Concepts Quiz

Which of the following is an example of confirmation bias in research?

• A psychologist avoids using participants under 18.

• A researcher only records results that support their hypothesis.

• A participant changes their behaviour because they know they’re being observed.

• A journal refuses to publish studies with large sample sizes.

Which of the following best describes planned change?

• A sudden drop in mood after a traumatic event

• A teenager naturally developing abstract thinking skills

• A group of smokers joining a health programme to quit

• A person experiencing memory loss due to ageing

What is meant by bidirectional ambiguity?

• A situation where two researchers disagree on results

• When it is unclear which of two variables is the cause and which is the effect

• When two independent variables produce the same dependent variable

• When participants give contradictory responses in self-report

Why is operationalisation important in psychological research?

• It ensures participants do not drop out of the study

• It increases the reliability of the study

• It prevents bias in statistical analysis

• It guarantees results will be valid

Which of the following statements reflects a sociocultural perspective?

• Depression is primarily the result of a chemical imbalance.

• Stigma surrounding depression, can prevent individuals from seeking help.

• Depression can be treated by disputing irrational thoughts.

• Some individuals are genetically predisposed to developing depression.

Why might anonymity in research increase the validity of self-report data?

• Participants are more likely to answer honestly when they cannot be identified

• Anonymity ensures that the sample is representative

• It prevents researchers from misinterpreting results

• It avoids Type I and Type II statistical errors

When a sample does not accurately _________ the target population, this is called sampling bias.

Psychologists aim to establish ______________ relationships between variables.

Triangulation of methods increases the ___________ of research findings.

__________________ means participants can leave a study at any time without penalty.