understanding and evaluating research results reported in the media
many occupations
conducting research
all of the above
The scientific method differs from intuition and authority in that the scientific method:
does not rely on accepting assertions set forth by others
does not rely on one's own personal perceptions of the world
provides an objective set of rules for gathering, evaluating, and reporting information
all of the above
Scientists use intuition and authority:
as guides and ideas for research
to draw conclusions about behavior
under no circumstances
whenever they need to replicate another scientist's findings
The science of psychology strives to ________ behavior.
describe
predict
determine the causes of
explain
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.
explaining; determining the cause of
explaining; predicting
describing; determining the cause of
describing; predicting
In what sense does basic research benefit society?
It keeps scientists employed
Its purpose is to provide practical solutions to society's problems
It provides knowledge that may be of value at a later time
none of the above
Which of the following statements is accurate?
Basic research is more important than applied research
Applied research is more important than basic research
Basic and applied research are of equal importance
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.
Commonsense
Scientific
Formal
Informal
We can usually have more confidence in scientific explanations than commonsense explanations, because:
testing a scientific explanation rules out alternative explanations for observed behavior
our intuition about the causes of behavior is usually correct and requires little empirical testing
commonsense explanations are always wrong
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:
rigorous empirical research
strict adherence to scientific explanations
beliefs that are accepted on faith
all of the above
Belief-based explanations:
require no evidence to support them
are accepted, because they come from a trusted source
are more precise than scientific beliefs
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:
begin jogging
accept the statement as true
insist that the results from a study testing the statement be reported
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:
applied research
analytical research
focused research
basic research
Which of the following sets the scientific method apart from other methods of inquiry?
logical deduction of hypotheses
using authoritative sources to develop ideas for research
observing and experimenting
using pseudoexplanations in place of hypotheses
Once a scientific explanation is developed, it is:
constantly evaluated for consistency with evidence and known principles