us understand behavior, emotions, opinions and relationships

    The Scientific Method and Description

    • Theories are explanations that use an integrated set of principles to explain behavior or events
    • Theories generate testable predictions (hypotheses) that can confirm, reject, or revise the theory
    • Operational definitions are precise procedures or measures that will allow others to recreate, or replicate, the study with different participants and situations to ensure reliability
    • Case studies involve in depth studies of individuals to understand universal principles
    • Naturalistic observation records behavior in naturally occurring situations without manipulating the situation
    • Surveys ask people questions on attitudes or reported behaviors to estimate a whole population (important: representative sampling-every person has an equal chance)

    Correlation and Experimentation

    • Correlation is a measure of how two variables change together, which can help predict
    • Correlation coefficient represents the strength and direction of the relationship (from -1 to 1)
    • A scatterplot visually displays the values of two variables (trend and strength)
    • Correlation does not equal causation (correlation can suggest a relationship but not necessarily a causal link)
    • Experiments isolate cause and effect by manipulating variables and controlling other potential influences
    • Random assignment in experiments helps rule out confounding variables, when participants are randomly assigned to groups (experimental vs control)
    • Independent variable is the manipulated variable
    • Dependent variable is the outcome or measured variable

    Statistical Reasoning in Everyday Life

    • Descriptive statistics summarize data (mode, median, and mean) and measures of variation (range and standard deviation)
    • Inferential statistics allow generalizing results from a sample to a population
    • An observed difference is reliable when the sample is representative, there is low variability, there are many cases, and the difference is statistically significant

    Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology

    • Simplified lab conditions help illuminate everyday behavior, but these principles do not always apply directly to real-world situations
    • Psychological research findings aren't always consistent across cultures or genders, and researchers need to consider cultural diversity
    • Animal research is sometimes necessary to study basic processes that are difficult or unethical to study in humans
    • Ethical guidelines protect participants in research (human and animal) and uphold values, including informed consent, and debriefing to ensure safety, benefits and well being
    • Psychology is not free of value judgments; values influence topics, theories and interpretation

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    Related Documents

    Textbook-Unit 2 PDF

    Description

    Test your understanding of key concepts in psychological research methods, including measures of central tendency, variation, and ethics in research. This quiz covers essential terms and methods that are foundational to the study of psychology.

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