Question 1

In an experiment to study the effects of study skills training on academic achievement,the study skills training would be the __________ variable.

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher and is expected to cause a change in the outcome variable. In this case, the study skills training is being manipulated by the researcher, and it is expected to cause a change in academic achievement. Therefore, study skills training is the independent variable.

Question 2

In an experiment to study the effects of fertilizer on plants,the fertilizer used on each plant would be the __________ variable.

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the experimenter, in this case, the fertilizer being applied to the plants. The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or observed and may be affected by the independent variable. In this case, it could be the growth or health of the plants. The control variable is kept constant to ensure that any changes in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable and not some other factor. Extraneous variables are variables that may affect the dependent variable but are not being tested in the experiment.

Question 3

Suppose you want to find out if using cell phones while driving a car affects the likelihood of having an accident.One's familiarity with the car used in the experiment would be a(n)
__________variable.

Accepted Answer

The familiarity with the car used in the experiment would be an extraneous variable because it is not the main variable being studied (the effect of using cell phones while driving on the likelihood of having an accident) but could potentially affect the outcome. It is not independent because it is not being manipulated by the researcher and it is not a control variable because it is not being used as a baseline for comparison. It is also not a dependent variable because it is not being measured in relation to the main variable.

Question 4

Antoine is conducting an experiment on the effects of room color on people's ability to concentrate.The dependent variable would be the

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable in this experiment is the factor that is being measured, which is the ability to concentrate. The independent variable is the room color, which is being manipulated by the researcher. The other options, such as overall intelligence and size of the room, are not being directly measured or manipulated in this experiment.

Question 5

A social psychologist measures aggressive responses made by people exposed to violent and nonviolent movies.All of the subjects are tested in rooms having identical room temperature.In this experiment,the room temperature is a(n)__________ variable.

Accepted Answer

The room temperature is not a variable that is intentionally manipulated or controlled by the researcher and does not have any expected direct effect on the aggressive responses of the participants. Therefore, it is considered an extraneous variable.

Question 6

Suppose you want to find out if using cell phones while driving a car affects the likelihood of having an accident.The group that would take the driving test while talking on a cell phone
Would be the __________ group.

Accepted Answer

The experimental group is the group that receives the treatment being tested, in this case, using cell phones while driving, to see if it affects the likelihood of having an accident.

Question 7

An experiment is performed to see if background music improves learning.Two groups study the same material,one while listening to music and another without music.The independent variable is

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the one being manipulated in the experiment, and in this case it is whether or not music is being played during studying. Therefore, the best choice is D) music.

Question 8

In an experiment to study the effects of fertilizer on plants,the growth rate of the plants would be the __________ variable.

Accepted Answer

The growth rate of the plants is the variable that is being measured or observed and is therefore the dependent variable. The use of fertilizer is the variable that is being manipulated or controlled by the researcher and is therefore the independent variable. Extraneous variables are any other variables that may affect the results but are not being studied in the experiment. Experimental variables are the variables that are being intentionally manipulated or controlled in the study.

Question 9

Which of the following groups serves as a point of reference for a comparison of results in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

The control group serves as a point of reference in an experiment as it is used to compare the results of the experimental group to a group that has not been exposed to the independent variable. The independent group is not a commonly used term in experiments, and the dependent group is not a valid term.

Question 10

Which type of variable is measured in both the experimental and control groups of an experiment?

Accepted Answer

The variable that is measured in both the experimental and control groups is the dependent variable. This is because the dependent variable is the outcome or effect that the researcher is interested in measuring, and it is typically measured in both the experimental and control groups to compare the effects of the independent variable (which is manipulated in the experimental group but not in the control group) on the dependent variable.

Question 11

Antoine is conducting an experiment on the effects of room color on people's ability to concentrate.The independent variable would be the

Accepted Answer

The independent variable in an experiment is what the experimenter manipulates or changes. In this case, Antoine is manipulating the room color, so that would be the independent variable. The other options are either irrelevant to the experiment or are dependent variables (the ability to concentrate).

Question 12

In an experiment to determine if meditation increases mental concentration,the group of subjects who would be required to meditate would be the __________ group.

Accepted Answer

The experimental group is the group that receives the treatment in an experiment, which in this case is meditation. The control group serves as a comparison to the experimental group and does not receive the treatment. The dependent variable is the outcome being measured (in this case, mental concentration), and the independent variable is the variable being manipulated (in this case, meditation).

Question 13

We wish to test the hypothesis that music improves learning.We compare test scores of students who study to music with those who study in silence.Which of the following is an extraneous variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The amount of time allowed for studying could affect the test scores of both groups and therefore could be an extraneous variable. A and D are not extraneous variables as they are the independent variable (music vs silence) and the control condition (no music, or silence), respectively. B is the dependent variable or outcome measure.

Question 14

A teacher wants to find out if a problem-based history program is superior to the regular history curriculum being used.The motivation and intelligence of the students participating in the new and the regular history programs would be considered the __________ variables.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A teacher wants to find out if...

Question 15

Nadine is in the group that does not receive the independent variable.Nadine is in the __________ group.

Accepted Answer

Nadine is in the control group, which serves as a baseline comparison group for the experimental group that receives the independent variable. The independent group (A) is the group that receives the variable being tested, while the dependent group (B) is the group being measured for changes as a result of the independent variable. The experimental group (D) can refer to either the independent or dependent group, depending on context.

Question 16

The chief function of the control group in an experiment is that it

Accepted Answer

The control group provides a point of reference against which the behavior of the experimental group can be compared. This helps to determine whether any changes or effects observed in the experimental group are due to the independent variable being tested, and not simply due to chance or other factors.

Question 17

A researcher wants to find out if taking a new antidepressant drug will decrease the symptoms of subjects suffering from social anxiety.The number of symptoms exhibited by the subjects would be the __________ variable.

Accepted Answer

The number of symptoms exhibited by the subjects is the variable that is being measured and is dependent on whether or not the subjects are taking the new antidepressant drug. Therefore, it is the dependent variable. The independent variable is the new antidepressant drug, which is being manipulated by the researcher. Extraneous variables are any other factors that could potentially influence the results, but are not being intentionally manipulated by the researcher. Control variables are the variables that are kept constant throughout the experiment to prevent them from influencing the results.

Question 18

Tina is assigned to the group that receives the independent variable.Tina is in the __________ group.

Accepted Answer

Tina is receiving the independent variable, which means she is in the experimental group.

Question 19

An experiment is performed to test the effects of sleep deprivation on rote memory.In this experiment,the dependent variable is the

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable in this experiment is the rote memory scores, as this is the variable being measured and tested in response to sleep deprivation. The number of hours subjects go without sleep (A) and the number of subjects deprived of sleep in the experimental group (C) are both independent variables, as they are being manipulated by the experimenter. The correlation between hours of sleep and fatigue (D) is not the dependent variable in this particular experiment.

Question 20

In an experiment to determine if meditation increases mental concentration,the group who would NOT meditate would be the __________ group.

Accepted Answer

The control group is the group that is used as a baseline for comparison in an experiment. In this case, the control group would not meditate and would be used to compare the results of the experimental group who did meditate. Therefore, the correct answer is D) control.

Quiz 1: B: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods