1. A psychologist using the
method of naturalistic
observation would
a.
b.
c.
d.
carefully design controlled situations in which
to observe behavior.
rely on observations of subjects’ responses to
questionnaires.
observe behavior as it happens outside the
laboratory or clinic.
make records of the behavior of clients treated
in therapy.
Answer: C
2. In a study of effects of
alcohol on driving ability,
the control group should be
given
a.
b.
c.
d.
a high dosage of alcohol.
one-half the dosage given the experimental
group.
a driving test before and after drinking
alcohol.
no alcohol at all.
Answer: D
3. A scientific explanation
that remains tentative until
it has been adequately
tested is called a(n)
a.
b.
c.
d.
theory.
law.
hypothesis.
experiment.
Answer: C
4. A study to determine the
degree of relationship
between two events is
called
a.
b.
c.
d.
naturalistic observation.
the correlational method.
a controlled experiment.
the survey method.
Answer: B
5. ____ is an ability to
evaluate, compare,
analyze, critique, and
synthesize information.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Critical thinking
Transductive thinking
Deductive thinking
Creative thinking
Answer: A
6. The phrase “a theory
must also be falsifiable”
means
a.
b.
c.
d.
researchers misrepresent their data.
a theory must be defined so it can be
disconfirmed.
theories are a rich array of observations
regarding behavior but with few facts to
support them.
nothing.
Answer: B
7. The products of
naturalistic observations
are best described in terms
of
a.
b.
c.
d.
explanation.
theory.
prediction.
description.
Answer: D
8. A teacher believes that one group
of children is very bright and that a
second is below average in ability.
Actually, the groups are identical, but
the first group progresses more
rapidly than the second. This
demonstrates
a.
b.
c.
d.
the self-fulfilling prophecy.
the placebo effect in a natural experiment.
observer bias in naturalistic observation.
the ethical problems of field experiments.
Answer: A
9. A psychologist observes the
confrontation between two rival
neighborhood gangs from the window
of an abandoned building. This
method of collecting observations is
best described as
a.
b.
c.
d.
experimental regression.
naturalistic observations.
controlled experimentations.
clinical case study.
Answer: B
10. In an experiment to
find out if taking ginseng
increases IQ scores, the IQ
scores would be
a.
b.
c.
d.
the independent variable.
a control variable.
an extraneous variable.
the dependent variable.
Answer: D
11. Which of the following is
considered a disadvantage of
naturalistic observation?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It provides an overabundance of
information.
It deals with behavior not tampered
with by outside influences.
It limits biased observations through
careful record keeping.
It does not identify the cause of
observed behavior.
Answer: D
12. Subjects are said to be
assigned randomly when
a.
b.
c.
d.
they are assigned to experimental and control
groups from a sample which is representative of the
larger population.
they each have an equal chance of being assigned
to either the experimental or control group.
they are assigned to experimental and control
groups so that the groups differ on some critical
variable before the experiment begins.
neither the experimenter nor the subject knows
whether the subject is in the experimental or
control group.
Answer: B
13. A psychologist watches the rapid
eye movements of sleeping subjects
and wakes them to find that they
were dreaming. She concludes that
dreams are linked to rapid eye
movements. This conclusion is based
on
a.
b.
c.
d.
pure speculation.
direct observation.
deduction from direct observation.
prior prediction.
Answer: C
14. To prevent ethical abuse
in psychological research, the
APA has suggested that
a.
b.
c.
d.
psychologists must treat all subjects with
respect and concern for the subject’s
dignity.
psychologists must avoid deception with
using human subjects.
all data collected from a person must be
made public.
all psychological harm to subjects must be
corrected by counseling.
Answer: A
15. A common method for
selecting representative
samples is to select them
a.
b.
c.
d.
randomly from the larger population.
strictly from volunteers.
by threatening or coercing institutionalized
populations.
from confidential lists of mail order firms.
Answer: A
16. Three major ethical
concerns of psychological
researchers are deception,
lasting harm to subjects, and
a.
b.
c.
d.
morality of the question under
investigation.
loss of future research possibilities.
falsified results.
invasion of privacy.
Answer: D
17. An experimenter conducts an
experiment on the effects of a drug to
control hallucinations. He declares the
results to be “statistically significant,”
which usually means that
a.
b.
c.
d.
even though appropriate statistics were used, no
differences could be detected between experimental
and control groups.
the results have important implications for theory or
practice.
differences between experimental and control groups of
this size occur by chance only 5 times out of 100 (or
less).
differences between experimental and control groups
were so large they could never occur by chance alone.
Answer: C
18. 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?
a.
b.
c.
d.
the presence or absence of music
the students’ test scores
the amount of time allowed for the studying
silence
Answer: C
19. The statistical
technique that combines
results of a large number
of studies is called
a.
b.
c.
d.
experimental correlation.
statistical linear analysist.
meta-analysis.
hypothetical analysis.
Answer: C
20. 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
a.
b.
c.
d.
learning.
the size of the group.
the material studied.
music.
Answer: D
21. The chief function of
the control group in an
experiment is that it
a.
b.
c.
d.
allows mathematical relationships to be
established.
provides a point of reference against which
the behavior of the experiment group can
be compared.
balances the experiment to eliminate all
extraneous variables.
is not really necessary.
Answer: B
22. Which of the following
coefficients of correlation
indicates the strongest
relationship between two sets of
variables?
a.
b.
c.
d.
-0.98
0.90
0.00
1.20
Answer: A
23. The most powerful
research tool is a(n)
a.
b.
c.
d.
clinical study.
experiment.
survey.
correlational study.
Answer: B
24. The major disadvantage
of the experiment method
is that
a.
b.
c.
d.
private funding can never be obtained.
APA Ethical Review Committees often do
not approve of the research techniques.
there is a certain amount of artificiality
attached to it.
subjects are difficult to find for research
projects.
Answer: C
25. The researcher determines that the
crime rate in a large city fluctuates with
the phases of the moon. He concludes that
the gravitational pull of the moon
influences human behavior. He has
committed what error?
a.
b.
c.
d.
He incorrectly inferred correlation from
causation.
He incorrectly inferred causation from
correlation.
He failed to measure the gravitational pull
to test his hypothesis.
He has overlooked the placebo effect.
Answer: B
26. Students who do better in
high school tend to do better
in college. This is an example
of
a.
b.
c.
d.
a
a
a
a
negative correlation.
zero correlation.
positive correlation.
perfect correlation.
Answer: C
27. In the traditional learning
experiment, the effect of
practice on performance is
investigated. Performance is the
____ variable.
a.
b.
c.
d.
independent
extraneous
dependent
control
Answer: C
28. Collection of observable
evidence, precise definition,
and replication of results all
form the basis for
a.
b.
c.
d.
scientific observation.
the scientific method.
defining a scientific problem.
hypothesis generation.
Answer: B
29. An advantage of the
experimental method in
psychology is
a.
b.
c.
d.
the identification of a cause-and-effect
relationship.
similar to the correlational method in that
causality is determined.
that the surroundings are always similar to
real life experiences.
that it is an informal way to investigate
behavior.
Answer: A
30. A correlation
coefficient of 0 means that
there is
a.
b.
c.
d.
a strong negative relationship between the
two variables.
a strong positive relationship between the
two variables.
a perfect positive relationship between the
two variables.
no relationship between the two variables.
Answer: A, just kidding it’s D
31. The independent
variable in an experiment
is
a.
b.
c.
d.
the subject herself.
a measure of the subject’s behavior.
the variable that the experimenter chooses
to manipulate.
an unwanted variable that may adversely
affect the subject’s performance.
Answer: C
32. In order to summarize or
organize a series of observations
in some meaningful way,
psychologists may develop
a.
b.
c.
d.
hypotheses.
experiments.
surveys.
theories.
Answer: D
33. Basic ethical guidelines
for psychological
researchers include
a.
b.
c.
d.
ensuring that participation is
involuntary.
harming the subjects when necessary.
minimizing confidentiality.
providing results and interpretations to
participants.
Answer: D
34. Which of the following
best describe a double-blind
experimental procedure?
a.
b.
c.
d.
All subjects get the experimental procedure.
Half of the subjects get the experimental
procedure, half the placebo; which they
receive is known only to the experimenter.
Half the subjects get the experimental
procedure, half the placebo; which they
receive is not known to subjects or
experimenters.
All subjects get the control procedure.
Answer: C
35. A set of exact procedures
that represent particular
variables is called a(n)
a.
b.
c.
d.
abstract definition.
operational definition.
case study.
defining characteristic.
Answer: B
36. A friend states that since he has
been taking vitamin C, he has not had
a single cold. His observation has
little value in assessing the effects of
vitamin C because
a.
b.
c.
d.
there was no control group for comparison.
he has not calculated the correlation
coefficient.
of the effect of the observer on the
observed.
he does not specify his dosage of vitamin C.
Answer: A
37. A simple experiment
has two groups of subjects
called
a.
b.
c.
d.
the dependent group and the independent
group.
the extraneous group and the independent
group.
the before group and the after group.
the control group and the experimental
group.
Answer: D
38. An example of the
“experimenter effect” would be
a situation in which the
experimenter
a.
b.
c.
d.
acts out the proper behavior for the
subjects.
deceives the subject as to the real purpose
of the experiment.
unknowingly hints to subjects that is
expected of them.
overtly tells the subjects how to respond.
Answer: C
39. Which of the following
is considered by the text to
be a pseudo-psychology?
a.
b.
c.
d.
cognitive psychology
behaviorism
Gestalt psychology
astrology
Answer: D
40. To investigate the effects of a
particular study method on student
performance, two different methods are
tried, each with a different group of
subjects. If only the experimenter knows
which method is under investigation, the
procedure being used is described as
a.
b.
c.
d.
double-blind.
single-blind.
self-fulfilling prophesy.
representative sampling.
Answer: B
41. The results of carefully
controlled observations of
Clever Hans and his ability to
solve math problems showed
a.
b.
c.
d.
he could do math.
he could add, but he could not subtract.
he was cued by the owner looking up or
down.
non of these could be determined by
observation.
Answer: C
42. The study of unusual events is
to ___ as information from a
large number of people is to
____.
a.
b.
c.
d.
clinical method; naturalistic observation
correlational method; survey method
experimental method; naturalistic
observation
clinical method; survey method
Answer: D
43. One of the limitations
of the survey method is
a.
b.
c.
d.
observer bias.
that it sets up an artificial situation.
that replies may not be accurate.
the self-fulfilling prophecy.
Answer: C
44. I work at a university, and my
research is designed to be of
immediate use in the classroom.
My research would be called
a.
b.
c.
d.
basic.
applied.
impractical.
ethical.
Answer: B
45. In terms of critical
thinking and testing,
results should be
a.
b.
c.
d.
incredible.
repeatable.
subjective.
meta-analytical.
Answer: D
46. A variable, such as the
personality of a subject, that
might affect the outcome of an
experiment would be controlled
by
a.
b.
c.
d.
random assignment of subjects.
assuming the effects of the variable are
negligible.
manipulating the dependent variable
simultaneously.
repeating the experiment several times
until the results are consistent.
Answer: A
47. In my experiment, I am going
to investigate how sleep affects
anxiety. The number of hours of
sleep the subjects have is called
the ___ variable.
a.
b.
c.
d.
control
experimental
dependent
independent
Answer: C
48. With respect to astrology,
palmistry, and phrenology, it
can be said that
a.
b.
c.
d.
all are pseudo-psychologies.
none are subject to the P.T. Barnum effect.
they rarely work due to the fallacy of
positive instances.
astrology is the only system with a
scientific basis.
Answer: A
49. A major problem with
the survey method is
a.
b.
c.
d.
identifying the group to be questioned.
obtaining a representative sample of
subjects to be questioned.
obtaining enough information in a short
amount of time.
that it cannot reveal very much about
significant psychological events in the lives
of the people tested.
Answer: B
50. An observation that the
higher the air temperature,
the lower the activity of test
animals would be an example
of a
a.
b.
c.
d.
negative correlation.
positive correlation.
causal relationship.
zero correlation.
Answer: A
51. To assess clients’
abilities, a phrenologist
would want to
a.
b.
c.
d.
read their handwriting.
examine their skulls.
study their palms.
record their EEGs.
Answer: B
52. To replicate an
experiment means to
a.
b.
c.
d.
use control groups and experimental
groups.
use statistics to determine the effect of
chance.
control for the effects of extraneous
variables.
repeat the experiment using either
identical or improved research methods.
Answer: D
53. The conditions that a
researcher wishes to prevent
from affecting the experiment
are called
a.
b.
c.
d.
constants.
dependent variables.
extraneous variables.
independent variables.
Answer: C
54. One of the
characteristics of the
scientific method is
a.
b.
c.
d.
repeatable results.
top-secret information.
analysis measurement.
emotive reasoning.
Answer: A
55. In the simplest experiment,
the two groups of subjects are
treated exactly the same except
for the ____ variable.
a.
b.
c.
d.
independent
dependent
extraneous
control
Answer: A
56. The steps involved in
the scientific method
include?
a.
b.
c.
d.
axioms
common sense
experimentation
hypothetical theory formulation.
Answer: C
57. _____ is an inherent
part of the scientific
method.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Observation
Common sense
Reinforcement
Analysis
Answer: A
58. The story of Clever Hans, the
mathematical horse, illustrates
the use of controlled observation
to test a series of
a.
b.
c.
d.
hypotheses.
theories.
axioms.
learning strategies.
Answer: A
59. When subjects in an experiment
are chosen so that each has an equal
chance of being in either the
experimental group or the control
group, we say that the subjects have
been assigned
a.
b.
c.
d.
alternately.
hypothetically.
randomly.
consecutively.
Answer: C
60. The survey method
involves
a.
b.
c.
d.
an in-depth study of the opinions and
attitudes of a selected individual.
an overview of the attitudes and
backgrounds of selected groups.
direct observation and recording of a
representative sample of behavior.
careful questioning of a representative
sample of people.
Answer: D
61. _____ can be used in
order to create a real world
laboratory.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Correlational coefficients
Field experiments
Case studies
Random assignments
Answer: B
62. To be confident that a
cause-and-effect relationship
exists, it is necessary to
a.
b.
c.
d.
engage in naturalistic observation.
develop a positive correlation.
perform a controlled experiment.
test for a negative correlation.
Answer: C
63. An experiment is performed to
test the effects of sleep deprivation
on rote memory. In this experiment,
the dependent variable is the
a.
b.
c.
d.
number of hours subjects go without sleep.
rote memory scores.
number of subjects deprived of sleep in the
experimental group.
correlation between hours of sleep and
fatigue.
Answer: B
64. The fortune teller who studies
your palm carefully before
announcing that “great fortune lies in
your immediate future” is practicing
____ psychology.
a.
b.
c.
d.
applied
commonsense
pseudo
forensic
Answer: C
65. Research on the benefit of aspirin
to prevent heart attacks used only
male subjects in the sample. Both
men and women are given this
advice. The problem with this
recommendation reflects
a.
b.
c.
d.
gender bias.
courtesy bias.
cultural bias.
age bias.
Answer: A
66. To estimate the degree of the
relationship between birth order
and achievement motivation, a
researcher would do a(n) _____
study.
a.
b.
c.
d.
naturalistic
inventory
correlational
experimental
Answer: C
67. In the method of
naturalistic observation,
psychologists
a.
b.
c.
d.
haphazardly encounter behavior as it
naturally occurs.
set up controlled experiments by which
they uncover causal elements in behavior.
set out to actively observe subjects in their
natural environments.
interview subjects at different ages.
Answer: C
68. Two variables may be
said to be causally related
if
a.
b.
c.
d.
they show a strong positive correlation.
all extraneous variables are controlled, and
the independent variable creates consistent
differences in behavior of the experimental
group.
they are observed to co-vary on many
separate occasions.
they have been observed in a laboratory
setting.
Answer: B
69. The problem of observers
seeing only what they
expected to see is called
a.
b.
c.
d.
the halo effect.
the experimenter effect.
the effects of the observer.
observer bias.
Answer: D
70. Giving a placebo in drug
experiments is necessary to
a.
b.
c.
d.
counteract the random assignment of
subjects.
counteract the side effects of the
drug.
control for the effects of suggestion
and expectation.
keep control subjects from knowing
that they have been given the drug.
Answer: C
71. Which of the following
could serve as an
experimental hypothesis?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Although 25% of U.S. drivers say that they use
the seatbelts in their cars, only 14% really do.
A case history of multiple personality appeared
to be caused by traumatic childhood
experiences.
College women who are anxious tend to want
to be together.
As the temperature increases, the number of
hit batters in baseball increases.
Answer: C
72. Theories explain
results, predict future
outcomes, and
a.
b.
c.
d.
rely only on naturalistic
observations.
guide research for future studies.
rely only on surveys.
rely only on case studies.
Answer: B
73. Which of the following
coefficients of correlation
indicates the weakest
relationship between two sets
of variables?
a.
b.
c.
d.
0.08
-0.29
0.48
-1.00
Answer: A
74. A correlation
coefficient of -1.09
indicates a(n)
a.
b.
c.
d.
strong positive correlation.
strong negative correlation.
cause/effect relationship.
error in computation.
Answer: D
75. A representative
sample is an essential
element of the
a.
b.
c.
d.
survey method.
psychoanalytic method.
natural experiment or case study.
clinical method.
Answer: A
76. The effects of brain injury
on personality would usually
be investigated by the use of
the
a.
b.
c.
d.
experimental method.
case study method.
naturalistic observation method.
survey method.
Answer: B
77. One of the limitations
of the case study is that
a.
b.
c.
d.
there are few subjects for which it is
applicable.
there are no control groups.
it is not applicable to the study of
bizarre behavior.
it requires a large and expensive
sample size.
Answer: B
78. A scientist wants to find out if
there is empirical evidence for a
relationship between caffeine and
aggressive behavior. She would
a.
b.
c.
d.
interview people to get their
opinions.
correlate newspaper accounts and
the types of beverages consumed.
test the idea by conducting an
experiment.
research what other experts had
thought.
Hint: it’s not A, B, or D
79. The essence of the
experimental method is
a.
b.
c.
d.
accurate calculation of correlations.
obtaining direct reports from subjects
about their subjective experiences.
careful measurement and record
keeping.
using control to identify cause-andeffect connections.
Answer: D
80. If you’re trying to
establish a causal relationship
between a reinforcer and
increased performance, you
should use a(n) ____ method.
a.
b.
c.
d.
clinical study
experimental
survey
correlational
Answer: B
81. In a weight-reduction experiment, an
overweight individual was given what the
researcher called a new type of diet pill that
would help curb the desire to eat. In fact, the pill
really contained powdered milk, but ever since
the individual started taking the diet pill, he has
reported that his desire to eat has decreased. This
illustrates the
a.
b.
c.
d.
curvilinear relationship.
effect of extraneous variables.
natural experiment.
placebo effect.
Answer: D
82. An educated guess about
what is controlling some
behavior is called
a.
b.
c.
d.
experimental control.
a hypothesis.
an experimental variable.
a theory.
Answer: B
83. A correlation coefficient is
best characterized as a(n)
a.
b.
c.
d.
measure of the extent of the relationship
between two variables.
index of the causal direction between an
independent and dependent variable.
indication of the likelihood that an
experimental finding will be replicated by
others.
measure of the likelihood that observed
differences may be attributed to chance.
Answer: A
84. In order to determine the
cause of behavior, the
question we ask must be
a.
b.
c.
d.
tentative.
testable.
based on theory.
novel.
Answer: B
85. A common sense
approach to psychology is
a.
b.
c.
d.
the most reliable.
often contradicted by empirical
evidence.
the basis for most psychological
theories.
the basis for collecting data
(observed facts).
Answer: B
86. Responding to a substance
like a sugar pill as if it were a
drug is called
a.
b.
c.
d.
the placebo effect.
an extraneous factor.
variability.
psychosomatic illness.
Answer: Do I really have to tell you?
87. The control group and the
experimental group in an
experiment are treated
exactly the same except for
the
a.
b.
c.
d.
dependent variable.
independent variable.
extraneous variables.
replication variables.
Answer: B
88. A field experiment is
one that
a.
b.
c.
d.
uses the “real world” as a laboratory.
tests a field or “range” of
independent variables.
differs little from naturalistic
observation.
requires no measurement of
dependent variables.
Answer: A
89. Characteristic of the
scientific method include
a.
b.
c.
d.
anecdotal definition.
controlled observation.
analysis formulation.
adherence to inductive thinking
or common sense reasoning.
Answer: B
90. A correlational study is
one that determines
a.
b.
c.
d.
the relationship between the
independent and the dependent
variables.
the effects of the observer on the
observed.
cause-effect relationships.
the relationship between two events.
Answer: D