Unit 1/2 Most Missed Questions

For which of the following distributions of scores would the median most clearly be a more appropriate measure of central tendency than the mean?

• 16, 28,4, 8, 24
• 9,6,9,12,9
• 8,9,12,10,16
• 6,18,4,5,2

A Researcher interested in proving a  causal relationship between two variables should choose which research method?

• correlation
• survey
• naturalistic observation
• experiment

Dr.R hypothesized that students in a classroom seating 30 would get higher course grades than students seated in an auditorium seating 300. In the example, 

• Dr.R has found a cause-effect relationship
• Dr.R has found a positive correlation between class size and grades
• the independent variable is the measurement of course grades
• classroom size has been operationally defined

Why are researchers so careful about drawing conclusions regarding statistical significance? 

• Statistical significance determines which research method should be used
• they want to make sure an observed difference isnt due to chance
• Stat significance is subjective, so researchers need to be careful
• they need to make sure the results are important

Belinda is told that the esteem-enhancing value of cosmetic surgery has been refuted by research.  She finds this information to be common sense.  This best illustrates the power of 

• random sampling
• overconfidence
• hindsight bias
• illusory correlation

Random sampling is to ___ as random assignment is to _____

• Correlational studies; case study
• surveys; experiment
• illusory correlation; control group
• replication; correlation

Why would the median, rather than the mean, be the appropriate measure of central tendency in determining housing values?

• its useful for measuring how much values deviate from one another
• its minimally affected by extreme scores
• best used to sort values into groups 
• allows you to examine the gap between the lowest and highest value

To assess reactions to a proposed tuition hike at her college, Ariana sent a questionnaire to every 5th person in the college list of all currently enrolled student. She employed the technique of

• Random assignment
• replication
• correlation
• random sampling

Researchers are interested in studying the impact of drugs on human fetuses.  Why would a correlational study be more appropriate than an experiment

• Cause/effect is only determined by a correlational study
• they allow you to observe behavior in nonartificial environments
• may generalize results to the general population
• participants could not be ethically assigned to experimental/control groups

Functionalism was a school of psychology that focused attention on the 

• adaptive value of concious thoughts and emotions
• component elements of sensory experience
• disruptiev effects of unconcious motives
• treatment of psychological disorders