Other Research Principles - AP Psychology
Card 0 of 20
Which of the following correlation values represents the strongest correlation between two variables?
Which of the following correlation values represents the strongest correlation between two variables?
Correlations range from 
to 
, with 
representing a perfect negative correlation and 
representing a perfect positive correlation.
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of 
indicates that if one variable is increasing, then the other variable is decreasing. Similarly, if one variable is likely to be present, then the other variable is unlikely to be present. There is a negative correlation between wearing a seatbelt and injury during a car accident.
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of 
indicates that if one variable is increasing, then the other variable is also increasing. Similarly, if one variable is likely to be present, then the other variable is also likely to be present. There is a positive correlation between obesity and type II diabetes.
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of 
indicates no relationship between the two variables.
Of the given answer choices, a correlation value of 
gives the strongest evidence of correlation between the variables, even if the correlation is negative.
Correlations range from
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of
Of the given answer choices, a correlation value of
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In an experiment, the __________ variable is manipulated to predict the dependent variable.
In an experiment, the __________ variable is manipulated to predict the dependent variable.
In an experiment, the independent variable is the predicted cause while the dependent variable is the predicted effect. The independent variable can be manipulated by experimentors to elicit a change in the dependent variable. The dependent variable cannot be directly manipulated.
For example, in a experiment that studies the effect of soda consumption on AP exam scores, the independent variable would be the amount of soda the subject drink (easily controlled by the experimentors) and the dependent variable would be AP exam scores (the unpredictable variable being tested).
In an experiment, the independent variable is the predicted cause while the dependent variable is the predicted effect. The independent variable can be manipulated by experimentors to elicit a change in the dependent variable. The dependent variable cannot be directly manipulated.
For example, in a experiment that studies the effect of soda consumption on AP exam scores, the independent variable would be the amount of soda the subject drink (easily controlled by the experimentors) and the dependent variable would be AP exam scores (the unpredictable variable being tested).
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Brenda is told that she is being given a caffeine pill. However, the experimenter simply gave her an empty pill. Fifteen minutes later, Brenda reports feeling more energized. What concept explains Brenda's report?
Brenda is told that she is being given a caffeine pill. However, the experimenter simply gave her an empty pill. Fifteen minutes later, Brenda reports feeling more energized. What concept explains Brenda's report?
Brenda is experiencing the placebo effect, in that she is reporting a positive effect (more energy) when she was given a blank pill. Brenda mentally prepared herself for the expected effects of the pill, and was thus able to mimic the expected outcome despite no actual biological change.
Brenda is experiencing the placebo effect, in that she is reporting a positive effect (more energy) when she was given a blank pill. Brenda mentally prepared herself for the expected effects of the pill, and was thus able to mimic the expected outcome despite no actual biological change.
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A test subject is participating in an experiment in which he must choose between two buttons. Pressing Button A will reward him with $5, while pressing Button B will donate $10 to a local charity. As a researcher looks on, the test subject chooses Button B. It's possible that the experiment's findings could be affected by __________.
A test subject is participating in an experiment in which he must choose between two buttons. Pressing Button A will reward him with $5, while pressing Button B will donate $10 to a local charity. As a researcher looks on, the test subject chooses Button B. It's possible that the experiment's findings could be affected by __________.
The Hawthorne effect is also known as "the observer effect." Subjects of a study will alter their behavior if they are aware they are being observed. Because the researcher was watching the experiment, it is possible that the subject behaved differently than he would have if he was not being watched.
The Hawthorne effect is also known as "the observer effect." Subjects of a study will alter their behavior if they are aware they are being observed. Because the researcher was watching the experiment, it is possible that the subject behaved differently than he would have if he was not being watched.
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Which is NOT a measure of variability?
Which is NOT a measure of variability?
Mean is not a measure of variability - it is a measure of central tendency, along with mode and median. Measures of variability show the spread of a data set and describe how different points are from one another, whereas measures of central tendency are representative of the data set as a whole.
Mean is not a measure of variability - it is a measure of central tendency, along with mode and median. Measures of variability show the spread of a data set and describe how different points are from one another, whereas measures of central tendency are representative of the data set as a whole.
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Jessica scored 
points on a test. The mean score for the test was 
points with a standard deviation of 
. What is Jessica's z-score?
Jessica scored
Jessica's z-score indicates how many standard deviations below or above the mean Jessica's test score was. Jessica's test score of 70 was less than the mean (95), so we know that the the answer must be negative.
We know that the standard deviation was 
, so
Jessica's z-score is 
Jessica's z-score indicates how many standard deviations below or above the mean Jessica's test score was. Jessica's test score of 70 was less than the mean (95), so we know that the the answer must be negative.
We know that the standard deviation was
Jessica's z-score is
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A researcher wants to observe which parts of the brain are active when a person plays piano while reading music and while playing from memory. Which imaging technology should she use?
A researcher wants to observe which parts of the brain are active when a person plays piano while reading music and while playing from memory. Which imaging technology should she use?
A PET scan measures chemical activity in the brain.
An EEG measures brain activity by detecting waves and is typically used in sleep studies.
A CAT scan uses x-rays to take images of the brain and can be useful when looking at the brain's physical structure.
An MRI also can be used to examine the structure of the brain, but uses magnetic resonance to produce images.
A PET scan measures chemical activity in the brain.
An EEG measures brain activity by detecting waves and is typically used in sleep studies.
A CAT scan uses x-rays to take images of the brain and can be useful when looking at the brain's physical structure.
An MRI also can be used to examine the structure of the brain, but uses magnetic resonance to produce images.
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Often called "the father of psychology," Wilhelm Wundt used which of the following methods to study human thought based on social and cultural influences?
Often called "the father of psychology," Wilhelm Wundt used which of the following methods to study human thought based on social and cultural influences?
Introspection is when a person uses their personal experience to look inward. Wundt believed that a focused practice of introspection could be used to find and study the basic elements of the human mind. Wundt's practice of introspection fell out of favor by the 1930s, and his primary contribution to the history of science was his founding of the first experimental psychology lab, which helped formalize the study of psychology as an academic disciple.
Introspection is when a person uses their personal experience to look inward. Wundt believed that a focused practice of introspection could be used to find and study the basic elements of the human mind. Wundt's practice of introspection fell out of favor by the 1930s, and his primary contribution to the history of science was his founding of the first experimental psychology lab, which helped formalize the study of psychology as an academic disciple.
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Which of the following best describes Functionalism's influence on the study psychology?
Which of the following best describes Functionalism's influence on the study psychology?
Functionalism, while it never became a formalized school of psychological thought, had an important impact on the field. Functionalism considered thinking and behavior in terms of functional adaptation to the subject's environment. It is fallacious to say that a school of thought must have been formalized and maintained in order to have influence in a field of study.
Functionalism, while it never became a formalized school of psychological thought, had an important impact on the field. Functionalism considered thinking and behavior in terms of functional adaptation to the subject's environment. It is fallacious to say that a school of thought must have been formalized and maintained in order to have influence in a field of study.
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Which of the following characteristics is true for a falsifiable hypothesis?
Which of the following characteristics is true for a falsifiable hypothesis?
Falsifiability is the principle that states that a research hypothesis must be able to be disproven. This does not mean that the hypothesis needs to be disproven in the study; however, hypothesis should be able to be disproven. If a hypothesis is correct under all conditions, then there is no way to scientifically test its validity.
Falsifiability is the principle that states that a research hypothesis must be able to be disproven. This does not mean that the hypothesis needs to be disproven in the study; however, hypothesis should be able to be disproven. If a hypothesis is correct under all conditions, then there is no way to scientifically test its validity.
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In a study of the effect of a new drug on sleep, researchers bring participants into a sleep lab and give half of them the new drug and half of them a placebo. They then asked the participants how they slept the next morning. In this experiment the drug is the __________ variable.
In a study of the effect of a new drug on sleep, researchers bring participants into a sleep lab and give half of them the new drug and half of them a placebo. They then asked the participants how they slept the next morning. In this experiment the drug is the __________ variable.
The independent variable is what the researchers manipulate in the experiment. In this example, since the distribution of the drug and placebo is the element controlled by the researchers, it is the independent variable.
The independent variable is what the researchers manipulate in the experiment. In this example, since the distribution of the drug and placebo is the element controlled by the researchers, it is the independent variable.
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In a study of the effect of a new drug on sleep, researchers bring participants into a sleep lab and give half of them the new drug and half of them a placebo. They then asked the participants how they slept the next morning. In this experiment the quality of sleep is the __________ variable.
In a study of the effect of a new drug on sleep, researchers bring participants into a sleep lab and give half of them the new drug and half of them a placebo. They then asked the participants how they slept the next morning. In this experiment the quality of sleep is the __________ variable.
The dependent variable is what the researchers measure in the experiment. In this case, the dependent variable is reactions of the participants to the drug or placebo (the independent variable). Since the reaction depends on the drug and is not within the direct control of the researchers it is the dependent variable.
The dependent variable is what the researchers measure in the experiment. In this case, the dependent variable is reactions of the participants to the drug or placebo (the independent variable). Since the reaction depends on the drug and is not within the direct control of the researchers it is the dependent variable.
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Which of the following describes the relationship between the population, the sample, and sampling in an experiment?
Which of the following describes the relationship between the population, the sample, and sampling in an experiment?
The population is the entire group of people that the researcher is interested in, and the sample is the (often much smaller) group of people from that the researcher collects information from. Sampling is the process by which the sample group is chosen from the population.
The population is the entire group of people that the researcher is interested in, and the sample is the (often much smaller) group of people from that the researcher collects information from. Sampling is the process by which the sample group is chosen from the population.
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Research has indicated that the level of intelligence in the world has has been steadily increasing over time. This is shown by increasing IQ scores over generations of students. This effect has been labeled as which of the following?
Research has indicated that the level of intelligence in the world has has been steadily increasing over time. This is shown by increasing IQ scores over generations of students. This effect has been labeled as which of the following?
The answer is the "Flynn effect." The Flynn effect is the finding that IQ scores have steadily been surpassing previous generations. The reason for this effect has not been identified yet, but it is generally attributed to better nutrition and education.
The answer is the "Flynn effect." The Flynn effect is the finding that IQ scores have steadily been surpassing previous generations. The reason for this effect has not been identified yet, but it is generally attributed to better nutrition and education.
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Garth believes that there is a relationship between eating yogurt and doing well on important tests. Since there is not actually a relationship between these two variables, Garth's thinking represents an __________________.
Garth believes that there is a relationship between eating yogurt and doing well on important tests. Since there is not actually a relationship between these two variables, Garth's thinking represents an __________________.
Garth's thinking represents an illusory correlation. Although Garth believes that eating yogurt will help him to score higher on his important tests, there is no actual relationship between these two variables.
Garth's thinking represents an illusory correlation. Although Garth believes that eating yogurt will help him to score higher on his important tests, there is no actual relationship between these two variables.
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Which of the following correlation values represents the strongest correlation between two variables?
Which of the following correlation values represents the strongest correlation between two variables?
Correlations range from to , with representing a perfect negative correlation and representing a perfect positive correlation.
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of indicates that if one variable is increasing, then the other variable is decreasing. Similarly, if one variable is likely to be present, then the other variable is unlikely to be present. There is a negative correlation between wearing a seatbelt and injury during a car accident.
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of indicates that if one variable is increasing, then the other variable is also increasing. Similarly, if one variable is likely to be present, then the other variable is also likely to be present. There is a positive correlation between obesity and type II diabetes.
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of indicates no relationship between the two variables.
Of the given answer choices, a correlation value of gives the strongest evidence of correlation between the variables, even if the correlation is negative.
Correlations range from
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of
Statistically speaking, a correlation value of
Of the given answer choices, a correlation value of
Compare your answer with the correct one above
In an experiment, the __________ variable is manipulated to predict the dependent variable.
In an experiment, the __________ variable is manipulated to predict the dependent variable.
In an experiment, the independent variable is the predicted cause while the dependent variable is the predicted effect. The independent variable can be manipulated by experimentors to elicit a change in the dependent variable. The dependent variable cannot be directly manipulated.
For example, in a experiment that studies the effect of soda consumption on AP exam scores, the independent variable would be the amount of soda the subject drink (easily controlled by the experimentors) and the dependent variable would be AP exam scores (the unpredictable variable being tested).
In an experiment, the independent variable is the predicted cause while the dependent variable is the predicted effect. The independent variable can be manipulated by experimentors to elicit a change in the dependent variable. The dependent variable cannot be directly manipulated.
For example, in a experiment that studies the effect of soda consumption on AP exam scores, the independent variable would be the amount of soda the subject drink (easily controlled by the experimentors) and the dependent variable would be AP exam scores (the unpredictable variable being tested).
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Brenda is told that she is being given a caffeine pill. However, the experimenter simply gave her an empty pill. Fifteen minutes later, Brenda reports feeling more energized. What concept explains Brenda's report?
Brenda is told that she is being given a caffeine pill. However, the experimenter simply gave her an empty pill. Fifteen minutes later, Brenda reports feeling more energized. What concept explains Brenda's report?
Brenda is experiencing the placebo effect, in that she is reporting a positive effect (more energy) when she was given a blank pill. Brenda mentally prepared herself for the expected effects of the pill, and was thus able to mimic the expected outcome despite no actual biological change.
Brenda is experiencing the placebo effect, in that she is reporting a positive effect (more energy) when she was given a blank pill. Brenda mentally prepared herself for the expected effects of the pill, and was thus able to mimic the expected outcome despite no actual biological change.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
A test subject is participating in an experiment in which he must choose between two buttons. Pressing Button A will reward him with $5, while pressing Button B will donate $10 to a local charity. As a researcher looks on, the test subject chooses Button B. It's possible that the experiment's findings could be affected by __________.
A test subject is participating in an experiment in which he must choose between two buttons. Pressing Button A will reward him with $5, while pressing Button B will donate $10 to a local charity. As a researcher looks on, the test subject chooses Button B. It's possible that the experiment's findings could be affected by __________.
The Hawthorne effect is also known as "the observer effect." Subjects of a study will alter their behavior if they are aware they are being observed. Because the researcher was watching the experiment, it is possible that the subject behaved differently than he would have if he was not being watched.
The Hawthorne effect is also known as "the observer effect." Subjects of a study will alter their behavior if they are aware they are being observed. Because the researcher was watching the experiment, it is possible that the subject behaved differently than he would have if he was not being watched.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Which is NOT a measure of variability?
Which is NOT a measure of variability?
Mean is not a measure of variability - it is a measure of central tendency, along with mode and median. Measures of variability show the spread of a data set and describe how different points are from one another, whereas measures of central tendency are representative of the data set as a whole.
Mean is not a measure of variability - it is a measure of central tendency, along with mode and median. Measures of variability show the spread of a data set and describe how different points are from one another, whereas measures of central tendency are representative of the data set as a whole.
Compare your answer with the correct one above