Concepts Quiz

Which of the following is an example of confirmation bias in research?

• A psychologist avoids using participants under 18.

• A researcher only records results that support their hypothesis.

• A participant changes their behaviour because they know they’re being observed.

• A journal refuses to publish studies with large sample sizes.

Which of the following best describes planned change?

• A sudden drop in mood after a traumatic event

• A teenager naturally developing abstract thinking skills

• A group of smokers joining a health programme to quit

• A person experiencing memory loss due to ageing

What is meant by bidirectional ambiguity?

• A situation where two researchers disagree on results

• When it is unclear which of two variables is the cause and which is the effect

• When two independent variables produce the same dependent variable

• When participants give contradictory responses in self-report

Why is operationalisation important in psychological research?

• It ensures participants do not drop out of the study

• It increases the reliability of the study

• It prevents bias in statistical analysis

• It guarantees results will be valid

Which of the following statements reflects a sociocultural perspective?

• Depression is primarily the result of a chemical imbalance.

• Stigma surrounding depression, can prevent individuals from seeking help.

• Depression can be treated by disputing irrational thoughts.

• Some individuals are genetically predisposed to developing depression.

Why might anonymity in research increase the validity of self-report data?

• Participants are more likely to answer honestly when they cannot be identified

• Anonymity ensures that the sample is representative

• It prevents researchers from misinterpreting results

• It avoids Type I and Type II statistical errors

When a sample does not accurately (a)   the target population, this is called sampling bias.

Psychologists aim to establish (a)   relationships between variables.

Triangulation of methods increases the (a)   of research findings.

(a)   means participants can leave a study at any time without penalty.