UvA Psychology Selection Mock Exam | High-Yield
Questions, Answers & Admission Test Guide
|Expert Guarantee Pass and 100% Accurate |
Frequently Most Tested Questions | Latest Exam ,
Newest Version and Well Rationalized!!!
1.In a study, children who were breast-fed had higher IQs than those who were
not. A journalist concludes: “Breastfeeding leads to higher IQ.”
Why is this conclusion not justified?
Answer:
Because there are other possible explanations for the results.
Rationale:
The study shows correlation, not causation.
Other factors (called confounding variables) may explain the result, such as:
• Parental education level
• Socioeconomic status
• Access to nutrition and healthcare
Critical thinking principle:
Correlation ≠ causation
2.Question:
A study finds a correlation of 0.6 between variable A and B. What does this
mean?
Answer:
Individuals who score higher on variable A tend to also score higher on variable
B.
,Rationale:
A correlation of 0.6 indicates:
• A moderate positive relationship
• As one variable increases, the other tends to increase
Important:
This does not prove cause-and-effect, only association.
3.Question:
What is an effective way to reduce observer bias in research?
Answer:
Using a blind study design.
Rationale:
In a blind study:
• Observers do not know key details (e.g., group assignments)
• Prevents expectations from influencing observations
This increases objectivity and validity of results
4.Question:
A researcher classifies attractive faces more often as “positive” expressions
without realizing it. What is occurring?
Answer:
Observer bias
Rationale:
Observer bias occurs when:
• Personal preferences or beliefs influence observations
• The researcher unintentionally skews results
Here: attractiveness influenced categorization
5.Question:
A researcher surveys people passing by a train station during rush hour. What
type of sampling is this?
Answer:
Convenience sampling
,Rationale:
Convenience sampling:
• Uses individuals who are easiest to access
• Not representative of the population
Weakness: high risk of bias, poor generalizability
6.Question:
What is the difference between observer bias and observer effect?
Answer:
• Observer bias: Researcher misinterprets or records data incorrectly
• Observer effect: Researcher’s presence changes participants’ behavior
Rationale:
• Bias = error in observation
• Effect = change in behavior due to being observed
7.Question:
What is an example of an unobtrusive measure?
Answer:
Counting how many chips were eaten at a party to determine popularity.
Rationale:
Unobtrusive measures:
• Do not interfere with behavior
• Reduce observer effect
Behavior is more natural and authentic
8.Question:
A scout watching young players makes them nervous, affecting performance.
What is this?
Answer:
Observer effect
Rationale:
Participants change behavior because:
• They know they are being observed
, • They feel evaluated
This can distort research results
9.Question:
When participants are placed in a controlled environment created by a
researcher to observe behavior, what is this?
Answer:
A laboratory setting (experimental environment)
Rationale:
• Allows control of variables
• Improves cause-effect testing
Trade-off: may reduce real-world realism (external validity)
10.Question:
What characterizes narcolepsy?
Answer:
Sudden sleep attacks during the day
Rationale:
Narcolepsy disrupts:
• Sleep-wake cycle
• Causes uncontrollable sleep episodes
Safety risk (e.g., driving)
11.Question:
In experiments where participants are shown a different face than they chose,
what happens?
Answer:
Participants often do not notice the change and justify the incorrect choice.
Rationale:
This demonstrates:
• Choice blindness
• People construct explanations even when wrong
Insight: Humans are not always aware of their decisions
Questions, Answers & Admission Test Guide
|Expert Guarantee Pass and 100% Accurate |
Frequently Most Tested Questions | Latest Exam ,
Newest Version and Well Rationalized!!!
1.In a study, children who were breast-fed had higher IQs than those who were
not. A journalist concludes: “Breastfeeding leads to higher IQ.”
Why is this conclusion not justified?
Answer:
Because there are other possible explanations for the results.
Rationale:
The study shows correlation, not causation.
Other factors (called confounding variables) may explain the result, such as:
• Parental education level
• Socioeconomic status
• Access to nutrition and healthcare
Critical thinking principle:
Correlation ≠ causation
2.Question:
A study finds a correlation of 0.6 between variable A and B. What does this
mean?
Answer:
Individuals who score higher on variable A tend to also score higher on variable
B.
,Rationale:
A correlation of 0.6 indicates:
• A moderate positive relationship
• As one variable increases, the other tends to increase
Important:
This does not prove cause-and-effect, only association.
3.Question:
What is an effective way to reduce observer bias in research?
Answer:
Using a blind study design.
Rationale:
In a blind study:
• Observers do not know key details (e.g., group assignments)
• Prevents expectations from influencing observations
This increases objectivity and validity of results
4.Question:
A researcher classifies attractive faces more often as “positive” expressions
without realizing it. What is occurring?
Answer:
Observer bias
Rationale:
Observer bias occurs when:
• Personal preferences or beliefs influence observations
• The researcher unintentionally skews results
Here: attractiveness influenced categorization
5.Question:
A researcher surveys people passing by a train station during rush hour. What
type of sampling is this?
Answer:
Convenience sampling
,Rationale:
Convenience sampling:
• Uses individuals who are easiest to access
• Not representative of the population
Weakness: high risk of bias, poor generalizability
6.Question:
What is the difference between observer bias and observer effect?
Answer:
• Observer bias: Researcher misinterprets or records data incorrectly
• Observer effect: Researcher’s presence changes participants’ behavior
Rationale:
• Bias = error in observation
• Effect = change in behavior due to being observed
7.Question:
What is an example of an unobtrusive measure?
Answer:
Counting how many chips were eaten at a party to determine popularity.
Rationale:
Unobtrusive measures:
• Do not interfere with behavior
• Reduce observer effect
Behavior is more natural and authentic
8.Question:
A scout watching young players makes them nervous, affecting performance.
What is this?
Answer:
Observer effect
Rationale:
Participants change behavior because:
• They know they are being observed
, • They feel evaluated
This can distort research results
9.Question:
When participants are placed in a controlled environment created by a
researcher to observe behavior, what is this?
Answer:
A laboratory setting (experimental environment)
Rationale:
• Allows control of variables
• Improves cause-effect testing
Trade-off: may reduce real-world realism (external validity)
10.Question:
What characterizes narcolepsy?
Answer:
Sudden sleep attacks during the day
Rationale:
Narcolepsy disrupts:
• Sleep-wake cycle
• Causes uncontrollable sleep episodes
Safety risk (e.g., driving)
11.Question:
In experiments where participants are shown a different face than they chose,
what happens?
Answer:
Participants often do not notice the change and justify the incorrect choice.
Rationale:
This demonstrates:
• Choice blindness
• People construct explanations even when wrong
Insight: Humans are not always aware of their decisions
