Question 1

Choosing to believe some material in this course because your instructor told you that it is correct information most likely represents which system for the fixation of beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Believing material because an instructor says it is correct is an example of the system of authority, where trust is placed in the knowledge or expertise of someone seen as an authority figure.

Question 2

Gathering data within a guiding theoretical framework describes

Accepted Answer

Gathering data within a guiding theoretical framework is a deductive process. Deduction starts with a hypothesis or theory and then tests it through the collection of data to see if the empirical evidence supports the theoretical framework.

Question 3

When we say that a good theory is falsifiable, we mean

Accepted Answer

Falsifiability refers to the capacity of a theory to be disproven by empirical evidence. A good theory should make specific predictions that can be tested and potentially shown to be false through observation or experiment. This concept is a cornerstone of the scientific method, as it allows for theories to be tested and refined based on empirical evidence.

Question 4

According to the diffusion of responsibility theory, _________ could eliminate social loafing.

Accepted Answer

Measuring individual performance in group situations can reduce social loafing by making each member's contribution visible, thereby increasing accountability and motivation.

Question 5

Theory in psychology serves to both organize data and to

Accepted Answer

Theory in psychology serves to organize data and generate predictions for untested situations, helping to guide future research and understand potential outcomes in new scenarios.

Question 6

A theory whose predictions are misinterpreted from one researcher to the next is said to

Accepted Answer

A theory that is misinterpreted from one researcher to the next lacks precision because its predictions are not clear or specific enough, leading to varied interpretations.

Question 7

The scientific method

Accepted Answer

The scientific method relies on empirical observation to gather data and test hypotheses.

Question 8

The statement that science is self correcting refers to

Accepted Answer

Science is self-correcting because it relies on observation and empirical evidence to test and refine theories, allowing for the correction of errors and the establishment of more accurate beliefs over time.

Question 9

A student wants to know whether people who believe in an afterlife cope better with stressful life events than those who do not. Which of the following methods of answering this question does NOT
Rely on empirical data about this relationship?

Accepted Answer

Asking a member of the clergy for their opinion does not rely on empirical data but rather on personal or anecdotal evidence, which is not systematically gathered or quantifiable.

Question 10

A theory that explains a wide variety of occurrences with very few explanatory concepts is said to

Accepted Answer

A theory that is parsimonious explains a wide variety of occurrences with very few explanatory concepts, meaning it is simple yet effective in its explanations.

Question 11

Intervening variables are abstract concepts that link _________ to _________.

Accepted Answer

Intervening variables are theoretical constructs that help explain how or why certain effects or relationships occur by linking independent variables (causes) to dependent variables (effects or outcomes).

Question 12

One advantage of supporting basic research in science is that

Accepted Answer

Basic research in controlled laboratory settings allows scientists to observe phenomena that might be too complex, subtle, or rare to see in the less controlled conditions of the outside world. This can lead to foundational discoveries and understandings that underpin further scientific advancements.

Question 13

When a person's word is believed to be true without examination, a belief has been formed via the method of

Accepted Answer

When a belief is accepted as true based on the authority of someone or something, without the need for further examination or evidence, it is said to have been formed via the method of authority. This contrasts with methods that require empirical evidence or logical reasoning.

Question 14

If two theories can explain the same data, then

Accepted Answer

The principle of Occam's Razor suggests that among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. Thus, the simpler theory (A) is generally considered the better theory.

Question 15

The philosophical belief that the truth of all knowledge is questionable is known as

Accepted Answer

Skepticism is the philosophical belief that the truth of all knowledge is questionable, emphasizing doubt and critical thinking about claims of truth.

Question 16

In a laboratory setting, the psychologist is more concerned that the ______ are the same and less concerned that the physical situation is the same.

Accepted Answer

In a laboratory setting, psychologists prioritize ensuring that the underlying processes being studied are consistent across experiments, rather than focusing on the physical setting being identical. This is because the goal is to understand how certain psychological processes work under controlled conditions, regardless of the physical environment.

Question 17

The inductive scientist

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning involves collecting data and observing patterns within that data to formulate a hypothesis or theory. The inductive scientist believes that by gathering enough data, patterns and explanations will emerge, guiding them towards understanding the phenomena under study.

Question 18

Early in life, our beliefs are fixed primarily through

Accepted Answer

Early in life, our beliefs are often fixed through authority. This means we tend to believe what we are told by those in positions of authority, such as parents, teachers, and cultural leaders, without questioning it.

Question 19

If the diffusion of responsibility hypothesis is correct, then

Accepted Answer

The diffusion of responsibility hypothesis suggests that individuals in groups feel less personally responsible for the outcome of a task, leading to a decrease in individual effort when working in unmonitored groups compared to working alone. This phenomenon is also known as social loafing.

Question 20

Scientific knowledge is based on

Accepted Answer

Scientific knowledge is primarily based on empirical evidence, which refers to information acquired by observation or experimentation. Scientists use empirical evidence to support or refute hypotheses and theories, distinguishing scientific knowledge from beliefs based on authority, tradition (tenacity), or purely logical reasoning without empirical verification (a priori beliefs).

Quiz 1: Explanation in Scientific Psychology