Which of the following is NOT true regarding reasons for using animals in research?

Which of the following is NOT true regarding reasons for using animals in research?

a. There are few guidelines for animal research.

b. Animal research allows for a level of control impossible in human studies.

c. Life-span studies that would take 80 years with people can be accomplished in a few years with animals.

d. Animal studies often lead to breakthroughs in human problems.


Answer: A. There are few guidelines for animal research.

After a study is over, when is it okay to not tell participants about any deception that was used during the study?

After a study is over, when is it okay to not tell participants about any deception that was used during the study?

a. It is never okay. The full nature of any deception should be disclosed.

b. As long as confidentiality is maintained, it is not necessary to disclose the deception.

c. If it is more convenient for the researchers and no harm was done anyway.

d. It is okay only when the risk of telling participants is likely to cause more anxiety than not telling them.


Answer: A. It is never okay. The full nature of any deception should be disclosed.

In order to control all possible confounding variables, Dr. Jackman runs her study in a laboratory using a computer simulation. This increases ________ at the possible cost of losing ________ .

In order to control all possible confounding variables, Dr. Jackman runs her study in a laboratory using a computer simulation. This increases ________ at the possible cost of losing ________ .

a. random assignment; random selection

b. internal validity; external validity

c. external validity; internal validity

d. placebo control; informed consent


Answer: B. Internal Validity; External Validity

Researchers want to see of increasing blood sugar will improve memory function in senior citizens. To test this, they give a group of elderly people lemonade made with either sugar or a non-caloric sweetener followed by a memory test. In this study, what is the dependent variable?

Researchers want to see of increasing blood sugar will improve memory function in senior citizens. To test this, they give a group of elderly people lemonade made with either sugar or a non-caloric sweetener followed by a memory test. In this study, what is the dependent variable?

a. scores on the memory test
b. the people given the lemonade made with sugar
c. the presence of sugar in the lemonade
d. the age of the participants


Answer: A. Scores on the memory test

Dr. Jenkins wants to see if specific goals lead to better performance than "do your best" goals. To test this, he goes to a 5K running race to recruit participants. He asks some racers to try for a specific time that is difficult but possible for them and others to do their very best. On average, those with the specific goals run faster than those trying to do their best. What is the independent variable in this example?

Dr. Jenkins wants to see if specific goals lead to better performance than "do your best" goals. To test this, he goes to a 5K running race to recruit participants. He asks some racers to try for a specific time that is difficult but possible for them and others to do their very best. On average, those with the specific goals run faster than those trying to do their best. What is the independent variable in this example?

a. the type of goal set-specific or "do your best"
b. the faster times in the specific goals group
c. the group that set specific goals
d. race times


Answer: A. The type of goal set-specific or "do your best"

Why is it not possible to determine causality from a correlation?

Why is it not possible to determine causality from a correlation?

a. The correlation proves that there is a causal effect, but you can't know which one causes the other.

b. Correlational studies lack a large enough N, or number of subjects to show causation.

c. There could be a third variable causing both.

d. It is possible, but only if it is a positive correlation.


Answer: C. There could be a third variable causing both.

Suppose you calculate a correlation coefficient of -0.46 for the relationship between college grades and time spent partying. Which of these is the most accurate interpretation of this finding?

Suppose you calculate a correlation coefficient of -0.46 for the relationship between college grades and time spent partying. Which of these is the most accurate interpretation of this finding?

a. When people get low grades, they often party more to increase their self-esteem.

b. The more time spent partying, the lower the GPA.

c. Partying too much causes people to get lower grades.

d. People who get high grades don't have time to party very much.


Answer: B. The more time spent partying, the lower the GPA.

Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory was based primarily on descriptive data from a few case studies. Critics question how well the experiences of these unusual individuals represent others. The concern referred to is that this type of research may lack ________ .

Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory was based primarily on descriptive data from a few case studies. Critics question how well the experiences of these unusual individuals represent others. The concern referred to is that this type of research may lack ________ .

a. standardization
b. reactivity
c. random assignment
d. external validity


Answer: D. External Validity

Dr. Gerard determines psychology class grades solely by the percentage of items answered correctly on the tests. She says she would be thrilled to give everyone in the class "As" if they could achieve a 90% average on the tests. What type of grading technique does Dr. G. use?

Dr. Gerard determines psychology class grades solely by the percentage of items answered correctly on the tests. She says she would be thrilled to give everyone in the class "As" if they could achieve a 90% average on the tests. What type of grading technique does Dr. G. use?

a. absolute grading
b. liberal grading
c. grading on a curve
d. relative grading


Answer: A. Absolute grading

Although most journalists make a modest living, a few working in the biggest markets earn huge salaries in the millions of dollars. Due to its sensitivity to these outliers, the ________ is misleading and a better representation of journalist's salaries would be ________ income.

Although most journalists make a modest living, a few working in the biggest markets earn huge salaries in the millions of dollars. Due to its sensitivity to these outliers, the ________ is misleading and a better representation of journalist's salaries would be ________ income.

a. mean; standardized
b. mean; median
c. median; mean
d. mode; mean


Answer: B. Mean; Median

Which of the following is the best operational definition of a good student?

Which of the following is the best operational definition of a good student?

a. A good student is one who has a GPA of 3.0 or better.

b. A good student is one who rarely misses class.

c. A good student participates in classroom discussions.

d. A good student studies every day.


Answer: A. A good student is one who has a GPA of 3.0 or better.

With regard to animal research,

With regard to animal research,

a. very little has been written about ethics in animal research.
b. animals are not used for psychological research.
c. there are explicit guidelines to protect animals as well as human participants.
d. ethics is of little concern because animals have no feelings.

Answer: there are explicit guidelines to protect animals as well as human participants.

Evidence collected by Milgram indicated that

Evidence collected by Milgram indicated that

a. debriefing was effective in removing any negative effects of participation.
b. some participants suffered permanent negative effects from participation.
c. there was no need to worry about deception.
d. most participants were sorry that they had participated.

Answer: debriefing was effective in removing any negative effects of participation.

During World War II, Josef Mengele was a physician in the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz, and became infamous for performing grossly unethical experiments on human prisoners. These, and other atrocities, led directly to the development of which set of research ethics principles?

During World War II, Josef Mengele was a physician in the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz, and became infamous for performing grossly unethical experiments on human prisoners. These, and other atrocities, led directly to the development of which set of research ethics principles?

a. Declaration of Helsinki
b. American Psychological Association Ethics Code
c. Hippocratic Oath
d. Nuremberg Code

Answer: Nuremberg Code

A researcher asks Stephanie to imagine herself as a bank teller who has just been handed a note by a "customer" instructing her to hand over all the money in her cash drawer. She is then asked to predict how she would respond to the situation. This procedure best illustrates

A researcher asks Stephanie to imagine herself as a bank teller who has just been handed a note by a "customer" instructing her to hand over all the money in her cash drawer. She is then asked to predict how she would respond to the situation. This procedure best illustrates

a. role-playing.
b. debriefing.
c. a simulation.
d. a psychodrama.

Answer: role-playing.

Which of the following is NOT a major criticism of the use of role-playing?

Which of the following is NOT a major criticism of the use of role-playing?

a. Participants may not be sufficiently immersed in the scenario.
b. Responses may be different if the participants were in a real situation.
c. Participants may not be able to accurately predict behaviour.
d. Reading a description of some situation may dangerously immerse the participant in the role.

Answer: Reading a description of some situation may dangerously immerse the participant in the role.

When studying topics such as family violence, drug use, divorce, or sexual behaviour, it is particularly important to ensure __________.

When studying topics such as family violence, drug use, divorce, or sexual behaviour, it is particularly important to ensure __________.

a. confidentiality
b. concealed observation
c. compensation
d. defensiveness

Answer: confidentiality

The decision to select only individuals of a specific ethnicity for a research on a new medical treatment is most relevant to which ethical principal in the Tri-Council Policy Statement?

The decision to select only individuals of a specific ethnicity for a research on a new medical treatment is most relevant to which ethical principal in the Tri-Council Policy Statement?

a. Beneficence
b. Justice
c. Respect for persons (autonomy)
d. Concern for welfare

Answer: Justice

Which of the following statements is true of Milgram's classic experiments on obedience?

Which of the following statements is true of Milgram's classic experiments on obedience?

a. In 1971, Milgram was found guilty of scientific fraud.
b. Deception was unnecessary as the behaviour of participants would have been predicted to be identical if they had known the true purpose of the study.
c. After debriefing, only 1% of participants were sorry that they had been part of the study.
d. The majority of participants refused to deliver the maximum level of electric shocks to the confederate.

Answer: After debriefing, only 1% of participants were sorry that they had been part of the study.

Studies that employ elaborate deceptions are becoming less common. Which of the following is NOT a reason for this reduction?

Studies that employ elaborate deceptions are becoming less common. Which of the following is NOT a reason for this reduction?

a. Ethics committees review proposals more carefully and are less likely to allow studies that involve deception.
b. The use of deception has become too expensive to employ.
c. More researchers have become interested in cognitive variables rather than emotions, and tend to use methods which do not require deception.
d. An increase in the awareness of ethical issues involved in using deception has led researchers to conduct studies in other ways.

Answer: The use of deception has become too expensive to employ.