Question 1

Which of the following best illustrates the principle of systematic empiricism in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

A researcher collects organized observations to test a specific explanation.

Question 2

A scientist publishes all procedures and data from a study so that other researchers can attempt to replicate the results. This practice best demonstrates which characteristic of science?

Accepted Answer

Public verification

Question 3

Which of the following statements about folk wisdom is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Folk wisdom often supports contradictory conclusions, making it inadequate for scientific purposes.

Question 4

A claim is considered falsifiable if:

Accepted Answer

There is some possible observation that could count against it.

Question 5

A researcher proposes that 'stress causes illness.' Which of the following is a hypothesis derived from this theory?

Accepted Answer

People who report higher stress levels will have more colds over a six-month period.

Question 6

Which of the following best illustrates an operational definition?

Accepted Answer

Defining intelligence as the score on a specific IQ test.

Question 7

A researcher measures anxiety using both a self-report questionnaire and a physiological measure (heart rate). This approach is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Strengthen understanding by using multiple operational definitions.

Question 8

A new therapy is promoted using dramatic testimonials from patients who claim to have improved. Why is this evidence considered weak in scientific psychology?

Accepted Answer

Testimonials do not rule out alternative explanations for improvement.

Question 9

A person believes a horoscope is accurate because it describes them as 'sometimes outgoing, sometimes reserved.' This is best explained by:

Accepted Answer

The Barnum effect

Question 10

A researcher finds a positive correlation between hours spent watching TV and body weight. Which of the following best illustrates the third-variable problem?

Accepted Answer

A third factor, such as lack of exercise, may influence both TV watching and body weight.

Question 11

Which of the following is necessary to establish a causal relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

Covariance, temporal precedence, and internal validity

Question 12

A researcher randomly assigns participants to receive either a new medication or a placebo and measures their symptoms after two weeks. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

Whether participants receive the medication or placebo

Question 13

In an experiment, what is the main purpose of random assignment?

Accepted Answer

To reduce systematic differences between groups before the manipulation

Question 14

A researcher finds that people who eat more vegetables tend to have lower stress levels. Which of the following best illustrates the directionality problem?

Accepted Answer

Lower stress might lead people to eat more vegetables.

Question 15

A researcher defines 'academic motivation' as the number of hours a student spends studying per week. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

An operational definition

Question 16

A study finds that people who own more books tend to have higher reading test scores. Which of the following is a spurious correlation?

Accepted Answer

A third variable, such as parental education, explains both book ownership and reading scores.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the Clever Hans problem in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Participants respond to subtle cues from the experimenter rather than the intended manipulation.

Question 18

A researcher wants to test whether a new teaching method improves exam scores. She assigns students to groups based on their previous grades. What is the main methodological problem?

Accepted Answer

Selection bias

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a confounding variable in an experiment testing the effect of sleep on memory?

Accepted Answer

Participants' caffeine intake varies between groups.

Question 20

A researcher uses both survey data and behavioral observation to measure social anxiety. This approach is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Increase construct validity by using multiple operational definitions.

Foundations of Scientific Psychology: Key Concepts and Methods

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