w2 mc qs Flashcards
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good scientific theory?
(A) It must be testable using available research techniques.
(B) It should be falsifiable, meaning it must be possible to disprove it.
(C) It must always be complex and detailed.
(D) It should be parsimonious, meaning simpler explanations are preferred.
c
Which of the following is an example of a testable hypothesis based on Social Learning Theory?
(A) Children who observe aggressive behavior in adults are more likely to act aggressively.
(B) Human behavior is shaped by past-life experiences.
(C) Dreams reflect hidden unconscious desires.
(D) People are naturally competitive due to evolutionary forces.
a
Which of the following best illustrates the principle of parsimony in theory development?
(A) A theory that explains social behavior using five interacting psychological constructs.
(B) A theory that uses complex mathematical models to explain simple behaviors.
(C) A theory that explains multiple behaviors using the fewest assumptions.
(D) A theory that includes as many variables as possible to ensure accuracy.
c
Which of the following best describes the difference between conceptual and operational definitions?
(A) Conceptual definitions explain theoretical constructs, while operational definitions specify how they are measured.
(B) Conceptual definitions require experimental testing, whereas operational definitions do not.
(C) Conceptual definitions refer to observable behaviors, while operational definitions refer to abstract ideas.
(D) Conceptual definitions apply only in experimental studies, whereas operational definitions apply in correlational studies.
a
A researcher wants to study anxiety. Which of the following is an operational definition?
(A) Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness and unease.
(B) Anxiety occurs when individuals feel threatened.
(C) Anxiety is measured by self-reported stress levels and heart rate.
(D) Anxiety is an emotion that affects decision-making.
c
Why does correlation not imply causation?
(A) Because correlations are based on experimental data.
(B) Because a third variable may be influencing both correlated variables.
(C) Because correlational studies do not measure variables.
(D) Because correlation only applies to psychological research.
b
Which of the following is a potential threat to internal validity?
(A) Random sampling
(B) Demand characteristics
(C) High ecological validity
(D) A large sample size
b
Which of the following is an example of a confound in an experiment on sleep deprivation and memory?
(A) Different participants receiving different sleep conditions.
(B) One group sleeping in a quiet room while the other sleeps in a noisy room.
(C) Measuring memory with a standardized test.
(D) Using a placebo condition
b
A researcher wants to test Social Comparison Theory by examining how individuals assess their intelligence based on peer performance. What two essential characteristics must the theory’s hypotheses possess to be considered scientific?
(A) They must be complex and widely accepted.
(B) They must be testable and falsifiable.
(C) They must be based on prior research and non-experimental methods.
(D) They must apply to all social contexts equally.
Answer: (B) (A hypothesis must be empirically testable and able to be disproven to be scientific.)
Which of the following best demonstrates a violation of the principle of parsimony in scientific theory?
(A) A researcher uses the simplest possible explanation to describe human aggression.
(B) A theory of intelligence includes over 100 interacting psychological constructs.
(C) A study applies Occam’s Razor when interpreting contradictory findings.
(D) A theory explains multiple psychological behaviors using only three core principles.
Answer: (B) (Parsimony favors the simplest explanation that accounts for all evidence.)
A researcher studying “happiness” defines it conceptually as “a state of well-being and life satisfaction.” Which operational definition would best improve construct validity?
(A) Asking participants, “Are you happy?” on a survey.
(B) Measuring self-reported happiness, cortisol levels, and observed smiling behavior.
(C) Assuming happiness based on socioeconomic status and social media activity.
(D) Using a standardized happiness questionnaire without validation.
Answer: (B) (Combining multiple measurable indicators strengthens construct validity.)
Why is construct validity critical when designing a study, and how does it relate to operational definitions?
(A) Construct validity ensures variables are defined conceptually rather than operationally.
(B) Construct validity determines if operationalized measures truly reflect the underlying concept being studied.
(C) Operational definitions remove the need for construct validity.
(D) Construct validity applies only to experimental research, not correlational studies.
Answer: (B) (Construct validity ensures the operationalized variables accurately measure the intended concept.)
A study investigates student study habits using surveys and classroom observations. Which factor is the biggest threat to internal validity?
(A) The presence of a researcher influencing students’ behavior.
(B) The inability to compare study habits between individuals.
(C) The challenge of obtaining a large enough sample size.
(D) The possibility that study habits change over time.
a
(Reactivity due to observer presence is a major threat in observational research.)
How could a researcher attempt to strengthen causal claims in a correlational study?
(A) Increase the sample size to detect stronger correlations.
(B) Introduce an experimental manipulation to control for confounds.
(C) Use only self-report measures to avoid experimenter influence.
(D) Ignore the possibility of third-variable influences.
(B) (Experimental manipulation is required for causality.
Which research design would best establish causation between sleep deprivation and cognitive performance while controlling for confounds?
(A) A correlational study measuring sleep habits and test scores.
(B) An experiment randomly assigning participants to a sleep-restricted or normal sleep condition.
(C) A case study of one student with severe sleep deprivation.
(D) A naturalistic observation of students’ sleeping patterns.
Answer: (B) (Only experimental manipulation allows causal inference.)
What distinguishes internal validity from external validity in experimental design?
(A) Internal validity concerns causality, while external validity concerns generalizability.
(B) Internal validity focuses on real-world applicability.
(C) External validity ensures all confounds are controlled.
(D) They are interchangeable.
(A) (Internal validity ensures causal claims; external validity ensures findings apply beyond the study
What is the key limitation of quasi-experimental designs?
(A) They cannot be conducted outside of a laboratory.
(B) They lack random assignment, which increases the risk of confounds.
(C) They can only be used for descriptive research.
(D) They do not allow for statistical analysis.
(B) (Without random assignment, quasi-experiments face threats to internal validity.)
