Methodology - Sociocultural Approach

Which of the following is true of qualitative research in the sociocultural approach?

• It allows for control of variables and manipulation of conditions.

• It focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis.

• It emphasizes understanding participants' subjective experiences.

• It always provides clear cause-and-effect relationships.

What is the main ethical concern of covert observations?

• Lack of confidentiality.

• Gaining participants' informed consent.

• Recording data incorrectly.

• Not allowing participants to leave the study.

Why is qualitative research considered holistic?

• It involves many different types of data collection.

• It reports detailed, comprehensive accounts of participants’ lives.

• It is always conducted in a controlled setting.

• It uses large, representative samples to draw conclusions.

What was one major limitation of O’Reilly’s overt observation of British expatriates?

• The participants did not know they were being observed.

• The research setting was too controlled to reflect real life.

• The researcher had to build a trusting relationship to gain honest insights.

• The observation could not include any quantitative data.

Which of the following is a key difference between overt and covert observations?

• Overt observations require naturalistic settings, whereas covert observations require a controlled setting.

• Overt observations involve obtaining informed consent, whereas covert observations do not.

• Overt observations study groups in their normal environment, while covert observations are done in labs.

• Overt observations always involve deception, while covert observations do not.

What did Festinger and his team use as a method to study the Doomsday cult?

• A longitudinal survey.

• A covert participant observation.

• An overt non-participant observation.

• A naturalistic experiment.

What is the main advantage of naturalistic research in sociocultural studies?

• It allows researchers to manipulate the environment to observe changes in behavior.

• It is more objective because it relies solely on quantitative data.

• It enables researchers to observe participants in their natural environment, leading to more realistic insights.

• It can establish clear cause-and-effect relationships.

Why can’t qualitative research in sociocultural psychology establish cause-and-effect relationships?

• It does not manipulate independent variables.

• It lacks any form of participant interaction.

• It focuses exclusively on numerical data.

• It only uses experimental methods.

What is a key feature of participant observation in sociocultural research?

• Researchers manipulate an independent variable to see its effect on participants.

• Researchers immerse themselves in a group to observe behavior over a period of time.

• Researchers only interact with participants once, through interviews or surveys.

• Researchers always inform participants about the true nature of the study.

In the study by Festinger et al. (1956), how did cult members deal with the disconfirmation of their belief that the world would end?

• They abandoned the cult and admitted they were wrong.

• They modified their belief by claiming their prayers saved the world from destruction.

• They stopped all forms of rituals and left their community.

• They denied the event ever happened and tried to recruit new members.