All Free Psychology MCQs with Answers

• A. strong positive correlation
• B. strong negative correlation
• C. cause/effect relationship
• D. error in computation

Explanation: A correlation coefficient can range only from -1.00 to +1.00, so -1.09 cannot be a real correlation and indicates a computational or…

• A. there are few subjects for which it is applicable
• B. there are no control groups
• C. it is not applicable to the study of bizarre behavior
• D. it requires a large and expensive sample size

Explanation: Case studies examine an individual or a small unit in depth but generally lack a control group for comparison.

• A. 0.08
• B. -0.29
• C. 0.48
• D. -1.00Try Prep Courses

Explanation: The strength of a correlation is judged by its absolute value, or distance from zero.

• A. counteract the random assignment of subjects
• B. counteract the side effect of the drug
• C. control for the effects of suggestion and expectation
• D. keep control subjects from knowing they have been given the drug

Explanation: A placebo controls for changes caused by participants' expectations and suggestions rather than by the drug's active ingredients.

• A. rely only on naturalistic observations
• B. guide research for future studies
• C. rely only on surveys
• D. rely only on case studies

Explanation: A theory organizes findings and generates predictions, while also directing researchers toward new questions and studies.

• A. they show a strong positive correlation
• B. all extraneous variables are controlled and the independent variable creates consistent differences in behavior of the experimental group
• C. they are observed to co-vary on many separate occasions
• D. they have been observed in a laboratory settingBook Online Therapy

Explanation: Causation requires more than correlation: the independent variable must produce consistent differences while alternative explanations are…

• A. observer bias
• B. the experimenter effect
• C. the effects of the observer
• D. the halo effect

Explanation: Observer bias occurs when an observer notices or interprets behavior in line with prior expectations.

• A. naturalistic
• B. inventory
• C. correlational
• D. experimentalDownload Reference Apps

Explanation: Both birth order and achievement motivation can be measured and compared without manipulating either variable, so their relationship is…

• A. haphazardly encounter behavior as it naturally occurs
• B. set up controlled experiments by which they uncover causal elements in behavior
• C. set out actively observe subjects in their natural environments
• D. interview subjects at different ages

Explanation: Naturalistic observation means deliberately watching and recording behaviour in the setting where it normally occurs, without imposing…

• A. gender bias
• B. courtesy bias
• C. cultural bias
• D. age bias

Explanation: Aspirin research was criticized for gender bias when findings based mainly on men were generalized to women, even though treatment effects…

• A. engage in naturalistic observation
• B. develop a positive correlation
• C. perform a controlled experiment
• D. test for a negative correlation

Explanation: A controlled experiment manipulates a suspected cause and controls other factors, allowing researchers to make a stronger cause-and-effect…

• A. number of hours subjects go without sleep
• B. rote memory scores
• C. number of subjects deprived of sleep in the experimental group
• D. correlation between hours of sleep and fatigue

Explanation: The dependent variable is the outcome measured by the researcher. Here, sleep deprivation is manipulated, while rote-memory scores show…

• A. alternately
• B. hypothetically
• C. randomly
• D. consecutively

Explanation: Random assignment gives every participant an equal chance of entering the experimental or control group.

• A. correlational coefficients
• B. field experiment
• C. case study
• D. random assignment

Explanation: A field experiment combines manipulation and control with a natural, real-world setting, making it a laboratory-like test outside an…

• A. observation
• B. common sense
• C. reinforcement
• D. analysis

Explanation: Scientific inquiry begins with systematic observation, which supplies the evidence from which questions and hypotheses are developed.

• A. hypotheses
• B. theories
• C. axioms
• D. learning strategies

Explanation: Clever Hans appeared to perform mathematical calculations, but controlled observation revealed that he was responding to subtle cues from…

• A. use control groups and experimental groups
• B. use statistics to determine the effect of chance
• C. Control for the effects of extraneous variables
• D. repeat the experiment using either identical or improved research methods

Explanation: Replication means repeating a study with the same or improved procedures to see whether its findings can be reproduced.

• A. constants
• B. dependent variables
• C. extraneous variables
• D. independent variablesGet Study Guides

Explanation: Extraneous variables are conditions other than the independent variable that could influence the results, so researchers try to control or…

• A. repeatable results
• B. top-secret information
• C. analysis measurement
• D. emotive reasoning

Explanation: Scientific findings should be repeatable, meaning other researchers can use the method again and obtain comparable results.

• A. negative correlation
• B. positive correlation
• C. causal relationship
• D. zero correlationEnroll In Courses

Explanation: A negative correlation means that two variables move in opposite directions: as temperature rises, animal activity falls.