Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between psychological science and psychological pseudoscience?

Accepted Answer

Psychological science uses safeguards against bias and systematic research, while pseudoscience lacks these safeguards and relies on belief perseverance.

Question 2

A student claims that a new TikTok skin care routine must be effective because it has gone viral. Which logical fallacy is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Bandwagon Fallacy

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a warning sign of pseudoscience?

Accepted Answer

Replication of independent studies by other scholars

Question 4

A magazine article claims that all human beings have an invisible energy field surrounding them to impact mood and well-being. Which principle of scientific thinking does this claim violate?

Accepted Answer

Falsifiability

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates confirmation bias?

Accepted Answer

Seeking out evidence that supports your beliefs and ignoring evidence that contradicts them.

Question 6

Which level of analysis would focus on neurotransmitter activity when studying depression?

Accepted Answer

Neurochemical

Question 7

A self-help book claims that listening to Mozart makes babies smarter. What is the most scientific way to evaluate this claim?

Accepted Answer

Examine whether the claim can be tested and falsified through controlled experiments.

Question 8

Which logical fallacy is illustrated by the statement: 'I feel anxious about public speaking so I must be terrible at it'?

Accepted Answer

Emotional Reasoning Fallacy

Question 9

Why is it important for scientists to use phrases like 'suggests,' 'appears,' or 'raises the possibility that' when interpreting findings?

Accepted Answer

To remain tentative and open to new evidence, acknowledging that scientific conclusions can be wrong.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of patternicity (apophenia)?

Accepted Answer

Perceiving a meaningful connection between two unrelated events, such as thinking about a friend and then seeing their obituary.

Question 11

A study finds that people eat more ice cream on days when crimes are committed. Which principle of scientific thinking should be applied before concluding that ice cream causes crime?

Accepted Answer

Correlation vs. Causation

Question 12

Which danger of pseudoscience is best illustrated by someone with major depression following a TikTok routine instead of seeking professional treatment?

Accepted Answer

Opportunity Cost

Question 13

Which of the following is a key difference between metaphysical claims and pseudoscientific claims?

Accepted Answer

Pseudoscientific claims can be subjected to research tests, while metaphysical claims cannot.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of the 'Not Me' fallacy?

Accepted Answer

"Ads influence other people, but I'm too smart to be tricked!"

Question 15

Which principle of scientific thinking is violated when a claim cannot be disproven?

Accepted Answer

Falsifiability

Question 16

A researcher finds that their results can be duplicated by other independent labs. Which principle of scientific thinking does this support?

Accepted Answer

Replicability

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world consequence of failing to think scientifically as citizens?

Accepted Answer

Falling for misinformation and making poor decisions about health, parenting, or public policy.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of belief perseverance?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring evidence that contradicts your cherished beliefs, even after being informed you are wrong.

Question 19

Which equation best represents the concept of correlation, often confused with causation in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

$r = \frac{\sum (x_i - \bar{x})(y_i - \bar{y})}{\sqrt{\sum (x_i - \bar{x})^2 \sum (y_i - \bar{y})^2}}$

Question 20

Which of the following is a plausible but incorrect reason for why people are drawn to pseudoscience?

Accepted Answer

Because our brains are predisposed to make order out of disorder and find sense in nonsense.

Week 2: Psychology and Scientific Thinking – Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards