Question 1

Which research method would be most appropriate for investigating the relationship between the religious beliefs of Americans and their attitudes toward abortion?

Accepted Answer

The survey method is the most appropriate for investigation of the relationship between the religious beliefs of Americans and their attitudes toward abortion. Surveys can provide a wide range of data rapidly and effectively, and can be distributed and administered easily. A survey can also incorporate a vast array of questions about various topics and issues from a representative sample of individuals, thus offering a very accurate and reliable picture of the wider population.

Question 2

A hypothesis is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a testable prediction that gives direction to research. It is a statement about the relationship between variables that can be tested through observation and experimentation. It is not a set of principles or an assumption, although it may be based on existing theories or observations.

Question 3

A statement describing how a researcher measures a research variable is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

An operational definition is a statement that describes how a researcher measures a research variable. It is important because it provides precise and specific details on how the variable is being measured, which ensures consistency and accuracy in the research findings. A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables, a control condition is a group that does not receive the experimental treatment, and replication is the repetition of a study to confirm its findings.

Question 4

The biggest danger of relying on case-study evidence is that it

Accepted Answer

Case studies are based on a single or small number of cases, which may be unrepresentative of what is generally true. Therefore, relying solely on case-study evidence can limit the generalizability of findings to larger populations.

Question 5

Professor Delano suggests that because people are especially attracted to those who are good-looking,handsome men will be more successful than average-looking men in getting a job. The professor's prediction regarding employment success is an example of

Accepted Answer

The professor's prediction is a hypothesis, which is an educated guess or prediction based on prior knowledge and evidence.

Question 6

The case study is a research method in which

Accepted Answer

The case study research method involves the in-depth analysis of a single individual or a small group of individuals. This method allows researchers to gather a comprehensive understanding of the participant's background, experiences, and behaviors. Case studies can provide valuable insights into rare or unique occurrences and can be useful in generating hypotheses for further research.

Question 7

Surveys indicate that people are much less likely to support "welfare" than "aid to the needy." These somewhat paradoxical survey results best illustrate the importance of

Accepted Answer

The survey results illustrate the wording effects, as the way a question is phrased can significantly impact how people respond to it. In this case, the term "welfare" may have negative connotations for some individuals, whereas "aid to the needy" may be seen as more positive and necessary. Random sampling, the placebo effect, and naturalistic observation are not directly relevant to this particular survey result.

Question 8

After noting that a majority of professional basketball players are African-American,Ervin concluded that African-Americans are better athletes than members of other racial groups. Ervin's conclusion best illustrates the danger of

Accepted Answer

Ervin is making a generalization from a vivid case, which in this case is the observation of a majority of African-American basketball players. This is a form of stereotyping and can be dangerous as it ignores individual differences and can lead to discrimination.

Question 9

Professor Ambra was skeptical about the accuracy of recently reported research on sleep deprivation. Which process would best enable her to assess the reliability of these findings?

Accepted Answer

Replication involves repeating a study with different participants in different situations to see if the findings are consistent. This can help Professor Ambra determine if the results of the original study on sleep deprivation are reliable or not. Naturalistic observation, random sampling, and case studies are not as effective in assessing the accuracy of research findings.

Question 10

In which type of research is a representative,random sample of people asked to answer questions about their behaviors or attitudes?

Accepted Answer

The survey involves asking a representative, random sample of people to answer questions about their behaviors or attitudes. Experimentation involves manipulating variables to see their effects on behavior. The case study involves an in-depth analysis of a single individual or group. Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in its natural setting without interference or manipulation.

Question 11

Which technique involves repeating the essence of an earlier research study with different participants and in different circumstances?

Accepted Answer

Replication involves repeating an earlier study with different participants and in different circumstances to see if the same results can be obtained, which helps to confirm the validity of the original findings. Random sampling involves selecting participants randomly from a population, naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in a natural setting, and the double-blind procedure involves keeping both the participants and experimenters unaware of which group they are in to reduce bias. None of these techniques involve repeating an earlier study with different participants and circumstances.

Question 12

The explanatory power of a scientific theory is most closely linked to its capacity to generate testable

Accepted Answer

The explanatory power of a scientific theory is linked to its ability to make accurate and specific predictions about what should be observed if the theory is true. The predictions generated by the theory can then be tested through experimentation or observation, which provides evidence for or against the theory. Testable predictions play a crucial role in establishing the accuracy and reliability of scientific theories. Therefore, the correct answer is C (predictions).

Question 13

Assessing whether conclusions are warranted by the existing evidence best illustrates

Accepted Answer

Assessing whether conclusions are warranted by the existing evidence is a key aspect of critical thinking. Critical thinking involves carefully evaluating information and arguments to determine their validity and usefulness in making a sound judgment or decision. This process requires analyzing evidence, determining the strengths and weaknesses of different viewpoints, and considering the implications of various outcomes. Naturalistic observation, the placebo effect, and the double-blind procedure are all related to research methods and experimental design, but they do not directly address the question of whether conclusions are warranted by the evidence.

Question 14

A questioning attitude regarding psychologists' assumptions and hidden values best illustrates

Accepted Answer

Critical thinking involves questioning assumptions and considering alternative perspectives. It involves being skeptical of information and actively evaluating evidence and arguments.

Question 15

In a written report of their research,psychologists specify exactly how anxiety is assessed,thus providing their readers with a(n)

Accepted Answer

An operational definition specifies exactly how a variable is measured or manipulated in a study. In this case, psychologists are specifying how anxiety is assessed, which is an operational definition. A hypothesis is an educated guess about the relationship between variables, an independent variable is the variable that is manipulated in a study, and a case study involves an in-depth examination of a single individual or group.

Question 16

Replication of a research study is most likely to be facilitated by

Accepted Answer

Operational definitions are clear, precise and unambiguous explanations of the meaning of a specific variable used in a research study. By providing a specific definition, replication of the study becomes much simpler as others can more easily understand and recreate the study.

Question 17

When you question whether anecdotal evidence can be generalized to all people,you are applying

Accepted Answer

Questioning whether anecdotal evidence can be generalized to all people involves critical thinking, which is the process of objectively analyzing information to reach a logical conclusion or decision. It requires individuals to consider various factors that could affect the generalizability of the evidence, such as sample size, selection bias, and confounding variables. The other options listed (placebo effect, hindsight bias, random assignment) do not directly relate to questioning the generalizability of anecdotal evidence.

Question 18

People often fail to make accurate generalizations because they are unduly influenced by ________ cases.

Accepted Answer

Vivid cases are those that are emotionally striking or memorable, and they can distort our perceptions and lead us to overestimate their frequency or importance. Therefore, people often make inaccurate generalizations based on vivid cases. Randomly selected cases (A) do not necessarily have any impact on generalizations, representative cases (C) may be used to make accurate generalizations, and operationally defined cases (D) are not directly related to generalization accuracy.

Question 19

Professor Shalet contends that parents and children have similar levels of intelligence largely because they share common genes. His idea is best described as a(n)

Accepted Answer

Professor Shalet's idea is a theoretical explanation based on the concept of genetic inheritance, which he believes is central to the similarities between parents and children in terms of intelligence.

Question 20

To understand the unusual behavior of an adult client,a clinical psychologist carefully investigates the client's current life situation and his physical,social-cultural,and educational history. Which research method has the psychologist used?

Accepted Answer

The psychologist has used the case study method, which involves in-depth investigation of an individual or a small group. This method is used to understand unusual behavior, and involves the careful examination of a person's current and past life situation, as well as their physical, social-cultural, and educational history. The survey method involves collecting data from a large group of people using standardized questionnaires, while experimentation involves manipulating variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships. Naturalistic observation involves observing people in their natural environment, without manipulating any variables.

Quiz 1: Doing Social Psychology