Full file at
Feldman Test Bank 1
Module 4
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The Prologue story was about Angel Arce Torres who wasleft for dead after a hit and run. The main psychological issue raised by the author was
- the failure of others to come to Torres' rescue.
- why the driver ran into him.
- the failure of the police to stop the assault.
- whether the police were following orders.
Answer: A
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 32
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
2. Research in psychology has shown that as the number of bystanders at an emergency scene increases, the probability that any of them will assist the victim
A.increases.
B.decreases.
C.does not change.
D.nears 100%.
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 32
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
3. The story of Kitty Genovese is interesting to social psychologists because it provided anecdotal evidence that
A.women can be just as self-sufficient as men.
B.people in need are not always helped by those nearby.
C.the effects of traumatic head injury are greatest on memory.
D.commonsense sometimes is more helpful than psychological research.
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Synthesis
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 32
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
4. When it comes to help from bystanders, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.Both commonsense and psychological research reach the same accurate conclusion.
B.Both commonsense and psychological research reach the same erroneous conclusion.
C.Commonsense explanations are more valid than psychological research.
D.Psychological research is more valid than commonsense explanations.
Answer: D
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Feedback: refer to page 32
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
5. The problem with commonsense explanations is that they are
A.rarely correct.
B.not widely shared.
C.often contradictory.
D.too formal.
Answer: C
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 33
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
6. The scientific method begins with
- identifying the questions.
- formulating an explanation.
- confirming or disconfirming a hypothesis.
- beginning the data-collection exercise.
Answer: A
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 33
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes:2.1
7. Which of the following is the final step in the scientific method?
- develop theories
- communicate findings
- conceptualize a problem
- carry out research
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 33
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
8. To answer questions about human behavior, psychologists typically rely on
A.commonsense.
B.intuition.
C.the scientific method.
D.anecdotal evidence.
Answer: C
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 33
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
9. Theories tend to be _____, whereas hypotheses are _____.
- specific statements; general statements
- provable; impossible to disprove
- general statements; specific statements
- impossible to disprove; provable
Answer: C
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 34-35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
10. The various conceptual models of psychology each develop their own general explanations and prediction of phenomena. The explanations are called
- archived statements.
- educated guesses.
- hypotheses.
D.theories.
Answer: D
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
11. The statement “Men develop social interests only with women to whom they are sexually attracted” is an example of a(n)
A.archival source.
B.theory.
C.experiment.
D.prediction.
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Application
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
12. The difference between a psychologist’s theories and those of the average lay person is
A.the psychologist’s theories are more focused and formal.
B.the psychologist’s theories are less focused and formal.
C.the psychologist’s theories focus more on disorders.
D.the psychologist’s theories focus less on disorders.
Answer: A
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Evaluation
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
13. Which of the following is a characteristic of psychological theories?
A.They are formal.
B.They are focused.
C.They are based on prior research.
D.A, B, and C
Answer: D
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
14. What theory did Latané and Darley propose to explain the lack of bystander help to Kitty Genovese?
A.obedience to authority
B.the diffusion of responsibility
C.justice for one, justice for all
D.a hierarchical demonstration of helpers and non-helpers
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
15. The theory of diffusion of responsibility was developed by
A.Freud and Jung.
B.Skinner and Watson.
C.Hogg and Hains.
D.Latané and Darley.
Answer: D
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
16. Latané and Darley’s research showed that
A.victims are more likely to receive help when many people are nearby.
B.victims are more likely to receive help when few people are nearby.
C.the number of people nearby correlates with the likelihood of a person being victimized.
D.the number of people nearby does not correlate with the likelihood of a person being victimized.
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
17. Restaurant servers report that people give smaller tips when dining in large groups as compared to when they dine as couples only. Latané and Darleywould say that this behavior results from
A.diffusion of responsibility when eating in a large group.
B.the fact that people spend too much of their money when in groups.
- conversations that remind the guests about the expense of eating out.
- the tendency to forget to tip when conversing with so many people.
Answer: A
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Application
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
18. Martique is participating in a walk-a-thon to support a local food shelter, and she sends out a mass e-mail to 100 friends, each of their e-mail addresses visible, to ask them to support her with a donation. No one responds to her e-mail or makes a donation. The _____ theory may provide an explanation of Martique’s unsuccessful request.
A.social identity
B.self-evaluation maintenance
C.diffusion of responsibility
D.deindividuation
Answer: C
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Application
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
19. The hypothesis in a research study is defined as the
A.outcome of the statistical results.
B.questions that are asked of the subjects.
C.prediction stated in a theory that can be tested.
D.manipulation that is administered.
Answer: C
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Low
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
20. The idea that a researcher wants to test by conducting a study is called a(n)
A.placebo.
B.dependent variable.
C.hypothesis.
D.inquiry.
Answer: C
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
21. The primary reason scientists test hypotheses is to
A.create patents and earn money.
B.test a theory.
C.generate broad explanations for behavior.
D.prove cause-and-effect relationships.
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
22. Dr. Boyden wants to test scientifically the Latané and Darley theory of diffusion of responsibility. To test this theory, Dr. Boyden should start with
- making a hypothesis based on the theory.
- watching how people behave in everyday life.
- reading newspaper accounts of helping behavior.
- asking students to think about times they helped others.
Answer: A
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Application
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
23. A hypothesis must be stated in a way that allows it to be tested through measurable and observable procedures. This restatement is often called a(n)
A.theory.
B.operational definition.
C.heuristic schema.
D.null prediction.
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
24. When conducting psychological research,
A.there is usually only one way to operationally define our hypotheses.
B.there are many ways to operationally define our hypotheses.
C.researchers test only very broad theories.
D.researchers test only very narrow theories.
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
25. In psychological research, translating a hypothesis into specific procedures that can be measured or observed involves developing a(n)
A.theory.
B.operational definition.
C.factor structure.
D.correlational technique.
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
26. Dr. Washington studies her hypothesis about fear by measuring increased heart rate in her participants. This specific procedure or measurement of fear is an example of a(n)
A.theory.
B.operational definition.
C.factor structure.
D.correlational technique.
Answer: B
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Application
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
27. Psychology turned to the issue of trying to understand the tendency of bystanders not to help a victim when _____ was brutally raped and murdered outside her home in New York.
Answer: Kitty Genovese
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 32
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
28. The _____ includes identifying questions, formulating an explanation, and carrying out research.
Answer: scientific method
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 33
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
29. Researchers in psychology attempt to go beyond _____ in understanding behavior.
Answer: commonsense
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 33
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
30. _____are broad explanations and predictions concerning phenomena of interest.
Answer: Theories
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
31. The Prologuedescribed the hit and run accident in which Angel Arce Torres was left for dead as bystanderswalked, raising the psychological question of _____.
Answer: diffusion of responsibility
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
32. The idea or prediction that a researcher wants to test by conducting a study is called a(n) _____.
Answer: hypothesis
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
33. A(n) _____ is the translation of a hypothesis into testable procedures that can be measured and observed.
Answer: operational definition
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
True/False Questions
34. According to newspaper and police reports, no one was around to hear Kitty Genovese scream for help as she was stabbed over a period of hours.
Answer: False
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 32
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
35. The predictions that are supported by commonsense are often contradictory.
Answer: True
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Low
Feedback: refer to page 33
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
36. Psychology is an area of study that is supported more by commonsense explanations than by systematic explorations of human behavior.
Answer: False
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 33
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
37. Research has shown that when a large number of people witness someone being beaten, the victim is especially likely to receive assistance.
Answer: False
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
38. Theories help us to organize what would otherwise be a set of unorganized facts and principles.
Answer: True
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 34
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
39. A hypothesis is a focused, testable prediction about some behavior of interest.
Answer: True
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Low
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
40. Operational definitions allow researchers to convert their hypothesis to a format that will allow for testing.
Answer: True
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge
Difficulty Level: Basic
Feedback: refer to page 35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
Essay Questions
41. Using the scientific method, how would a psychologist study why people fall in love?
Answer:To answer the question of why people fall in love—feelings of strong attraction for another person that often involves feeling of commitment, intimacy, and passion—the researcher would begin by identifying a question that interests her. In this case, the general question has been identified (Why do people fall in love?), but the researcher may want to narrow her focus by identifying more specific questions. Perhaps she might want to ask questions about the cognitive causes of love, or the emotional causes, or the behavioral causes. Asking specific questions will help the researcher to formulate focused explanations of the behavior, the second step of the scientific method. For example, the researcher might explain the causes of falling in love from a cognitive perspective, suggesting that people may interpret others’ friendliness as flirtation, and that perception leads to feelings of love. Finally, the researcher would design a way to test this explanation and collect data from people who are in love (or not). If the data fail to support the explanation, the researcher would then refine her hypothesis about why people fall in love.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Application
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Feedback: refer to page 33
Learning Goals: The scientific method
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
42. Why do psychologists rely on formal theories and hypotheses rather than on commonsense or
anecdotal explanations of behavior?
Answer:Formal theories and hypotheses provide psychologists with a way to understand and organize relationships among seemingly unorganized facts and principles. They also enable psychologists to extend existing knowledge by making educated predictions about behaviors that have not yet been explored or explained. As such, formal theories and hypotheses not only describe what is known in psychology, but also guide future research questions and activities. Psychologists prefer to use more formal explanations than those based on commonsense or anecdotal evidence. This is because formal theories and hypotheses are based on systematic and objective observations of many examples of a specific behavior, rather than on one or two vivid examples. Also, commonsense explanations are often contradictory, whereas formal theories are rooted in careful testing of specific questions about behavior.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Evaluation
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Feedback: refer to page 33-35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1
43. What is the relationship among a theory, a hypothesis, and an operational definition?
Answer:A theory is a broad explanation or prediction about behavior and mental processes. They help psychologists to understand how facts and principles that seem unrelated may actually have some connection to each other. For example, they may help us to explain why witnesses at emergency scenes do not help victims, how information is stored in and retrieved from memory, or why prejudice exists among groups. Good theories are those that are formal and based on prior research and relevant theories, and they can be broad or narrow in their focus. Hypotheses grow out of theories. That is, hypotheses are more focused, specific predictions that allow us to test the accuracy of a theory (or its parts). Thus, we might test a prediction that the number of witnesses predicts whether or not victims will be helped, that stress can impair our recall of information stored in memory, or that prejudices may arise when people see the world in terms of the groups to which they do or do not belong. Finally, operational definitions are the ways in which we test our hypotheses. Specifically, operational definitions enable us to restate our predictions in ways that will lead to specific, testable procedures that can be measured and observed. Thus, we might count the number of witnesses at an emergency scene, expose people to varying amounts or types of stress, and measure how quickly people place others into distinct, separate categories.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Synthesis
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Feedback: refer to page 34-35
Learning Goals: Role of theories and hypotheses in psychological research
APA Learning Outcomes: 2.1