Chapter 1: Scientific Understanding of Behavior

Knowledge of research methods may be useful in:
1. understanding and evaluating research results reported in the media
2. many occupations
3. conducting research
4. all of the above
The scientific method differs from intuition and authority in that the scientific method:
1. does not rely on accepting assertions set forth by others
2. does not rely on one's own personal perceptions of the world
3. provides an objective set of rules for gathering, evaluating, and reporting information
4. all of the above
Scientists use intuition and authority:
1. as guides and ideas for research
2. to draw conclusions about behavior
3. under no circumstances
4. whenever they need to replicate another scientist's findings
The science of psychology strives to ________ behavior.
1. describe
2. predict
3. determine the causes of
4. explain
5. all of the above
The statement "The average intelligence test score of children in the Central School District is 108" is an example of a(n) ________ of behavior, whereas the statement "Children from smaller families have higher intelligence test scores than children from larger families" is an example of a(n) ________ behavior.
1. explaining; determining the cause of
2. explaining; predicting
3. describing; determining the cause of
4. describing; predicting
In what sense does basic research benefit society?
1. It keeps scientists employed
2. Its purpose is to provide practical solutions to society's problems
3. It provides knowledge that may be of value at a later time
4. none of the above
Which of the following statements is accurate?
1. Basic research is more important than applied research
2. Applied research is more important than basic research
3. Basic and applied research are of equal importance
4. Basic and applied research are both of less importance than theoretical research
________ explanations are based on the limited information at hand and our own experience.
1. Commonsense
2. Scientific
3. Formal
4. Informal
We can usually have more confidence in scientific explanations than commonsense explanations, because:
1. testing a scientific explanation rules out alternative explanations for observed behavior
2. our intuition about the causes of behavior is usually correct and requires little empirical testing
3. commonsense explanations are always wrong
4. all of the above
Your friend, who was raised as a strict Catholic, states that the earth was created in six days. Most likely her statement is based on:
1. rigorous empirical research
2. strict adherence to scientific explanations
3. beliefs that are accepted on faith
4. all of the above
Belief-based explanations:
1. require no evidence to support them
2. are accepted, because they come from a trusted source
3. are more precise than scientific beliefs
4. both a and b
You have just read an article in a popular magazine that stated, "People who jog live longer than people who do not jog." As a scientist, you would probably:
1. begin jogging
2. accept the statement as true
3. insist that the results from a study testing the statement be reported
4. agree, because you remember what happened to Jim Fixx on July 20th, 1984
Research done primarily to test a theoretical position would best be classified as:
1. applied research
2. analytical research
3. focused research
4. basic research
Which of the following sets the scientific method apart from other methods of inquiry?
1. logical deduction of hypotheses
2. using authoritative sources to develop ideas for research
3. observing and experimenting
4. using pseudoexplanations in place of hypotheses
Once a scientific explanation is developed, it is:
1. constantly evaluated for consistency with evidence and known principles
2. accepted and not subjected to further test
3. elevated to the status of a law
4. none of the above

Chapter 1: Scientific Understanding of Behavior

Choose the correct answer for each question.