Question 1

A college student has volunteered to tutor students in a first-grade classroom.She hopes to gain a realistic picture of the everyday behavior of these students.However,every time she enters the classroom,the students all stop what they are doing and run up to her begging her to tutor them next.This student will probably never get a realistic picture of a typical first grader's school day because of the

Accepted Answer

The observer effect refers to how the behavior of the individuals being observed can change as a result of being observed. In this case, the first-grade students are altering their behavior because they are aware of the presence of the college student. This will likely prevent the college student from gaining a realistic picture of a typical first grader's school day because the students are not behaving as they normally would in the absence of an observer.

Question 2

Sometimes observers in naturalistic observation see what they expect to see even when it doesn't occur.This problem is called

Accepted Answer

Observer bias refers to the tendency of observers to see what they expect to see or to interpret events in ways that confirm their preconceptions. This can lead to inaccurate or biased observations, particularly in naturalistic observation where the observer's own perceptions and beliefs may influence their observations. The other answer choices are not relevant to this problem.

Question 3

A teacher asks the school psychologist to observe her class through the two-way mirror and determine why the class disruptions are occurring.Just as the psychologist is walking into the room off to the side of the classroom to observe,the teacher assistant tells the psychologist,"Pay close attention to Claire and Robert over there by the maps.I think they are the real troublemakers in the class." After this encounter,the school psychologist will have to struggle with the

Accepted Answer

The teacher assistant's comment has the potential to bias the psychologist's observations by causing them to pay closer attention to Claire and Robert and potentially overlook other disruptive students or behaviors. This is an example of observer bias.

Question 4

Teachers in one study were told to watch normal elementary school children who had been labeled for the study as "learning disabled," "intellectually disabled," "emotionally disturbed," or "normal." Sadly,the teachers gave the children very different ratings,depending on the labels used.This illustrates the serious consequences of

Accepted Answer

The scenario described is an example of observer bias, where the teachers allowed their preconceived notions or labels to influence their observations and ratings, rather than objectively evaluating the behavior of the children. The other answer choices are not relevant or appropriate to this situation.

Question 5

Concealing the observer behind a two-way mirror or using hidden cameras can be used to minimize the

Accepted Answer

Concealing the observer behind a two-way mirror or using hidden cameras can be used to minimize the observer effect, which refers to how the presence of an observer can influence the behavior being observed. By hiding the observer, this effect is minimized and the behavior can be more accurately observed. The other options (B, C, D) are not relevant to this method of observation.

Question 6

A researcher observing children and recording only those details that match his expectations would be

Accepted Answer

The researcher is exhibiting observer bias, as he is only recording details that match his preconceived expectations. Observer effect refers to the possibility of individuals altering their behavior when they know they are being observed. Conducting a scientific survey involves systematic gathering of data from a larger group of respondents, while conducting a case study involves in-depth analysis of a single individual or a small group.

Question 7

A police officer expecting criminal behavior shoots a person who is reaching for his wallet because he perceives the suspect as reaching for a gun.This is a dangerous example of the

Accepted Answer

Observer bias refers to the tendency of an observer to see what they expect or want to see. In this scenario, the police officer is expecting criminal behavior and, as a result, perceives the suspect's innocuous action of reaching for their wallet as a threat to their safety. This bias can lead to dangerous and potentially deadly situations.

Question 8

In observing the changes in their clients during therapy,psychologists often believe they get better results when using the type of therapy they favor.This illustrates the

Accepted Answer

Observer bias refers to the tendency of an observer to see what they expect or want to see, rather than what is actually there. In this case, psychologists may be biased towards their preferred type of therapy, leading them to believe that it is more effective than other types of therapy.

Question 9

Zoologists have attached minaturized cameras called "critter cams" directly to many species allowing observations in a wide range of natural environments with the use of these tiny
Cameras minimizing the

Accepted Answer

The observer effect refers to the influence that the mere presence of an observer can have on the behavior of the subject being observed. By using critter cams, zoologists are able to minimize this effect and observe the animals in more natural and unobtrusive ways.

Question 10

One way to reduce the effects of the presence of the observer on the behavior of the observed is to

Accepted Answer

Concealing the observer or using hidden camera recorders can reduce the effects of the observer on the behavior of the observed, as it allows for a naturalistic observation without the potential influence of the observer's presence. Taking careful notes using a rating scale, making friends with the observed, and recording only selected details using a behavioral assessment instrument may still involve the observer's presence and potential influence on the observed behavior.

Quiz 1: B: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods