How do Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions

Question 1

In a typical experimental session, informed consent…

Answer 1

Takes place before the experimental procedure begins.

Question 2

___ is a type of descriptive research method in which a researcher observes and records behavior without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Answer 2

Naturalistic observation

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

Positive; negative

Question 4

As compared with a theory, a hypothesis is more…

Answer 4

Specific

Question 5

Reggie computes a correlation coefficient by hand and obtains a value of +4.01. This indicates…

Answer 5

A computational error

Question 6

An example of a strong inverse correlation is…

Answer 6

-0.75

Question 7

When the relationship between two variables is extremely strong, the correlation coefficient approaches…

Answer 7

Either -1.00 or +1.00

Question 8

When two factors vary together and therefore predict each other, they are said to be…

Answer 8

Correlated

Question 9

A(n) ___ is an observation technique in which one person or a small group is studied in depth.

Answer 9

Case study

Question 10

A positive correlation between scores on a measure of physical health and scores on a measure of marital satisfaction would indicate that…

Answer 10

Higher levels of marital happiness are associated with higher levels of physical health.

Question 11

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…

Answer 11

Among children, being short is associated with greater popularity.

Question 12

A theory simplifies things by…

Answer 12

Organizing isolated facts

Question 13

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.

Answer 13

+0.44

Question 14

Correlational research is aimed at…

Answer 14

Examining relationships amoung variables.

Question 15

Which sequence of correlation coefficients correctly arranges the relationships between three pairs of two variables in order of increasing strength?

Answer 15

+0.10, +0.50, -0.60

Question 16

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.

Answer 16

Experimental; control

Question 17

In drug-treatment studies, double-blind procedures minimize outcome differences between experimental and control conditions that could be attributed to…

Answer 17

The placebo effect

Question 18

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?

Answer 18

Caffeine, independent variable

Question 19

A ___ correlation results when there is no relationship between two variables.

Answer 19

Zero

Question 20

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?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

A negative correlation between people’s work-related stress and their marital happiness would indicate that…

Answer 21

Higher levels of marital happiness are associated with lower levels of work-related stress.

Question 22

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.

Answer 22

Theory

Question 23

A weak correlation is indicated by a(n)…

Answer 23

Absolute value near zero

Question 24

Which answer correctly pairs a correlation coefficient with a description?

Answer 24

-0.90, inverse

Question 25

Which method is MOST closely associated with the use of questionnaires or interviews?

Answer 25

The survey

Question 26

A ___ correlation coefficient indicates an inverse relationship between two variables.

Answer 26

Negative

Question 27

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.

Answer 27

Proves causation

Question 28

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…

Answer 28

Dependent variable

Question 29

With respect to correlations, −0.79 is to +0.83 as ___ is to ___.

Answer 29

Inverse relationship; direct relationship

Question 30

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?

Answer 30

The new medication will decrease anxiety in those with anxiety disorders.