Essential Elements of Science
How many essential elements of science are there?
a. one
b. three
c. two
d. four
d. four
In an experiment, which variable is changed by the researcher?
a. dependent variable
b. control variable
c. independent variable
d. extraneous variable
c. independent variable
How many guidelines are in the code of ethics for psychology?
a. three
b. six
c. five
d. four
c. five
In correlational research, how many variables can you examine at a time?
a. one
b. two
c. three
d. two or more
b. two
What does a positive correlation indicate?
a. as one variable increases, the other variable decreases
b. as one variable decreases, the other variable also decreases
c. the two variables are unrelated
d. the relationship between variables cannot be measured
b. as one variable decreases, the other variable also decreases
What is the core method of science?
a. using magical explanations
b. systematic observations
c. relying on ancient beliefs
d. guessing
b. systematic obervations
why are operational definitions important in psychology?
a. they make data analysis easier
b. they help define abstract concepts clearly and measurably
c. they increase the number of study participants
d. they eliminate the need for random assignment
b. they help define abstract concepts clearly and measurably
Which guideline ensures that researchers balance the potential risks and benefits of their study?
a. confidentiality
b. privacy
c. benefits
d. deception
c. benefits
What is a scatterplot used for in correlational research?
a. to plot the relationship between two variables
b. to change the behavior of participants
c. to measure the impact of an independent variable
d. to increase the number of variables studied
a. to plot the relationship between two variables
What is the purpose of informed consent in psychological research?
a. to keep the research secret
b. to ensure participants know and understand what will happen during the study
c. to randomly select participants
d. to avoid using any form of consent
b. to ensure participants know and understand what will happen during the study
Why is science considered democratic?
a. It avoids discussions
b. it depends on the authority of rulers
c. it involves debate and open discussion
d. it relies on ancient wisdom
c. it involves debate and open discussion
What is a confound in research?
a. a variable that is manipulated by the researcher
b. a factor that can mess up the results of the study
c. a method for analyzing data
d. a way to select participants
b. a factor that can mess up the results of the study
Which of the following is NOT a key ethical guideline in psychological research?
a. informed consent
b. random selection
c. confidentiality
d. privacy
b. random selection
What does the correlation coefficient (r) tell us?
a. the exact cause of a relationship
b. the direction and strength of the relationship between variables
c. the number of variables in a study
d. the number of participants in a study
b. the direction and strength of the relationship between variables
What is an advantage of surveys in research?
a. they provide in-depth analysis of individual behaviors
b. they allow for random assignment to conditions
c. they can reach a large number of participants at a lower cost
d. they provide access to hidden group dynamics
c. they can reach a large number of participants at a lower cost
True or False:
In psychology, hypotheses use "if, then" statements.
False
Why is random assignment used in experiments?
a. it changes the dependent variable
b. it makes participants behave as the experimenter wants
c. it lets the experimenter know the participants' conditions
d. it helps ensure groups are similar except for the manipulated variable
d. it helps ensure groups are similar except for the manipulated variable
What does it mean if a study involves deception?
a. the study's true nature is hidden from participants
b. participants are misled about their participation in the study
c. participants are given false information about the study's goals
d. participants are misled about the nature of the study but will be debriefed afterward
d. participants are misled about the nature of the study but will be debriefed afterward
How does a strong correlation appear in a scatterplot?
a. dots are spread out randomly
b. dots form a loose pattern with no clear direction
c. dots are tightly arranged along a sloped line
d. dots form a circular pattern
c. dots are tightly arranged along a sloped line
What is one limitation of science mentioned in Chapter One?
a. it solves all human problems
b. it answers every question about behavior
c. it is based on superstitions
d. it does not solve all problems or answer all questions
d. it does not solve all problems or answer all questions
Why is systematic observation important in science?
a. it helps create random guesses
b. it ensures observations are organized and unbiased
c. it avoids recording observations
d. it focuses only on magical explanations
b. it ensures observations are organized and unbiased
What is a placebo effect?
a. an effect of a variable that was not intended to be changed
b. a method for measuring abstract concepts
c. changes in behavior because people think they are getting special treatment
d. randomly assigning participants to conditions
c. changes in behavior because people think they are getting special treatment
What does privacy mean in the context of psychological research?
a. observing people in their private spaces without their knowledge
b. seeking confidential information from others without consent
c. avoiding observations in private places without participants' knowledge and consent
d. ignoring participants' preferences about their privacy
c. avoiding observations in private places without participants' knowledge and consent
Why is the phrase "correlation does not mean causation" important?
a. it indicates that correlations can cause changes in behavior
b. it shows that all correlations are always strong
c. it means that causation can be easily inferred from any correlation
d. it highlights that correlations do not prove one variable causes changes in another
d. it highlights that correlations do not prove one variable causes changes in another
Which method helps prevent both participants and experimenters from influencing the study results?
a. Single-blind procedure
b. random assignment
c. operational definition
d. double-blind procedure
d. double-blind procedure