Question 1

A researcher tests four different groups of participants. Each group is given a different dosage of caffeine, and reaction time is measured for each subject. Which of the following is true?
A) dosage level is the dependent variable
B) reaction time is an independent variable
C) the independent variable has four levels
D) the independent variable is a subject variable

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

In an experiment on creative problem solving in groups, some groups of participants are told to produce the best solutions, while other groups are told to produce ideas without regard to their merit (i.e., to brainstorm). The independent variable in this study is
A) the different levels of creativity
B) a task variable
C) an instructional variable
D) how quickly the solutions will be produced for the two groups

Accepted Answer

The independent variable in this study is the instructional variable. The groups are given different instructions, either to produce the best solutions or to brainstorm without regard to the merit of the ideas, which is the independent variable being manipulated in the experiment.

Question 3

Woodworth's 1938 text, Experimental Psychology,
A) showed a preference for experimental over correlational research
B) distinguished between independent and dependent variables
C) both alternatives a. and b.
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Woodworth's 1938 text, Experimental Psychology, showed a preference for experimental over correlational research and also distinguished between independent and dependent variables.

Question 4

Rats learning a maze are tested after varying degrees of food deprivation. Some run the maze after 4 hours without food, others after 8 hours, and others after 12 hours deprivation. In this study,
A) food deprivation is the manipulated independent variable
B) the rats are a subject variable
C) the independent variable is a task variable
D) food deprivation is the dependent variable

Accepted Answer

Food deprivation is the independent variable that is being manipulated to see its effect on the rats' ability to learn the maze, making it the independent variable. The rats are not being manipulated and are therefore a subject variable. The ability to learn the maze is the dependent variable, but it is not being manipulated; therefore, it is not the independent variable.

Question 5

For which of these empirical questions would a control group most clearly be needed?
A) If institutionalized elderly are given responsibility for meal planning, will it improve their psychological health?
B) Do laboratory-bred rats learn mazes faster than wild rats?
C) If participants are trying to solve problems, will they perform better in the morning or the evening?
D) Will an attractive female defendant be treated more leniently by a jury than an attractive male defendant?

Accepted Answer

The answer of For which of these empirical questions would...

Question 6

When a confound exists,
A) it means that the researcher failed to include a control group in the study
B) it is the confounding factor, not the independent variable, which causes the behavior to occur
C) there will be at least two different ways of interpreting the results
D) it simply means that the dependent variable hasn't been defined precisely enough

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a confound exists,
A) it means that...

Question 7

To see if the time of day has an effect on helping behavior, experimenters ask passersby for directions in New York's Central Park, either at 8:00 am or 8:00 pm. Which of the following is true?
A) this is an example of field research that lacks an independent variable
B) this is a study with two independent variables (the times)
C) this is an example of a field experiment
D) the independent variable is an instructional variable

Accepted Answer

The answer of To see if the time of day...

Question 8

When a confound exists,
A) some uncontrolled factor covaries with the independent variable
B) it cannot be determined whether the confounding variable or the independent variable is causing the results to occur
C) there will be at least two different ways of interpreting the results
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

A confound occurs when an uncontrolled factor covaries with the independent variable, making it unclear whether the confounding variable or the independent variable is causing the results, leading to multiple interpretations of the results.

Question 9

A researcher wants to know if children prefer cereal that has colors in it. Preschoolers compare plain-colored Wheatios with multicolored Rice Chrunchios. The children preferred the latter. What can be concluded?
A) children prefer colored cereal
B) whether the cereal is composed of wheat or rice is the independent variable
C) cereal type is confounded with cereal color
D) cereal color is the dependent variable

Accepted Answer

The answer of A researcher wants to know if children...

Question 10

In the study described in the previous item, what is the dependent variable?
A) a measure of room size
B) the type of maze being used
C) maze performance
D) the degree of natural light

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable being measured and affected by the independent variable. In this case, the maze performance is the factor being measured and affected by the independent variable of lighting.

Question 11

In a study assessing the effects of crowding on problem solving, participants solve anagrams in large or small rooms. In this case, the independent variable is
A) a situational variable
B) a task variable
C) an instructional variable
D) a subject variable

Accepted Answer

The independent variable in this study is crowding, which is a situational variable that can be manipulated and controlled by the researcher. The size of the room in which the anagrams are solved is the variable being manipulated to create different levels of crowding.

Question 12

Experimental group is to control group as ________ is to _______.
A) independent variable; dependent variable
B) dependent variable; independent variable
C) untreated; treated
D) treated; untreated

Accepted Answer

The experimental group is the group that is being treated or exposed to the independent variable, while the control group is the group that is not being treated or exposed to the independent variable. Therefore, the best choice is D, as the treated group is synonymous with the experimental group, and the untreated group is synonymous with the control group.

Question 13

A researcher is interested in whether memory is better for concrete rather than abstract nouns and designs a study to answer the question. In this study, the independent variable is
A) a situational variable
B) a task variable
C) an instructional variable
D) a subject variable

Accepted Answer

The independent variable in this study is whether the nouns are concrete or abstract, which is a task variable because it relates to the nature of the task being performed (i.e., memory for nouns). The other options (situational, instructional, and subject variables) do not relate specifically to the task of memory for nouns.

Question 14

Woodworth's so-called "Columbia bible" was the first experimental psychology text to argue for a clear distinction between
A) experimental and control groups
B) manipulated and subject variables
C) experimental and correlational research strategies
D) nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales of measurement

Accepted Answer

The Columbia bible was the first text to argue for a clear distinction between experimental and correlational research strategies. It did not address the other options.

Question 15

What do all experiments have in common?
A) there are at least two different ways in which participants are treated
B) at least one independent variable will be an instructional variable
C) there must be at least two dependent measures
D) there must be a control group

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do all experiments have in common?
A)...

Question 16

Another term for "uncontrolled extraneous variable" is
A) confounding variable
B) independent variable
C) dependent variable
D) subject variable

Accepted Answer

A confounding variable is an uncontrolled extraneous variable that can distort or confuse the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. It is an important factor to consider in research design and analysis. Choices B, C, and D are not appropriate because they refer to different variables that are distinct from an uncontrolled extraneous variable.

Question 17

Some subjects try to solve a difficult maze while sitting in a 2x3 ft room. Others try to solve the same maze while sitting in a 10x12 ft room. The purpose of the study is to examine the effect of crowding on maze performance The larger room has natural light because of its two windows. The 2x3 ft room has no windows, so natural light is simulated with a special type of fluorescent light. Which of the following is true?
A) the independent variable is the type of maze being used
B) whether or not windows are present is an uncontrolled extraneous variable
C) assuming random assignment is used, this study clearly has internal validity
D) the main variable is a subject variable

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some subjects try to solve a difficult...

Question 18

For any experiment investigating the effect of X on Y,
A) X is the independent variable
B) Y is the dependent variable
C) both alternatives a. and b.
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

X is manipulated or changed in order to observe its effect on Y. Y, on the other hand, is measured or observed as a response to the manipulation of X. Therefore, X is the independent variable and Y is the dependent variable. Both alternatives a. and b. are correct.

Question 19

With ___________ participants complete different tasks, whereas with ___________ participants are told how to do certain tasks.
A) instructional variables; task variables
B) task variables; instructional variables
C) task variables; situational variables
D) situational variables; task variables

Accepted Answer

Task variables refer to the different types of tasks that participants are presented with, whereas instructional variables refer to the way in which participants are instructed or trained to complete those tasks. Therefore, it makes more sense that with task variables, participants are completing different tasks, whereas with instructional variables, participants are being told how to complete certain tasks.

Question 20

In his famous 1938 text, the so-called "Columbia bible," R. S. Woodworth
A) argued that experimental and correlational studies were not fundamentally different
B) distinguished between independent and dependent variables in experiments
C) dismissed correlational research as not scientific
D) showed a preference for correlational over experimental research

Accepted Answer

R. S. Woodworth distinguished between independent and dependent variables in experiments in his 1938 text, but he did not dismiss or show a preference for either experimental or correlational research, nor did he argue that they were not fundamentally different.

Quiz 5: Introduction to Experimental Research

A researcher tests four different groups of participants. Each group is given a different dosage of caffeine, and reaction time is measured for each subject. Which of the following is true?

In an experiment on creative problem solving in groups, some groups of participants are told to produce the best solutions, while other groups are told to produce ideas without regard to their merit (i.e., to brainstorm) . The independent variable in this study is

Woodworth's 1938 text, Experimental Psychology,

Rats learning a maze are tested after varying degrees of food deprivation. Some run the maze after 4 hours without food, others after 8 hours, and others after 12 hours deprivation. In this study,

For which of these empirical questions would a control group most clearly be needed?

When a confound exists,

To see if the time of day has an effect on helping behavior, experimenters ask passersby for directions in New York's Central Park, either at 8:00 am or 8:00 pm. Which of the following is true?

When a confound exists,

A researcher wants to know if children prefer cereal that has colors in it. Preschoolers compare plain-colored Wheatios with multicolored Rice Chrunchios. The children preferred the latter. What can be concluded?

In the study described in the previous item, what is the dependent variable?

In a study assessing the effects of crowding on problem solving, participants solve anagrams in large or small rooms. In this case, the independent variable is

Experimental group is to control group as __ is to _.

A researcher is interested in whether memory is better for concrete rather than abstract nouns and designs a study to answer the question. In this study, the independent variable is

Woodworth's so-called "Columbia bible" was the first experimental psychology text to argue for a clear distinction between

What do all experiments have in common?

Another term for "uncontrolled extraneous variable" is

For any experiment investigating the effect of X on Y,

With _ participants complete different tasks, whereas with _ participants are told how to do certain tasks.

In his famous 1938 text, the so-called "Columbia bible," R. S. Woodworth