Introduction to Psychology and

Research Methods Test Review

The factor the researcher manipulates in a controlled experiment (the cause).

independent variable

prediction of how two or more factors are likely to be related.

hypothesis

the behavior or mental process that is measured in an experiment or quasi-experiment (the effect).

dependent variable

all of the individuals in the group to which the study applies.

population

the subgroup of the population that participates in the study.

sample

choosing of members of a population so that every individual has an equal chance of being chosen.

random selection

the subgroup of the sample that receives the treatment or independent variable.

experimental group

the comparison group; the subgroup of the sample that is similar to the experimental group in every way except for the presence of the independent variable.

 control group

division of the sample into groups so that every individual has an equal chance of being put in any group or condition.

random assignment

research design in which participants don't know whether they are in the experimental or control group.

single-blind procedure

research design in which neither the experimenter nor the participants know who is in the experimental group and who is in the control group.

double-blind procedure

a physical or psychological treatment given to the control group that resembles the treatment given to the experimental group, but contains no active ingredient.

placebo

a response to the belief that the independent variable will have an effect, rather than the actual effect of the independent variable.

placebo effect

most frequently occurring score in a set of research data

mode

the middle score when a set of data is ordered by size.

median

the arithmetic average of a set of scores.

mean

the difference between the largest score and the smallest score

range

a statistical measure of the degree of relatedness or association between two sets of data that ranges from –1 to +1.

correlation coefficient

suggested rules for acting responsibly and morally when conducting research or in clinical practice.

ethical guidelines

Which of the following is the most complete definition of psychology?

a. the science of observable behavior

b. the science of behavior

c. the science of mental processes

d. the science of behavior and mental processes

Which perspective on psychology emphasizes free will and conscious choice?

a.humanistic

b.social-cognitive

c. psychodynamic

d.behaviorist

The perspective that studies the relationships between biological processes and behavior is termed

 

a.biological.

b.cognitive.

c. humanistic.

d.social-cultural.

Which type of psychologist might help teachers develop new instructional techniques?

a.school

b.educational

c. experimental

d.clinical

Which type of psychologist would study how groups affect individuals?

a.social

b.developmental

c. experimental

d.evolutionary

A psychologist keeps a very detailed record of a series of interviews with an individual who is suffering from a rare brain disorder. This is an example of which research method?

a.experiment.

b.correlational.

c. case study.

d.naturalistic observation.

If a psychologist observes a day care center through a one-way mirror, she is utilizing which form of research?

a.case study

b.correlational

c. naturalistic observation

d.experimentation

A number that measures the strength of a relationship between two variables is a(n)

a. independent variable.

b.dependent variable.

c. control variable.

d.correlation coefficient.

A correlation coefficient of +0.95 means

a.There is no relationship between the variables

b.As one variable increases, the other variable increases

c. As one variable increases, the other variable decreases

d.The variables are independent

A correlation coefficient of 0.00 means

a.There is no relationship between the variables

b.As one variable increases, the other variable increases

c. As one variable decreases, the other variable decreases

d.As one variable increases, the other variable decreases

An experiment investigates the effects of a medication on symptoms of schizophrenia. In this case, the medication represents the

a.dependent variable.

b. independent variable.

c. control variable.

d.random variable.

An experiment investigates the effects of a medication on symptoms of schizophrenia. In this case, the symptoms of schizophrenia represent the

 

a.dependent variable.

b. independent variable.

c. control variable.

d.random variable.

 

You see a journal article entitled, “Injection of Happystuff causes a reduction in symptoms of depression in adult males.” This tells you that the independent variable

a. is Happystuff.

b. is symptoms of depression.

c. is adult males.

d.cannot be determined.

In a drug study, one group of participants receives a placebo and another group receives a pill that is believed to be effective in treating depression. The group that receives the placebo is referred to as the

a.control group.

b.experimental group.

c. independent group.

d.dependent group.

When every participant in an experiment has an equal chance of receiving one of the treatments it is termed

a.control assignment.

b.random selection.

c. random assignment.

d.control selection.

When neither the researcher nor the participants knows who is receiving the active drug and who is receiving the placebo, it is referred to as

a. random sampling.

b.a double-blind study.

c. a single-blind study.

d.control factor.

In drug studies, the inactive pill that some participants receive is referred to as a

a.panacea.

b.placebo.

c. pretender.

d.prevention.

Dr. Baldwin studies the effects of marijuana on memory she designs an experiment where half the group is receiving THC ( the active ingredient in Marijuana) and the other group gets oregano. The subjects are all given the same list of words to study while they are smoking the substances. Recall is tested 1 hour later.

IV: marijuana (THC)

DV: recall

A test was designed to test the effects of alcohol on motor coordination group one was given a mixed drink with two shots of alcohol in it. Group two was given a mixed drink with one shot of alcohol in it. Then their motor coordination was tested by asking them to do a series of balancing exercises.

IV: alcohol

DV: coordination

A study was conducted on sleep deprivation and cognitive performance on a problem solving test. One group of subjects was deprived of 1 hour of sleep, the other group of subjects was deprived of 4 hours of sleep. Then they were given the problem solving test.

IV: amount of sleep

DV: problem solving

A recent report found that blueberries enhanced the maze running performance of mice. What was the independent variable and dependent variable of this experiment?

IV: blueberries

DV: time it took to run the maze

We are studying whether or not a new vitamin supplement helps boost memory retention. What is the IV and DV?

IV: vitamin

DV: memory retention

If I wished to try a new cooperative teaching method and I wanted to study how effective it is compared to the standard lecture method. How would I design my experiment?

IV: cooperative teaching method

DV: student achievement

There was a -.85 relationship

between the amount of exercise people do and their weight. What does this mean?

strong, negative correlation

It has been found that the more control people have over their work environments, the more productive they are. What type of correlation would this be?

positive correlation

A study found that the less drugs people do the higher their grade point average, what type of correlation would this be?

negative correlation

A study found that the more people sleep, the younger they are. This is an example of what type of correlation?

negative correlation

If a +.55 relationship was found between variable A and variable B what would this mean?

moderate, positive correlation

Research has found that the bigger the credit line a bank offers, the more money people owe. This is an example of a ________________ correlation.

positive correlation

If I found a correlation coefficient of.-75 between variables A and Variables

B what would this mean?

strong, negative correlation