Unit 0 Research Methods Review

The condition that exists when the probability that the findings are not due to chance

• statistical significance

• experimenter bias

• confounding variables

Answer explanation

Statistical significance indicates that the findings are unlikely to have occurred by chance, suggesting a meaningful relationship or effect in the data. This distinguishes it from other concepts like experimenter bias or confounding variables.

Descriptive research where one person or group is studied in depth; baby albert

• naturalistic observation

• experiment

• correlational study

• case study

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'case study' because it involves an in-depth examination of a single individual or group, as exemplified by the Baby Albert experiment, which focused on a specific case.

"Monday Morning Quarterback" rarely act surprised about the outcome of the weekend football games.  This tendency to believe they knew how the game would turn out is best explained by which psychological principle?

• Overconfidence

• Hindsight Bias

• Intuition

• Illusory Correlation

Answer explanation

The tendency of "Monday Morning Quarterbacks" to feel they knew the outcome of games is best explained by Hindsight Bias, which is the inclination to see events as having been predictable after they have already occurred.

Which of the following demonstrates the need for psychological science?

• Psychology's methods are unlike those of any other science

• Psychological experiments are less valuable without psychological science

• Out intuitions about human thinking and behavior are not always accurate

• Intuitions does not provide correct answers unless it is applied through the scientific method

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that our intuitions about human thinking and behavior can be misleading, demonstrating the need for psychological science to provide accurate insights through empirical research.

Which of the following is a potential problem for a case study?

• They provide too much detail and the researcher is likely to lose track of the most important facts.

• They are generally  too expensive to economical

• They may be misleading because they don't fairly represent other cases

• The dependent variable is difficult to operationally define in a case study

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that case studies may be misleading as they often focus on a single instance, which may not accurately represent broader trends or other cases, leading to potential bias in conclusions.

A testable prediction is called (a/an):

• operational definition

• theory

• replication

• hypothesis

Answer explanation

A testable prediction is called a hypothesis. It is a specific statement that can be tested through experimentation, distinguishing it from broader concepts like theories or operational definitions.

Mary watches several different species of birds to discover how they feed their young in their habitat, without being intrusive. This would be an example of what type of study?

• Case study

• Naturalistic observation

• Survey

• Experiment

Answer explanation

Mary's study of birds in their natural habitat, without interference, exemplifies naturalistic observation. This method allows her to gather data on feeding behaviors in a real-world context.

What is curious skepticism?

• Closed to new ideas

• Goes along with anything

• Doesn't ask questions but also doesn't accept new ideas

• Open to new ideas but still questions them

Answer explanation

Curious skepticism is characterized by being open to new ideas while still questioning them. This approach allows for exploration and critical thinking, distinguishing it from being closed off or blindly accepting information.

All those in a group being studied is referred to as the...

• Random sample

• Representative sample

• Population

• Sampling bias

Answer explanation

All those in a group being studied is referred to as the 'Population'. This term encompasses the entire set of individuals or items that are the subject of research.

When people have the tendency to think they know more than they do

• Intuition

• Hindsight bias

• Overconfidence

• Perceiving order in random events

Answer explanation

The correct answer is Overconfidence, which describes the tendency of individuals to overestimate their knowledge or abilities, leading them to believe they know more than they actually do.