Exam 2: The Science of Social Psychology

Which of the following statements about random assignment is NOT true?

Compare and contrast descriptive methods and experimental methods. What distinguishes these two research methods from one another?

Distinguish between single-blind and double-blind studies. What is the advantage of conducting a double-blind study and why is it considered the 'gold-standard' in research?

Compare and contrast internal and external validity. In an experimental design, can both internal and external validity be maximized at the same time? Why or why not?

Experimental methods do not allow researchers to identify causes of behaviours and events.

All of the following can be considered a descriptive method EXCEPT:

You have reservations about taking an advanced chemistry class but you decide to register anyway. After you receive a D on your first exam you think to yourself, "I knew this class was going to be too hard! I never should have signed up." Your belief that you knew the outcome all along refers to what phenomenon?

When experts in a field review and comment on their colleagues' work, this is known as _______________.

Luri decides to conduct a study to examine whether pre-school boys and girls spend more time talking to same-sex or opposite sex children. In this example, preschool children represent_____________.

In an attempt to determine whether noise interferes with performance, Marc randomly assigns participants to take a math test either while listening to loud music or in silence. In this study, the presence of absence of noise would be considered the:

According to your textbook, what is considered the first step in the research process?

When a hypothesis is not supported by the data this means that it false.

A _____________ is a general framework for understanding a concept that allows us to describe, predict, and explain events.

A researcher would like to investigate whether sleep is related to quality of life. What type of research method would allow him to explore the association between sleep and quality of life? Identify a limitation to the conclusions he could draw from his findings using this method.

Which of the follow should a good hypothesis involve?

Christine conducted a study looking at how images of thin female bodies influenced participants' views of their own bodies. She told participants as much as she could before the study began but had to use some deception. Participants were told that their job was to look at a series of images of women and rate the appeal of the clothing being worn. Afterwards she had participants fill out questionnaires, including a measure of body dissatisfaction. Once participants filled out the questionnaires, she thanked them and sent them on their way. What ethical guideline did Christine fail to follow?

A study that asks participants to rate their level of satisfaction with life is an example of a naturalistic observational study.

When neither the experimenter nor the participant knows who is in the experimental group and who is in the control group, this is known as ______________.

A subject in your study correctly assumes that you are interested in whether people behave in a prejudicial way towards people of a homosexual orientation. She then goes out of her way to act friendly and nice. This represents an example of ______________.

When a participant's suspicions, expectations, or assumptions about the study influence the results this is known as ______________.