Exam 2: Psychology As a Science

How do pseudopsychologists differ from psychologists?

What special considerations must researchers give to participants such as children or the elderly?

A sample whose characteristics are the same as those of the intended population is called a ________ sample.

Describe the four steps used in the scientific approach to study behavior.

A behavior, event, or other characteristic that can take on different values is termed a(n) ____________.

What is the mean of a data set?

To assess the strength of the relationship between variables, a(n) __________ can be calculated.

To maintain the validity of the study, researchers must actively avoid exposure to sources of biases that may influence their data collection.

What is the guiding principle of astrology?

You are at the annual conference of the Association for Psychological Science, listening to researchers present papers on social development in later adulthood. In her presentation, Dr. Dryer notes, "Social disengagement theory predicts that older adults will attend social events less often than will middle-aged adults." The next presenter, Dr. Ebrahimi, reports that in the diaries participants kept as part of his study, older adults reported attending just as many parties, dinners, or other informal gatherings as did middle-aged adults, casting doubt on social disengagement theory. Dr. Dryer's statement reflects the _______ component of hypothetico-deductive reasoning, whereas Dr. Ebrahimi's illustrates _______.

With which of psychology's shared values are pseudosciences such as astrology MOST inconsistent?

The frustration-aggression hypothesis predicts that aggressive behavior follows the failure to attain a goal. The hypothesis is supported when an individual hits and curses at a vending machine that fails to deliver a cold drink after money has been inserted. This scenario illustrates the ________ reasoning process.

About _____% of psychological research involves animals. Of the animals used, approximately _______% are primates.

If individuals carefully observe the events in the world around them, they are often able to discover the laws that govern those events.

Which of the following alternatives accurately states a key difference between psychology and the other sciences?

What statistic is used to describe the relationship between two or more variables?

In more complex experiments, multiple experimental groups are exposed to varying amounts of the __________ variable.

Which of the following sequences best reflects the order of the steps in the scientific method as it is described and illustrated in your text?

Experimental research requires that the responses of ________ group(s) be examined.

Dr. Estefan prepares a set of questions to ask college students about their drinking behavior and their attitudes toward alcohol. Dr. Estefan is undertaking: