Question 1

Which of the following best describes hindsight bias in social psychology?

Accepted Answer

The tendency to believe that one could have predicted an outcome after it has already occurred.

Question 2

A researcher wants to study whether compassion is related to charitable donations. She surveys 200 people and calculates a correlation coefficient of $$+0.65. $$What does this value indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is a strong positive relationship between compassion and charitable donations.

Question 3

Which research method is most appropriate for determining whether variable X causes variable Y?

Accepted Answer

Experimental method

Question 4

In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated by the researcher is called the:

Accepted Answer

Independent variable

Question 5

A social psychologist conducts an experiment in a busy shopping mall to study helping behavior. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Field experiment

Question 6

Which of the following statements about correlation is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Correlation does not prove causation.

Question 7

A researcher wants to ensure that the results of her study can be generalized to other people and situations. She is concerned with:

Accepted Answer

External validity

Question 8

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of psychological realism?

Accepted Answer

Participants in a study feel emotionally involved as if they are experiencing a real-life event.

Question 9

A researcher uses a cover story in an experiment. What is the main purpose of this?

Accepted Answer

To maintain psychological realism by disguising the true purpose of the study.

Question 10

Which of the following is a limitation of the observational method?

Accepted Answer

It is difficult to observe behaviors that occur rarely or in private.

Question 11

A social psychologist wants to study the effect of a new teaching method on 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 in this study?

Accepted Answer

Student performance

Question 12

Which of the following best describes meta-analysis?

Accepted Answer

A statistical technique that averages the results of multiple studies to determine the reliability of an effect.

Question 13

In cross-cultural research, what is a major challenge for social psychologists?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring that independent and dependent variables have the same meaning across cultures.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of applied research in social psychology?

Accepted Answer

Studying ways to reduce prejudice in schools.

Question 15

A researcher places electrodes on a participant's scalp to measure electrical activity in the brain during a social interaction. Which technique is being used?

Accepted Answer

EEG

Question 16

Which ethical principle requires that participants be fully aware of the nature of the experiment before agreeing to participate?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Question 17

A social psychologist wants to maximize internal validity in her experiment. Which strategy should she use?

Accepted Answer

Ensure that only the independent variable can affect the dependent variable.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the basic dilemma of the social psychologist?

Accepted Answer

The trade-off between internal and external validity.

Question 19

A researcher examines newspaper articles from the 1960s to study attitudes toward civil rights. Which method is she using?

Accepted Answer

Archival analysis

Question 20

If a study finds a correlation coefficient of $$-0.80$$ between stress and job satisfaction, what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

As stress increases, job satisfaction decreases, and the relationship is strong.

Research Methods in Social Psychology: An Introduction

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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