PSYC 2301 FINAL EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Which of the following is the best definition of the term scientific method as it is used
in the field of psychology? - Answers - testing a hypothesis about mental processes and
behavior by collecting and analyzing data
2. Susan wants to learn more about children's aggressive behavior. She decides to
watch children interact on a park playground and count the number of aggressive acts
that occur over a one-hour period. Which research method is Susan using? - Answers -
naturalistic observation method
3. A psychologist who wants to compile detailed information about individuals with brain
injuries should probably use the _____________ method to study them. - Answers -
case study method
4. Smith conducted a survey of his students' political beliefs. He later published the
results and claimed that they applied to all college students in the United States. What's
wrong with Dr. Smith's conclusion? - Answers - The students in his PSYC 2301 class
may not be a representative sample of all college students in the United States.
5. In an experiment, the variable that the researcher manipulates is called the
______________ variable. - Answers - independent
6. A veterinarian was concerned about the link between dog food ingredients and rising
rates of obesity among dogs and decided to do a study. She began by randomly
assigning ten dogs of different breeds to two groups. The dogs in one group were given
additive-free food made with organic ingredients. Those in the other group were given
conventional dog food. Six weeks later, the veterinarian weighed the dogs and
compared the two groups.
What was the independent variable? - Answers - the type of food
7. A veterinarian was concerned about the link between dog food ingredients and rising
rates of obesity among dogs and decided to do a study. She began by randomly
assigning ten dogs of different breeds to two groups. The dogs in one group were given
additive-free food made with organic ingredients. Those in the other group were given
conventional dog food. Six weeks later, the veterinarian weighed the dogs and
compared the two groups.
What was the dependent variable? - Answers - the dogs' weight at the end of the study
8. A veterinarian was concerned about the link between dog food ingredients and rising
rates of obesity among dogs and decided to do a study. She began by randomly
assigning ten dogs of different breeds to two groups. The dogs in one group were given
additive-free food made with organic ingredients. Those in the other group were given
, conventional dog food. Six weeks later, the veterinarian weighed the dogs and
compared the two groups.
Which group of dogs was the experimental group? - Answers - the dogs who ate
conventional food
9. A veterinarian was concerned about the link between dog food ingredients and rising
rates of obesity among dogs and decided to do a study. She began by randomly
assigning ten dogs of different breeds to two groups. The dogs in one group were given
additive-free food made with organic ingredients. Those in the other group were given
conventional dog food. Six weeks later, the veterinarian weighed the dogs and
compared the two groups.
Why did the veterinarian randomly assign the dogs to groups? - Answers - to minimize
differences between the two groups that might affect their weights
10. In a follow-up study, the veterinarian asked dog owners what type of food they fed
their pets. She grouped the dogs' weights according to the types of foods their owners
said they ate. She found that dogs who ate canned food weighed about 10% more than
those who ate dry food.
The follow-up study used the ____________ method. - Answers - correlational
11. In a follow-up study, the veterinarian asked dog owners what type of food they fed
their pets. She grouped the dogs' weights according to the types of foods their owners
said they ate. She found that dogs who ate canned food weighed about 10% more than
those who ate dry food.
Can the veterinarian conclude that canned food causes obesity in dogs? - Answers - no,
because the type of study she did can't be used to identify cause-effect relationships
12. Which of the following correlation coefficients represents the weakest relationship
between two variables?
-0.85
+0.65
+0.30
-0.50 - Answers - +0.30
13. The ______________ perspective emphasizes reasoning, thinking, and memory
processes. - Answers - cognitive
14. The junction where neurons communicate with one another is called the
____________. - Answers - synapse
15. What is an action potential? - Answers - a change in a neuron's electrical charge
1. Which of the following is the best definition of the term scientific method as it is used
in the field of psychology? - Answers - testing a hypothesis about mental processes and
behavior by collecting and analyzing data
2. Susan wants to learn more about children's aggressive behavior. She decides to
watch children interact on a park playground and count the number of aggressive acts
that occur over a one-hour period. Which research method is Susan using? - Answers -
naturalistic observation method
3. A psychologist who wants to compile detailed information about individuals with brain
injuries should probably use the _____________ method to study them. - Answers -
case study method
4. Smith conducted a survey of his students' political beliefs. He later published the
results and claimed that they applied to all college students in the United States. What's
wrong with Dr. Smith's conclusion? - Answers - The students in his PSYC 2301 class
may not be a representative sample of all college students in the United States.
5. In an experiment, the variable that the researcher manipulates is called the
______________ variable. - Answers - independent
6. A veterinarian was concerned about the link between dog food ingredients and rising
rates of obesity among dogs and decided to do a study. She began by randomly
assigning ten dogs of different breeds to two groups. The dogs in one group were given
additive-free food made with organic ingredients. Those in the other group were given
conventional dog food. Six weeks later, the veterinarian weighed the dogs and
compared the two groups.
What was the independent variable? - Answers - the type of food
7. A veterinarian was concerned about the link between dog food ingredients and rising
rates of obesity among dogs and decided to do a study. She began by randomly
assigning ten dogs of different breeds to two groups. The dogs in one group were given
additive-free food made with organic ingredients. Those in the other group were given
conventional dog food. Six weeks later, the veterinarian weighed the dogs and
compared the two groups.
What was the dependent variable? - Answers - the dogs' weight at the end of the study
8. A veterinarian was concerned about the link between dog food ingredients and rising
rates of obesity among dogs and decided to do a study. She began by randomly
assigning ten dogs of different breeds to two groups. The dogs in one group were given
additive-free food made with organic ingredients. Those in the other group were given
, conventional dog food. Six weeks later, the veterinarian weighed the dogs and
compared the two groups.
Which group of dogs was the experimental group? - Answers - the dogs who ate
conventional food
9. A veterinarian was concerned about the link between dog food ingredients and rising
rates of obesity among dogs and decided to do a study. She began by randomly
assigning ten dogs of different breeds to two groups. The dogs in one group were given
additive-free food made with organic ingredients. Those in the other group were given
conventional dog food. Six weeks later, the veterinarian weighed the dogs and
compared the two groups.
Why did the veterinarian randomly assign the dogs to groups? - Answers - to minimize
differences between the two groups that might affect their weights
10. In a follow-up study, the veterinarian asked dog owners what type of food they fed
their pets. She grouped the dogs' weights according to the types of foods their owners
said they ate. She found that dogs who ate canned food weighed about 10% more than
those who ate dry food.
The follow-up study used the ____________ method. - Answers - correlational
11. In a follow-up study, the veterinarian asked dog owners what type of food they fed
their pets. She grouped the dogs' weights according to the types of foods their owners
said they ate. She found that dogs who ate canned food weighed about 10% more than
those who ate dry food.
Can the veterinarian conclude that canned food causes obesity in dogs? - Answers - no,
because the type of study she did can't be used to identify cause-effect relationships
12. Which of the following correlation coefficients represents the weakest relationship
between two variables?
-0.85
+0.65
+0.30
-0.50 - Answers - +0.30
13. The ______________ perspective emphasizes reasoning, thinking, and memory
processes. - Answers - cognitive
14. The junction where neurons communicate with one another is called the
____________. - Answers - synapse
15. What is an action potential? - Answers - a change in a neuron's electrical charge
