Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main difference between science and pseudoscience in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Science uses safeguards against confirmation bias and belief perseverance, while pseudoscience does not.

Question 2

A self-help book claims that invisible energy fields around us affect our mood and well-being, but provides no way to test or disprove this claim. Which principle of scientific thinking is being violated?

Accepted Answer

Falsifiability

Question 3

Which logical fallacy is committed when someone believes a claim is true simply because many people believe it?

Accepted Answer

Bandwagon fallacy

Question 4

A person refuses to accept that they are susceptible to cognitive biases, but easily points out biases in others. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Bias blind spot

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of opportunity cost as a danger of pseudoscience?

Accepted Answer

Forgoing effective medical treatment in favor of an unproven therapy

Question 6

A study finds that the number of puddings eaten in Buckingham Palace is correlated with the number of shark attacks worldwide. What principle of scientific thinking does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Correlation isn’t causation

Question 7

Which of the following is a warning sign of pseudoscience?

Accepted Answer

Overuse of ad hoc immunizing hypotheses

Question 8

According to terror management theory, why might people be drawn to pseudoscientific beliefs?

Accepted Answer

To cope with the awareness of their own mortality

Question 9

Which principle of scientific thinking is best illustrated by the need to repeat a study and obtain the same results?

Accepted Answer

Replicability

Question 10

A psychologist claims that a new therapy can cure depression in one session, but provides only a few personal stories as evidence. Which principle is being ignored?

Accepted Answer

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence

Question 11

Which of the following best describes Occam’s razor?

Accepted Answer

The principle that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of the emotional reasoning fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Believing a claim is true because it makes you feel good

Question 13

A person claims that their therapy works for everyone, but when presented with evidence to the contrary, they say those cases are 'exceptions.' What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Ad hoc immunizing hypothesis

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of scientific skepticism?

Accepted Answer

A willingness to accept claims without evidence

Question 15

Which debate in psychology concerns whether behavior is determined by genetics or environment?

Accepted Answer

Nature-nurture debate

Question 16

A person believes that because they have never been fooled by a scam, they are immune to all forms of deception. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Not me fallacy

Question 17

Which of the following is a potential negative consequence of overreliance on artificial intelligence, according to recent research?

Accepted Answer

Deterioration of deep reflection and comprehension

Question 18

Which field of psychology applies Darwin’s theory of evolution to explain human and animal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology

Question 19

Which of the following best illustrates the principle of ruling out rival hypotheses?

Accepted Answer

Considering multiple possible causes for a psychological phenomenon

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world example of direct harm caused by pseudoscience?

Accepted Answer

The case of Candace Newmaker and 'Rebirthing therapy'

Psychology and Scientific Thinking: Foundations, Pseudoscience, and Critical Thinking

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