Question 1

Which principle of scientific thinking is best illustrated by the scenario: 'A researcher finds a correlation between stress and illness, but considers that a third variable, such as a demanding job, could be causing both increased stress and frequent illness'?

Accepted Answer

Ruling out rival hypotheses

Question 2

A study finds a strong correlation between ice cream sales and sunburn cases. Which of the following best explains why this does NOT mean ice cream sales cause sunburn?

Accepted Answer

There is likely a third variable, such as temperature, causing both

Question 3

Which principle of scientific thinking asks whether a claim can be disproven through evidence?

Accepted Answer

Falsifiability

Question 4

A cartoon shows a child saying, 'Every time they turn on the seatbelt sign, it gets bumpy.' What scientific thinking error is being made?

Accepted Answer

Confusing correlation with causation

Question 5

Which of the following claims is NOT falsifiable?

Accepted Answer

Ghosts move things around in our homes only when we are fast asleep

Question 6

A researcher repeats a study on physical warmth and interpersonal trust with a new group and gets similar results. Which principle of scientific thinking does this demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Replicability

Question 7

Which principle of scientific thinking is most relevant when considering whether a study's results apply to people in different cultures?

Accepted Answer

Generalizability

Question 8

If a claim states, 'This brand new herbal tea makes people smarter,' which principle of scientific thinking should be applied to evaluate the strength of the evidence?

Accepted Answer

Extraordinary claims

Question 9

Which equation best represents a linear correlation between two variables, such as stress and illness, as shown in the scatterplot?

Accepted Answer

$$y = mx + b$$

Question 10

A researcher claims that 'physical energy forces control our thoughts and emotions.' What principle of scientific thinking should be used to assess whether this claim can be tested scientifically?

Accepted Answer

Falsifiability

Question 11

Which scenario best illustrates the concept of ruling out rival hypotheses?

Accepted Answer

Considering alternative explanations for a correlation between stress and illness

Question 12

If a study on motor development is conducted only in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) societies, which principle of scientific thinking is most at risk?

Accepted Answer

Generalizability

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of an extraordinary claim?

Accepted Answer

Ghosts move things around in our homes only when we are fast asleep

Question 14

A researcher finds that a study's results can be consistently repeated by different groups. Which principle does this support?

Accepted Answer

Replicability

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the difference between correlation and causation?

Accepted Answer

Correlation means two variables are related, but not necessarily causally

Question 16

Given the equation $$r = \frac{\sum (x_i - \bar{x})(y_i - \bar{y})}{\sqrt{\sum (x_i - \bar{x})^2$ \sum (y_i - \bar{y})^2$}}$$, what does $$r$$ represent in the context of the scatterplots shown?

Accepted Answer

The correlation coefficient between two variables

Question 17

Which principle of scientific thinking is violated if a claim cannot be tested or disproven?

Accepted Answer

Falsifiability

Question 18

A study finds a correlation between ice cream sales and sunburn cases. Which variable is most likely a confounding variable?

Accepted Answer

Temperature

Question 19

Which principle of scientific thinking is most important when evaluating whether a study's findings can be applied to other populations or settings?

Accepted Answer

Generalizability

Question 20

If a researcher claims that 'ghosts move things around in our homes but only when we are fast asleep,' which principle of scientific thinking is most relevant to evaluating this claim?

Accepted Answer

Falsifiability

Chapter 1: Psychology and Scientific Thinking – Principles of Scientific Thinking

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