Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main purpose of critical thinking in psychology?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate claims using logical, evidence-based reasoning and avoid false beliefs

Question 2

A psychologist wants to study whether watching violent cartoons increases aggression in children. Which step of the scientific method involves making a testable prediction about this relationship?

Accepted Answer

Forming a hypothesis

Question 3

Which of the following is a key advantage of laboratory observation over naturalistic observation?

Accepted Answer

It allows for greater control over variables

Question 4

A researcher conducts a survey using questionnaires to gather data from a large group of college students about their attitudes toward social media. What is a major disadvantage of this method?

Accepted Answer

Participants may give socially desirable answers, leading to response bias

Question 5

Which of the following correlation coefficients indicates the strongest relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

$r = -0.85$

Question 6

A researcher finds that as the number of hours spent studying increases, exam scores also increase. What type of correlation is this?

Accepted Answer

Positive correlation

Question 7

In an experiment testing the effect of sleep on memory, what is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The amount of sleep participants receive

Question 8

Which of the following best illustrates a confounding variable in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

Participants' prior knowledge affects the results, independent of the experimental manipulation

Question 9

Why is random assignment important in experimental research?

Accepted Answer

It helps control for confounding variables by evenly distributing them across groups

Question 10

A double-blind study is designed to control for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Both the placebo effect and experimenter bias

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a basic ethical principle in human psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Participants must always be told everything upfront, including deception

Question 12

Which scenario best demonstrates the placebo effect?

Accepted Answer

A participant improves after receiving a sugar pill, believing it is real medication

Question 13

Why do psychologists sometimes use animals in research?

Accepted Answer

Some research questions can only be ethically or practically answered using animals

Question 14

Which of the following is a requirement for humane treatment of animals in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Researchers must avoid unnecessary pain or suffering

Question 15

A psychologist wants to know if a new teaching method improves student performance. She randomly assigns students to two groups: one uses the new method, the other uses the traditional method. What is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

The students' performance scores

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Correlation only shows association, not cause-and-effect

Question 17

A researcher observes children in a playground without interfering and records their interactions. Which research method is being used?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of operationalization in experimental research?

Accepted Answer

Defining 'aggression' as the number of times a child hits another child during a 10-minute observation

Question 19

Which of the following is a key reason why double-blind studies increase the internal validity of an experiment?

Accepted Answer

They eliminate both participant and experimenter expectations as sources of bias

Question 20

A psychologist conducts an in-depth study of a single individual who has a rare psychological disorder. Which research method is being used?

Accepted Answer

Case study

Psychological Research & Ethics: Study Guide

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