Cultural Influence and Research Methods

Mr. Ass reviews Chapter 1, covering topics like intuition, common sense, hindsight bias, overconfidence, and the scientific method. He discusses research methods, including surveys and correlations, and explains experimental methods with control groups and placebos. The impact of culture and gender on behavior is also explored. Students are tasked with designing an experiment, focusing on hypothesis creation, operational definitions, and variable identification.

What is the structure of the first test of the year?

• 15 multiple choice questions and one essay

• 20 multiple choice questions and one free response

• 10 multiple choice questions and two essays

• 25 multiple choice questions and two free responses

Which of the following is a limitation of relying on intuition and common sense?

• They always lead to accurate conclusions

• They are based on scientific evidence

• They can result in overconfidence

• They are universally applicable

What is necessary along with a theory to ensure scientific validity?

• A placebo

• A hypothesis

• A control group

• Operational definitions

What is a common problem associated with surveys?

• They require no operational definitions

• They are always accurate

• They can be influenced by wording effects

• They are not useful for gathering data

What is the purpose of using random sampling in research?

• To ensure a biased sample

• To avoid any form of data collection

• To include as many possibilities from the population

• To focus only on a specific group

What is an illusory correlation?

• A correlation that is always positive

• A perceived relationship that does not actually exist

• A correlation that is statistically significant

• A correlation that is always negative

What is a double-blind procedure?

• A method where only the participants are unaware of the treatment

• A method where everyone involved knows the treatment

• A method where only the researchers are aware of the treatment

• A method where both the participants and researchers are unaware of the treatment

How are control groups often treated in experiments?

• They receive the experimental treatment

• They are always aware of the treatment

• They are given placebos

• They are not included in the study

What is the impact of culture on our thinking and behavior?

• Culture has no impact on thinking and behavior

• Culture only affects behavior, not thinking

• Culture influences both how we think and act

• Culture only affects thinking, not behavior

What is a key finding about gender differences?

• Men and women are completely different

• Gender differences are always significant

• Men and women are more similar than different

• There are no psychological differences between genders