1 Which of the following is NOT one of the three fundamental features of science?
a empirical questions
b public knowledge
c mathematical equations (My Answer)
d systematic empiricism
2 A set of beliefs can be said to be pseudoscientific if it lacks one or more of the three features of science and _____.
a its adherents claim or imply that it is scientific (My Answer)
b it has been discredited by scientific research
c it seems “crazy”
d it refers to phenomena that cannot be directly observed
3 Research questions in psychology can come from which of the following?
a previous research
b informal observations
c practical problems to be solved
d all of the above (My Answer)
4 Which of the following is a categorical variable?
a eye color
b IQ
c number of lifetime sexual partners (My Answer)
d shoe size
8 In a negative relationship, higher scores on one variable are associated with lower scores on another variable.
a True (My Answer)
b False
9 Pearson’s r cannot be negative.
a True
b False (My Answer)
11 In Milgram’s famous study, who was the confederate?
a the person being shocked (My Answer)
b the experimenter
c the person doing the shocking
d none of the above
12 Which of the following occurred in the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study?
a Research participants were told they had syphilis even though they did not to see how they would react. (My Answer)
b Research participants were denied treatment for their syphilis.
c Research participants were injected with syphilis bacteria.
d Research participants were give experimental treatments for syphilis.
17 For every _____ there are many plausible _____.
a fact; phenomena
b theory; researchers (My Answer)
c phenomenon; theories
d researcher; variables
20 A theory that explains a behavior primarily in terms of why it happens is which of the following?
a a mechanistic theory
b a typology
c a functional theory
d a hypothesis (My Answer)
22 What is the first thing that you should do in constructing a new theory?
a Create a set of mathematical equations that might account for the phenomena of interest. (My Answer)
b Understand the phenomena of interest in detail, along with any existing theories of them.
c Conduct at least four to six new empirical studies.
d Decide which type of theory you want to construct.
23 Measurement is best defined as which of the following?
a directly comparing one individual to a standard reference individual
b the assignment of scores to individuals so the scores represent some characteristic of the individuals (My Answer)
c the use of an established measuring instrument such as a ruler or scale to describe an individual
d an objective method of counting individuals
24. Which of the following is the best example of a construct?
a. depression
b. number of siblings
c. height (My Answer)
d. annual income
26. There is a single best conceptual definition of every psychological construct.
a. True
b. False (My Answer)
27. There is a single best way to measure every psychological construct.
a. True
b. False (My Answer)
28. Face validity is the extent to which a psychological measure appears to measure the construct of interest.
a. True (My Answer)
b. False
To determine which of the following is NOT one of the three fundamental features of science, you can analyze each option:
a) Empirical questions: Science is based on empirical questions, which are questions that can be answered through direct observation or measurement.
b) Public knowledge: Science emphasizes the importance of sharing research findings with the public, making knowledge accessible to all.
c) Mathematical equations: While mathematical equations are commonly used in science, they are not one of the three fundamental features. Therefore, this option is NOT one of the three fundamental features of science.
d) Systematic empiricism: Science relies on systematic empiricism, which means researchers use careful and structured methods to gather data and make observations.
Therefore, the correct answer is c) mathematical equations.
To determine what makes a set of beliefs pseudoscientific if it lacks one or more of the three features of science, you can analyze each option:
a) Its adherents claim or imply that it is scientific: Pseudoscientific beliefs often claim or imply that they are based on scientific principles, even if they lack the necessary empirical evidence, public knowledge, or systematic empiricism.
b) It has been discredited by scientific research: While this can be an indicator of pseudoscientific beliefs, it is not the sole criterion.
c) It seems "crazy": The perception of being "crazy" is subjective and does not necessarily indicate pseudoscience.
d) It refers to phenomena that cannot be directly observed: This is a potential indicator of pseudoscientific beliefs because science emphasizes the importance of empirical observation. However, it is not the sole criterion.
Therefore, the best answer is a) its adherents claim or imply that it is scientific.
To determine where research questions in psychology can come from, you can analyze each option:
a) Previous research: Research questions in psychology often build upon previous research, expanding knowledge in the field.
b) Informal observations: Researchers can generate research questions from informal observations made in everyday life or in specialized settings.
c) Practical problems to be solved: Research questions in psychology can also stem from practical problems that psychologists aim to address through research.
d) All of the above: All three options are valid sources of research questions in psychology. Researchers can draw from previous research, informal observations, and practical problems to be solved.
Therefore, the correct answer is d) all of the above.
To determine which of the following is a categorical variable, you can analyze each option:
a) Eye color: Eye color is a categorical variable since it can be categorized into distinct groups (e.g., blue, brown, green, etc.).
b) IQ: IQ is a continuous variable, not a categorical variable, as it can take on a wide range of values.
c) Number of lifetime sexual partners: This variable is also a categorical variable since it can be divided into separate categories (e.g., none, a few, many, etc.).
d) Shoe size: Similar to eye color, shoe size is a categorical variable as it can be grouped into different categories (e.g., small, medium, large, etc.).
Therefore, the correct answer is c) number of lifetime sexual partners.
To determine whether in a negative relationship higher scores on one variable are associated with lower scores on another variable, you can analyze each option:
a) True: In a negative relationship, higher scores on one variable are indeed associated with lower scores on another variable. For example, as the level of stress increases, the level of well-being decreases.
b) False: This statement is incorrect since it contradicts the definition of a negative relationship.
Therefore, the correct answer is a) True.
To determine whether Pearson's r can be negative, you can analyze each option:
a) True: Pearson's r is a correlation coefficient that can range from -1 to 1. It measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables. As such, it can be negative when there is a negative relationship between the variables.
b) False: This statement is incorrect; Pearson's r can be negative.
Therefore, the correct answer is b) False.
In Milgram's famous study, to identify who the confederate was, you can analyze each option:
a) The person being shocked: In Milgram's study, the participants were led to believe that they were shocking another person, who was actually a confederate. Therefore, the correct answer is a) the person being shocked.
b) The experimenter: The experimenter was the person in charge of administering the instructions and overseeing the study.
c) The person doing the shocking: The participants themselves were the ones who were instructed to administer the shocks, believing they were shocking the confederate.
d) None of the above: The correct answer is a) the person being shocked.
To identify what occurred in the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study, you can analyze each option:
a) Research participants were told they had syphilis even though they did not, to see how they would react: This option describes an unethical and deceptive study approach, but it does not accurately reflect what happened in the Tuskegee syphilis study. Therefore, this is not the correct answer.
b) Research participants were denied treatment for their syphilis: This accurately summarizes what occurred in the Tuskegee syphilis study, where participants with syphilis were deliberately denied treatment.
c) Research participants were injected with syphilis bacteria: This option does not describe what happened in the Tuskegee syphilis study.
d) Research participants were given experimental treatments for syphilis: This option does not accurately reflect what occurred in the Tuskegee syphilis study.
Therefore, the correct answer is b) Research participants were denied treatment for their syphilis.
To determine the relationship between facts and theories, you can analyze each option:
a) Fact; phenomena: While there is a relationship between facts and phenomena, this option does not accurately describe the relationship being referred to.
b) Theory; researchers: This option correctly describes the relationship, as theories are created by researchers to explain phenomena based on empirical evidence and observations.
c) Phenomenon; theories: This option puts the focus on phenomena being explained by theories. However, the relationship being referred to is between theories and researchers.
d) Researcher; variables: This option does not accurately describe the relationship being referred to.
Therefore, the correct answer is b) Theory; researchers.
To determine which type of theory primarily explains why a behavior happens, you can analyze each option:
a) A mechanistic theory: A mechanistic theory explains how a behavior happens by focusing on the mechanisms or processes involved.
b) A typology: A typology is a classification system or framework that categorizes behaviors based on distinct types.
c) A functional theory: A functional theory primarily explains why a behavior happens by focusing on its purpose, function, or adaptive value.
d) A hypothesis: A hypothesis is a specific prediction about the relationship between variables that can be tested through research.
Therefore, the correct answer is c) a functional theory.
To determine the first step in constructing a new theory, you can analyze each option:
a) Create a set of mathematical equations that might account for the phenomena of interest: While mathematical equations may be incorporated into theories, they are not typically the first step in constructing a theory.
b) Understand the phenomena of interest in detail, along with any existing theories of them: This option accurately describes a crucial first step in theory construction, as it involves gaining a thorough understanding of the phenomena and reviewing existing theories.
c) Conduct at least four to six new empirical studies: This option describes an approach that may come later in the theory construction process, as it involves generating new empirical evidence.
d) Decide which type of theory you want to construct: While deciding on the type of theory may be important, it is not typically the first step in constructing a theory.
Therefore, the correct answer is b) Understand the phenomena of interest in detail, along with any existing theories of them.
To determine the best definition of measurement, you can analyze each option:
a) Directly comparing one individual to a standard reference individual: This option does not accurately describe measurement, as measurement typically involves assigning scores or values to individuals based on a characteristic of interest.
b) The assignment of scores to individuals so the scores represent some characteristic of the individuals: This option accurately defines measurement, as it involves assigning scores to individuals to capture a specific characteristic or attribute.
c) The use of an established measuring instrument such as a ruler or scale to describe an individual: This option specifically describes one method of measurement that involves using a physical instrument, but it does not encompass the broader concept of assigning scores or values.
d) An objective method of counting individuals: This option describes a specific type of measurement that involves counting individuals, but it does not capture the broader concept of assigning scores or values.
Therefore, the correct answer is b) The assignment of scores to individuals so the scores represent some characteristic of the individuals.
To determine the best example of a construct, you can analyze each option:
a) Depression: Depression is a psychological construct, representing a theoretical concept related to emotional experiences and mental health.
b) Number of siblings: The number of siblings is a directly observable variable and does not represent a psychological construct.
c) Height: Height is a physical characteristic and does not represent a psychological construct.
d) Annual income: Annual income is an economic variable and does not represent a psychological construct.
Therefore, the correct answer is a) Depression.
To determine whether there is a single best conceptual definition for every psychological construct, you can analyze each option:
a) True: Psychological constructs can have multiple conceptual definitions, as different theories and researchers may adopt different perspectives or definitions based on their own views or research.
b) False: This option accurately reflects the reality that there can be multiple conceptual definitions for psychological constructs.
Therefore, the correct answer is b) False.
To determine whether there is a single best way to measure every psychological construct, you can analyze each option:
a) True: There can be multiple valid and reliable ways to measure a psychological construct, depending on the specific research question, context, and available resources.
b) False: This option accurately reflects the reality that there is often more than one way to measure a psychological construct.
Therefore, the correct answer is b) False.
To determine the definition of face validity, you can analyze each option:
a) True: Face validity refers to the extent to which a psychological measure appears, on the surface, to measure the construct of interest. This option accurately defines face validity.
b) False: This option incorrectly denies the validity of face validity.
Therefore, the correct answer is a) True.