How do Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions Flashcards
In a typical experimental session, informed consent…
Takes place before the experimental procedure begins.
___ is a type of descriptive research method in which a researcher observes and records behavior without trying to manipulate and control the situation.
Naturalistic observation
A ___ correlation indicated that two sets of scores tend to rise or fall together – for example, height and weight. A(n) ___ correlation indicated that two sets of scored have an inverse relationship: As one set goes up, the other goes down – for example, time spent brushing teeth and tooth decay.
Positive; negative
As compared with a theory, a hypothesis is more…
Specific
Reggie computes a correlation coefficient by hand and obtains a value of +4.01. This indicates…
A computational error
An example of a strong inverse correlation is…
-0.75
When the relationship between two variables is extremely strong, the correlation coefficient approaches…
Either -1.00 or +1.00
When two factors vary together and therefore predict each other, they are said to be…
Correlated
A(n) ___ is an observation technique in which one person or a small group is studied in depth.
Case study
A positive correlation between scores on a measure of physical health and scores on a measure of marital satisfaction would indicate that…
Higher levels of marital happiness are associated with higher levels of physical health.
If a study were to show the correlation of -0.70 between children’s physical height and popularity amoung their peers, then it would indicate that…
Among children, being short is associated with greater popularity.
A theory simplifies things by…
Organizing isolated facts
Which correlation coefficient might one expect between scores on a social skills quesionnaire and number of Facebook friends? Assume that high scores on the questionnaire indicate higher social skills.
+0.44
Correlational research is aimed at…
Examining relationships amoung variables.
Which sequence of correlation coefficients correctly arranges the relationships between three pairs of two variables in order of increasing strength?
+0.10, +0.50, -0.60
In an experiment, participants are often assigned to one of two groups. The ___ condition refers to the group that receives the treatment. The ___ condition refers to the group that does NOT receive the treatment.
Experimental; control
In drug-treatment studies, double-blind procedures minimize outcome differences between experimental and control conditions that could be attributed to…
The placebo effect
At Folger College, Drs. Chase and Sanborn are conducting an experiment on the effects of caffeine on memory. Participants are randomly assigned to a caffeine or no-caffeine group; later their recall of items on a word list is assessed. In which answer does the pair correctly identify a variable in this experiment?
Caffeine, independent variable
A ___ correlation results when there is no relationship between two variables.
Zero
A pharmaceutical company wishes to test the efficacy of a new antidepressant with a double-blind procedure. Which statement correctly describes the procedure the company would use?
The research assistants would not know which participants were receiving the new drug and which were receiving an inert pill. Also, each participant would not know which type of pill he or she was taking.
A negative correlation between people’s work-related stress and their marital happiness would indicate that…
Higher levels of marital happiness are associated with lower levels of work-related stress.
In science, the term ___ refers to an explanation of behaviors or events; in everyday conversation, however, people often use the term to refer to a hunch.
Theory
A weak correlation is indicated by a(n)…
Absolute value near zero
Which answer correctly pairs a correlation coefficient with a description?
-0.90, inverse
Which method is MOST closely associated with the use of questionnaires or interviews?
The survey
A ___ correlation coefficient indicates an inverse relationship between two variables.
Negative
One thinking error that many people make is to assume that a strong correlation ___. However, this is NOT true regardless of the strength of the relationship between two variables.
Proves causation
Dr. Vockler conducted an experimental study investigating whether different dieting programs had any impact on weight loss. In this context, weight loss would be the study’s…
Dependent variable
With respect to correlations, −0.79 is to +0.83 as ___ is to ___.
Inverse relationship; direct relationship
A large pharmaceutical company has a new medication that targets specific neurotransmitters known to be involved in anxiety. Which statement would be a possible hypothesis for this study?
The new medication will decrease anxiety in those with anxiety disorders.
