2890 - Unit 1 - CH 1-3

Darius participated in a study examining the effects of alcohol on long-term memory. Six months after his participation ended, he received a newsletter detailing the results of the study. The researchers were following the ethical guideline that mandates:

• knowledge of results.

• informed consent.

• full disclosure.

• protection against harm.

Answer explanation

The researchers provided Darius with the study results, adhering to the ethical guideline of 'knowledge of results,' which ensures participants are informed about the outcomes of the research they took part in.

Grace is conducting a research study and must report her data in such a way that no specific piece of information can be associated with any particular participant. This is a central part of which aspect of research ethics?

• Informed consent

• Protection from harm

• Confidentiality

• Deception

Answer explanation

Confidentiality is crucial in research ethics as it ensures that participants' data is protected and cannot be linked to them personally, maintaining their privacy and trust in the research process.

Researchers want to understand how memory skills differ across ages. They invite groups of children, teenagers, and adults to participate in a memory test at the same time, and then compare the results between these age groups. What type of research design are they using?

• Cross-sectional

• Longitudinal

• Sequential

• Cross-cultural

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Cross-sectional' because this research design involves studying participants of different ages at the same time and comparing the results across those age groups.

Noah is conducting an experiment to study the effects of long lectures on the sleeping behavior of college students. In this study, the dependent variable is:

• the sleeping behavior of college students.

• long lectures.

• the length of time a lecture runs.

• college students.

Answer explanation

In this experiment, the dependent variable is what is being measured or affected. Since the study focuses on how long lectures impact students, the correct choice is the sleeping behavior of college students.

Jackson is analyzing the relationship between hours spent studying and exam scores. Which statement about the correlations he might find is correct?

• Correlations can range from -1.00 to +1.00 and describe the strength of the relationship between two variables.

• A correlation of +1.00 provides clear evidence that one variable has a causative effect on the other.

• A correlation of -1.00 indicates a weak relationship between two variables.

• A correlation of zero indicates a strong relationship between two variables.

Answer explanation

The correct statement is that correlations range from -1.00 to +1.00, indicating the strength of the relationship between two variables. A correlation of +1.00 or -1.00 indicates a strong relationship, not causation.

To learn about toy preferences, Professor Rabinowitz interviews children at a local preschool and uses their responses to draw conclusions about children's toy preferences in general. This is an example of a(n) ________ study.

• survey

• experimental

• correlational

• ethnographic

Answer explanation

Professor Rabinowitz's interviews gather data from children to understand toy preferences, which characterizes a survey study. Surveys collect responses to analyze trends, making 'survey' the correct choice.

Which of the following is an example of naturalistic observation?

• Researchers interested in children's gender-related interactions videotape children while they are playing during recess and while they are engaged in cooperative learning assignments in their classrooms.

• A school psychologist administers mathematical aptitude tests to the sophomore class at a high school.

• A researcher provides high-caffeine drinks to an experimental group who are being taught a complicated game and provides caffeine-free drinks to a control group who are being taught the same game.

• A serial killer is subjected to a battery of physical tests and intensive interviews in an effort to determine the factors that influenced his developmental pathway toward homicidal behavior.

Answer explanation

The correct choice illustrates naturalistic observation as researchers videotape children in their natural settings (recess and classroom) to study their interactions, without manipulating the environment.

Sets of statements that propose general principles to explain development are known as:

• cross-sectional designs.

• hypotheses.

• theories.

• constructs.

Answer explanation

Sets of statements that propose general principles to explain development are called theories. They provide a framework for understanding various aspects of development, unlike hypotheses, which are specific predictions.

Which summary best describes the goals of developmental science?

• To describe, explain, predict, and influence development

• To understand and explain social norms

• To study cohort effects across cultures

• To explain, record, and produce human differences

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'To describe, explain, predict, and influence development', encapsulates the primary goals of developmental science, which focuses on understanding human growth and change throughout the lifespan.

Which concept defines a system of meanings and customs shared by an identifiable group and transmitted across generations?

• Culture

• Collective identity

• Cohort

• Age strata

Answer explanation

The concept that defines a system of meanings and customs shared by a group and passed down through generations is 'Culture'. It encompasses the beliefs, practices, and values that characterize a community.