Exam 2: How Psychologists Do Research

In a laboratory, smokers are asked to "drive" using a computerized driving simulator equipped with a stick shift and a gas pedal. The object is to maximize the distance covered by driving as fast as possible on a winding road while avoiding rear-end collisions. Some of the subjects smoke a real cigarette immediately before climbing into the driver's seat. Others smoke a fake cigarette without nicotine. You are interested in comparing how many collisions the two groups have. In this study, the cigarette without nicotine is:

Many psychologists have called for more field research because experimental studies:

An association between increases in one variable and decreases in the other variable is called a negative correlation.

The case study of Genie disproved the hypothesis that a critical period exists for language development.

An ideal scientist should:

Statistical significance means that:

Which research method did Curtiss (1977, 1982) rely upon when describing the development of Genie? Analyze what you know about the theory of critical periods of language development methods. What are the strengths and limitations of his approach?

If variable A predicts variable B, then A is causing B to occur.

Confirmation bias is the tendency to look for information that supports one's beliefs.

Descriptive statistics:

Double-blind studies are conducted in order to avoid the powerful influence of experimenter effects on the results of an experiment.

List five characteristics of an ideal scientist.

A researcher wants to know whether eating chocolate makes people nervous. The amount of chocolate eaten:

With respect to assessment instruments, when test scores are consistent they are referred to as ________, whereas the term ________ means that the test scores accurately reflect what is being measured.

Match these definitions with the terms they define. -Established standards of performance for tests.

Match these descriptions with the appropriate research method. -Questionnaires and interviews that ask people directly about their experiences, attitudes, or opinions.

Match these definitions with the terms they define. -Procedures used to measure and evaluate personality traits, emotional states, aptitudes, interests, abilities, and values.

A researcher wants to know whether eating chocolate makes people nervous. The amount of chocolate eaten would be the:

Janie has found that the number of hours she sleeps each night is related to the scores she receives on quizzes the next day. As her sleep approaches eight hours, her quiz scores improve; as her sleep drops to five hours, her quiz scores show a similar decline. Janie realizes that:

An advantage of a survey is that: