c) predicting
d) changing
Topic: The Scientific Approach
ANS: a, Analyze It, LO 1.5 Recall the five steps of the scientific approach., (2)
% correct 34 a= 34 b= 12 c= 53 d= 1 r = .29
APA=2.4
TB_01_85_The Scientific Approach_Apply_LO 1.5, APA 2.1
“Children who watch violent cartoons will become more aggressive.” According to the scientific method, this statement is most likely a(n) ________.
a) conclusion
b) result
c) hypothesis
Correct. This statement is an educated guess about the effects of violent cartoons.
d) fact
Incorrect. This is merely a testable statement about the effects of violent cartoons on children’s behavior.
Topic: The Scientific Approach
ANS: c, Apply What You Know, LO 1.5 Recall the five steps of the scientific approach., (1)
APA=2.1
TB_01_86_The Scientific Approach_Analyze_LO 1.5, APA 2.4
Forming a hypothesis is the second step in a scientific investigation. This step is derived from two goals of psychology—description and ________.
a) control
Incorrect. Forming a hypothesis, or an educated guess, is not related to controlling a behavior.
b) explanation
Correct. Forming a hypothesis attempts to explain the question you are asking.
c) predicting
d) changing
Topic: The Scientific Approach
ANS: b, Analyze It, LO 1.5 Recall the five steps of the scientific approach., (3)
APA=2.4
TB_01_87_The Scientific Approach_Apply_LO 1.5, APA 2.1, 2.4
Bonita proposes the idea that one’s sexual history prior to marriage may be linked to whether one ends up getting divorced. This best represents which step of the scientific method?
a) testing the hypothesis
b) observing events
Incorrect. The speculation regarding the correct answer to this research question is called forming a hypothesis.
c) forming a hypothesis
Correct. Forming a hypothesis involves making an educated guess as to the answer to a research question.
d) formulating a theory
Topic: The Scientific Approach
ANS: c, Apply What You Know, LO 1.5 Recall the five steps of the scientific approach., (2)
APA= 2.1; 2.4
TB_01_88_The Scientific Approach_Apply_LO 1.5, APA 2.1, 2.4
After reading about the possible causes of schizophrenia, a scientist thinks that a virus is the most likely cause. What term most accurately describes the scientist’s idea?
a) hypothesis
Correct. A hypothesis is an “educated guess” based on solid information.
b) dependent variable
c) extraneous variable
d) experimental estimate
Incorrect. Experimental estimate is not a valid term used in science.
Topic: The Scientific Approach
ANS: a, Apply What You Know, LO 1.5 Recall the five steps of the scientific approach., (1)
% correct 94 a= 94 b= 1 c= 4 d= 2 r = .31
% correct 95 a= 95 b= 1 c= 2 d= 1 r = .41
APA=2.1; 2.4
TB_01_89_The Scientific Approach_Remember_LO 1.5, APA 2.4
The tendency to look for information that supports one’s own belief is called ________.
a) the principle of falsifiability
Incorrect. The principle of falsifiability refers to the idea that a proper research question must be capable of being disproven.
b) confirmation bias