Question 1

Which term best describes the correlation between the full moon and violent crime?

Accepted Answer

The correlation between the full moon and violent crime is illusory, meaning there is no actual correlation. Studies have shown that there is no significant increase in violent crime during a full moon, debunking the myth that suggests otherwise.

Question 2

Cause-and-effect conclusions can be drawn from the results of an experiment because

Accepted Answer

Cause-and-effect conclusions can be drawn from the results of an experiment because the independent variable is manipulated while other possible causes of change in the dependent variable are held constant, allowing for the identification of a causal relationship between the two variables. Statistical analysis can also be applied to data from the experiment to further support the cause-and-effect conclusion. The fact that the experiment is typically performed in a laboratory setting and may involve several groups of subjects does not necessarily guarantee the ability to draw cause-and-effect conclusions.

Question 3

Which of the following is a strength of experiments?

Accepted Answer

Experiments allow researchers to manipulate variables in order to establish cause-effect relationships. This strength sets experiments apart from other types of research designs, such as correlational or observational studies, that cannot establish causality in the same way. Options A, C, and D are all incorrect statements about experiments.

Question 4

In an experiment,the "measurable aspect of the behaviour of the subject" is called the __________ variable.

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the measurable aspect of the subject's behavior. It is the variable that is being studied and measured to determine the effect of the independent variable (the variable that is being manipulated by the researcher) on the subject's behavior. The control variable is a variable that is held constant throughout the experiment to eliminate its effect on the dependent variable. The focal variable is not a commonly used term in experimental research.

Question 5

If explanation of the causes of thoughts,feelings,and behaviour is a psychologist's goal,then the __________ method of research should be used.

Accepted Answer

Experimental research is the best method for determining cause and effect relationships. It involves manipulating one variable while controlling others to see the effect on a particular outcome variable. This method helps in determining the causes of thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Question 6

A researcher tests the hypothesis that students who study in the room where they take their tests will perform better on the tests than students who study in other rooms.She requires one group to study in the classroom where the exam is given and another group to study in the library.All students take the test in the classroom,and their test performance is compared.In this example,the location that students study is the

Accepted Answer

The independent variable in this study is the location where students study, as this is the variable that is being manipulated by the researcher. The dependent variable is the test performance of the students, which is measured to determine whether there is a difference between the two groups. The manipulation is the assignment of students to either the classroom or library to study. The hypothesis is the statement being tested, which in this case is that studying in the same room as the test will lead to better performance.

Question 7

In a controlled experiment,the group not subjected to a change in the independent variable,and used for comparison with the group receiving the experimental change,is the __________ group.

Accepted Answer

The control group is the group not subjected to a change in the independent variable and is used as a comparison to the experimental group.

Question 8

In a controlled experiment,the group subjected to a change in the independent variable is called the __________ group.

Accepted Answer

In a controlled experiment, the group that is subjected to a change in the independent variable is called the experimental group. This group is compared to a control group, which is not subjected to the independent variable, in order to determine the effects of the independent variable. Therefore, the best choice is B)experimental.

Question 9

A researcher,based on her review of relevant scientific studies,believes that there is a relationship between the frequency of a baby's crying and whether it was nursed at set intervals or on a demand schedule.If this belief were tested by experimentally manipulating feeding schedules,the feeding schedule would be called the

Accepted Answer

The feeding schedule is the independent variable in this scenario because it is being manipulated to see if it has an effect on the frequency of a baby's crying. The dependent variable is the frequency of crying, which is being measured to determine whether it is affected by the independent variable. Extraneous variables are other factors that could potentially influence the results, and control factors are the variables that are kept constant throughout the experiment.

Question 10

The process of establishing causal relationships is associated most with

Accepted Answer

The process of establishing causal relationships requires manipulating variables and controlling for other influences that could impact the relationship being studied. The experimental method is the only research method that allows for this level of control, making it most associated with establishing causal relationships.

Question 11

In a test of the effects of sleep deprivation on problem-solving skills,research participants are allowed to sleep either four or eight hours on each of three consecutive nights.This research is an example of

Accepted Answer

This is an experiment because the researchers are manipulating the independent variable (amount of sleep) to see if it has an effect on the dependent variable (problem-solving skills). They are also using controlled conditions by allowing participants to sleep the same amount each night for three consecutive nights.

Question 12

The purpose of an experiment is to discover whether there is a relationship between the ___________ and the ___________.

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is being manipulated or changed in the experiment, while the dependent variable is the outcome or response that is being measured. The purpose of an experiment is to determine if there is a relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. Therefore, the best choice is D, as it correctly identifies the two variables of interest in an experiment.

Question 13

To determine if sugar-rich diets affect hyperactivity in kids,a researcher prepared two daily menus that children would receive for a 30-day period.A high-sugar diet was given to the boys,while the girls had a menu that seemed identical but was not a high-sugar diet.At the end of 30 days,the boys and girls were evaluated to determine their levels of hyperactivity.In the study,the high-sugar diet is the

Accepted Answer

The high-sugar diet is the independent variable in this study because it is being manipulated by the researcher to see how it affects hyperactivity in children. The girls' menu, which is not a high-sugar diet, serves as the control group to compare the results against. The placebo is not relevant in this study as there is no fake treatment being given. The dependent variable is hyperactivity, which is being measured to see if it is affected by the high-sugar diet.

Question 14

In an experiment on the effects of level of motivation on the performance of typists,the researcher randomly assigned one-third of her subjects to each of three levels of motivation (and then induced different levels of motivation in the three groups).She measured the average words typed per minute by each group,and found that performance was highest under medium motivation,average under low motivation,and worst under high motivation.What was the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that the researcher is manipulating, which in this experiment is the level of motivation. Therefore, the independent variable in this experiment is motivation.

Question 15

In an experiment to test the effects of anxiety on performance,the dependent variable is the

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable being measured or observed in an experiment, which in this case would be the person's performance. Therefore, the correct answer is C. The amount of anxiety (A) in the person is the independent variable, as it is being manipulated by the experimenter to observe its effects on the dependent variable (performance). The age of the person (B) and the cause of the anxiety (D) are irrelevant to the dependent variable and therefore not the correct choice.

Question 16

A researcher,based on her review of relevant scientific studies,believes that there is a relationship between the frequency of a baby's crying and whether it was nursed at set intervals or on a demand schedule.If this belief were tested by experimentally manipulating feeding schedules,frequency of crying would be called the

Accepted Answer

The frequency of a baby's crying is the phenomenon being measured and observed in the experiment. Therefore, it is the dependent variable. The independent variable is the manipulated feeding schedule, and it is important to see whether it has an effect on the frequency of crying. The latent factor and control factor are not relevant in this scenario.

Question 17

In an experiment,a researcher manipulates one variable to see how it affects a second variable.The second variable,which is observed for any possible effects,is called the

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable that is being observed for any possible effects as a result of the manipulation of the independent variable by the researcher. Therefore, option A is the correct choice.

Question 18

Professor McSpell designed an experiment to test her hypothesis that exercise will increase spelling ability.She divided children into three groups and had one group do 10 minutes of exercises,one group do 30 minutes of exercises,and the third group do no exercise.She then tested all three groups of children to see how many words they could spell correctly on a spelling test.In this experiment,the scores on the spelling test serve as the

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or tested in response to the manipulation of the independent variable, which in this case is the amount of exercise. The scores on the spelling test are the outcome of the experiment and are thus the dependent variable.

Question 19

In psychological studies,random assignment is used to ensure that

Accepted Answer

Random assignment is the process of assigning participants to different groups in a study randomly. The main purpose of random assignment is to ensure that each participant has an equal chance of being exposed to any of the treatment conditions and reduces the chance of any preexisting differences between groups. Therefore, option B is correct. Option A is incorrect as random assignment is not necessarily related to having independent and dependent variables. Option C is incorrect as the purpose of the study is usually explained in the informed consent process, and not knowing the purpose could be unethical. Option D is incorrect as the experimenter can have knowledge of who is in each group while still maintaining the randomized assignment process.

Question 20

In an experiment,a researcher manipulates one variable to see how it affects a second variable.The manipulated variable is called the

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher, so that its effect on the dependent variable can be observed. The dependent variable is the variable that is measured or observed during the experiment. The experimental variable and placebo do not accurately describe the manipulated variable in this scenario.

Quiz 2: B: Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research