Practice Test: Research Methods in Psychology

What is the main purpose of using multigroup designs with independent variables?

• a. To simplify the research process

• b. To detect non-linear relationships

• c. To manipulate dependent variables

• d. To eliminate confounding variables

From Asch's (1955) experiment, what trend did they observe in the relationship between the number of confederates and conformity?

• a. Increasing conformity with more confederates

• b. Decreasing conformity with more confederates

• c. No effect of confederates on conformity

• d. Linear trend with a sudden drop

In self-report data, what is a construct, and how is it typically measured?

• a. A physical attribute; measured using scales

• b. An abstract idea; measured using physical responses

• c. A behavioral response; measured using numerical scales

• d. An underlying theme; measured using survey questions

What is the main reason open-ended questions are not used very often in survey research?

• a. They require a rater for evaluation.

• b. They yield easy empirical scores.

• c. They limit response options.

• d. They encourage truthful responses.

What is the Halo Effect, and how does it influence perceptions?

• a. A bias in favor of positive attributes; it leads to inflated perceptions

• b. A measure of sensitivity; it distorts responses to extreme values

• c. A form of central tendency bias; it reduces variability in responses

• d. A type of operational definition; it specifies underlying ideas

What is a potential issue related to truthfulness in survey responses, and what are two factors influencing it?

• a. Acquiescence bias; social desirability and demand characteristics

• b. Misrepresentation; self-knowledge and central tendency bias

• c. Halo effect; sensitivity of the measure and open-ended questions

• d. Demand characteristics; truthfulness and social desirability

Define a forced-choice measure, and provide an example.

• a. A measure that allows participants to freely choose their response; Likert scale

• b. A measure that forces participants to choose between two extremes; numerical scale

• c. A measure that limits response options; open-ended question

• d. A measure that includes reverse-coded items; graphic scale

What is the main focus of conceptual or theoretical definitions, and where might you find such definitions?

• a. Measuring behavior

• b. Underlying ideas

• c. Operational procedures

• d. Empirical scores

How is an operational definition different from a theoretical definition? Provide an example of an operational definition.

• a. Theoretical definitions focus on operations; operational definitions focus on ideas.

• b. Theoretical definitions provide empirical scores; operational definitions specify operations.

• c. Theoretical definitions involve measurement; operational definitions involve underlying concepts.

• d. Operational definitions involve manipulation; theoretical definitions involve measurement.

In the Milkshake Experiment, what is the independent variable, and what is an example of its operational definition?

• a. Type of milkshake; different flavors

• b. Drinking speed; slow or fast

• c. Fullness after drinking; low or high

• d. Temperature of milkshake; cold or hot