PsycLearn 1: Comprehensive Study on Mastering Psychology Content

A local company implemented changes to new employee orientation procedures to achieve benefits in employee satisfaction and motivation. The company's examination of the research to see if the changes resulted in any benefits is an example of

evaluation of outcomes

Which skill is important at every step of the research process and within most other research skills?

critical thinking

You will find the research skills and knowledge gained in this course to be useful

for jobs in a variety of workplaces, including research-related ones.

For scientists, which of these is the better definition of research?

The process of collecting information to answer a question

After reading the abstract of a scientific journal article, which of the following will you not be able to do?

Cite appropriate research to support a study.

When using the scientific method, which of these steps will a scientist take after observing a phenomenon for which she has no experience?

form a research question

When using the scientific method, what is the step that a scientist will take following the formation of a hypothesis?

test the hypothesis

Which of these questions is least relevant when a researcher evaluates related literature in preparation for a research study?

Are the authors from a prestigious institution?

At which step of the scientific method would a researcher decide on the research design?

testing a hypothesis

Following which step of the scientific method would a researcher propose a revision to an established theory?

drawing conclusions

The distinction between basic research and applied research is in

how research can be used after the study is completed

Basic research is conducted to

add to a base of knowledge

Researchers investigated the effects of non-psychoactive drugs for treating depression. Because researchers were trying to solve the problem of finding the most effective treatment for depression this would be considered

applied research

Which of the following is an example of basic research?

Studying brain weight among the recently deceased to learn the average weight of brain tissue.

Which statement characterizes the relationship between basic research and applied research?

Basic research often leads to applied research.

After completing a new research study, a sleep researcher updated her theory based on the new evidence. This illustrates which characteristic of science?

provisional

As a characteristic of sciences, what does it mean that science is deterministic?

All natural, social, and psychological phenomena are causally explained.

A friend was convinced that memories for faces last longer than memories for words (definitions). Since this can be tested and possibly shown to be wrong, it is considered

falsifiable

There is a measurable relationship between minutes of exercise per week and anxiety rating. Which of the basic characteristics of science suggests that this relationship can be studied by science?

empirical

As a characteristic of sciences, what does it mean that science is public?

Scientific knowledge is independent of its economic value.

Which of these is a characteristic of pseudoscience?

Work to prove claims

You believe the advice of a group of friends over the advice of your doctor about the risks of vaccinating your child. What characteristics of pseudoscience does this indicate?

Decisions based on consensus

Which of these is a definition of pseudoscience?

Claims that appear to be scientific but lack the characteristics of the scientific method

Which of these is not an example of pseudoscience?

Psychology

Sigmund Freud claimed that the unconscious part of our mind influenced our life, language, and behavior. Why is this not open to investigation by science?

It is a claim that cannot be falsified.