Question 1

In a well-designed experiment, all participants must

Accepted Answer

A)  be treated in exactly the same manner except for the specific differences the experimenter wants to create. 
B)  not realize that they are involved in an experiment. 
C)  be influenced by experimenter expectancy effects. 
D)  be allowed to choose their own experimental conditions without interference or bias from the experimenter. 
A)  be treated in exactly the same manner except for the specific differences the experimenter wants to create. 
B)  not realize that they are involved in an experiment. 
C)  be influenced by experimenter expectancy effects. 
D)  be allowed to choose their own experimental conditions without interference or bias from the experimenter. A

Question 2

What are the two essential characteristics of an experiment? Why, and how, is each of these important for the internal validity of the experiment?

Accepted Answer

One essential characteristic of an experiment is that the researcher has control over the experimental procedures.The researcher manipulates the variables of interest and keeps all else uniform.That is, all participants should be treated exactly the same way--except for the manipulations that the experimenter is investigating.The other essential characteristic of an experiment is that all participants are assigned randomly to the different conditions.Because of random assignment to condition, at the beginning of the study there should be no systematic differences between the groups of participants.Internal validity is the degree to which there can be reasonable certainty that the independent variables in an experiment caused the effects obtained on the dependent variable.By having a great deal of control over the experimental procedures, researchers can help ensure that the only differences between conditions are the manipulations themselves and not some other factors.If other factors vary along with the independent variables, then it is less clear that the independent variables are the cause of any differences found in the dependent variable, thereby reducing the internal validity of the experiment.Even if the researcher has a great deal of control and ensures that the only differences in the treatment received by the participants across conditions are the manipulations of the independent variables, it is possible that the participants in one condition are different from the participants in other conditions in important ways just by random chance.If this is the case, the differences found in the dependent variable may be a function of these other differences rather than the result of the manipulations.If the participants are randomly assigned to the conditions, however, the chances that the participants differed in ways other than those created by the manipulations become very improbable, especially with larger samples.Differences found in the dependent variable can thus be attributed to the manipulations of the independent variables rather than to pre-existing differences among the participants, thereby creating internal validity.

Question 3

Which of the following types of studies must be approved by an institutional review board?

Accepted Answer

A)  Experiments using deception 
B)  Correlational studies 
C)  Descriptive studies 
D)  All of these. 
A)  Experiments using deception 
B)  Correlational studies 
C)  Descriptive studies 
D)  All of these. D

Question 4

Which of the following is not a challenge mentioned by your textbook in conducting cross-cultural social psychological research?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cultural differences affect people by the context in which they complete a survey. 
B)  Translation of a survey or questionnaire from one language to the other can be literally the same, yet carry the wrong connotation. 
C)  Completing a survey, questionnaire, or interview in a different language from one's native tongue can produce different outcomes. 
D)  Gaining funds to travel to distant locations to conduct one's research is costly and at times dangerous. 
A)  Cultural differences affect people by the context in which they complete a survey. 
B)  Translation of a survey or questionnaire from one language to the other can be literally the same, yet carry the wrong connotation. 
C)  Completing a survey, questionnaire, or interview in a different language from one's native tongue can produce different outcomes. 
D)  Gaining funds to travel to distant locations to conduct one's research is costly and at times dangerous.

Question 5

In comparison to self-report measures, observational measures are not affected by

Accepted Answer

A)  experimenter expectancy effects. 
B)  participants' social desirability concerns. 
C)  sampling biases. 
D)  participants' memory biases. 
A)  experimenter expectancy effects. 
B)  participants' social desirability concerns. 
C)  sampling biases. 
D)  participants' memory biases.

Question 6

When researchers find that the results of their studies could have occurred by chance only five or fewer times in 100 possible outcomes, they conclude that the results

Accepted Answer

A)  are statistically significant. 
B)  reflect an interaction between the dependent variables. 
C)  are theoretically meaningful. 
D)  are null because of their low level of reliability. 
A)  are statistically significant. 
B)  reflect an interaction between the dependent variables. 
C)  are theoretically meaningful. 
D)  are null because of their low level of reliability.

Question 7

Buster runs an experiment in which she finds that participants placed in a good mood by a happy film clip are more likely to offer help to a fellow participant than participants who see a sad film clip.Gob suggests that perhaps this difference simply results from the fact that the participants in the happy film clip condition were more helpful people to begin with.What methodological aspect of a successful experiment can Buster point to in order to refute this criticism?

Accepted Answer

A)  External validity 
B)  Random selection 
C)  Random assignment 
D)  Manipulation 
A)  External validity 
B)  Random selection 
C)  Random assignment 
D)  Manipulation

Question 8

External validity refers to the degree to which

Accepted Answer

A)  there can be reasonable certainty that the independent variables in an experiment caused the observed effects on the dependent variables. 
B)  there can be reasonable confidence that the same results would be obtained for other people and in other situations. 
C)  participants were assigned to the various conditions on the basis of representative criteria. 
D)  the experimental situation engages participants and leads them to behave naturally and spontaneously. 
A)  there can be reasonable certainty that the independent variables in an experiment caused the observed effects on the dependent variables. 
B)  there can be reasonable confidence that the same results would be obtained for other people and in other situations. 
C)  participants were assigned to the various conditions on the basis of representative criteria. 
D)  the experimental situation engages participants and leads them to behave naturally and spontaneously.

Question 9

Rosenthal and Fode (1968)asked students to teach a rat to learn a maze.Some students were told they had been given a genetically engineered "intelligent" rat, whereas others were told that they had a "dull" rat.Although there were no actual differences among the rats, the "intelligent" rats learned the maze more quickly than the "dull" rats.Which of the following topics discussed in your book can best explain the results of this experiment?

Accepted Answer

A)  Experimenter expectancy effects 
B)  Mundane realism 
C)  Experimental realism. 
D)  High construct validity 
A)  Experimenter expectancy effects 
B)  Mundane realism 
C)  Experimental realism. 
D)  High construct validity

Question 10

Your book describes a study in which participants were provided with information about either the success rate or failure rate of condoms.The findings of this study indicate that

Accepted Answer

A)  college students tend to be naively ignorant of the risks associated with some of their behaviors. 
B)  the simple wording and/or positioning of a question can have a drastic effect on self-report responses. 
C)  participants often lie when they are asked about sensitive personal issues. 
D)  All of these 
A)  college students tend to be naively ignorant of the risks associated with some of their behaviors. 
B)  the simple wording and/or positioning of a question can have a drastic effect on self-report responses. 
C)  participants often lie when they are asked about sensitive personal issues. 
D)  All of these

Question 11

The most important aspect of sampling in a survey study is

Accepted Answer

A)  its inclusion of equal numbers of individuals from different groups in the population. 
B)  the number of people in the sample. 
C)  the ratio of the sample size to the population size. 
D)  the extent to which the sample in this study matches the population proportionally in terms of demographic variables. 
A)  its inclusion of equal numbers of individuals from different groups in the population. 
B)  the number of people in the sample. 
C)  the ratio of the sample size to the population size. 
D)  the extent to which the sample in this study matches the population proportionally in terms of demographic variables.

Question 12

All of the following are goals of basic research except

Accepted Answer

A)  solving practical or real-world problems. 
B)  testing psychological theories. 
C)  building a foundation of knowledge for the field. 
D)  discovering general principles of behavior. 
A)  solving practical or real-world problems. 
B)  testing psychological theories. 
C)  building a foundation of knowledge for the field. 
D)  discovering general principles of behavior.

Question 13

Social psychologists use the scientific method when they study human behavior in order to

Accepted Answer

A)  allow other social psychologists to attempt to replicate the findings. 
B)  ensure that the right people get credit for the research. 
C)  provide a solid theoretical foundation for social psychological research. 
D)  encourage social psychologists to conduct more basic, rather than applied, research. 
A)  allow other social psychologists to attempt to replicate the findings. 
B)  ensure that the right people get credit for the research. 
C)  provide a solid theoretical foundation for social psychological research. 
D)  encourage social psychologists to conduct more basic, rather than applied, research.

Question 14

Zachary observes a significant negative correlation between binge drinking and grades among college students.Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is a 5 percent probability or less that this correlation occurred by chance. 
B)  Zachary cannot be sure what causes what, but he can be sure that either binge drinking causes lower grades or vice versa. 
C)  Zachary will probably try to replicate his findings by conducting an experiment. 
D)  Zachary would not have been able to conduct the study if students received written evaluations from instructors rather than grades. 
A)  There is a 5 percent probability or less that this correlation occurred by chance. 
B)  Zachary cannot be sure what causes what, but he can be sure that either binge drinking causes lower grades or vice versa. 
C)  Zachary will probably try to replicate his findings by conducting an experiment. 
D)  Zachary would not have been able to conduct the study if students received written evaluations from instructors rather than grades.

Question 15

In a study concerning the cues that signal deception, Winston uses the number of times a person shifts in his or her seat as a measure of lying.Virginia points out that people may shift their position because they are nervous about being perceived as a liar, even though they are actually telling the truth.Virginia is questioning the _____ of Winston's measure of lying.

Accepted Answer

A)  construct validity 
B)  interrater reliability 
C)  mundane realism 
D)  internal validity 
A)  construct validity 
B)  interrater reliability 
C)  mundane realism 
D)  internal validity

Question 16

Which of the following statements concerning correlational research is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  In correlational research, variables are measured but not manipulated. 
B)  In correlational research, one variable is manipulated and one is measured. 
C)  Correlational research can be conducted using observational, but not archival, measures. 
D)  Correlational research can be conducted using archival, but not observational, measures. 
A)  In correlational research, variables are measured but not manipulated. 
B)  In correlational research, one variable is manipulated and one is measured. 
C)  Correlational research can be conducted using observational, but not archival, measures. 
D)  Correlational research can be conducted using archival, but not observational, measures.

Question 17

Latrell, the editor of a popular sports magazine, would like to know more about the demographics of the magazine's readers.He designs a questionnaire to assess this information and sends it to a random sample of the magazine's readers.Latrell is conducting a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  survey. 
B)  observational study. 
C)  archival study. 
D)  experiment. 
A)  survey. 
B)  observational study. 
C)  archival study. 
D)  experiment.

Question 18

Relative to experimental studies, the primary disadvantage of correlation studies is that

Accepted Answer

A)  they are more labor-intensive. 
B)  cause and effect cannot be determined with them. 
C)  the results are more difficult to understand. 
D)  the choice of variables that can be studied is limited. 
A)  they are more labor-intensive. 
B)  cause and effect cannot be determined with them. 
C)  the results are more difficult to understand. 
D)  the choice of variables that can be studied is limited.

Question 19

Which of the following examples best reflects the use of interrater reliability?

Accepted Answer

A)  In a study examining the creativity of children's paintings, several judges are asked to rate the creativity of each painting. The degree to which the judges agree in their ratings is assessed. 
B)  In a study examining the favorite foods of college students, a large sample of students rate several foods according to their preferences. The degree to which students' responses are correlated is assessed. 
C)  In a study examining toy preferences of toddlers, the children are left alone to play with several toys for an hour. During the first half-hour, one researcher observes their play. During the second half-hour, a second researcher observes their play. The researchers' observations are then compared. 
D)  In a study examining well-being in the elderly, respondents living in different nursing homes are asked to rate the quality of their nursing home. Researchers then obtain a copy of participants' medical records. The relationship between the quality ratings and actual health is assessed. 
A)  In a study examining the creativity of children's paintings, several judges are asked to rate the creativity of each painting. The degree to which the judges agree in their ratings is assessed. 
B)  In a study examining the favorite foods of college students, a large sample of students rate several foods according to their preferences. The degree to which students' responses are correlated is assessed. 
C)  In a study examining toy preferences of toddlers, the children are left alone to play with several toys for an hour. During the first half-hour, one researcher observes their play. During the second half-hour, a second researcher observes their play. The researchers' observations are then compared. 
D)  In a study examining well-being in the elderly, respondents living in different nursing homes are asked to rate the quality of their nursing home. Researchers then obtain a copy of participants' medical records. The relationship between the quality ratings and actual health is assessed.

Question 20

The different research methods used by social psychologists tend to emphasize all of the following except

Accepted Answer

A)  an objective approach. 
B)  a variable approach. 
C)  a systematic approach. 
D)  a quantifiable approach. 
A)  an objective approach. 
B)  a variable approach. 
C)  a systematic approach. 
D)  a quantifiable approach.

In a well-designed experiment, all participants must

What are the two essential characteristics of an experiment? Why, and how, is each of these important for the internal validity of the experiment?

Which of the following types of studies must be approved by an institutional review board?

Which of the following is not a challenge mentioned by your textbook in conducting cross-cultural social psychological research?

In comparison to self-report measures, observational measures are not affected by

When researchers find that the results of their studies could have occurred by chance only five or fewer times in 100 possible outcomes, they conclude that the results

External validity refers to the degree to which

Your book describes a study in which participants were provided with information about either the success rate or failure rate of condoms.The findings of this study indicate that

The most important aspect of sampling in a survey study is

All of the following are goals of basic research except

Social psychologists use the scientific method when they study human behavior in order to

Zachary observes a significant negative correlation between binge drinking and grades among college students.Which of the following is true?

Which of the following statements concerning correlational research is true?

Latrell, the editor of a popular sports magazine, would like to know more about the demographics of the magazine's readers.He designs a questionnaire to assess this information and sends it to a random sample of the magazine's readers.Latrell is conducting a(n)

Relative to experimental studies, the primary disadvantage of correlation studies is that

Which of the following examples best reflects the use of interrater reliability?

The different research methods used by social psychologists tend to emphasize all of the following except

What is Social Psychology

The Social Self

Perceiving Persons

Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Attitudes

Conformity

Group Processes

Attraction and Close Relationships

Helping Others

Aggression

Law

Business

Health and Well being

Filters

Exam 2: Doing Social Psychology Research

In a well-designed experiment, all participants must

What are the two essential characteristics of an experiment? Why, and how, is each of these important for the internal validity of the experiment?

Which of the following types of studies must be approved by an institutional review board?

Which of the following is not a challenge mentioned by your textbook in conducting cross-cultural social psychological research?

In comparison to self-report measures, observational measures are not affected by

When researchers find that the results of their studies could have occurred by chance only five or fewer times in 100 possible outcomes, they conclude that the results

External validity refers to the degree to which

Your book describes a study in which participants were provided with information about either the success rate or failure rate of condoms.The findings of this study indicate that

The most important aspect of sampling in a survey study is

All of the following are goals of basic research except

Social psychologists use the scientific method when they study human behavior in order to

Zachary observes a significant negative correlation between binge drinking and grades among college students.Which of the following is true?

Which of the following statements concerning correlational research is true?

Latrell, the editor of a popular sports magazine, would like to know more about the demographics of the magazine's readers.He designs a questionnaire to assess this information and sends it to a random sample of the magazine's readers.Latrell is conducting a(n)

Relative to experimental studies, the primary disadvantage of correlation studies is that

Which of the following examples best reflects the use of interrater reliability?

The different research methods used by social psychologists tend to emphasize all of the following except

What is Social Psychology

The Social Self

Perceiving Persons

Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Attitudes

Conformity

Group Processes

Attraction and Close Relationships

Helping Others

Aggression

Law

Business

Health and Well being

Filters