Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a construct and an operational definition in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

A construct is a broad, abstract concept, while an operational definition specifies how that concept will be measured in a study.

Question 2

A researcher wants to study whether playing violent video games causes aggressive behavior. Which research method would best allow the researcher to make a causal claim?

Accepted Answer

Experimental research

Question 3

Which of the following statements about correlation is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Correlation does not imply causation.

Question 4

A psychologist observes that as the number of hours students spend studying increases, their reported stress levels decrease. What type of correlation is this?

Accepted Answer

Negative correlation

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of an operational definition for the construct 'happiness'?

Accepted Answer

The number of genuine (Duchenne) smiles a person displays in an hour

Question 6

A researcher finds a strong positive correlation between ice cream sales and drowning incidents. Which of the following best explains this finding?

Accepted Answer

A third variable, such as hot weather, increases both ice cream sales and swimming, leading to more drownings.

Question 7

Which of the following is a key requirement for an experiment to establish causality?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment to groups

Question 8

A hypothesis must be falsifiable. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

It must be possible to find evidence that could show the hypothesis is false.

Question 9

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of a spurious correlation?

Accepted Answer

A correlation between two variables that is actually caused by a third variable.

Question 10

In the scientific method, what is the correct order of steps for conducting psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Observe a phenomenon, develop a hypothesis, determine the best method, collect data, evaluate the evidence

Question 11

A psychologist wants to know if people are more satisfied with their lives on sunny days compared to cloudy days. Which type of research method would be most appropriate for this question?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive research

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a case study?

Accepted Answer

Observing a single patient with a rare brain injury over several years

Question 13

If a psychologist finds that $r = -0.85$ between hours spent on social media and reported life satisfaction, what does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is a strong negative correlation between the two variables.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of experimental research?

Accepted Answer

Observation of variables without intervention

Question 15

A researcher wants to know if cramming or spacing out study sessions leads to better memory retention. Which is the independent variable (IV) in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The method of studying (cramming vs. spacing)

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the purpose of using random assignment in experiments?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that each participant has an equal chance of being in any group, reducing pre-existing differences between groups.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a positive correlation?

Accepted Answer

As the amount of time spent studying increases, exam scores increase.

Question 18

Why can hypotheses in psychology be supported but not proven?

Accepted Answer

Because there may always be alternative explanations or future evidence that could contradict current findings.

Question 19

A researcher observes that people are more likely to jaywalk when others are doing so. Which psychological concept does this best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the relationship between constructs and variables in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Constructs are measured by defining them as variables that can be observed or quantified.

Research Methods & Statistics in Introductory Psychology

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