Chapter 1/2/6 Flashcards by Arianna Teel

Knowledge is acquired in many ways including

intuition, authority, rationalism, empiricism, and the scientific method

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The three fundamental features of science are

systematic empiricism, empirical questions, and public knowledge.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Psychology is a science because

it takes the scientific approach to understanding human behavior

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Pseudoscience refers to beliefs and activities that are

claimed to be scientific but lack one or more of the three features of science

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Psychologists conduct research in order to

describe basic phenomenon, to make predictions about future behaviors, and to explain the causes of behavior

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Basic research is conducted to learn about human behavior

for its own sake

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Applied research is conducted to solve

some practical problem

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Folk psychology describes

people’s intuitions about human behavior which often turn out to be wrong

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Scientific research in psychology is conducted mainly by

people with doctoral degrees in psychology and related fields

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The clinical practice of psychology is

the diagnosis and treatment of psychological conditions

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Scientific research is relevant to clinical practice because

it provides detailed and accurate knowledge about psychological problems and establishes whether treatments are effective

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What distinguishes psychology as a science according to the text? A) Its focus on
studying celestial bodies.
B) Its reliance on specific equipment and techniques.
C) Its general approach to understanding human behavior.
D) Its emphasis on
values and subjective experiences.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental feature of the scientific approach
discussed in the text? A) Systematic empiricism
B) Concern with empirical
questions
C) Emphasis on subjective beliefs
D) Creation of public knowledge

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

According to Karl Popper, what characteristic must scientific claims possess?
A) They must be expressed in complex scientific jargon.
B) They must rely on
intuition and gut feelings.
C) They must be falsifiable.
D) They must address
questions about values.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is one reason the text suggests we should concern ourselves with
pseudoscience?
A) Because pseudoscience provides empirically-supported
treatments for medical conditions.
B) Because pseudoscience often offers
harmless entertainment.
C) Because the promotion of pseudoscientific beliefs can
result in serious personal consequences.
D) Because pseudoscience helps bring
the fundamental features of science into sharper focus.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an example of pseudoscience in the
text?
A) Cryptozoology
B) Homeopathy
C) Evolutionary biology
D) Pyramidology

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which method of acquiring knowledge relies on our guts, emotions, and
instincts?
A) Authority
B) Intuition
C) Rationalism
D) Empiricism

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a potential drawback of relying solely on authority figures for
knowledge?
A) Authority figures always provide accurate information.
B) Authority figures often use rationalism to arrive at conclusions.
C) Authority
figures may have their own reasons to mislead.
D) Authority figures rely on
systematic empiricism.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which method of acquiring knowledge involves using logic and reasoning to
arrive at conclusions?
A) Intuition
B) Authority
C) Rationalism
D) Empiricism

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a limitation of empiricism in acquiring knowledge?
A) Empiricism always
provides accurate information.
B) Empiricism relies on intuition rather than
observation.
C) Our senses can deceive us, leading to inaccurate observations.
D) Empiricism is solely based on authority figures.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which method of acquiring knowledge is at the heart of the scientific method?
A) Intuition
B) Authority
C) Rationalism
D) Empiricism

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the first and most basic goal of science, as described in the text?
A) To predict behavior accurately. B) To explain the underlying causes of behavior.
C) To conduct applied research to address practical problems.
D) To describe phenomena through careful observations.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How does the text define the second goal of science?
A) Predicting with absolute
certainty.
B) Predicting behaviors or events based on observed relationships. C) Explaining phenomena without considering causal relationships.
D) Explaining the
ultimate causes of behavior

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the ultimate goal of science, according to the text?
A) To predict behaviors with 100% accuracy.
B) To conduct applied research for practical problem-solving.
C) To explain the underlying causes of behavior.
D) To describe observable phenomena.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How is basic research in psychology distinguished from applied research? A) Basic research focuses on addressing practical problems, while applied research aims to achieve a more detailed understanding of human behavior. B) Basic research aims to predict behavior accurately, while applied research focuses on explaining the underlying causes of behavior. C) Basic research is conducted primarily for the sake of achieving a more detailed understanding of human behavior, while applied research addresses specific practical problems. D) Basic research involves making careful observations, while applied research involves predicting behavior based on observed relationships.

Which of the following is an example of basic research, as mentioned in the text? A) Research on the effects of cell phone use on driving safety. B) Research on the mechanisms through which marijuana reduces pain. C) Research on patterns of medical conditions treated with marijuana. D) Research on the practical implications of sex differences in talkativeness.

Why does the text argue that the scientific approach to psychology is necessary despite intuitive beliefs? A) Because intuition is always correct in understanding human behavior. B) Because scientific research has shown many intuitive beliefs to be inaccurate. C) Because common sense can reach the same conclusions as scientific research. D) Because folk psychology is more reliable than scientific research.

According to Scott Lilienfeld and colleagues, which of the following is a myth about human behavior? A) "People use only 10% of their brain power." B) "Students learn best when teaching styles are matched to their learning styles." C) "Low self-esteem is a minor cause of psychological problems." D) "Psychiatric admissions decrease during full moons."

Why do people tend to hold incorrect beliefs about human behavior, according to the text? A) Due to their powers of observation, memory, and analysis. B) Because they rely on mental shortcuts or heuristics. C) Because they focus on cases that dis-confirm their beliefs. D) Because they are naturally skeptical of intuitive beliefs.

What does the text suggest is the role of skepticism in scientific psychology? A) To unquestionably accept intuitive beliefs. B) To reject all beliefs and claims without evidence. C) To cultivate an attitude of questioning and searching for evidence. D) To blindly trust scientific authority figures.

How does the text describe scientists' attitude towards uncertainty in scientific research? A) Scientists are intolerant of uncertainty and strive for absolute certainty. B) Scientists accept uncertainty and refrain from investigating unanswered questions. C) Scientists cultivate a tolerance for uncertainty and seek to explore unanswered questions empirically. D) Scientists avoid uncertainty by relying solely on intuition and common sense

What distinguishes clinical psychologists from experimental psychologists? A) Clinical psychologists focus on diagnosing and treating psychological disorders, while experimental psychologists focus on conducting scientific research. B) Clinical psychologists primarily work in academic settings, while experimental psychologists work in clinical settings. C) Clinical psychologists conduct research on the effectiveness of psychotherapy, while experimental psychologists conduct research on human behavior. D) Clinical psychologists hold doctoral degrees, while experimental psychologists hold master's degrees.

According to the text, why is it important for clinical psychologists to be scientifically literate? A) To increase their salary potential. B) To engage in scientific research. C) To evaluate new research and make treatment decisions based on evidence. D) To publish their findings in scientific journals.

What are empirically supported treatments, as defined in the text? A) Treatments based on clinical intuition and experience. B) Treatments supported by anecdotal evidence. C) Treatments that have been scientifically studied and shown to be effective. D) Treatments recommended by pharmaceutical companies.

Which of the following is NOT an example of an empirically supported treatment mentioned in the text? A) Behavioral couples therapy. B) Mindfulness meditation. C) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). D) Exposure therapy with response prevention.

What is the main point made about the relationship between scientific research and clinical practice in psychology? A) Clinical psychologists rely solely on intuition and common sense in their practice. B) Scientific research has no relevance to clinical practice in psychology. C) Psychological disorders are empirically testable and subject to scientific study. D) Clinical psychologists conduct research primarily to advance their careers.

Objectivity (definition)

use objectively quantifiable observations

Confirmation of findings (definition)

repeat experiments to confirm the results

Experiment (definition)

study used to determine cause/effect relationships (note: not all studies are experiments, only ones that determine c/e)

Variable (definition)

any event, situation, behavior, or individual characteristic that varies (has at least two values)

Independent Variable (definition)

variable directly manipulated

Dependent variable (definition)

variable being measured which changes due to the manipulation of the IV

Extraneous variable (definition)

undesired variables that may influence DV (can invalidate an experiment)

List the steps of conducting an experiment

1. Identify a problem 2. Review previous research 3. Consider theoretical issues 4. Develop hypothesis 5. Research design 6. Conduct the experiment 7. Data analysis 8. Analysis in terms of past research and theory 9. Preparation of the research report 10. Share your research 11. Take into consideration responses of the scientific community and consider a new problem/hypothesis to study

What is a key factor in evaluating the feasibility of a research question? A) The popularity of the research topic among researchers B) The simplicity of the research design C) The availability of funding for the research D) The resources needed to successfully carry out the research

Which of the following best describes a theory in the context of scientific research? A) A specific prediction about a new phenomenon B) An explanation or interpretation of one or more phenomena C) A broad statement about the existence of a relationship or effect D) A statement that a relationship or effect does not exist

What distinguishes a hypothesis from a theory? A) A hypothesis is broader in scope than a theory. B) A hypothesis relies on direct observation, while a theory goes beyond observation. C) A hypothesis is always derived from a theory. D) A hypothesis is a well-supported explanation, while a theory is untested

How do researchers typically incorporate theory into their research? A) By conducting a new study and then developing theories to explain the results B) By describing existing theories, deriving hypotheses from them, and testing the hypotheses in a new study C) By testing multiple competing theories simultaneously in one study D) By conducting studies without considering existing theories

What is a variable in the context of scientific research? A) A constant that does not vary B) A quantity or quality that varies across people or situations C) A hypothesis that has been tested and confirmed D) An experimental condition that is manipulated by the researcher

Which of the following is an example of a categorical variable? A) Height B) Level of talkativeness C) Number of siblings D) Chosen major

What distinguishes experimental from non-experimental research? A) Experimental research manipulates variables, while non-experimental research does not. B) Non-experimental research is more scientific than experimental research. C) Experimental research is conducted in a laboratory, while non-experimental research is conducted in the field. D) Experimental research is focused on describing relationships between variables, while non-experimental research is focused on causal relationships.

Which of the following is NOT considered a measure of central tendency? A) Mean B) Median C) Mode D) Standard deviation

What is the purpose of inferential statistics? A) To summarize the data B) To describe the typical, average, and center of a distribution of scores C) To draw conclusions about a population based on data from a sample D) To organize a set of data

What is a Type II error? A) A false positive B) A missed opportunity C) Concluding there is no effect when there is a real effect in the population D) Concluding there is an effect when there is no real effect in the population

What is the main reason scientists tend to avoid using the word "prove" when discussing theories? A) Theories can be disproven by new evidence B) Theories are always subject to revision C) Theories can imply multiple hypotheses D) Theories can lead to type I errors

According to the hypothetico-deductive method, what does it mean when a hypothesis is disconfirmed? A) The theory it was derived from is incorrect B) The hypothesis must be retested with a different method C) The theory needs to be abandoned immediately D) The research design may have been flawed

What is the purpose of reporting research findings in peer-reviewed journals? A) To ensure findings are disseminated to the general public B) To receive feedback from peers and improve the study C) To establish the prestige of the researchers D) To provide a platform for advertising research products

Non-experimental research is research that lacks

the manipulation of an independent variable

Name the two main types of non-experimental research and their differences

Correlational research focuses on statistical relationships between variables that are measured but not manipulated. Observational research is where participants are observed and their behavior is recorded without interference from the researcher.

In general, experimental research is ___ in internal validity, correlational research is ____ in internal validity.

high; low

While correlational research cannot be used to establish causal relationships between important objectives, it allows researchers to achieve many other things such as:

establishing reliability and validity, providing converging evidence, describing relationships, and making predictions

Naturalistic observation is used to

observe people in their natural setting

What is the primary difference between experimental and non-experimental research? A) Experimental research involves manipulating an independent variable, while non-experimental research does not. B) Non-experimental research is conducted in a laboratory setting, while experimental research is conducted in a real-world setting. C) Experimental research focuses on qualitative data, while non-experimental research focuses on quantitative data. D) Non- experimental research involves manipulating an independent variable, while experimental research does not.

When is non-experimental research preferred over experimental research? A) When the research question pertains to a causal relationship and the independent variable can be manipulated. B) When the research question relates to a single variable rather than a statistical relationship between two variables. C) When the research question pertains to a causal relationship and it is possible, feasible, and ethical to manipulate the independent variable. D) When the research question involves predicting the outcome of an experiment.

What is the primary limitation of using cross-sectional studies to study the effects of aging? A) They involve comparing two or more pre-existing groups of people. B) They do not involve manipulating an independent variable. C) They require following one group of people over time. D) They may reflect cohort effects rather than direct effects of age.

How is the strength and direction of a correlation typically interpreted? A) By assessing the reliability and validity of the measurements. B) By using statistical techniques such as regression. C) By analyzing the scatterplot of the data. D) By calculating Pearson's correlation coefficient.

What is the directionality problem in correlational research? A) When two variables are statistically related because of the influence of a third variable. B) When the direction of causality between two variables is unclear. C) When there is a limited range of values for one or both variables in the sample. D) When the relationship between two variables is nonlinear

Why do researchers use complex correlational designs? A) To manipulate independent variables B) To assess relationships among multiple variables C) To establish causation D) To control extraneous variables

What is factor analysis, and how is it used in psychological research? A) A technique to establish causal relationships B) A method to measure reliability of measures C) A statistical technique to organize variables into clusters D) A method to control for third variables

What is the difference between simple regression and multiple regression? A) Simple regression involves multiple predictor variables, while multiple regression involves a single predictor variable. B) Simple regression is used to establish causation, while multiple regression is used to describe relationships. C) Simple regression predicts one variable from another, while multiple regression predicts an outcome from several predictors. D) Simple regression is used in experimental research, while multiple regression is used in correlational research.

Survey research features

use of self-report measures on carefully selected samples

Most survey research is

non-experimental

Sampling bias occurs when

a sample is selected in such a way that it is not representative of the population and therefore produces inaccurate results

The most pervasive form of sampling bias is

non-response bias -- when people who do not respond to the survey differ in important ways from people who do respond

What is a Likert scale, and how is it used in survey research? A) It is a scale used to measure the intensity of agreement or disagreement with several statements, providing a score representing the attitude toward a person, group, or idea. B) It is a scale used to measure the frequency of behaviors, providing a numerical rating. C) It is a scale used to measure the likelihood of events, providing a range of options from unlikely to likely. D) It is a scale used to measure the level of pain experienced, providing a visual analog representation

An experiment is

a type of empirical study that features the manipulation of an independent variable, the measurement of a dependent variable, and the control of extraneous variables

Why is it important to standardize experimental procedures?

To minimize extraneous variables

What is the primary goal of an experiment?

To establish causal relationships

Construct validity is concerned with

The ability of an experiment to measure the intended construct

Statistical validity is threatened when

The statistical analysis is not appropriate for the data and design of the study

External validity is

The extent to which the results of an experiment can be generalized to other populations and settings

What does internal validity refer to?

The extent to which the experimental design supports causal conclusions

How do researchers prioritize the four big validities (internal, external, construct, and statistical) in designing an experiment? A) By focusing primarily on internal validity and sacrificing the others B) By prioritizing external validity over the others C) By balancing and considering trade-offs among the four validities D) By prioritizing statistical validity over the others