Chapter 4: Research Methods
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A researcher is testing the effects of violent media images on tolerance for aggressive behaviour by
showing either nonviolent or violent movie scenes to participants and then asking the participants to
rate the level of aggression they perceive in children interacting on a playground. Which of the
following is the independent variable?
a. the type of video that is shown
b. how aggressive the children are behaving on the playground
c. the participants’ rating of aggression
d. tolerance for aggression
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 99–100 BLM: Higher Order
2. Your friend Sally has trouble making commitments in relationships, and you believe that this is
because Sally’s parents had a bitter divorce when she was young. What is exemplified by your belief
that a child who lives through a bitter parental divorce will have trouble making commitments in
relationships as an adult?
a. an applied theory
b. an independent variable
c. a hypothesis
d. an empirical inference
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 100 BLM: Higher Order
3. Which of the following hypotheses would have adequate testability?
a. All people see a bright light before they die.
b. Behaviour is influenced by subconscious thoughts.
c. Supernatural forces influence our behaviour every day.
d. Children who view aggression are more likely to act in an aggressive manner.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 100 BLM: Higher Order
4. Professor Black is asked by one of his students to describe the meaning of a hypothesis. What should
Professor Black say?
a. A hypothesis is a question.
b. A hypothesis is a statement of fact
c. A hypothesis is a prediction about behaviour.
d. A hypothesis is an established theory.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 100 BLM: Higher Order
5. What is a hypothesis?
a. a research question tested through experimentation
b. a theory that is based on available information
c. a prediction about behaviour that is derived from theory and is tested through research
d. a research question formulated through observation of daily occurrence
, ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 100 BLM: Remember
4-2
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A researcher is testing the effects of violent media images on tolerance for aggressive behaviour by
showing either nonviolent or violent movie scenes to participants and then asking the participants to
rate the level of aggression they perceive in children interacting on a playground. Which of the
following is the independent variable?
a. the type of video that is shown
b. how aggressive the children are behaving on the playground
c. the participants’ rating of aggression
d. tolerance for aggression
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 99–100 BLM: Higher Order
2. Your friend Sally has trouble making commitments in relationships, and you believe that this is
because Sally’s parents had a bitter divorce when she was young. What is exemplified by your belief
that a child who lives through a bitter parental divorce will have trouble making commitments in
relationships as an adult?
a. an applied theory
b. an independent variable
c. a hypothesis
d. an empirical inference
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 100 BLM: Higher Order
3. Which of the following hypotheses would have adequate testability?
a. All people see a bright light before they die.
b. Behaviour is influenced by subconscious thoughts.
c. Supernatural forces influence our behaviour every day.
d. Children who view aggression are more likely to act in an aggressive manner.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 100 BLM: Higher Order
4. Professor Black is asked by one of his students to describe the meaning of a hypothesis. What should
Professor Black say?
a. A hypothesis is a question.
b. A hypothesis is a statement of fact
c. A hypothesis is a prediction about behaviour.
d. A hypothesis is an established theory.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 100 BLM: Higher Order
5. What is a hypothesis?
a. a research question tested through experimentation
b. a theory that is based on available information
c. a prediction about behaviour that is derived from theory and is tested through research
d. a research question formulated through observation of daily occurrence
, ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 100 BLM: Remember
4-2
