Scientific Foundations of Psychology
In determining whether cultural differences impact response rates to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which method would best allow for exploration of complex interactions between culture-specific variables and therapeutic outcomes?
Meta-analysis of existing studies on CBT across different cultures.
Single-blind experiment with random assignment to CBT or no treatment.
Double-blind placebo-controlled experiment within a homogenous population.
Multi-site longitudinal study comparing diverse populations receiving CBT.
What method would allow a psychologist to study behavior without participants knowing they are being watched?
Case Study
Experiment
Naturalistic Observation
Survey
In a study of how effective a study strategy was for students in an AP psychology class, it was discovered that group study sessions were more effective than when students studied alone. The students in the group study group were all girls; the students in the study alone group were all boys. In this example, the gende...
the dependent variable
the independent variable
a false generalization
a confounding variable
How might you use naturalistic observation as a counterargument against Freudian theories of unconscious motivations?
Conduct lab experiments manipulating unconscious desires.
Perform case studies on patients undergoing psychoanalysis.
Observe and record behavior that contradicts the predicted influence of unconscious desires.
Use surveys asking participants about their unconscious desires.
In a study investigating the effects of punishment on learning, what ethical consideration is paramount when deciding the intensity of the punishment?
Confirming that the punishment is sufficiently aversive to elicit a strong behavioral response.
Guaranteeing that all participants receive equal levels of punishment for their responses.
Making sure the results are statistically significant to validate imposing the punishment during the study.
Ensuring that the punishment does not cause any physical or psychological harm to participants.
Which experimental design would effectively illustrate if there's a relationship between sleep deprivation and academic performance?
Running a controlled experiment where students' sleep hours are systematically varied before academic tests, followed by comparing test scores.
Finding correlation between self-reported hours of sleep and GPA among students.
Observing behavior of students who appear to be sleepy in classroom settings.
Interviewing students about their perceived effects of lack of sleep on their academic achievements.
How might one effectively test if practicing gratitude can reduce symptoms of depression?
Asking subjects who practice gratitude if they feel less depressed.
Correlating number of times individuals express gratitude with incidence rate of depressive symptoms.
Implementing a long-term study where half the subjects maintain daily gratitude journals while others record neutral daily events, then assessing changes in depressive symptoms over time.
Observing mood changes in subjects immediately after expressing gratitude once.

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Which of the following is most essential in forming a well-reasoned argument based on psychological evidence?
Relying solely on personal beliefs for interpretation
Ignoring contradictory pieces of evidence
Critical evaluation and interpretation of research findings
Concentrating only on statistical data without considering qualitative factors
What are the weaknesses of the correlational research method?
Works with large groups of data
Alway require large sample populations
Cannot specify cause and effect
Unethical sometimes
Which research design would best investigate if there is an association between physical activity levels and mental health?
Experimental Design
Naturalistic Observation
Case Study
Correlational Study