I. Research Methods (Questions 1–7)
1. Which research design can establish causality?
A. Case study
B. Naturalistic observation
C. Correlational study
D. Experimental study
Answer: D. Experimental study
Rationale: Only experiments, with manipulation of an
independent variable and random assignment, can
demonstrate cause and effect.
2. A researcher blinds participants to which
condition they’re in to reduce
A. Demand characteristics
B. Observer bias
C. Hawthorne effect
D. Placebo effect
Answer: A. Demand characteristics
Rationale: Blinding prevents participants from
guessing the purpose and altering behavior to fit
expectations.
3. Which measure of central tendency is most
affected by extreme scores?
A. Mean
B. Median
C. Mode
D. Range
Answer: A. Mean
Rationale: The mean includes all values in the
, computation, so outliers skew it more than median or
mode.
4. Reliability refers to
A. Consistency of measurement
B. Accuracy of measurement
C. Representativeness of sample
D. Strength of correlation
Answer: A. Consistency of measurement
Rationale: A reliable instrument yields similar scores
under consistent conditions.
5. In ethical research, “informed consent” means
participants
A. Are told about risks and agree voluntarily
B. Are compensated financially
C. Are debriefed after study
D. Can withdraw data at the end
Answer: A. Are told about risks and agree
voluntarily
Rationale: Informed consent requires that
participants understand risks, benefits, and
procedures before agreeing.
6. Double-blind procedures control for
A. Demand characteristics only
B. Researcher bias only
C. Both participant and researcher biases
D. Sampling error
Answer: C. Both participant and researcher
biases
, Rationale: Neither participants nor experimenters
know condition assignments, minimizing expectancy
effects.
7. A strong positive correlation (e.g., +.85) indicates
A. One variable causes the other
B. As one variable increases, the other decreases
C. Variables change together in the same direction
D. Variables are not related
Answer: C. Variables change together in the same
direction
Rationale: Positive correlations mean both variables
tend to increase or decrease together.
II. Biological Bases of Behavior (Questions 8–15)
8. The basic unit of the nervous system is the
A. Neuron
B. Glial cell
C. Hormone
D. Synapse
Answer: A. Neuron
Rationale: Neurons transmit electrical and chemical
signals throughout the body.
9. Myelin sheath functions to
A. Generate neurotransmitters
B. Speed neural transmission
C. Provide nutrients to neurons
D. Brake excessive firing
1. Which research design can establish causality?
A. Case study
B. Naturalistic observation
C. Correlational study
D. Experimental study
Answer: D. Experimental study
Rationale: Only experiments, with manipulation of an
independent variable and random assignment, can
demonstrate cause and effect.
2. A researcher blinds participants to which
condition they’re in to reduce
A. Demand characteristics
B. Observer bias
C. Hawthorne effect
D. Placebo effect
Answer: A. Demand characteristics
Rationale: Blinding prevents participants from
guessing the purpose and altering behavior to fit
expectations.
3. Which measure of central tendency is most
affected by extreme scores?
A. Mean
B. Median
C. Mode
D. Range
Answer: A. Mean
Rationale: The mean includes all values in the
, computation, so outliers skew it more than median or
mode.
4. Reliability refers to
A. Consistency of measurement
B. Accuracy of measurement
C. Representativeness of sample
D. Strength of correlation
Answer: A. Consistency of measurement
Rationale: A reliable instrument yields similar scores
under consistent conditions.
5. In ethical research, “informed consent” means
participants
A. Are told about risks and agree voluntarily
B. Are compensated financially
C. Are debriefed after study
D. Can withdraw data at the end
Answer: A. Are told about risks and agree
voluntarily
Rationale: Informed consent requires that
participants understand risks, benefits, and
procedures before agreeing.
6. Double-blind procedures control for
A. Demand characteristics only
B. Researcher bias only
C. Both participant and researcher biases
D. Sampling error
Answer: C. Both participant and researcher
biases
, Rationale: Neither participants nor experimenters
know condition assignments, minimizing expectancy
effects.
7. A strong positive correlation (e.g., +.85) indicates
A. One variable causes the other
B. As one variable increases, the other decreases
C. Variables change together in the same direction
D. Variables are not related
Answer: C. Variables change together in the same
direction
Rationale: Positive correlations mean both variables
tend to increase or decrease together.
II. Biological Bases of Behavior (Questions 8–15)
8. The basic unit of the nervous system is the
A. Neuron
B. Glial cell
C. Hormone
D. Synapse
Answer: A. Neuron
Rationale: Neurons transmit electrical and chemical
signals throughout the body.
9. Myelin sheath functions to
A. Generate neurotransmitters
B. Speed neural transmission
C. Provide nutrients to neurons
D. Brake excessive firing
