Research Methods Exam 1 With Complete Solutions 2024

Common "Sense" / anecdotal - correct answer-- Much of what we (think we) know about the world is observational and experiential - This knowledge helps us navigate our lives day to day •That guy is a jerk, so I stay away from him •That store has good prices, so I shop there heuristic devices - correct answer-We use our experiences to build up a set of heuristic devices. These are mental shortcuts, convenient ways of organizing the world •Our brains can only process so much incoming information at a time. We need shortcuts to conserve energy for the new or unfamiliar inputs. common sense problem - correct answer-occurs when we extrapolate our anecdotal knowledge; that is, when we confuse heuristics with facts •Our knowledge is nearly always incomplete •That guy is mean to me, but he volunteers at the children's hospital on weekends •That store has good prices, but there is a store closer to my house with equally good prices •Our anecdotal knowledge paints an extremely limited and often inaccurate, biased, even prejudiced way of viewing the world Five Common Errors in Reasoning - correct answer- Overgeneralization - correct answer-•From one person to a group •That guy is mean, and he works at a bank, so all people who work at banks are mean •From one person's single action to a behavioral trait •That guy cut me off in traffic, so he's a bad driver and probably kicks his dog, too. •Can lead to stereotypes Selective observation - correct answer-•Look at phenomena according to personal beliefs, regardless of fact •I focus on the fact that he takes my parking place every morning, and I ignore his volunteer work at the children's hospital •The "Yeah, but..." syndrome Inaccurate observation - correct answer-•I thought the price tag said $5.75, but it was actually $8.75 •Perception involves interpretation •Example: Eyewitness misidentification