Question 1

Which of the following is the definition of the "arithmetic mean"?

Accepted Answer

A)  a statistical procedure that allows researchers to draw inferences about how statistically meaningful a study's results are 
B)  an average that is calculated by adding up a set of quantities and dividing the sum by the total number of quantities in the set 
C)  a commonly used measure of variability that indicates the average difference between scores in a distribution and their mean 
D)  a statistical test that assesses how likely it is that a study's results occurred merely by chance so that the researcher knows that the probability that the difference is "real" is overwhelming 
A)  a statistical procedure that allows researchers to draw inferences about how statistically meaningful a study's results are 
B)  an average that is calculated by adding up a set of quantities and dividing the sum by the total number of quantities in the set 
C)  a commonly used measure of variability that indicates the average difference between scores in a distribution and their mean 
D)  a statistical test that assesses how likely it is that a study's results occurred merely by chance so that the researcher knows that the probability that the difference is "real" is overwhelming

Question 2

________ are usually sources of hypotheses, rather than tests of hypotheses.

Accepted Answer

A)  Single-blind studies 
B)  Case studies 
C)  Double-blind studies 
D)  Field research studies 
A)  Single-blind studies 
B)  Case studies 
C)  Double-blind studies 
D)  Field research studies

Question 3

Which of the following is the definition of "inferential statistics"?

Accepted Answer

A)  statistical procedures that allow researchers to draw inferences about how statistically meaningful a study's results are 
B)  statistical tests that assess how likely it is that a study's results occurred merely by chance 
C)  averages that are calculated by adding up a set of quantities and multiplying the sum by the total number of quantities in the set 
D)  statistical procedures that organize and summarize research data 
A)  statistical procedures that allow researchers to draw inferences about how statistically meaningful a study's results are 
B)  statistical tests that assess how likely it is that a study's results occurred merely by chance 
C)  averages that are calculated by adding up a set of quantities and multiplying the sum by the total number of quantities in the set 
D)  statistical procedures that organize and summarize research data

Question 4

The case study would be an appropriate research method to study the nature of aggressive acts early in childhood.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Match these definitions with the appropriate statistical term.
-The amount of variance among scores in a study accounted for by the independent variable.

Accepted Answer

A) inferential statistics 
B) effect size 
C) significance tests 
D) descriptive statistics 
E) meta-analysis 
A) inferential statistics 
B) effect size 
C) significance tests 
D) descriptive statistics 
E) meta-analysis

Question 6

Techniques such as meta-analysis are useful in psychology because:

Accepted Answer

A)  they allow for the careful study of behaviour in schools, workplaces, and other natural contexts. 
B)  rarely does one study prove anything, and this technique analyzes data from many studies. 
C)  they include subjects who are exposed to experimental conditions that do not include the independent variable. 
D)  they help reduce unintended changes in subjects' behaviour due to cues given by the experimenter. 
A)  they allow for the careful study of behaviour in schools, workplaces, and other natural contexts. 
B)  rarely does one study prove anything, and this technique analyzes data from many studies. 
C)  they include subjects who are exposed to experimental conditions that do not include the independent variable. 
D)  they help reduce unintended changes in subjects' behaviour due to cues given by the experimenter.

Question 7

If the likelihood that a result occurred by chance is less than 5%:

Accepted Answer

A)  the results are statistically significant. 
B)  the results fail to support the hypothesis being tested. 
C)  the results can be used to predict individual behaviour with some accuracy. 
D)  the results are meaningless. 
A)  the results are statistically significant. 
B)  the results fail to support the hypothesis being tested. 
C)  the results can be used to predict individual behaviour with some accuracy. 
D)  the results are meaningless.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a reason psychologists study animals?

Accepted Answer

A)  to discover practical applications 
B)  to improve human welfare 
C)  to avoid use of deception 
D)  to clarify theoretical questions 
A)  to discover practical applications 
B)  to improve human welfare 
C)  to avoid use of deception 
D)  to clarify theoretical questions

Question 9

An organized system of assumptions and principles that purports to explain a specified set of phenomena and their interrelationships is called a/an:

Accepted Answer

A)  theory. 
B)  hypothesis. 
C)  double-blind study. 
D)  operational definition. 
A)  theory. 
B)  hypothesis. 
C)  double-blind study. 
D)  operational definition.

Question 10

When a correlation coefficient indicates a strong relationship between two variables, one variable is causing the other.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Imagine that the personality traits of conservatism and aggression have a strong negative correlation. If Sue has a score on aggression that is very low:

Accepted Answer

A)  it is impossible to predict her score on the conservatism scale without more information. 
B)  she will likely have an average conservatism score. 
C)  she will likely have a high score on conservatism. 
D)  she will likely have a low score on conservatism. 
A)  it is impossible to predict her score on the conservatism scale without more information. 
B)  she will likely have an average conservatism score. 
C)  she will likely have a high score on conservatism. 
D)  she will likely have a low score on conservatism.

Question 12

Dr. Slocum is interested in studying brain lateralization, that is, how the two sides of the brain serve different functions. In order to investigate this topic, she notes whether parents tend to carry their infants in a "left-sided" hold or in a "right-sided" hold. Explain what research method Dr. Slocum is using. What are the limitations of this method?

Accepted Answer

A GOOD ANSWER WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

Question 13

Dr. Rodgers believes that people under high stress are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. When he randomly selects 30 participants who have high-stress jobs, he finds that 26 of the participants develop cardiovascular disease. Based on the results Dr. Rodgers concludes that stress causes an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease. His reasoning is flawed because in this study:

Accepted Answer

A)  he didn't formulate a hypothesis prior to conducting the study. 
B)  there was no control group for comparison. 
C)  there was no independent variable. 
D)  there was no dependent variable. 
A)  he didn't formulate a hypothesis prior to conducting the study. 
B)  there was no control group for comparison. 
C)  there was no independent variable. 
D)  there was no dependent variable.

Question 14

Explain the purpose and process of peer review.

Accepted Answer

A GOOD ANSWER WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

Question 15

A study in which subjects of different ages are compared at a given time is called a cross-sectional study.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Replication relies upon a scientist's:

Accepted Answer

A)  openness. 
B)  skepticism. 
C)  reliance on empirical evidence. 
D)  precision. 
A)  openness. 
B)  skepticism. 
C)  reliance on empirical evidence. 
D)  precision.

Question 17

Research methods are important for all of the following reasons EXCEPT that they:

Accepted Answer

A)  are the basic foundation for psychology and other sciences. 
B)  can help a person make a wiser decision between alternatives. 
C)  provide the means for false claims to be verified. 
D)  allow researchers to separate reliable information from unfounded claims. 
A)  are the basic foundation for psychology and other sciences. 
B)  can help a person make a wiser decision between alternatives. 
C)  provide the means for false claims to be verified. 
D)  allow researchers to separate reliable information from unfounded claims.

Question 18

An association between increases in one variable and decreases in the other variable indicates that the two variables are uncorrelated.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Which of the following is the definition of "standard deviation"?

Accepted Answer

A)  an average that is calculated by adding up a set of quantities and dividing the sum by the total number of quantities in the set 
B)  a statistical test that assesses how likely it is that a study's results occurred merely by chance so that the researcher knows that the probability that the difference is "real" is overwhelming 
C)  a commonly used measure of variability that indicates the average difference between scores in a distribution and their mean 
D)  a statistical procedure that allows researchers to draw implications about how statistically meaningful a study's results are 
A)  an average that is calculated by adding up a set of quantities and dividing the sum by the total number of quantities in the set 
B)  a statistical test that assesses how likely it is that a study's results occurred merely by chance so that the researcher knows that the probability that the difference is "real" is overwhelming 
C)  a commonly used measure of variability that indicates the average difference between scores in a distribution and their mean 
D)  a statistical procedure that allows researchers to draw implications about how statistically meaningful a study's results are

Question 20

When statistical findings have important implications for the decisions people make, it is important to try to examine the data dispassionately.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Which of the following is the definition of the "arithmetic mean"?

________ are usually sources of hypotheses, rather than tests of hypotheses.

Which of the following is the definition of "inferential statistics"?

The case study would be an appropriate research method to study the nature of aggressive acts early in childhood.

Match these definitions with the appropriate statistical term. -The amount of variance among scores in a study accounted for by the independent variable.

Techniques such as meta-analysis are useful in psychology because:

If the likelihood that a result occurred by chance is less than 5%:

Which of the following is NOT a reason psychologists study animals?

An organized system of assumptions and principles that purports to explain a specified set of phenomena and their interrelationships is called a/an:

When a correlation coefficient indicates a strong relationship between two variables, one variable is causing the other.

Imagine that the personality traits of conservatism and aggression have a strong negative correlation. If Sue has a score on aggression that is very low:

Explain the purpose and process of peer review.

A study in which subjects of different ages are compared at a given time is called a cross-sectional study.

Replication relies upon a scientist's:

Research methods are important for all of the following reasons EXCEPT that they:

An association between increases in one variable and decreases in the other variable indicates that the two variables are uncorrelated.

Which of the following is the definition of "standard deviation"?

When statistical findings have important implications for the decisions people make, it is important to try to examine the data dispassionately.

What Is Psychology

Genes, Evolution, and Environment

The Brain: Source of Mind and Self

Body Rhythms and Mental States

Sensation and Perception

Learning and Conditioning

Behaviour in Social and Cultural Context

Thinking and Intelligence

Memory

Emotion, Stress, and Health

Motivation

Development Over the Life Span

Theories of Personality

Psychological Disorders

Approaches to Treatment and Therapy

Filters

Exam 2: How Psychologists Do Research

Which of the following is the definition of the "arithmetic mean"?

________ are usually sources of hypotheses, rather than tests of hypotheses.

Which of the following is the definition of "inferential statistics"?

The case study would be an appropriate research method to study the nature of aggressive acts early in childhood.

Match these definitions with the appropriate statistical term. -The amount of variance among scores in a study accounted for by the independent variable.

Techniques such as meta-analysis are useful in psychology because:

If the likelihood that a result occurred by chance is less than 5%:

Which of the following is NOT a reason psychologists study animals?

An organized system of assumptions and principles that purports to explain a specified set of phenomena and their interrelationships is called a/an:

When a correlation coefficient indicates a strong relationship between two variables, one variable is causing the other.

Imagine that the personality traits of conservatism and aggression have a strong negative correlation. If Sue has a score on aggression that is very low:

Explain the purpose and process of peer review.

A study in which subjects of different ages are compared at a given time is called a cross-sectional study.

Replication relies upon a scientist's:

Research methods are important for all of the following reasons EXCEPT that they:

An association between increases in one variable and decreases in the other variable indicates that the two variables are uncorrelated.

Which of the following is the definition of "standard deviation"?

When statistical findings have important implications for the decisions people make, it is important to try to examine the data dispassionately.

What Is Psychology

Genes, Evolution, and Environment

The Brain: Source of Mind and Self

Body Rhythms and Mental States

Sensation and Perception

Learning and Conditioning

Behaviour in Social and Cultural Context

Thinking and Intelligence

Memory

Emotion, Stress, and Health

Motivation

Development Over the Life Span

Theories of Personality

Psychological Disorders

Approaches to Treatment and Therapy

Filters