Psychology Quiz

What is argumentation in psychology?

• Debating psychological theories and findings

• Arguing with friends

• Writing poems

• Playing sports

Answer explanation

Argumentation in psychology refers to the process of debating psychological theories and findings, which involves critical thinking and analysis of evidence, making it the correct choice.

What is the logical possibility that an assertion, hypothesis, or theory can be shown to be false by an observation or experiment?

• Falsifiability

• Placebo effect

• Informed assent

• Likert scale

Answer explanation

Falsifiability is the logical possibility that an assertion, hypothesis, or theory can be proven false through observation or experiment. It is a key principle in scientific inquiry, distinguishing it from non-testable claims.

What term describes the extent to which results or findings obtained from a sample are applicable to a broader population?

• Social desirability bias

• High generalizability

• Structured interviews

• Deception research

Answer explanation

High generalizability refers to the degree to which findings from a sample can be applied to a larger population, making it the correct term for assessing the applicability of research results.

Which term refers to the method of gathering information where the order of questions and their administration is predetermined?

• Structured interviews

• Likert scale

• Deception research

• Quantitative research

Answer explanation

Structured interviews involve a predetermined order of questions, ensuring consistency in data collection. This method contrasts with unstructured interviews, where questions may vary, making 'structured interviews' the correct choice.

What is the term for the tendency of participants to give answers that align with social norms or the perceived desires of the researcher?

• Social desirability bias

• Placebo effect

• Falsifiability

• Informed assent

Answer explanation

The correct term is 'social desirability bias', which refers to the tendency of participants to respond in a manner that they believe will be viewed favorably by others, aligning their answers with social norms or researcher expectations.

What is the term for the fact that an observed correlation between two variables may be due to the common correlation between each of the variables and a third variable rather than any underlying relationship between the two variables with each other?

• Correlation coefficient

• Third variable problem

• Meta-analysis

• Standard deviation

Answer explanation

The correct term is 'Third variable problem', which refers to the situation where a correlation between two variables is influenced by a third variable, rather than indicating a direct relationship between the two variables themselves.

What is the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it?

• Mean

• Median

• Mode

• Range

Answer explanation

The median is the middle score in a distribution, meaning half the scores are above it and half are below it. Unlike the mean, which is the average, the median specifically identifies the central point of the data.

What is the probability of obtaining the observed data if the null hypothesis (i.e., of no significant difference) is true?

• Standard deviation

• Statistical significance

• Mean

• Median

Answer explanation

The probability of obtaining the observed data under the null hypothesis is referred to as statistical significance. It helps determine if the observed effect is likely due to chance or represents a true difference.

What is the term for the function of sample size that indicates the likelihood of findings occurring by chance?

• Bimodal distribution

• Central tendency

• Statistical significance

• Convenience sampling

Answer explanation

Statistical significance refers to the likelihood that the results observed in a study are not due to chance. It is influenced by sample size, with larger samples generally providing more reliable evidence of true effects.

What is the quantitative technique for synthesizing the results of multiple studies into a single result?

• Meta-analysis

• Positive correlation

• Directionality problem

• Statistical significance

Answer explanation

Meta-analysis is the quantitative technique used to combine results from multiple studies, providing a single summary result. This method enhances the statistical power and helps identify overall trends across research.