Psych Social Cognition

Ethan is researching the effect of authority on following instructions. He wants to investigate whether students are more likely to complete a boring, repetitive task if it is assigned by a school principal rather than by a fellow student.

He recruits 120 Year 11 students and randomly allocates them into two groups:

Condition 1 (Principal Authority): Students are instructed by the school principal to copy out a long list of words for 15 minutes.

Condition 2 (Peer Authority): Students are instructed by a fellow student to copy out the same list of words for 15 minutes.

Ethan records the number of students who complete the task in each condition. The results are as follows:

52 out of 60 students completed the task in the Principal Authority condition.

31 out of 60 students completed the task in the Peer Authority condition.

In Ethan’s experiment, what is the independent variable?

• Authority figure giving instructions (principal vs peer)
• Type of sport played
• Number of words copied
• Age of students
• School location

Answer explanation

The IV is what Ethan manipulates: who gives the instruction.

Ethan is researching the effect of authority on following instructions. He wants to investigate whether students are more likely to complete a boring, repetitive task if it is assigned by a school principal rather than by a fellow student.

He recruits 120 Year 11 students and randomly allocates them into two groups:

Condition 1 (Principal Authority): Students are instructed by the school principal to copy out a long list of words for 15 minutes.

Condition 2 (Peer Authority): Students are instructed by a fellow student to copy out the same list of words for 15 minutes.

Ethan records the number of students who complete the task in each condition. The results are as follows:

52 out of 60 students completed the task in the Principal Authority condition.

31 out of 60 students completed the task in the Peer Authority condition.

What is the dependent variable in Ethan’s study?

• Number of students completing the task
• Students’ enjoyment of the task
• Length of the word list
• Gender of students
• Whether students are Year 11

Answer explanation

The DV is what is measured: task completion.

Ethan is researching the effect of authority on following instructions. He wants to investigate whether students are more likely to complete a boring, repetitive task if it is assigned by a school principal rather than by a fellow student.

He recruits 120 Year 11 students and randomly allocates them into two groups:

Condition 1 (Principal Authority): Students are instructed by the school principal to copy out a long list of words for 15 minutes.

Condition 2 (Peer Authority): Students are instructed by a fellow student to copy out the same list of words for 15 minutes.

Ethan records the number of students who complete the task in each condition. The results are as follows:

52 out of 60 students completed the task in the Principal Authority condition.

31 out of 60 students completed the task in the Peer Authority condition.

Which research design is Ethan using?

• Experimental
• Correlational
• Case study
• Naturalistic observation
• Longitudinal

Answer explanation

He manipulates an IV and measures its effect, so it’s experimental.

Ethan is researching the effect of authority on following instructions. He wants to investigate whether students are more likely to complete a boring, repetitive task if it is assigned by a school principal rather than by a fellow student.

He recruits 120 Year 11 students and randomly allocates them into two groups:

Condition 1 (Principal Authority): Students are instructed by the school principal to copy out a long list of words for 15 minutes.

Condition 2 (Peer Authority): Students are instructed by a fellow student to copy out the same list of words for 15 minutes.

Ethan records the number of students who complete the task in each condition. The results are as follows:

52 out of 60 students completed the task in the Principal Authority condition.

31 out of 60 students completed the task in the Peer Authority condition.

If Ethan recruits all participants from his school, what is the main limitation?

• Lack of representativeness
• Too large a sample
• Over-randomisation
• Excessive funding
• No dependent variable

Answer explanation

Using one school limits generalisability of findings.

Ethan is researching the effect of authority on following instructions. He wants to investigate whether students are more likely to complete a boring, repetitive task if it is assigned by a school principal rather than by a fellow student.

He recruits 120 Year 11 students and randomly allocates them into two groups:

Condition 1 (Principal Authority): Students are instructed by the school principal to copy out a long list of words for 15 minutes.

Condition 2 (Peer Authority): Students are instructed by a fellow student to copy out the same list of words for 15 minutes.

Ethan records the number of students who complete the task in each condition. The results are as follows:

52 out of 60 students completed the task in the Principal Authority condition.

31 out of 60 students completed the task in the Peer Authority condition.

Which sampling method would improve generalisability?

• Stratified sampling
• Convenience sampling
• Snowball sampling
• Purposive sampling
• Biased sampling

Answer explanation

Stratified ensures different subgroups (e.g., schools, year levels) are represented.

Ethan is researching the effect of authority on following instructions. He wants to investigate whether students are more likely to complete a boring, repetitive task if it is assigned by a school principal rather than by a fellow student.

He recruits 120 Year 11 students and randomly allocates them into two groups:

Condition 1 (Principal Authority): Students are instructed by the school principal to copy out a long list of words for 15 minutes.

Condition 2 (Peer Authority): Students are instructed by a fellow student to copy out the same list of words for 15 minutes.

Ethan records the number of students who complete the task in each condition. The results are as follows:

52 out of 60 students completed the task in the Principal Authority condition.

31 out of 60 students completed the task in the Peer Authority condition.

Why is random allocation important in Ethan’s experiment?

• To minimise participant variables
• To increase sample size
• To simplify data analysis
• To remove the IV
• To prevent ethical issues

Answer explanation

Random allocation controls participant variables between groups.

Which ethical principle is at risk if participants feel pressured to participate?

• Voluntary participation
• Confidentiality
• Debriefing
• Beneficence
• Integrity

Answer explanation

Participation must be voluntary and free from pressure.

Which ethical principle requires explaining the true purpose after the experiment?

• Debriefing
• Informed consent
• Confidentiality
• Voluntary participation
• Right to withdraw

Answer explanation

Debriefing ensures participants are informed after deception.

Ethan is researching the effect of authority on following instructions. He wants to investigate whether students are more likely to complete a boring, repetitive task if it is assigned by a school principal rather than by a fellow student.

He recruits 120 Year 11 students and randomly allocates them into two groups:

Condition 1 (Principal Authority): Students are instructed by the school principal to copy out a long list of words for 15 minutes.

Condition 2 (Peer Authority): Students are instructed by a fellow student to copy out the same list of words for 15 minutes.

Ethan records the number of students who complete the task in each condition. The results are as follows:

52 out of 60 students completed the task in the Principal Authority condition.

31 out of 60 students completed the task in the Peer Authority condition.

Referring to Milgram, Ethan’s results suggest:

• Students are more obedient to legitimate authority
• Students obey peers more than principals
• Authority has no impact on obedience
• Obedience decreases with higher authority
• Obedience is random

Answer explanation

Milgram showed obedience increases when the authority is seen as legitimate.

Headline: “Survey Reveals Gender Stereotypes Still Shape Sports Participation” A national survey reveals that many Australians continue to hold outdated stereotypes about gender and sport. For example, men are more often seen as suited to competitive, contact-based sports, while women are more often viewed as suited to graceful or aesthetic sports. These stereotypes influence attitudes and behaviours, leading to prejudice and discrimination — such as boys discouraging female classmates from joining football, or coaches giving fewer opportunities to male students who want to pursue dance. The article explains that stereotypes can lead to stigma, both public (e.g., society questioning a boy who chooses ballet) and self-stigma (e.g., a girl believing she is not capable of playing football). To address these issues, schools and sporting clubs are introducing strategies such as inclusive sports programs, campaigns highlighting female athletes in traditionally male sports, and opportunities for mixed-gender teams to train and compete together.

In the sports article, what are gender stereotypes?

• Generalised beliefs about abilities based on gender
• Personal preferences
• Equal treatment of men and women
• Scientific facts
• Neutral descriptions

Answer explanation

Stereotypes are generalised beliefs applied to members of a group.